Christmas time is here and 2022 is quickly coming to an end. It’s been another busy year at YFD as we continue to care for our wonderful community. It really is a privilege looking after the medical needs of our patients and we thank you for choosing us to be your partners in health.
In this month’s newsletter we will be updating you on the Christmas opening hours, Bridges after hours, Dr Robyn’s retirement, our Christmas opening hours, health checks and remind you of the importance of protecting your skin this summer.
CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS
Your Family Doctors will be open during the Christmas and New Year periods except for the public holidays. Please see our opening hours as listed below. A friendly reminder to check your scripts in advance and don’t leave them until the last minute as some of our doctors will be on leave.
BRIDGES AFTER HOURS
Need a GP after hours during the Christmas period? Bridges GP after hours clinic at Erina and Kanwal will remain open. A copy of your consultation notes and any test results will be sent to your local GP as we know continuity of care is so important.
Bridges GP After Hours Opening Hours;
- Monday to Friday; 7pm – 10.30pm
- Saturday; 3pm – 10.30pm
- Sunday and Public Holidays; 10am – 7pm (Kanwal 1 – 6pm) – For Christmas periods hours check this link https://ccpc.com.au/after-hours-gp-clinics/
As Covid is still about, make sure you do a covid test prior to attending if you have cold and flu symptoms. If unsure you can call ahead before presenting to Bridges After Hours GP Clinics:
- Erina – 02 4367 9699
- Kanwal – 02 4394 733
In the event of an emergency please go to Gosford or Wyong hospital or call 000.
For more information on how this service is operating during the Christmas and holiday period.
https://ccpc.com.au/after-hours-gp-clinics/
BUILDING WORKS BEHIND YFD
Over the next 8 weeks there will be excavation and construction work occurring behind our building in Tarragal glen. This should not be interrupting access to our practice – but there may just be a little extra construction noise!
A reminder that entry to our practice is via Terrigal Drive only and exit is out the back through Tarragal glen exit. Please do not enter via Tarragal Glen. Our video camera’s are watching you!
2023 HEALTH CHECK LIST
Are your health checks up to date? Prevention and early detection is so important when it comes to good health so in the new year make your health a priority.
Recommended health checks can depend on your age, sex, symptoms and risk factors. These may include;
- Cervical screening checks
- Breast screening /mammograms
- Bowel screen
- Skin checks
- Heart checks
- Osteoporosis screening
- Prostate checks
- Mental health check
- 45 – 49 health checks
- Over 75 health assessments
- Diabetes checks
- Asthma checks and asthma action plans.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessments
And many more ………
Please talk to your doctor / or practice nurse about what health checks you should be having.
ELLA’S SKIN CANCER MESSAGE
Summer is here, the sun is out – so it’s time to PROTECT YOUR SKIN
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Australia affecting 2 in 3 people in their lifetime and is most common among young Australians.
Local Central Coast teacher, the lovely Ella, had a skin cancer removed at the young age of 21. Together with the Cancer Institute NSW, Ella has an important health message to spread…
Over time, too much UV can damage unprotected skin and lead to melanoma, the most common cancer among young Australians. Remember: even though you cannot see UV, the danger is real.
The five easy ways to protect your skin from the damaging effects of UV radiation are:
- Slip on sun protective clothing that covers your arms, legs and shoulders.
- Slop on SPF50+ sunscreen 20 minutes before you go outside and reapply every 2 hours. Sunscreen
- Slap on a wide-brim hat that covers your face, ears and neck.
- Seek shade throughout the day.
- Slide on sunglasses that meet Australian Standards.
https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/…/protect-your-skin…
https://www.cancer.org.au/can…/types-of-cancer/skin-cancer
STAFF NEWS
FAREWELL TO DR ROBYN STEVENS
The last month marked the festival of Robyn’s retirement! The first of the celebrations, to mark the end of Robyn’s almost 50 years in medicine, was a lovely lunch with YFD staff past and present. Our patients that have been attending our practice over the last 20 years will recognise many familiar faces in the photo! The team will miss her as much as her patients will!
A a fabulous morning tea was also held on November 28th for Robyn and her patients. Robyn was truly touched by all those that attended and will miss her patients dearly.
Please be reassured that all your important medical history remains on file at Your Family Doctors, and you can remain as a patient of the practice. As you are aware, Your Family Doctors no longer bulk-bills due to the inadequate medicare rebate.
CONGRATULATIONS DR GEORGIA PAGE – GP SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR
Congratulations to Dr Georgia Page who was awarded last month The Hunter, Manning and Central Coast GP supervisor of the year 2022.
Georgia became a GP supervisor soon after completing her GP training. She commented ‘In order to be able to continue the cycle of having good local GP’s, we need to train more GP’s. The high calibre of GP’s registrars that come through the training program is impressive and if we can just keep those training numbers high enough then our patients are in safe hands’
Georgia was very humbled to win the award. ‘I have been very lucky to have been surrounded by such amazing GP’s, medical educators, and mentors in my GP career and I always imagined these awards going to them not me. When I was notified of my nomination I thought – wouldn’t this be a nice goal to aim for in the next 10 to 20 years – never did I expect to win the award’.
We are so very proud of Georgia and everything she does for GP education. She is so deserving of this award and the YFD team send her a massive congratulations.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FINAL YEAR MEDICAL STUDENTS
We have been so lucky to have had the pleasure of teaching four wonderful final year medical students this year. The Central Coast will also reap these benefits as 3 out of 4 of our students will start working as doctors next year at Gosford and Wyong Hospitals! Congratulations Amy, Emma, Georgia and Louisa on completing your medical degrees. The health of our community is in safe hands!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR WONDERFUL PATIENTS!
STAFF CHRISTMAS PARTY 2022 – L’Isle De France, Terrigal
So that’s it for our Christmas Newsletter. We hope you have an enjoyable Christmas and we wish you and your family a happy new year. Don’t forget to like us on facebook or instagram to keep up to date with the 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