Welcome to our October newsletter. After a tough few months of Covid restrictions we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel and getting back to doing some of the things we love, such as catching up with family and friends. We do need to remember that even at 70 – 80% vaccination rates, covid-19 infections are still out there and we need to continue with covid safe measures such as social distancing, checking in with QR codes, wearing masks indoors and getting tested if you have any symptoms.
In this month’s newsletter we will be updating you on COVID-19 vaccinations including the availability of 3rd primary doses for those who are immunosuppressed and the continued availability of telephone and video consultations. October is breast cancer awareness month so we will be reminding you to to check your breasts, as well as updating you on what Team YFD have been up to.
YFD COVID VACCINATION UPDATE
All three TGA approved vaccines are now available to:
✅ Everyone aged 12+ for Pfizer and Moderna
✅ Everyone aged 18+ for AstraZeneca
Bookings for the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine are available online at our practice for patients over the age of 12. Bookings will be available ONLINE ONLY via HotDoc.
https://www.hotdoc.com.au/medical-centres/erina-NSW-2250/your-family-doctors-at-erina/doctors
2nd Pfizer vaccine appointments will be sent to you via email or sms after you have your first dose.
The Astra Zeneca vaccine remains available for patients over the 18.
Check your eligibility and locations for the Covid-19 Vaccine through the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker: https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility?lang=en
Our vaccine clinics are high volume and are for patients informed and ready to receive their vaccinations. If you have any questions about the vaccine please make an appointment with your doctor prior to booking in for the vaccine.
Please watch the following video on how our high volume vaccination clinics work
https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/637341650
To get proof of your covid vaccination follow this link….
or call the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809 Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm and they can send your immunisation statement to you. It can take up to 14 days to arrive by mail.
Who Needs a 3rd Primary Dose of the Covid-19 Vaccine
Severely immunocompromised people should receive a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as part of their primary course, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has confirmed.
This 3rd primary dose is only for those who has a significant reduction in their immunity. It’s not for those who have “a weak immune system” or “feel a bit run down”. Those who have immunocompromising conditions (such as cancer) or are on therapies that reduce their immunity, may not develop adequate immunity from the standard double vaccinations of the Covid-19 vaccines, whether AZ or Pfizer. The 3rd dose is intended to maximise the level of immune response to as close as possible to the general population.
The eligibility criteria is listed here……
We recommend you speak to your GP or specialist regarding your specific recommendations prior to booking your 3rd primary dose.
Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccines are preferred to AstraZeneca for the third dose. At Your Family Doctors we have plenty of supplies of Pfizer.
The recommended interval for the third dose is 2–6 months after the second dose, but a minimum interval of four weeks may be considered in exceptional circumstances.
Further advice on booster doses, including for healthcare workers, older adults and the general population, is expected at a later date.
How The YFD Team are Keeping You Covid Safe
On Monday 11 October, fully vaccinated people in NSW could get back to doing some of the things they love. However, with these increased freedoms we still need to remain Covid safe as we adapt to living with Covid in our community.
As we see vulnerable patients in our practice, we still need to reduce the risk of potential covid exposures.
Our ‘roadmap’ will look a little like this over the next few weeks to keep our patients and staff safe…
- Telehealth appointments are still our preferred consultation option to help keep you safe (these can be booked online using hotdocs).
- Book a telephone appointment for shorter consults (such as scripts, referrals and review of results).
- If you require a longer consult for multiple medical issues, GP management or mental health plans you will need to book a Video consult (due to Medicare rebate requirements).
- If you require a face to face appointments we can safely arrange this after speaking to you.
- All patients attending will be screened at the front door by staff for any flu like symptoms, exposure to any hotspots or positive cases. Please be honest with your answers to avoid putting others at risk.
- Please sign in using the QR code when you enter our building, wear a mask and use hand sanitiser.
- Please adhere to social distancing guidelines. This means we can only fit 7 people in our waiting room so if things are getting a bit crowded you may be asked to wait outside in our garden or in your car. Please attend alone or with one carer if possible.
- If you are experiencing respiratory symptoms please have a covid test. We have to have them too!
- We will still see sick children and adults with cold or flu symptoms in our respiratory check clinic if required after a Telehealth appointment, wearing PPE. This is important because if we catch your cold or Covid – we can’t work either!
- Vaccination is one of the best ways to protect against Covid-19. We have both Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines available at YFD.
- Please be nice to our staff. They are doing an amazing job fielding many calls and are doing their best to find you appointments and answer vaccination enquiries. We hate Covid too, but we do have zero tolerance for disrespect towards our staff.
Stay well and stay safe and more importantly PLEASE don’t delay seeking medical advice.
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Are you breast aware? When did you last check your pair? Breast cancer is common with 1 in 8 women affected by the age of 85. Early detection is what saves life which is why so why checking our breasts is so important.
There is no method of breast examination that is recommended over another, as long as it is done regularly (such as the first day of every month).
LOOK – Make sure you stand in front of the mirror and inspect yours breasts. Are there any nipple changes, nipple discharge, change in skin colour, visible lumps or dimpling of the skin?
FEEL – Use the palm of your fingers to palpate your breasts in small circular movements ensuring you cover the entire breast. Make sure you feel under your arm and nipple. Is there any pain or tenderness when feeling your breasts?
If you notice a change or a lump then please see your doctor.
For more information ….. https://nbcf.org.au/…/how-to-check-for-breast-cancer…/
CREDIT AND DEBIT CARD SURCHARGE
Credit and Debit card fees have until now, been absorbed by the practice. As you
know when you do your own shopping most places now pass these costs
onto the consumer.
As of 1st November 2021, we will apply a surcharge of our card transactions at standard rates.
Thank you for your understanding.
STAFF NEWS
MOVE AGAINST CANCER
Move Against Cancer was back again for September 2021. Dr Ash Bowden together with the Cancer Council encouraged as many Coasties as possible to keep fit and active, all in the name of raising money for cancer. 10,000 steps a day is the recommended step goal for a healthy adults, however less than 1 in 5 Australian Adults reach this goal.
YFD put together another fabulous team in 2021 and completed an incredible 6,878,925 steps coming in at 3rd highest stepping team and raising $2716.36 for the Cancer Council NSW. All up the Central Coast raised over $100,000 for the Cancer Council – an incredible effort.
We all feel fitter, healthier and happier after the challenge and look forward to joining Dr Ash Bowden, the Cancer Council,and the rest of the Central Coast next year!
If you would like to sponsor our team please follow the link.
https://www.doitforcancer.com.au/fundraisers/YourFamilyDoctors
Read more of the benefits of Exercise in Cancer reduction in our blog https://yourfamilydoctors.com.au/exercise-and-cancer/
DR ELLY ALPINE EVERESTING CHALLENGE
On September 26th, Dr Elly and some of her amazing cycling crew rode through every street and hill in Avoca, North Avoca and Terrigal today to raise money for Cancer. The challenge covered approximately 150km with an elevation of over 4000km. This event was in preparation for her big Everesting challenge in January next year in Victoria. Dr Elly is also passionate about raising awareness of the cancer inequalities in Aboriginal and Torres strait islander communities to help close the gap.
The wet weather made things a bit challenging but it certainly didn’t stop Elly. She had lots of support along the way including some of the YFD team in disguise – can you guess who they are?
Her Alpine Everesting team are hoping to raise over $50,000 to go towards Cancer research. Read more about Dr Elly’s alpine Everesting challenge/ donate by following the link
https://www.alpineeveresting.com.au/#/
OUR BOOKS ARE CURRENTLY OPEN TO NEW PATIENTS – FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY
Due to the arrival of two new doctors to our practice we are able to temporarily open our books again to the Central Coast Community. We know that many families on the Coast are struggling to find a regular family GP and the YFD team would love to care for them. Dr’s Abigail Fox, Nick Young, and Jill McDowell are currently available to see new patients. To book an appointment please call reception.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW RECEPTIONIST INDIA
We are excited to introduce our new receptionist India Kidd to the YFD team. India has settled in beautifully to the practice and we are lucky to have such a friendly and hard working reception team.
So that’s it for our October Newsletter, stay safe everyone, keep healthy and we will be back soon with more news. In the meantime 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