General practice is under pressure — and unless you act now, ‘free’ could cost you everything.”

In this episode, Dr Sachin Patel unpacks the real story behind the November 1st Medicare changes — and what they mean for the future of your practice. With government funding lagging, rebates shrinking, and costs rising faster than ever, Clinic Owners across Australia are facing one question: How do I stay viable without burning out?

Have a question about this episode?

Ask Todd, Sachin, and over a thousand Owners directly in the SGPO Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSuccessfulGeneralPracticeOwner

Dr Sachin reveals why “free” is never truly free — and how bulk billing incentives, MyMedicare registration, and rebate reductions could quietly erode your clinic’s autonomy if you’re not strategic. More importantly, he lays out the three principles every Clinic Owner must master right now: mitigating risk, designing smarter clinical days, and making deliberate trade-offs that protect your financial future.

This isn’t theory. It’s a grounded, practical roadmap built on real-world experience from hundreds of private Clinic Owners across Australia who’ve transformed their practices through Scale My Clinic. If you’ve been worrying about viability, struggling with costs, or wondering how to plan for these changes, this episode is your playbook for scaling smarter.

In this episode of the Scale My Clinic Podcast, you’ll learn:

• The harsh truth about funding and viability, how General Practice is being systematically underfunded, and what that means for Practice Owners (00:49)
• What the November 1st Medicare changes really mean for you and how they’ll reshape General Practice economics (05:38)
• How clinic owners evolve from doing everything themselves to building a business that runs profitably without them (and how to identify where you sit right now) (10:00)
• Why “free” can destroy value in healthcare (15:00)
• How to future-proof your practice by planning smarter, reducing dependence on rebates, and protecting your income without compromising care (22:02)

Watch the Practice Success Blueprint Training

The proven roadmap GP Owners use to grow profits, reclaim time, strengthen teams, and protect their legacy: https://smc.expert/practice-success-blueprint-pc

If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll sort out the legal stuff later,” this conversation is your wake-up call.

Have a question about this episode?

Ask Todd, Sachin, and over a thousand Owners directly in the SGPO Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSuccessfulGeneralPracticeOwner

In this episode, Dr Todd Cameron sits down with Sarah Bartholomeusz, founder of You Legal, to unpack what every Practice Owner must have in place to safeguard their clinic (and their sanity).

From privacy policies and practitioner agreements to payroll tax pitfalls and partnership planning, Sarah breaks down the real-world legal essentials that protect your business, your reputation, and your future.

This isn’t just about avoiding trouble. It’s about creating a strong, scalable foundation so you can grow your practice confidently. Whether you’re just starting out or preparing to exit, you’ll walk away with practical steps to future-proof your clinic and lead like a pro.

In this episode of the Scale My Clinic Podcast, you’ll learn:

• How to build a legally protected practice that puts patients first (00:57)
• 5 essential legal documents every clinic must have (03:52)
• Why copy-paste contracts could put your business at legal risk (10:14)
• Spotting the warning signs that turn contractors into employees in the eyes of the law (16:02)
• How to future-proof your clinic with regular legal check-ups (25:54)
• Legal strategies for growth, succession, and exit (28:32)
• How to design a business that fits your life and build the solid legal foundations that support sustainable growth and balance (45:22)

Watch the Practice Success Blueprint Training

The proven roadmap GP Owners use to grow profits, reclaim time, strengthen teams, and protect their legacy: https://smc.expert/practice-success-blueprint-pc

Missed the previous Episode?

Listen to Episode 75 here: The Hidden Price of Resilience: How Adversity Shapes GP Owners

ABOUT SARAH BARTHOLOMEUSZ

Sarah Bartholomeusz is the Founder of You Legal, a modern law firm that helps healthcare business leaders protect their practices so they can focus on their impact. With over 20 years of experience, she specialises in corporate and commercial law, workplace relations, privacy, and M&A. Sarah’s legal career began in top-tier litigation before moving into governance roles with major ASX-listed companies. In 2013, she launched You Legal to deliver expert legal services in a more accessible and flexible way. She’s a Telstra Business Women’s Award winner, TEDx speaker, and author of Growing a Medical Practice. Sarah also serves as Governance Chair for the Entrepreneurs’ Organisation (APAC) and chairs the Catalyst Foundation board.

• You Legal website: https://youlegal.com.au/
• Sarah’s biography: https://youlegal.com.au/our-team/sarah-bartholomeusz
• Elevated governance website: https://www.elevatedgovernance.com.au

Clinic ownership can feel like an uphill climb: financial strain, staff challenges, uncertainty, burnout. This conversation invites you to see those pressures differently - as catalysts for growth, empathy, and clarity.

Have a question about this episode?

Ask Todd, Sachin, and over a thousand Owners directly in the SGPO Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSuccessfulGeneralPracticeOwner

In this episode, Dr Sachin Patel and Dr Todd Cameron unpack the hidden leadership lessons behind adversity and how the experiences that test us most often become the foundation of sustainable, values-driven success.

Through honest, personal storytelling, they explore what it means to lead under pressure, make hard decisions, and keep showing up, especially when no one else sees the full weight you’re carrying.

They discuss how adversity sharpens emotional intelligence, why “people-pleasing” can quietly sabotage your leadership, and how to move from reacting to life’s challenges to consciously leading through them.

By the end, you’ll feel seen, encouraged, and reminded that the challenges you face aren’t a sign you’re failing. They’re the very things preparing you to become the kind of leader your clinic truly needs.

In this episode of the Scale My Clinic Podcast, you’ll learn:

• How to stop seeing adversity as something to survive, and start seeing it as a leadership advantage that sharpens your focus and empathy (00:00)
• How early conditioning shapes the way you lead (04:40)
• Channeling adversity into purposeful growth rather than overdrive (16:30)
• How self-awareness helps you communicate better, make clearer decisions, and lead with confidence (21:35)
• How to create psychological safety, encourage open dialogue, and help people think critically instead of react emotionally (24:50)
• How influence is built by listening deeply, calling out what’s wrong respectfully, and modelling the kind of integrity you want your team to follow (46:20)

Watch the Practice Success Blueprint Training

The proven roadmap GP Owners use to grow profits, reclaim time, strengthen teams, and protect their legacy: https://smc.expert/practice-success-blueprint-pc

Missed the previous Episode?

Listen to Episode 74 here: The Quadruple Whammy That Could Gut GP Practices; And How Owners Can Fight Back

Clinic Owners, brace yourselves. November brings a quadruple whammy that could hit your practice hard — slashed mental health item numbers, an influx of bulk billing clinics, hidden risks with MyMedicare, and the inevitable pushback from GPs facing income drops.

Have a question about this episode?

Ask Todd, Sachin, and over a thousand Owners directly in the SGPO Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSuccessfulGeneralPracticeOwner

In this episode, Dr Todd Cameron and Dr Sachin Patel break down what these changes really mean for your practice, your patients, and your bottom line. More importantly, they show you how to get on the front foot so you’re not left scrambling when the financial and emotional pressures start to pile up.

If you’re running a mixed or private billing practice, this conversation is your wake-up call. You’ll learn where the biggest risks lie, why “waiting to see” what others do is the worst strategy, and how you can proactively lead your team, protect your billings, and avoid the burnout trap.

This isn’t about doom and gloom. It’s about getting prepared. The Clinic Owners who act now will thrive, while others are left wondering what just happened.

In this episode of the Scale My Clinic Podcast, you’ll learn:

• Why the removal of key mental health items (2712 and 2713) disproportionately impacts female GPs and their patients (02:41)
• How corporates flooding the market with Universal Bulk Billing clinics will affect patient demand, GP decision-making, and appointment books in mixed/private billing practices (09:32)
• The hidden risks of MyMedicare and the strategies you need to protect patient continuity and practice revenue (16:18)
• The quadruple whammy hit all at once and why practices without a plan could face existential risk (21:06)
• Future-Proofing with Project X to put practices back in control (27:12)

Watch the Practice Success Blueprint Training

The proven roadmap GP Owners use to grow profits, reclaim time, strengthen teams, and protect their legacy: https://smc.expert/practice-success-blueprint-pc

Missed the previous Episode?

Listen to Episode 73 here: If It All Falls Apart Without You, That’s Not a Team. It’s a Trap

Running a clinic shouldn’t feel like constant firefighting, yet so many Practice Owners find themselves trapped in chaos, tolerating mediocre standards, and carrying the weight of accountability alone.

Have a question about this episode?

Ask Todd, Sachin, and over a thousand Owners directly in the SGPO Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSuccessfulGeneralPracticeOwner

In this episode, Dr Sachin Patel and Dr Todd Cameron unpack why teams fail to meet expectations, how leadership missteps fuel the chaos, and what Clinic Owners can do to create a culture of clarity, accountability, and calm.

From the hidden cost of tolerating “good enough,” to the crucial difference between collaboration and consensus, this conversation shines a light on the systems and leadership practices that either hold clinics back or propel them forward. You’ll walk away with practical strategies to reset standards, delegate effectively, and build the kind of high-performance team that gives you back time, energy, and peace of mind.

If you’re a Clinic Owner who feels trapped in chaos or frustrated by underperforming teams, this episode will give you the clarity, tools, and confidence to lead differently, and scale faster, smarter, and with far less stress.

In this episode of the Scale My Clinic Podcast, you’ll learn:

• Why accountability starts with you as the Clinic Owner (01:25)
• Tell-tale signs that your practice is normalising dysfunction and why this mindset prevents calm, consistent patient care (05:31)
• Building accountability structures so you’re not carrying the load alone (13:28)
• Making leadership decisions so your team stays aligned even when not everyone agrees (23:52)
• Delegating without slipping into micromanagement or abdication (28:01)
• Creating a high-trust partnership with your PM to transform your clinic in 6–18 months (36:15)

Watch the Practice Success Blueprint Training

The proven roadmap GP Owners use to grow profits, reclaim time, strengthen teams, and protect their legacy: https://smc.expert/practice-success-blueprint-pc

Missed the previous Episode?

Listen to Episode 72 here: The GP Recruitment Crisis: How One Clinic Turned a 6-Week Waitlist into a Hiring Engine with Julie Thomson

Scaling a clinic is never just about adding more rooms or doctors. It’s about building systems, attracting the right team, and aligning leadership to drive sustainable growth.

Have a question about this episode?

Ask Todd, Sachin, and over a thousand Owners directly in the SGPO Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSuccessfulGeneralPracticeOwner

In this episode, Julie Thomson, Practice Manager and partner at Yeppoon Family Practice, shares actionable strategies for growing a multi-site clinic while solving the toughest challenges owners face: recruitment, inefficient processes, and leadership alignment.

If you’re a GP or Clinic Owner ready to scale smarter, streamline your operations, and lead with confidence, this episode will give you concrete takeaways to implement immediately.

Listen and learn how to turn your clinic into a high-performing, scalable business that works for you, your team, and your community.

In this episode of the Scale My Clinic Podcast, you’ll learn:

• Approaching Practice Management with a fresh perspective that identifies hidden opportunities (00:00)
• Strategically expanding or merging clinics to increase value and meet community demand (04:02)
• How to transform recruitment into a predictable process that attracts and retains top talent (08:12)
• How to systematise operations across multiple sites without losing the personal touch (12:47)
• Aligning your leadership team and ownership group to accelerate decision-making and long-term growth (17:41)
• Positioning yourself to take ownership, increase the practice’s value, and secure your future in healthcare leadership (30:06)

Watch the Practice Success Blueprint Training

The proven roadmap GP Owners use to grow profits, reclaim time, strengthen teams, and protect their legacy: https://smc.expert/practice-success-blueprint-pc

Missed the previous Episode?

Listen to Episode 71 here: Most GPs Get This Wrong: The Must-Know Truth Before You Buy or Build with Ronnie Earl

When GPs take on property development as part of their clinic growth strategy, the rewards can be massive - but so can the risks.

Have a question about this episode?

Ask Todd, Sachin, and over a thousand Owners directly in the SGPO Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSuccessfulGeneralPracticeOwner

In this episode, Dr. Todd Cameron sits down with Ronnie Earl from Optima Health Group to unpack the five biggest mistakes Practice Owners make when developing their own clinic property.

From missing due diligence to failing to plan far enough ahead, Todd and Ronnie dive into the traps that can derail your project and, more importantly, what you can do to stay in control.

If you’ve ever thought about building, leasing, or expanding your own clinic, this conversation will save you time, money, and stress.

In this episode of the Scale My Clinic Podcast, you’ll learn:

• Why relying on “DIY expertise” in property development is a costly trap (03:23)
• How lack of due diligence can leave you with expensive dead-ends (10:06)
• Why planning three to five years out is non-negotiable (16:44)
• The critical role of knowing your numbers and how this separates successful Practice Owners from the rest (25:33)
• How to shift risk off your shoulders and onto the experts who should be carrying it (38:42)

Watch the Practice Success Blueprint Training

The proven roadmap GP Owners use to grow profits, reclaim time, strengthen teams, and protect their legacy: https://smc.expert/practice-success-blueprint-pc

Missed the previous Episode?

Listen to Episode 70 here: How To Make Universal Bulk Billing Work (Without Burning Out)

Bulk billing got you rattled? In this episode, Dr Sachin Patel and Dr Todd Cameron turn the tables on the November 1 bulk billing changes and ask: What if you built a clinic model that actually thrives under universal bulk billing, without six-minute medicine, without burnout, and with 10 weeks off a year?

Have a question about this episode?

Ask Todd, Sachin, and over a thousand Owners directly in the SGPO Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSuccessfulGeneralPracticeOwner

Dr Sachin lays out a rocks-first appointment architecture (CCMPs, health assessments, DMMRs, then consults), while Dr Todd stress-tests the numbers for an MMM1 metro clinic: 4 days a week, ~30 patients/day, 42 weeks/year, strong continuity, nurse-led systems, tight MBS compliance - netting attractive GP earnings and a sustainably paced job.

If you’re a Practice Owner who wants a calmer, more profitable clinic that still delivers exceptional access and preventative care, this is your blueprint. Learn how to curate your patient panel, operationalise nurse-driven care, and turn “threat” into opportunity (plus practical steps to get your team on board!).

In this episode of the Scale My Clinic Podcast, you’ll learn:

• How to design your day in reverse to avoid six-minute medicine and fatigue (03:09)
• Planning your leave up-front and collaborating on coverage to protect continuity (07:15)
• How to curate a 1,000-patient panel with mutual commitment to drive outcomes and revenue (09:47)
• Why continuity beats volume for revenue and sanity (15:29)
• The numbers stack in MMM1 with a 4-day week so billings and pace remain sustainable (21:01)
• Why nurse-led systems + MBS rigour should be non-negotiable (24:04)

Watch the Practice Success Blueprint Training

The proven roadmap GP Owners use to grow profits, reclaim time, strengthen teams, and protect their legacy: https://smc.expert/practice-success-blueprint-pc

Watch the Practice Success Blueprint Training

The proven roadmap GP Owners use to grow profits, reclaim time, strengthen teams, and protect their legacy: https://smc.expert/practice-success-blueprint-pc

Missed the previous Episode?

Listen to Episode 69 here: The 60-Consult Myth: Work Smarter, Not Harder in Your Clinic