June is here and so is winter! Although winter has just begun we are seeing a large number of patients with influenza and other respiratory infections such as Covid and RSV. If you haven’t had your flu vaccines yet or are not up to date with your Covid Vaccinations please book into one of our clinics or with the nurse for your vaccination. The government has announced that flu vaccines with be free for everyone over the age of 6 months for the month of June so we encourage our patients to take advantage of this to be ‘winter ready’.
In this month’s newsletter we will be updating you on our recent patient feedback survey, our Flu and Pfizer Covid vaccination clinics, Men’s health week, crazy socs for docs week and more staff news.
2022 QUALITY IMPROVEMENT SURVEY
Thank you to all our patients that assisted us with feedback by completing our 2022 Quality Improvement Survey. The results are in and we are so pleased to hear that we received a 97% patient satisfaction rate.
For those of you that took the time to make suggestions on ways Your Family Doctors could improve to make your experience better, we thank you. Over the coming months we will be working together with our team to implement some of these suggestions.
Please keep the communication lines open, we are always striving to be better!
INFLUENZA VACCINATIONS
Not only do we have Covid-19 infections about, but we are seeing an increased number of other respiratory viruses, including the dreaded flu. At YFD we have had many very sick patients come down with confirmed influenza before they had the chance to get vaccinated.
2022 is predicted to be a big year when in comes to the number and severity of flu cases. This is because the last 2 years of low case numbers means we have less natural immunity to the virus.
A free flu jab will be available to all NSW residents in a month-long blitz from June 1 in an effort to combat this year’s expected severe influenza season. With a sharp increase in flu cases already, the NSW Government will fund flu vaccinations at GPs and pharmacies until June 30.
At Your Family Doctors we have flu vaccine appointments available for our patients. To book a flu vaccine appointment book online via HotDoc and scroll down towards the end to book with one of our nurses …….
https://www.hotdoc.com.au/medical-centres/erina-NSW-2250/your-family-doctors-at-erina/doctors
It is recommended that everyone aged over six months of age get a flu shot as soon as possible to protect themselves and their loved ones, as the virus is easily spread and potentially deadly. Help protect your family this winter.
Other protective measures individuals can take include staying at home if sick and washing your hands. Find out more about how to protect yourself from the flu at www.nsw.gov.au/flu.
For more tips on getting prepared and fit for winter bugs read more ……..
https://thephn.com.au/winter
COVID-19 ADDITIONAL BOOSTER VACCINATION
From 30 May 2022, people aged 16 – 64 years who have a complex, chronic or severe condition that increases their risk of severe illness from COVID-19 are recommended to get an additional winter COVID-19 booster 4 months after your first booster dose.
This includes people with:
• Immunocompromising conditions
• Cancer
• Specific chronic inflammatory conditions
• Chronic lung disease
• Chronic liver disease
• Severe chronic kidney disease
• Chronic neurological disease
• Diabetes requiring medication
• Chronic cardiac disease
• People with disability with significant or complex health needs or multiple comorbidities which increase risk of poor outcomes from COVID-19
• Severe obesity
• Severely underweight
This is in addition to these existing groups who are already eligible for a COVID-19 winter booster since April 2022:
• Aged 65+
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged 50+
• Residents of an aged care or disability care facility
• Severely immunocompromised and aged 16+
An additional winter booster dose focuses on protecting the most vulnerable groups against severe illness caused by COVID-19. If you have had a COVID-19 Infection since your first booster dose, you can get your winter booster dose 3 months after infection.
More info: http://www.health.gov.au/…/expanded-atagi…
At YFD we have the Pfizer COVID vaccine available and appointments are available most days of the week. Patients that fulfil the eligibility criteria as above, can book online for their additional booster via hotdocs https://www.hotdoc.com.au/medical-centres/erina-NSW-2250/your-family-doctors-at-erina/doctors
FIRST COVID BOOSTER DOSE – If you’re 16 years or over and had your second COVID-19 vaccine three or more months ago, you will be eligible for your booster dose. Health authorities at this stage do not recommend a booster dose for those under 16 years unless you have complex health needs (please discuss this with your doctor first) . Presently we have Pfizer vaccine appointments available most days of the week by booking online.
PAEDIATRIC PFIZER VACCINE – If your child aged between 5 – 11 has not had their paediatric Pfizer vaccine yet – please call reception to make an appointment. These appointments cannot be made at the same time as the Adult Pfizer vaccine as a different vaccine vial is used.
MENS HEALTH WEEK – JUNE 13th – 19th
When it comes to health statistics men rate poorer than females especially when it comes to preventable health problems.
Did you know:
* Men’s life expectancy is on average 4.4 years shorter than women’s
* Men take their own lives at 4 times the rate of women, equating on average to 5 men a day dying from suicide in Australia
* Men are less likely than women to see their GP, let alone a mental health professional
Let’s reach out to the blokes we care about, encourage them to look after their health and get regular check ups with their GP. It’s OK to to seek help.
Resources;
https://www.menshealthweek.org.au/
https://headtohealth.gov.au/supporting…/support-for/men
MensLine Australia (online counselling and forum for men) 1300789978
Dads in Distress (peer support for separated Dads) 1300 853 437
STAFF NEWS
BAY TO BAY RUNNING FESTIVAL
What a fabulous morning the YFD Warriors had at the Bay to Bay Running Festival on Sunday 19th June. Your Family Doctors were proud sponsors this year and we thought we better practice what we preach and join in on the fun. The rain held off and the sun even came out for this wonderfully organised community event! Thank you to all the volunteers that cheered and kept us hydrated along the way. We look forward to participating again next year!
THE STORY OF INKY PINKY
Good news everyone! Remember Dr David King’s magical children’s story ‘The Story of Inky Pinky’! It is now available for purchase at our practice. They are available at reception for $20 each (cash only) – with percentage of proceeds going to Stillbirth NSW
‘Inky Pinky is Fairyland’s favourite elf. With his rainbow-coloured paints, he brings life to all the birds, flowers and trees. When he upsets the fairy queen by having fun with a feather, she sends him away. Whatever will happen next?…..’
Follow The Story of Inky Pinky on Instagram @the_story_of_inky_pinky and Facebook!
CRAZY SOCKS FOR DOCS DAY
Those who wear crazy socks together, support and stay stronger together! #crazysocks4docs is all about raising awareness of the mental health of doctors and health professionals. Caring for others can take its toll on medical and health professionals with high rates of burnout, depression, anxiety and suicide. The Covid-19 Pandemic has certainly been a challenging time for health professionals around the world.
There is always help available so If you are struggling please have a chat to your GP or you can contact;
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Doctors Health Advisory Services: 02 9437 6552
http://dhas.org.au/contact/contact-dhas-in-nsw.html
https://www.crazysocks4docs.com.au
DR ELLY’S FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN RAISES $100,000 FOR ABORIGINAL HEALTH CANCER SERVICES
On the 20th June Dr Elly Warren and her Alpine Everesting and Tour de Cure team presented Yerin Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Service with a cheque for $100,000 to fund a Cancer Navigator position to break down access barriers. This will enable an enhanced cultural focus on screening, prevention and support as well as someone to walk alongside people during cancer treatment and survivorship. This community-driven project will build on the strengths of existing services like Yerin to drive solutions from the grassroots level. Local leaders and elders know what works to improve cancer outcomes. They just need the resources to do it!
Did you know that 23% cancer deaths in Australia occur in First Nations people and there has been a 12% increase in cancer-related mortality over the last 14 years in this population? The gap is widening, not closing, but hopefully with funds raised by Dr Elly and her team – this trend can change. Federal MPs Dr Gordon Reid and Emma McBride were also amongst guests at the presentation and will be for taking this message back to Canberra.
Dr Elly and her team would like to thank everyone who has supported this initiative so wholeheartedly.
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We hope you enjoyed reading our June 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