Dr. M. A. Sydney-Smith MB.BS., Ph.D., Dip.Clin.Nutr
Sydney-Smith Medical Pty Ltd
ABN 47 010 660 796
1st Floor, 211 Given Terrace, PADDINGTON, Q. 4064 AUSTRALIA
Ph: (07) 3369 6555

Dear Prospective Client

In this letter I explain my philosophy and approach to your care as my client, so that when you come in to see me for the first time, you can be familiar with the direction we will be taking together in relation to your treatment.

Firstly, I will tell you a little about my own life and the processes which led me to my interest in this particular field - clinical nutrition and environmental medicine. I began my medical career as a resident in Perth before moving to Brisbane and then to Papua New Guinea. There, while working as a registrar in obstetrics and gynaecology, I was hospitalised with severe migraines. Traditional medicine had nothing further to offer me and at the
time diagnosed my condition as incurable. Yet I was eventually cured after only 4 sessions of acupuncture. These were offered as a last resort by a young Chinese resident who had just returned from a preliminary 4-week
training in acupuncture techniques in Hong Kong. I knew then that there was much more to being well than my traditional training had taught me. So, I began to explore alternative approaches to patient care.

When I returned to Brisbane and established my own private practice in 1976, I trained in acupuncture and psychotherapy, sensing the value of these disciplines in supporting traditional medical practice. At this time I also
began to study nutrition as I realised the underlying significance of impaired nutrition in the disease process. I was excited to realise for the first time that diet and nutrient supplementation alone are often sufficient
to arrest many disease processes, and in most instances, achieve regeneration to optimal health.

I have continued my study of nutrition by frequently attending national and international conferences, keeping in contact with an international network of colleagues, and remaining up-to-date with the latest international
research and journals. In 1989 I commenced lecturing in this field at the Open International University for Complementary medicines (United Nations charter) in Sri Lanka, I was awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy in alternative medicine. In 1992, I was also designated a Knight of Grace of the International Grand Priory of the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem (Knight of Malta) for meritorious service to international
medicine.

Together with my partner, Caroline Meade, I established the Holistic Medical Centre in 1980. Our vision then was to see our clients achieving the best health profile possible, taking charge of their lives, and making the most
of their opportunities. I have seen this happen so often since that time, and look forward to your success, too.
I recognise each of my clients as an individual with unique set of personal circumstances - genetics, family history, environment, and lifestyles - all contributing to his/her current medical profile. Whereas traditional medical
practice treats a disease process my treatment is tailored to your individual and specific requirements.
Accurate and complete diagnosis is critical to my approach. So, a diagnostic questionnaire, an evaluation of dietary and lifestyle factors affecting your health, a full medical history, and a physical examination are completed at your first appointment. I will order blood tests and other diagnostic tests as required to give me additional information on your disease process and nutritional status, and use further specialised investigation procedures
such as CT scans, endoscopy, etc., if necessary. I like to know as much as possible about the underlying conditions and processes giving rise to the symptoms you present with. As well as a comprehensive medical diagnosis, I
complete a full nutrient assessment. At the second appointment live blood-cell-analysis is done to give me a much better indication of the functional performance of your digestive and metabolic systems. In the thirst and fourth appointments I prescribe a dietary regimen with nutritional supplements which I then monitor for several months.
You may be surprised at the large doses of supplements prescribed initially, but I can assure that this does not usually continue for long.
For most of my clients the supplement doses can be reduced to maintenance levels and the diet can be relaxed considerably, after a period of 3 to 6 months. During this time I will see you regularly and modify your treatment
program as indicated. I do not hesitate to refer you to specialists if this is warranted, and I will recommend complementary therapies if they would useful. If drugs are necessary I will prescribe them, and then take their
effects into account in the treatment program I suggest. My aim is to work with you to achieve a treatment program which gets the results you want. I want to know how to manage your diet and nutritional supplement program for yourself in the long-term. I will also teach you how to adjust your maintenance program should you have a temporary recurrence of symptoms.
Very often with patients who have had a long history of illness, the process of achieving optimal health seems to be like peeling an onion one layer at a time, with each layer exposing the next level of difficulty to be worked
with. Throughout this process I will continue to work with you until we achieve core level improvement and you are satisfied with the outcome. (My special interest is the medical and nutritional management of completed
cases- I very much enjoy the challenge.)
I look forward to meeting you when you come into the clinic, and to us making progress together towards your good health.

Regards

Dr Melvyn A. Sydney Smith

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