PMC NEWS

FAREWELL DR WANG-

Dr Yvonne Wang has completed her Registrar Training time with us and moves on to another position in Sydney. We wish her well and hope she enjoys her next career move.

Unfortunately we do not have another doctor to replace her . We hope to recruit another doctor in the future but at present patients may find appointments less available.

Changes to Medicare items

From 1st May 2010 various changes to medicare items have been made. These will increase payments for longer consultations and simplify the item numbers for those eligible for "enhanced primary care" ( EPC). Your doctor will determine whether you are eligible for EPC items. You need to have a chronic and complex medical condition such as diabetes, chronic heart conditions or cancer. If you are eligible, medicare assists with payments for limited allied health and dental services.

Click here for a printable brochure about chronic disease management.

SWINE FLU & SEASONAL FLU VACCINE NOW AVAILABLE

Flu vaccine is available at Pambula Medical Centre. Flu vaccine protects against seasonal influenza and is recommended every year before winter for anyone 65 and over , anyone with lung or heart conditions, smokers, diabetics, and those with reduced immunity. It is also recommended for anyone caring for these people. Pregnant women are recommended to have fluvax especially if they will be in the later part of pregnancy during winter. Many otherwise healthy people choose to have a fluvax every year to reduce the risk of time off work. Fluvax is available free of charge for those over 65 and with many medical conditions. For otherwise healthy people Fluvax is available on private prescription.

Pneumovax is also recommended for the same high risk groups listed above - usually only two doses are needed usually 5 or 10 years apart. This immunisation protects against the commonest variety of pneumonia, one form of meningitis and some ear and sinus infections. Pneumovax is free to those over 65 years and on prescription for others.

Boostrix is a combined vaccine protecting against Tetanus, Diptheria and Pertussis ( whooping cough). The government has recently made boostrix available free to many people to combat the recent whooping cough epidemic. The vaccine is particularly recommended for people soon to become parents or grandparents, or others who care for babies. An ideal time for a booster for everyone is at the recommended 50 year old tetanus booster or when getting any tetanus booster.

Side - effects to immunisations are generally mild and much less concern than the infections themselves, your doctors at Pambula Medical Centre recommend immunisation in most situations. Our nurses or doctors can give you the injections when you next visit.

Pambula Hospital Under Threat.

Locals will be aware that the Pambula Hospital inpatient services in Obstetrics have been removed in 2008 by the Area Health Service ( GSAHS). We strongly encourage residents to lobby against this move. In the future the GSAHS plans to close Pambula hospital completely when the new hospital in Bega is built.

Save Pambula Hospital action group website. see a flyer about the issue .

Recent old news items can be found in our Archives section.