Coronavirus Pandemic Alert

If you have any cold and flu symptoms (such as runny nose, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, or fever), you should undertake a diagnostic swab at a COVID-19 testing centres.  Many of these are 7 days a week drive through centres, and do not require referral.  The locations of these centres may be found at https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/gp-respiratory-clinics-and-hospital-respiratory-clinics-covid-19.

Otherwise, for the most up to date information on COVID-19, please visit the official government website on coronavirus, or download the “Coronavirus Australia” government app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

We can all help ease restrictions faster by downloading the COVIDSafe app.  The app speeds up the process of contact tracing. If enough people download this app, governments will be able to ease restrictions sooner, so we can all get back to our normal lives sooner.  So please help by downloading the app.

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If you wish to consult a doctor about an infection, you can book a telehealth appointment online.

Telehealth consultation can be conducted via telephone or video.  Currently all telehealth consults are bulk-billed.

For video consult, you will need a smart phone or tablet or laptop with internet connection. You will also need an internet browser (Chrome or Safari). Please have this set up prior to commencement of the consult.

Please note: There are many medical problems which cannot be fully addressed via telehealth.  In these cases, the doctor will do as much as possible via telehealth, and then ask you to come to the clinic, either on the same day, or on a separate day, to complete the assessment and management of your issues. (Please note, if your telehealth consult has to be converted to face to face, normal consultation charges will apply)

Alternatively, if you prefer a face to face consult, please call reception on 98771200, so we can ask you some questions before the booking.

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The symptoms of coronavirus may include fever, sore throat, cough, and shortness of breath.  

The virus has a long incubation of 14 days, meaning that infected individuals may not even realize they have become infected until 2 weeks after catching the infection.  During the incubation period, the asymptomatic individual may unknowingly spread the virus, to those people around him / her, and to the general public.

Until vaccines and treatments become available, isolation and containment remain our only effective defence. 

Quarantine and containment are extremely important measures to keep our community and your loved ones safe.  We trust you would understand this.  

Everyone, well or unwell should observe the following:
- Sanitize and wash your hands thoroughly and frequently,
- keep a good social distance of 2 meters from anyone as much as possible

If you have any cold and flu symptoms, even if it's as minor as a runny nose:
- Don’t go to work or public places until full recovery.
- As much as possible stay in home isolation. (This may include sleeping by yourself, in your own room, away from your partner until full recovery. Try also not to share bathroom)
- if and when you have to leave your room or your house, consider wear a face mask, if you can find one
- Cough and sneeze into your elbow, or a tissue. Dispose of your tissue immediately.

Remember that elderly people age 70 and above, and those who smoke or have chronic medical ailments are at extremely high risk, with mortality rate of up to one in six. Whilst many of us may not fall into this demographics group, we all have loved ones who do. Like our parents, our grandparents, our friends, our colleagues and neighbors. Remember the best way to protect your loved ones is to not to spread the virus.

There is a significant increase in diagnosed measles cases within Australia and New Zealand, as well as worldwide. 

Measles is a highly contagous disease and may result in severe health complications including meningitis and death.

Measles is a preventable disease. 

A Victorian Government funded measles-containing vaccine program is available for all adults born during or since 1966 and aged from 20 years without evidence of two documented  doses of valid MMR vaccine or without serological evidence of immunity. 

It is noted that some adults may be not immune or only partially immune to measles, mumps and rubella because they were not captured in the Australian Measles Control Campaign in the late 1990s and the subsequent Young Adults MMR program in 2001.

If you need to be vaccinated for measles, or are uncertain that you do, please make an appointment to discuss here

Shingles (also called herpes zoster) is the disease caused when the chickenpox virus reactivates. Shingles can cause severe pain that can last for months.

Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect you from serious disease caused by shingles.

Currently, adults aged 70 years to 79 years can have the shingles for free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP)

If you are between the age of 70 and 79, and hasn't had the free shingles vaccine, please make an appointment to get vaccinated here.