Flu vaccination
The surgery currently has stock of the over 65's & private Flu vaccinations.
Zostavax (Shingles)
The National Immunisation Program now includes a free vaccine for patients aged between 70 - 79 for the protection of herpes zoster (Shingles). Please talk to your GP about getting your vaccine.
Pneumovax Vaccine
It is recommended that a dose of Pneumovax 23 be given to all adults over the age of 65 years. Please talk to your GP about this vaccine.
My Health Record
Have you spoken to your GP about registering for Ehealth? Here's a video that explains a little more about it, and if you want to know more, why not mention it at your next consult with your GP?
Over the Counter Codeine: Changes to Supply
From 1 February 2018, medicines that contain low-dose codeine will no longer be available without prescription in pharmacies.
The medicines affected include codeine-containing combination analgesics, available under brand names such as Panadeine, Nurofen Plus and Mersyndol, and pharmacy generic pain relief products, and codeine-containing cough, cold and flu products, available under brand ranges such as Codral, Demazin and pharmacy generic cough, cold and flu medicines.
Research shows that current over-the-counter low-dose (< 30 mg) codeine-containing products offer little additional pain relief when compared to similar medicines without codeine.
There is evidence to suggest that paracetamol/ibuprofen combinations available as a single pill can be offered as an alternative to codeine-based analgesics for short-term management of pain in patients able to take NSAIDs and for whom paracetamol alone is not sufficient
Any patient of our surgery will need to make an appointment with a Doctor for any Codeine related scripts
Changes to Immunisation Requirements from 1/1/2018
The NSW Parliament has passed a Bill to amend the Public Health Act to strengthen vaccination enrolment requirements in child care (also known as early childhood education and care). From 1 January 2018 children who are unvaccinated due to their parent’s conscientious objection will no longer be able to be enrolled in child care. Read more
Changes to Cervical Smears
From the 1st December this year, the way we screen for cervical abnormalities will change
Instead of looking at cells, the lab will look for certain types of HPV (human papillomavirus virus). These types cause 99% of cervical cancer. For the patients, there is no difference in how the test is done. A speculum will still be used. If the patient does not have the high risk HPV (and there are no other symptoms such as abnormal bleeding, the next test will be in five years instead of two years.
If the high risk HPV is seen, the lab will look at the cells to look for any abnormality. Screening will start from 25 years and end at 74 years, in normal circumstances.
If you wish to have screening earlier, you can have a test but there will be no medicare rebate unless it meets specific criteria for increased testing.