Welcome to our August newsletter. Winter may be almost over but that doesn’t mean things quieting down in the land of General Practice. There is so much to tell you! This month’s newsletter is a bumper episode. Besides the usual covid vaccination and antiviral update we have some important announcements including changes to our private billing and to cervical screening tests. Our team have also been busy donating blood, sleeping out in the cold and getting ready to start stepping again in the Move Against Cancer.
CHANGES TO OUR FEE STRUCTURE
With expenses at Your Family Doctors at Erina continuing to climb, and your Medicare rebate covering only half of our private fees, our team have sadly realised to allow us to survive as a business, we are no longer able to bulkbill children under the age of 16 starting from 1st October 2022.
Due to Federal government policies such as the Medicare freeze the Medicare rebate value has not kept up with inflation. The Medicare rebate of $39 for a consult less than 20 minutes equates to less than 50% of the Australian Medical Associations (AMA) recommended fee of $86. As we are a private business with staff, equipment and rent to pay, this greater than 50% discount that we have provided to date, is not sustainable.
The majority of our medical services will have a out of pocket cost of around $40 – $50. Childhood immunisations will continue to be bulkbilled, as will care plans, care plan reviews, and health assessments, depending on eligibility.
If you are a family with high medical needs, you may reach your safety net, which means your rebate will become higher, dramatically reducing out of pocket expenses. It is recommended all family members are on the same medicare card to ensure all transactions contribute to your total. To find out more about the medicare safety net, click here – https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/medicare-safety-nets
If you are someone who has previously been bulkbilled, unfortunately it is unlikely this can continue. Of course, we remain committed to supporting those families in considerable financial distress. If this applies to you, please contact our practice manager. For patients on a means tested aged pension, or a disability pension, we will work with you to determine a sustainable way of providing the care and compassion you deserve.
This news article may provide you with more context;
*Individual doctors fees may vary.
Thank you so much for your understanding, and please show kindness to our team as we continue to navigate our way through this very trying time
CERVICAL SCREENING TESTS – SELF COLLECTION NOW AVAILABLE
It is important to have regular Cervical Screening Tests as the best way to protect yourself against cervical cancer. Most cases of cervical cancer occur in women who have never screened or are not up-to-date with their screening.
The good news is that Cervical Screening just got easier! New changes to the National Cervical Screening Program mean that anyone with a cervix, aged 25 to 74, will be able to choose to have a Cervical Screening Test either by:
- taking your own sample from your vagina, using a simple swab (self-collection)
- having a healthcare provider collect your sample from the cervix using a speculum.
Both options are:
- accessed through a healthcare provider such as your GP.
- accurate and safe ways to collect a sample for a Cervical Screening Test.
Self-collection has the potential to reach under-screened patients, overcoming barriers to cervical screening by providing a more culturally appropriate and sensitive screening option.
Self-collection is not suitable for those experiencing symptoms (such as unusual bleeding, pain or discharge) or if follow up of previous abnormal results is required.
If you are interested in self-collection as an option for cervical screening, you should talk to your GP to help you decide what is the best option for you.
Resources;
BLOOD DONATION – UK IS A-OK!
Lived in the UK? You’re now OK to donate blood! Lifeblood are thrilled to announce that people who lived in the UK between 1980 and 1996 for over 6 months can now give blood in Australia. Dr Sam got in quickly to donate lifesaving blood now that she can!!!
Every blood donation can help save three lives. People from all walks of life need blood products – this includes people with cancer, other medical conditions or those who have experienced blood loss.
Not only can you donate blood, but you are able to donate plasma or platelets too (half of all blood donations in Australia are plasma donations). Each type of blood donation is used for different medical treatments, and your blood type determines the best donation for you to make.
Had the flu or COVID-19 vaccine? You don’t need to wait after receiving the flu vaccine before donating. You do need to wait at least three days after each COVID-19 vaccination before donating.
Are you keen to donate blood or find out more? Follow the link below or call 131495. And don’t forget to spread the word to your mates that have lived in the UK!
https://www.lifeblood.com.au/blood
NATIONAL STROKE WEEK (AUGUST 8 – 14)
This National Stroke Week (8-14 Aug) please help others to keep enjoying life’s precious moments by sharing the F.A.S.T. signs of stroke message with your family and friends.
Think of F.A.S.T. and ask these questions if you suspect a stroke:
Face – Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
Arms – Can they lift both arms?
Speech – Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
Time – Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call triple zero (000) straight away
https://strokefoundation.org.au
ANTI-VIRAL TREATMENT FOR COVID-19
Life-saving oral antiviral treatments are now available to more people at risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19.
You may be eligible if you are:
✔️ 70+
✔️ 50+ with 2 risk factors
✔️ An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person aged 30+ with 2 risk factors
✔️ 18+ and immunocompromised.
Antiviral medicines only work within the first few days of symptom onset, so it’s critical that you get tested as soon as you feel unwell.
If you’re at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, talk to your doctor about antivirals and make a plan for treatment options if you test positive for COVID-19.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or any concerns and are unable to get in touch with your GP, you can call Healthdirect 24/7 on 1800 022 222 or the NSW Health Flu and COVID-19 Care at Home Support Line on 1800 960 933.
For more information about oral treatments for COVID-19, visit:
https://www.health.gov.au/news/covid-19-oral-treatment-eligibility-expanded-from-11-july-2022
COVID-19 ADDITIONAL BOOSTER VACCINATION
It can be confusing to know how many COVID-19 vaccines doses you are eligible for.
In a nutshell …….
People aged:
50+ = 4 doses
30-49 = 3 doses, option of 4th
16-29 = 3 doses
5-15 = 2 doses
Some people with severe or complex health needs may need extra doses. Have a chat to your GP or practice nurse if you are unsure.
Vaccines can be booked 3 months after your last dose or COVID-19 infection.
At YFD we are currently running lunch time Pfizer vaccine clinics for our patients on most days of the week by booking on line https://www.hotdoc.com.au/…/your-family…/doctors…
For other locations or vaccine types book at
https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/booking/
MOVE AGAINST CANCER IS BACK THIS SEPTEMBER
Move Against Cancer is back again for September 2021 ! Dr Ash Bowden (AKA – doctordomore) together with the Cancer Council will be encouraging fellow Coasties to keep fit and active, all in the name of raising money for cancer.
MoveAgainstCancer is a step challenge encouraging you to move more and connect with each other during the month of September. It’s the Central Coast’s biggest step challenge and, after the success of the last two years, let’s help make this year bigger and better!
In Australia, approximately 16,000 people die prematurely every year as aresult of physical inactivity.
10,000 steps per day is the recommended step goal for a healthy adult, however less than 1 in 5 Australian adults reach this goal
All you need to do is
1/ Register a team by visiting the link https://www.doitforcancer.com.au/event/move-against-cancer and clicking “register” (maximum of 20 people per team)
2/ Entry is $10 per person but you can donate more if you choose – all funds going to Cancer Council Central Coast.
3/ Once registered, send your team page to your friends and get them to join your team.
This year YFD will be putting together another team so we can practice what we preach! How about you?
https://www.doitforcancer.com.au/event/move-against-cancer
STAFF NEWS
FAREWELL DR ABIGAIL FOX
The YFD team are sad to announce that the amazing Dr Abigail Fox will be moving back to Sydney at the end of the month. Dr Fox has been an absolute asset to our team and we will miss her greatly. Abi will miss all her lovely patients but is looking forward to taking on a new and challenging role as a mum, which means settling in Sydney closer to her family.
COAST SHELTER SLEEP OUT FUNDRAISER
On August 5th Dr Georgia Page joined the ‘Doctors for Coast Shelter Team’, sleeping out at Central Coast Stadium to raise funds and awareness for Coast Shelter – a fantastic local charity that help people with issues around domestic and family violence and homelessness.
It was a fabulous community event for such an important cause with the event raising over $180,000 so far. A big thank you to everyone that donated – Coast Shelter is blown away with the record amount of donations (they doubled last years total!)
The Doctors For Coast Shelter team will be back next year, and so will Dr Georgia and her pink sleeping bag onesie!
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We hope you enjoyed reading our August Newsletter. You can also like us on facebook or instagram to keep up to date with the latest Covid changes, important health information and to see what the YFD team has been up to. Our website is also a great source of information, so please check out our blog for health information written by our team. Stay well.
Love Team YFD xx