Services at Erskineville Doctors

People eligible for COVID-19 booster dose as of March 2024 To protect yourself from severe illness, it is important to understand when you should receive your next COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. Please book an appointment with your GP to discuss vaccination or check your eligibility using the COVID-19 booster vaccine eligibility tool. 75 year and older Recommended every 6 months. 65 – 74 years Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits. 18 – 64 years Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits. 5 – 17 years Under 5 years For more information please visit …

Nicotine prescribing and vaping products  If you require an appointment to discuss vaping as part of your plan to quit smoking, please check with our staff for a list of doctors who are registered to do so. From 1 October 2024, vapes with a nicotine concentration of 20mg/mL or less will be available from Australian pharmacies to patients 18 years of age or older without a prescription. A pharmacist must evaluate the patient’s need and determine if it is clinically appropriate before supplying the good. Vapes for patients under 18 years and/or with a nicotine concentration of more than 20 …

Assigning your benefit for Telehealth consultations From Monday 13th November, if your doctor elects to bulk bill your Telehealth consultation, you will be required to accept the doctors billing by assigning your benefit via secure SMS. This acts as a record that you have provided consent for your Medicare rebate (e.g., $41.40) to be paid directly to your doctor. This is a Medicare requirement. At the end of your Telehealth consultation, your doctor will ask for your verbal consent to bulk bill and record this in the consultation notes – they may also check your mobile number. Once the billing …

Shingles vaccination There is still an extremely limited number of vaccines available. As such, we will be prioritising the vaccination of patients who are at highest risk of illness (e.g. immunocompromised patients undergoing cancer treatment) and have not previously had any dose of a Shingles vaccine before. Patients who have received their first dose, will be contacted by the practice to make an appointment to receive their second dose 5 months after the first. If you would like more information about your eligibility for free Shingles vaccine, please make an appointment with your GP or call and speak to our …

It’s not too late to get a flu vaccine for 2023. Cases are increasing the moment and have not yet peaked. Notifications are highest amongst children, as reported in the media. As school goes back next week this is time when kids will be more at risk of acquiring influenza. Anyone aged 6 months and over can receive an influenza vaccine, that offers some protection against four strains of Flu. Influenza is a serious illness that can lead to hospitalisation, and in many people will result in at least a full week unwell at home. Prevention includes all of the …

So far this year, there have been 19 cases of meningococcal disease reported in NSW. The majority of cases have been due to the Meningococcal B strain of the infection. Meningococci can cause meningitis and other invasive disease (sepsis) – these are rare but life-threatening. Meningococci are carried in the throat,and transmitted through close contact and respiratory droplets. The most at risk groups are children under 2, and 15-19 year olds, but people at any age can be affected. Young children Parents of young children will be familiar with the recommendations – Meningococcal ACWY (Nimenrix) is administered in the 12 …

A reminder (or a lesson!) about a couple of ways you are able to make some savings on your annual healthcare costs. The Extended Medicare Safety Net can help to lower your out-of-pocket medical costs for out of hospital services. We recommended that all patients register with Medicare as a family or couple so that your out-of-pocket costs are counted together towards the Extended Medicare Safety Net thresholds and the PBS Safety Net thresholds. You don’t have to be on the same card, but you do need to phone Medicare or fill out a form to advise them who is in …

Did you know? Influenza is highly contagious illness that can lead to hospitalisation, and in many people will result in at least, a full week unwell at home. Children are likely to be much more unwell with Influenza than they are with COVID. A Flu vaccine is the best way to protect your child from serious illness. The 2023 Flu vaccine provides about a 50% effectiveness in reducing the risk against the four dominate strains of Flu. Children under nine years of age, receiving an influenza vaccination for the first time, require two doses of vaccine, spaced by a minimum …