Remember the comforting presence of the family doctor who knew your entire family by name, tracked your growth spurts, and treated your scraped knees with a smile? Committed to enhancing healthcare through connection, Growlife Medical is a Brisbane family doctor on a mission to revive that sense of community in healthcare, creating a ‘village’ for everyone in their care.
With the rise of large medical centres and frequent changes in doctors over recent years, have you noticed that healthcare has become more impersonal?
Dr Aaron and Alison Chambers, a GP and a pediatric nurse/midwife, recognised this trend. Therefore, in 2017, they created Growlife Medical with a vision for a better model of collaborative general practice.
“In an increasingly disconnected society, people—especially families—need social connection,” says Aaron. “Many of the problems we face as GPs have more to do with what’s happening outside the clinic walls, such as social connection, family relationships, community, and cohesiveness. It’s all those things that impact a person’s health that general practice used to be much more involved in,” says Aaron.
The ethos of this innovative medical centre and Brisbane family doctor is that strong connections during pregnancy and early life will improve the health of individuals, families, and the community by establishing healthy habits and social cohesion for life. This is the driving force behind their decision to integrate antenatal and postnatal midwifery services, lactation consultants, music therapy, paediatric dietitians, and child health and practice nurses into routine GP care.
Brisbane family doctor with pregnancy and early parenthood care
Pregnancy and early parenthood are times of enormous uncertainty and health worries. Therefore, Growlife Medical offers comprehensive prenatal care, seamlessly coordinating with midwives and local hospitals to ensure a smooth transition.
Alison explains, “We support mothers throughout their pregnancy by offering comprehensive information, coordinating care with midwives, conducting newborn classes, and collaborating with local hospital services.”
After delivery, mothers and babies are welcomed back to the medical centre as soon as possible for checkups by a dedicated team of nurses, GPs, and midwives, including perinatal psychologists, to address postnatal anxiety and depression. Lactation consultants provide in-clinic and home visits to support breastfeeding, a crucial factor in a child’s long-term health.
Baby Nurse at Growlife Medical Kay Whitby, adds, “The breastfeeding program at Growlife has been so successful that our breastfeeding continuation rates are double the national average, which is a testament to our commitment to long-term health outcomes for mothers and babies.”
Growlife Medical incorporates antenatal and childhood care within one Brisbane family medical centre
A Brisbane family doctor who cares for the community
This community integration goes far beyond medical care, with Growlife actively fostering family relationships through parent groups and community activities.
“When we were first thinking about establishing a practice, we thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if parent groups are integrated with the clinic?’” Alison says. “People living within that very local area can meet each other and develop relationships, and then their kids have that cohort they grow up with. I experienced that with my own children, and the parent group you become part of early after having a baby really creates that village that allows your kids to grow up healthily and have those family connections and those shared life experiences.”
This Brisbane family doctor has even implemented a program called ‘SongLife Connections’—a music therapy group specifically designed to strengthen the bond between parents and their little ones while fostering social connections amongst parents themselves.
Music Therapist Amy Cooper, who runs the Growlife program, specialises in supportive music practices with neurodivergent children and adults. She also designs individual programs for those with speech delay, challenges in physical coordination, and emotional regulation.
“I am passionate about using music to enhance and shape social relationships and strengthen family bonds to promote overall health,” says Amy.
Building healthy habits for a lifetime
Early childhood presents a crucial opportunity to establish healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Growlife offers child nutrition classes led by dietitians, beginning with the introduction of solid foods for babies as young as 4-6 months and continuing through toddlerhood.
Aaron stresses the importance of early intervention, stating, “Establishing healthy habits from a young age is crucial. Our experienced nurses collaborate closely with GPs to ensure that routine child health checks and vaccinations are carried out on time.”
Growlife Medical’s philosophy extends beyond early life. Alison adds, “We have established a strong reputation in early life services, but our focus is on providing comprehensive healthcare for the entire family throughout their lives.”
Growing Australia’s healthiest communities
With so much additional support at these unique Brisbane medical centres, Growlife Medical is more than just a medical practice; each is a vibrant community hub. They believe in supporting families, fostering connections, and creating a village where children can thrive. By focusing on continuity, collaboration, and early intervention, Growlife Medical empowers families to build a foundation for lifelong health and well-being.
Aaron says, “Our core purpose is to support individuals, grow stronger families, and create Australia’s healthiest communities. We look forward to welcoming you to Growlife Medical.”
In further exciting news, Growlife recently won the award of QLD General Practice of the Year! “This is an amazing testament to all the hard work and dedication to our community that every Growlife member provides every day. This award is a tribute to our purpose at Growlife Medical: to support individuals, grow stronger families, and create Australia’s healthiest communities,” said Aaron.
Where to find Brisbane family doctor Growlife Medical
Growlife Medical Fairfield
Fairfield Gardens Shopping Centre,
180 Fairfield Rd, Fairfield 4103
Growlife Medical Highgate Hill
109 Gladstone Rd,
Highgate Hill 4101
Growlife Medical Oxley
169 Seventeen Mile Rocks Rd,
Oxley 4075
Growlife Medical Sherwood
600 Sherwood Rd, Sherwood 4075
Growlife Medical Sinnamon Park
Opening in October 2024
CONTACT
07 3154 2393
