We welcome any questions or comments, and look forward to providing you with engaging and up-to-date information.
The Perth Children’s Hospital wards and emergency department are now open, following the transfer of all patients from Princess Margaret Hospital. PCH replaces Princess Margaret Hospital as Western Australia’s only specialist Paediatric hospital and major trauma centre, treating sick children across WA.
PMH is no longer accepting patients, and all contact numbers for staff and services will now be different.
For more information regarding the Perth Children’s Hospital please visit pch.health.wa.gov.au
Meningococcal disease type W was the type responsible for most of the recent cases in WA in 2017/2018. The MenACWY vaccine protects for type W meningococcal disease and also for type Y, which is increasing in the community. In addition, the vaccine protects against type C, already in the national childhood immunisation schedule, and type A, a type rare in Australia. This vaccine does not protect against type B meningococcal disease.
A free meningococcal ACWY vaccine is now available for children aged 1 to 4 and young people 15 to 19 years of age.
These valuable vaccines are now in good supply and in stock at Rokeby GP. Just call our reception to arrange an injection.
For more information go to;
http://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/J_M/Meningococcal-vaccine
Meningococcus B and W are the two most common causes of serious meningitis in Australia. Meningococcal B is most common in those under 5 and in teenagers and young adults. Meningococcal W occurs right through the age spectrum including into old age. The vaccines are available to anyone wanting to reduce their risk of meningitis.
These valuable vaccines are now in good supply and in stock at Rokeby GP. Just call our reception to arrange an injection.
Menigoccoccal B vaccine and Menigococcal ACWY vaccine can be administered from 2 months of age.
Meningococcus B is one of the most common causes of meningitis. It is most common in those under 5 and in teenagers and young adults.
This valuable vaccine is now in stock. We are currently vaccinating those on our wait list.
Meningococcus B is one of the most common causes of meningitis. It is most common in those under 5 and in teenagers and young adults. The government has no programs to deliver this vaccine to the public.
This valuable vaccine is now available but it is in limited supply.
Meningococcal C vaccine is however free for WA teenagers. For more information go to
http://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/News/Free-meningococcal-vaccines-for-WA-teenagers
There is preliminary evidence that having your flu jab in the morning gives a better response than in the afternoon.
This is worth considering when you have your vaccine. The evidence is only preliminary so it is not routine practice at this stage. But it won’t do any harm to have it in the morning and it may do quite a bit of good.
You can view the scientific article at below address.
To learn about the influenza vaccine and to find out who can get it fully subsidised by the government please go to this link http://healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I/flu-Influenza-vaccine
Rokeby GP has had enquiries as to the best time to have the influenza vaccine. In response to this, the doctors at Rokeby GP have had a good look at the evidence and discussed it with the manufacturers of FluQuadri.
Based on the below evidence, the best time to receive influenza vaccine would be the end of May/beginning of June. This may significantly increase the effectiveness of the vaccine and it can’t reduce the effectiveness unless we have a flu season occurring earlier than previous data indicate.
However up to a month before (end of April / beginning of May) is still is a reasonable time to have it.
There is mounting evidence(but not definitive proof yet) that the effectiveness of the influenza vaccination may wane after 3-4 months.
The FluQuadri vaccine takes up to 2-3 weeks for full effect. Historically influenza season starts in mid June at the earliest and ends in mid October at the latest, with its peak in July/August/September.
The evidence is strong enough for the state health department to state the below
“For best protection against flu, people are advised to get the flu vaccine in late autumn. This will help ensure they are protected throughout peak flu season, which in Western Australia is usually August. This follows recent evidence that shows flu immunisation may wane after 3 to 4 months.”
This advice and further information supporting these views can be seen at the following addresses.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
http://healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I/flu-Influenza-vaccine
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/cda-surveil-ozflu-flucurr.htm#current
Meningococcus B is one of the most common causes of meningitis. It is most common in those under 5 and in teenagers and young adults.
This valuable vaccine remains out of stock.
Free meningococcal vaccines for WA teenagers. For more information go to
http://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/News/Free-meningococcal-vaccines-for-WA-teenagers
Available now!
We have free government supplies for shingles vaccine (also called zoster vaccine) for all 70 to 79 year olds. This is funded until 2021. Following this the plan is for it to be available to 70 year olds only.
Shingles is common affecting 20-30% of the population in their lifetime. It gets more common the older you are and the risk of getting long term pain after it is also more common the older you get.
There is a vaccine which reduces your chance of getting shingles and reduces your chance of getting long term pain.
It is recommended for everyone over the age of 60 years by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance.
It is a one off vaccine and it is available now at Rokeby GP.
If you are outside the 70 to 79 year old age group it is expensive at $275 but if you can afford it, it is still a very good idea for all over 60 year olds.
It is recommended also for people who have had shingles in the past.
There is more information on the below address.
http://www.ncirs.edu.au/provider-resources/ncirs-fact-sheets/
The Swimming365 program has started and is looking for additional participants for this Sunday the 29th of January at Scotch College at 7:30am.
Check out their flyer (download) or website (www.swimming365.com.au) for more information.
It is wrong….. and it will effect you!
Rokeby GP and all family practices need your support to help stop the proposed government action to remove $150-$200 million a year from GP practice funding.
600,000 individual petition forms are needed, we need your help.
Meningococcal Disease is rare(1 in 100 000 people per year) but extremely serious and often fatal.
Meningococcal disease includes infection of the brain lining(meningococcal meningitis) and infection of the blood stream(meningococcal septicaemia). Also the bacteria can be carried in the throat causing no illness to the carrier but can be passed on to others causing serious illness to them.
It most commonly affects children and babies under 5 years old and teenagers and young adults aged 15 to 25 years old.
There are three major types of meningococcal disease in WA. Types B, C and W135.
Type C was more common until vaccination against it was introduced routinely and free of charge to all babies a few years ago.
Type B has traditionally been the most common type. Vaccination is available against type B. The government does not supply this vaccine but it is available privately at Rokeby GP.
Type B vaccine has been in short supply in Australia since late 2016.
Type W135 has increased dramatically in the last two years. 14 of the 23 cases of meningococcal disease in WA last year were type W135. In 2014 there were 2 cases in WA, and in 2015 there were 5.
The WA government is about to commence a free vaccination program for 15 to 19 year olds for those at school and in GP clinics for those out of school. It is expected to commence in term 2 2017.
Type W135 vaccine is available now privately at Rokeby GP for anyone over 1 year old who would like to receive it. We recommend it particularly to under 5 year olds and those aged 15 to 25.
See the below links for more information.
http://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/News/Free-meningococcal-vaccines-for-WA-teenagers
http://healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/J_M/Meningococcal-disease
Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness Week was established by PANDA in 2005 with the support of the Australian Government’s Department of Health.The Week aims to raise awareness about perinatal depression and anxiety, including the signs to look for and where to go to seek support.
Perinatal depression and anxiety is a serious illness. Up to 1 in 10 expecting mums and 1 in 20 expecting dads struggle with antenatal depression and more than 1 in 7 new mums and up to 1 in 10 new dads are diagnosed with postnatal depression each year. Even more are thought to suffer with anxiety. It’s important for expecting and new parents, as well as those around them, to be aware of perinatal anxiety and depression, to know the signs to look out for and where to go for help.
Everyone’s experience of parenthood, including perinatal anxiety and depression, is different. However, with the right treatment and support, new parents can make a full recovery. Join us this year in raising awareness of perinatal anxiety and depression in Australia.
Medicare card holding patients aged 75 years and over are entitled to a free annual health check.
The 75+ Health Assessment is an in-depth assessment of a patient aged 75 years and over. It provides a structured way of identifying health issues and conditions that are potentially preventable or amenable to interventions in order to improve health and/or quality of life.
The purpose of this health assessment is to help identify any risk factors exhibited that may require further health management. In addition to assessing a person’s health status, a health assessment is used to identify a broad range of factors that influence a person’s physical, psychological and social functioning.
Available once a year for patients 75 years and older.
Department of Health: Health assessment for people aged 75 years and older.
If your child has had their third birthday and has not yet turned five, you may wish to arrange for them to have a Healthy Kids Check provided by your GP.
A Healthy Kids Check is available to all children at or around the time of their 4 year old immunisation and helps to ensure that children are healthy, fit and ready to learn when they start school.
The aim of the Healthy Kids Check is to improve the health and well-being of Australian children and promote early detection of lifestyle risk factors, delayed development and illness. It also provides the opportunity to discuss with your family doctor or practice nurse guidance on healthy lifestyles and early intervention strategies for your child.
A Healthy Kids Check will include an assessment of your child’s height and weight, an assessment of their eyesight, hearing and oral health and discussion about their toilet habits and known or suspected allergies.
You only need it once. Please check with our nurse as to make sure you have received this vaccine.
Recommended by health authorities and by Rokeby GP doctors
The government supplies us with free vaccines for those 6 months old to less than 4 years old, for pregnant women, for people over 65 years and for those with some long term illnesses (e.g. diabetes, heart disease, lung disease (including asthma)). However we highly recommend it to everyone. The cost is $25 for those not in the above groups.
Another group particularly at risk is travelers- it is easy to catch on airplanes.
