Owning a clinic is a bold move. Scaling it is next-level.

In this conversation, two incredible GPs, Dr Petrina Barson and Dr Arete Kotouris, pull back the curtain on their journey from dreamers with a vision to established owners of a thriving inner-suburban clinic.

They didn’t start with deep business expertise. They started with clarity, guts, and a shared commitment to doing things differently.

This episode is about what it really takes to grow beyond the spreadsheets and into the grit of daily decisions, the messiness of setbacks, and the power of betting on yourself.

If you’ve ever wondered what scaling a successful, values-led practice looks like in real life (including all the screw-ups and savviness learned along the way), this episode is unmissable.

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

• Why defining your non-negotiables early can fast-track your ideal practice (04:44)
• How to protect your business by learning to lead with boundaries, not blind trust (10:10)
• Practical lessons in council permits, strategic delegation, and stepping back without losing control (13:44)
• The “Flourish Conversations” approach to uplift team morale and improve billing outcomes (21:04)
• How evolving as a leader can unlock unexpected wins inside and outside your practice (26:31)

These stories aren’t just inspirational. They’re practical. They’ll show you what’s possible when you lead with heart, back yourself, and stay fiercely committed to building something that lasts.

Listen now to discover the moments that matter most when scaling your clinic from the inside out.

If you haven’t listened to our previous episode talking about The 12.5% Bulk Billing Incentive Is a Trap — Here’s What GP Owners Need to Know, go back and check out Episode 49.

Subscribe to the Scale My Clinic Podcast for weekly insights and strategies to scale your clinic.

Share this episode with other general practice owners and follow us on Facebook at Scale My Clinic for more updates and resources.

ABOUT DR PETRINA BARSON

Dr Petrina Barson [MBBS, FRACGP, DRANZCOG, BA (Hons), Grad Dip MHS] graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1988. She enjoys her work as a general practitioner because it gives her the potential to know her patients over time and accompany them through the various phases of their lives.

Petrina loves to make a real difference for people by compassionate listening, by skilful medicine, and by partnering with them to help them best manage their health. She enjoys the full variety of general practice, and has special interests in women’s health, psychological medicine, and resolving the underlying causes of anxiety and depression through The Richards Trauma Process.

Petrina has been involved for many years in medical education, in particular teaching communication skills and compassion cultivation to medical students. She is the Director of the Centre for a Compassionate Society and is actively engaged in advocacy for refugee rights.

ABOUT DR ARETE KOUTERIS

Dr Arete Kouteris [MBBS, FRACGP, FAMAC] graduated from the University of Melbourne with a medical degree in 1991. She has been in general practice for over 20 years. Dr Kouteris also holds a degree in...

There’s a lot of noise around the government’s upcoming 12.5% bulk billing incentive, but before you jump at the promise of “free money,” take a beat.

This episode is a deep dive into what’s really going on behind the curtain. If you’re a GP or Practice Owner in the “maybe” camp — uncertain whether to take the deal or wait it out — this conversation will give you the clarity and confidence to move forward in a way that protects your clinic, your income, and your patients.

We unpack the hard truths and hidden strings behind the November incentives and how jumping too soon could lock you into a high-volume, low-autonomy future. If you've built your business on high-quality care and sustainable growth, this episode will give you the mental tools to see past the headlines.

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

• How to assess if the 12.5% incentive is a win or a trap (00:30)
• The real cost of “free” care: rising unpaid workload and the slow death of practitioner autonomy (08:00)
• What happens when your clinic’s identity is no longer yours (18:26)
• A proven alternative: how one clinic went from 20% to 93% private billing in 9 months (33:29)

Whether you're leaning toward bulk billing or planning to stay private, this episode will help you future-proof your business, avoid burnout, and serve your patients without selling your soul to government contracts.

Listen now to hear why a short-term gain could become your long-term pain and what you should be focusing on instead.

If you haven’t listened to our previous episode talking about The Metrics Powering Australia’s Top GP Clinics with Chris Smeed, go back and check out Episode 48.

Subscribe to the Scale My Clinic Podcast for weekly insights and strategies to scale your clinic.

Share this episode with other general practice owners and follow us on Facebook at Scale My Clinic for more updates and resources.

Subscribe to the Scale My Clinic Podcast for weekly insights and strategies to scale your clinic.

Share this episode with other general Practice Owners and follow us on Facebook at Scale My Clinic for more updates and resources.

Feeling like your practice is collecting more data than it knows what to do with? You’re not alone. Many Practice Owners find themselves buried in numbers, unsure how to make those insights drive meaningful change.

This episode is your path to clarity. Join Dr. Sachin Patel and Chris Smeed (Cubiko’s Chief Data Whisperer) as they unpack how data, when paired with purpose and leadership, becomes your greatest leverage point. You’ll learn how to move beyond information overload and into a space where your numbers actually work for you, helping you lead better, grow faster, and breathe easier.

By the end of this conversation, you’ll have a whole new lens on what data can really do for your practice and how to start using it to reduce overwhelm, spot black holes, increase billings, and bring your team into alignment.

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

• How to set simple, high-impact financial baselines so you know when you’re winning and when you need to pivot (08:18)
• How data can unite everyone behind one clear direction (18:50)
• Using live dashboards to drive focused action (22:19)
• How to use goals, gamification, and real patient stories to energize teams and create meaningful change (33:33)

You don’t need to drown in spreadsheets or become a finance geek to make your practice more sustainable. You just need the right numbers, the right mindset, and the right questions. This episode will show you how to bring them all together.

Listen now to start using your data like a leader, not a lab rat.

If you haven’t listened to our previous episode talking about The #1 Mistake Holding General Practice Owners Back (And How Coaching Fixes It), go back and check out Episode 47.

CEO and Founder, Cubiko, Founder and Director, Halo Connect

Chris Smeed is a dynamic leader in the healthcare industry, known for his innovative vision and commitment to improving practice life. He is the CEO and co-founder of Cubiko, a Brisbane-based software startup that provides an innovative platform for Practices to gain valuable insights into their business and operations. With his extensive experience in practice management and support roles, Chris has been passionate about harnessing the power of practice data for the last seven years.

In 2022, Chris founded Halo Connect, a healthcare technology company that aims to solve the interoperability crisis. His deep commitment to improving healthcare has driven his entrepreneurial pursuits and he strives to make a positive impact on the industry.

With a clear vision for the future of healthcare, Chris is dedicated to making a positive impact on the industry through his innovative ventures. His entrepreneurial pursuits are fueled by his passion for improving healthcare and creating a healthier practice life for all.

• Website: https://www.cubiko.com.au/
• Email: info@cubiko.com.au
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissmeed/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cubikosoftware
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cubiko_software/

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