Welcome to our Easter Newsletter. We hope you manage to have a nice little break over Easter whether it is a fun trip away or a relaxing staycation. This edition includes information regarding the 2023 Influenza vaccines, Covid Vaccine Boosters and upcoming diabetes clinics. We will soon be introducing hot doc payments online and private nursing fees to cover the increasing costs of running a private practice. Dr Sam Pethen updates us on endometriosis and Dr Georgia and Dr Elly continue their community fundraising campaigns for cancer.
YFD EASTER OPENING HOURS
If you need a GP after hours during the Easter period – Bridges After Hours GP 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.
For opening hours follow this link ….Bridges After Hours or call
- Erina – 02 4367 9699
- Kanwal – 02 4394 733
INFLUENZA VACCINE 2023
The government funded flu vaccines are expected to arrive at YFD early April. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for those at risk of severe illness from the flu. Those eligible for free influenza vaccines under the National Immunisation program includes:
- Children from 6 months to under 5 years
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from 6 months
- Pregnant women
- People aged 65 years and over
- People with serious health conditions (including severe asthma, diabetes, cancer, immune disorders, obesity, kidney, heart, lung or liver disease)
Those not eligible for a government flu vaccine can receive a private flu vaccine at Your Family Doctors for $20.
This year we are running our flu clinics a little differently. To enable our doctors to be more available to our patients we will be conducting Nurse run clinics. These clinics will have an $15 admin fee, even if you are eligible for a government funded vaccine. Private flu vaccines will be an additional $20.
Flu vaccine appointments will be available for patients of our practice online via HotDoc under ‘Flu clinic’ when they arrive in stock or via this link https://www.hotdoc.com.au/medical-centres/erina-NSW-2250/your-family-doctors-at-erina/doctors
We will notify patients when our flu vaccines arrive and clinics are available via facebook, Instagram and sms.
For more info about the flu vaccine go to
Seasonal influenza vaccination – Frequently asked questions – Immunisation programs (nsw.gov.au)
2023 COVID BOOSTER VACCINE UPDATE
All adults are eligible for a 2023 COVID-19 booster dose as from February 20th.
The Australian Government has accepted advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) that all adults who have not had a COVID-19 booster or a confirmed case in the past six months can now get another booster.
The ATAGI experts have particularly recommended that everyone at risk of severe illness – that is, everyone aged 65 years and over as well as younger adults who have medical comorbidities, disability or complex health needs – have a 2023 booster dose.
Patients of the practice can book an appointment for our Pfizer Bivalent Omicron specific Booster online via hotdocs ……..Book Here
For more information …
https://thephn.com.au/…/new-2023-covid-19-booster-jab…
https://www.health.gov.au/news/atagi-2023-booster-advice
PRIVATE NURSING FEES
The cost of running a private practice continues to rise and the medicare rebate doesn’t cover the cost of nursing care provided in General Practice. This includes dressings, equipment, wages and consumables used. To be able to continue the excellent nursing care given to our patients at YFD, we will be implementing a private nursing fee for various services commencing June 1st. This out of pocket fee will vary depending on the service provided and costs involved. We encourage our patients to discuss any concerns about the medicare rebate and increased costs of medical care with your Federal Member of Parliament.
HOT DOC ONLINE PAYMENTS
Coming soon to YFD is HotDoc payments. This is a convenient online payment option that can be used to pay for services such as telehealth appointments, online booked appointments and private flu vaccines. Hot doc will provide step by step instructions how to use this function when you make an appointment, and includes options such as saving your credit card details so you don’t need to re-enter details again for each appointment.
ENDOMETRIOSIS
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month and it has been a positive campaign, with Bindi Irwin and others coming together to talk about their symptoms and often, sadly, how long it took them to get a diagnosis. Studies have shown it can take 7 ½ years to get a diagnosis, and with this is a delay in understanding and management of the debilitating symptoms. One of the reasons is because there is no simple test that can identify it. To read more, please click on the link to read Dr Samantha Pethen’s article on endometriosis ….
https://yourfamilydoctors.com.au/lets-talk-about-endometriosis/
DIABETES CLINICS
Our DIABETES CLINICS will be in action again over the next few months. Optimal management of diabetes is critical in helping prevent and delay some of the complications of diabetes such as coronary artery disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and limb amputations. A comprehensive, team based approach is recommended for the management of diabetes
All of our diabetic patients should be receiving a phone call or a letter and pathology form to invite them to our clinic with our practice nurse over the next month or two
STAFF NEWS
DANCE REHEARSALS ARE UNDERWAY FOR DR GEORGIA
Stars of the Central Coast are celebrating their 10 year anniversary this year so they have asked some ‘blasts from the past’ to get back on stage all in the name of raising money for the Cancer Council on the Central Coast. So on May 26th Dr Georgia will be dancing ‘musical theatre’ with her talented dance partner Lara to help ‘kick cancer to the curb!’
Professionally, Georgia sees the huge impact cancer has on her patients and those close to them every day. She has also seen many of the benefits of cancer screening and research in terms of cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment during her career. This year, things have got more personal, and Georgia will be dancing for her amazing Dad who lost his tough and brave battle to bowel cancer just before Christmas.
Dr Georgia will be holding a morning tea at the practice on May 18th so come and join her for a cuppa and some cake! You can also Dr Georgia’s fundraising page on ……
https://stars.cancercouncil.com.au/fundraisers/georgiapage
DR ELLY AND TOUR DE CURE
While Dr Georgia is dancing, Dr Elly has been back on her bike again for the Tour De Cure Signature Tour from Coffs Harbour to Noosa on March 16th. In the leadup Dr Elly spent a day riding all day in the Gosford Hospital Foyer to raise money for cancer research and support services. Elly smashed out 200km on her stationary bike in 9hrs wearing a covid safe mask!
Unfortunately, on day 2 of the Tour, Elly’s adventure was cut short after a stack on the bike resulting in a broken collarbone and ribs. As well as being very sore, Elly was disappointed to be unable to continue the event, but grateful her injuries were not more serious. Despite being in a sling for several weeks and not being able to laugh pain free, Elly is determined to continue to raise money for Tour de cure. We wish Elly a speedy recovery and would like to reassure Elly’s patients that our doctors will continue to care for you while Elly recovers.
To donate to Dr Elly’s tour de cure go to: Donate Tour De Cure
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Thanks for reading our Easter Newsletter – keep healthy and we will be back in a few months with more news. In the meantime like us on facebook or instagram to keep up to date with the 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