7/2/2024

MyMedicare is a new voluntary patient registration model in Australia. It aims to strengthen the relationship between patients, their general practice, general practitioner (GP), and primary care teams.

Patients who register for MyMedicare will have access to an increased range of benefits and may be able to access a range of extra services. You will be able to access these services only by registering your preferred clinic with Medicare.

See more details in FAQ

31/01/2024

Skin Cancer

In Victoria, there are around 150,000 treatments for non-melanoma skin cancers, and 2800 newly diagnosed melanomas each year.

Melanoma is considered the most serious or dangerous form of skin cancer because it is more likely to spread to other parts of the body, especially if not found early.

Over exposure to the sun’s UV radiation causes 99% of melanoma and over 95% of non-melanoma skin cancer, making skin cancer the most preventable cancer through good sun protection.

Preventing skin cancer

According to the Cancer Council, for best protection, they recommend a combination of sun protection measures:

1. Slip on some sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
2. Slop on broad spectrum, water resistant SPF30 (or higher) sunscreen. Put it on 20 minutes before you go outdoors and every two hours afterwards. Sunscreen should never be used to extend the time you spend in the sun.
3. Slap on a hat – broad brim or legionnaire style to protect your face, head, neck and ears.
4. Seek shade.
5. Slide on some sunglasses – make sure they meet Australian Standards.

Murray House clinic recommend a skin cancer check at least annually. As well as scheduling your annual assessment, you should see your GP should you notice any of the following signs:

• Changes in a mole size, shape or colour
• The edges of a mole have begun to change
• The mole starts and continues to grow
• The mole is not a solid brown colour, but multicoloured instead

Murray House Clinic has an experienced Skin Specialist for skin checks every Friday. If you are interested, please ring the clinic on 97962222 for an appointment. 

21/02/2024

RSV Vaccination

RSV is a virus that causes respiratory infection. Every year, adults and children are hospitalized and older adults with chronic disease ( ie. Heart failure, asthma, lung conditions) are at higher risk.

There is new vaccination available.

It is single injection that will last for 2 years and is available to patients over 60 years old.

Unfortunately it is not covered by the pbs and is only available on private scripts (you may be able to get a rebate back for it).  Currently the cost is $300 per dose.

If you are interested, book an appointment with one of our GPs to discuss if this might benefit your health.

29/02/2024

Murray House Clinic is excited to introduce Dr Brendan Lacey to our clinic.

Dr. Brendan Lacey is an experienced Consultant General Paediatrician specialising in a range of infant, child and adolescent health presentations.

Some of his interests are: management of poor growth and  feeding difficulties, sleep concerns, asthma/eczema and allergy, constipation, ADHD and autism spectrum disorders as well as  adolescent medicine.

Appointments can be made by a phone call to our receptionist on 0461 562 976 or visit his website at www.laceymedical.com.au.

We also have Dr Ankur Bansal who is our experienced skin specialist on Fridays.  If you are interested, please ring the clinic on 97962222 for an appointment for your skin checks.

6/03/2024

Murray House Clinic has started using Automed to assist with our Medicare billings. If you have a consultation that is bulkbilled, you will automatically have a text message from Automed. Instead of signing the medicare form, this is like an electronic version of it.

The message will state that you have had an appointment with one of our GPs at Murray House Clinic – Please make sure it says Murray House Clinic.

It will ask for your DOB and then ask for your approval of assignment of fees to Medicare.

We would appreciate if you could approve as soon as you obtain the SMS.

For those patients who struggle with this, please discuss this with our receptionist at your next visit.

15/03/2024

How to cope with extreme heat

Heat-related health problems

During extreme heat it is easy to become dehydrated or for your body to overheat.

Heat can cause serious and potentially fatal health problems such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke, trigger sudden events like heart attack or stroke, or worsen existing medical conditions like kidney or lung disease.

Extreme heat can affect anybody. Those more at-risk include people over the age of 65, babies and young children, pregnant women, people with acute or chronic health problems and people who are socially isolated.

Staying safe in extreme heat

Prevent heat-related health problems by keeping cool and staying hydrated during hot weather. Plan ahead and check in with others.

Keep cool:

• Use air conditioning if available. The cost of air-conditioning can be reduced by using a fan at the same time, and increasing the thermostat temperature on your AC unit to 26-27˚C.
• Electric fans can help cool the body when the indoor temperature is below 39-40˚C.
• Keep your skin wet using a spray bottle or damp sponge.
• Soak a towel in cool tap water and wrap it loosely around your head.
• Take cool showers or foot baths with cool tap water.
• Wrap ice cubes in a damp towel and drape around your neck.
• Wear light and loose-fitting clothing.
• Consider visiting an air-conditioned building such as a shopping centre or public library.
• Use blinds or curtains to block sun from shining directly through windows.
• Open windows and doors if you think it is hotter indoors than outdoors.

Stay hydrated:

• During days when you are exposed to extreme heat, keep drinking water before you feel thirsty, especially if outdoors and performing physical activity. If your doctor has asked that you limit your fluid intake, ask them how much water you should drink during hot weather.
• Whenever you leave home, always take a water bottle with you.
• Watch for signs of dehydration like feeling thirsty, lightheaded, having a dry mouth, tiredness, having dark-coloured, strong-smelling urine or passing less urine than usual.

Plan ahead:

• During extreme heat, cancel or reschedule non-essential outings.
• Plan essential activities for the coolest part of the day. If you do have to go outside, take a water bottle with you, seek shade, and wear a hat and sunscreen for skin protection.
• Keep up to date with weather forecasts and warnings – via TV or radio, check the Bureau of Meteorology heatwave forecast online or via their app, and subscribe to receive Heat health warnings from the Department of Health.
• Stock up on food, water and medicines so you don’t have to go out in the heat.
• Make sure that food and medicines are stored at appropriate temperatures.
• See your doctor to check if changes are needed to your medicines during extreme heat.
• Check that your fan or air-conditioner works well. Have your air-conditioner serviced if necessary.
• Power failures can happen during times of extreme heat – ensure you have a torch, battery-operated radio, fully charged mobile phone or battery back-up, food items that don’t require refrigeration, medications, plenty of drinking water and other essential items. Have a cool-box available to store ice or cool packs with medications.
• Look at the things you can do to make your home cooler such as installing reflecting coatings, insulation, glazing, external window awnings, shade cloths or external blinds, and planting trees to provide shade around the house.

Check in with others

• A quick call can make a big difference. Let family, friends and neighbours know you are OK or check in with those at increased risk or who may need your support during days of extreme heat.

Older people and extreme heat

People over 65 years are more susceptible to heat-related health problems because their bodies are less able to adjust to changes in temperature. They are also more likely to have underlying medical conditions and be taking medication that may interfere with the body’s ability to regulate temperature.

Older people with medical conditions should review their care plan with their doctor to ensure that these conditions are well-controlled before the weather gets hot. Ask your doctor if you are at increased risk of heat-related health problems in hot weather. The doctor may advise that you adjust your fluid intake, avoid certain medications or adjust the dosage during periods of extreme heat.

Children and extreme heat

Babies and young children need special care during hot weather because they are less able to cope with changes in temperature:

• Never leave babies or young children in cars.
• Offer additional breast- or bottle-feeding to babies during hot weather and encourage children to drink regularly. The Australian Breastfeeding Association has more information about breastfeeding and hot weather.
• During hot weather, dress babies and children in light, loose-fitting clothing.
• Babies in strollers can be kept cool by covering the stroller with a moist muslin/cotton cloth, preferably with a battery-operated clip-on fan if available. Keep the covering wet with a spray bottle.

20/03/24

Cervical Screening Test (replaced the PAP smear)

All cervical screening participants now have the choice to self-collect their own Cervical Screening Test sample. A self-collected sample is taken from the vagina and is checked for human papillomavirus (HPV) – a common infection that causes almost all cervical cancers.

Yes, it’s accurate

Evidence shows a Cervical Screening Test using a self-collected sample from your vagina is just as accurate at detecting HPV as a clinician-collected sample taken from the cervix during a speculum examination.

Who is eligible for self-collection?

Self-collection is available to all people eligible for a Cervical Screening Test – that is people who:

• are aged between 25 and 74
• have had any type of sexual contact
• are a woman / person with a cervix
• are due or overdue for routine cervical screening

When due, you should get a Cervical Screening Test even if you:

• have had the HPV vaccine
• are not currently or are no longer sexually active
• have had the same partner for a long time or only had one partner
• are gay, lesbian, or bisexual,
• are transgender or non-binary with a cervix
• are pregnant
• have had a baby
• have been through menopause
• feel healthy and have no symptoms.

Because self-collection looks for HPV only – not cervical cell abnormalities – it is generally not appropriate for people who have symptoms of cervical cancer or if you are experiencing unusual bleeding, pain or discharge.

You should speak to your doctor about whether self-collect is the right option for you.

3/04/2024

Flu vaccines are available now:

• Annual influenza vaccination is the most important measure to prevent influenza and its complications. It is recommended for all people 6 months of age and over.
• Influenza vaccination is particularly important for those most at risk, with the need to improve uptake in children under 5, pregnant women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Special risk groups are eligible to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine for free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

Eligibility for the free influenza vaccine:

Free seasonal influenza vaccine is funded under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for the following groups at higher risk of complications from influenza:

• people aged six months to less than five years (can be given at the same time as childhood vaccines)
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and older
• pregnant women (can be given at any stage of each pregnancy)
• people aged 65 years and older (a vaccine that is specifically designed to produce a higher immune response is available for this group).

People aged six months and older with medical conditions putting them at increased risk of severe influenza and its complications.