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We endeavour to keep our patients up to date with all the recent news and developments in the medical world that shape, affect, and inform the lives of all our patients.

We welcome any questions or comments, and look forward to providing you with engaging and up-to-date information.

Rokeby GP is now offering Ear Microsuction

What is microsuction?

Microsuction is a procedure used to unblock your ears of wax. A nurse uses a magnification tool to look directly into the ear, and then uses a small vacuum probe to remove any material from the ear canal.

Why offer microsuction?

Microsuction is now considered best practice for the removal of wax and foreign bodies from the ear. Microsuction has a lower risk of causing harm to the ear canal, perforating the eardrum and is a dry procedure which reduces the risk of infection from residual water in the ear canal.

What if my ear is painful?

If you are experiencing pain please book a doctors appointment as we cannot perform microsuction until the pain is resolved. Pain is also usually due to another cause (eg infection).

Do I need a doctors appointment? 

Ear microsuction procedures are performed by our nurses so no GP appointment is required unless you are experiencing pain or the nurses notice other potential concerns.

Are our nurses trained?

Three of our nurses (Fiona, Rebecca and Esther) are trained and certified in this procedure. They take pride in providing a high level of skill and customer service when delivering this service.

What is the cost?
For one ear $100 and for both ears $150 (no Medicare rebate)

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Prior to microsuctioning, it is very important that an ear wax softening agent (preferably Ear Clear) has been used for at least 2 days as per directions.

How to book?

  1. Click here to book
  2. Complete the consent for before attending the appointment

 

RSV for adults

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunization Arexvy is recommended for adults >75 Years and those 60-74 with some medical conditions (lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, immunocompromise, kidney failure, neurological disease). Unfortunately, this vaccine is not government funded. The cost of this vaccine is $400.

RSV for Infants

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunization should be available from April 2024. Infants under eight months will be eligible for the vaccination Nirsevimab which provides immediate protection against RSV. We will update the website to take bookings once we have confirmation of supply. Please keep checking our website for updates.

What is MyMedicare?

MyMedicare is a voluntary patient registration system that aims to formalise the relationship between patients, their general practice, general practitioner (GP) and primary care teams. Seeing your GP regularly and formalising the relationship you have with your GP and general practice through MyMedicare can lead to better health outcomes.

Registration is free and is open to Australians with a Medicare card or Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Veteran Card.

How to register:

You can register as a MyMedicare patient either through Medicare online account – Services Australia or Express Plus Medicare mobile app – Services Australia

For more information about MyMedicare please go to:

MyMedicare | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

Rokeby GP is proud to be supplying the only cell based influenza vaccine in Australia

We are the only practice in Australia to be providing a cell based vaccine(instead of egg based vaccine) as our only private flu vaccine

What is the difference?
– Up until recently only egg based influenza vaccines have been used in Australia
– Egg based vaccines are grown in chicken eggs, cell based vaccines are grown in a microscopic mamallian cell

Cell based influenza vaccine has advantages over traditional egg based influenza vaccine.

1. Cell based is a closer match to predicted influenza subtypes giving potential better efficacy
2. Cell based is greener- currently 400,000 caged chicken eggs a day are used for egg vaccine manufacture, cell based vaccines use no eggs

Also
Cell based vaccine is safe, Over 100 million doses given worldwide
Indicated for use form 2 years old to 65 years old
If you are over 65 years old you should still have the adjuvanted/high dose free government vaccine

When is the best time to have influenza vaccine?
We advise the best time to have flu vaccine is from mid April to end of May

What is the cost?
For the month of May this vaccine is free of charge. After May we are able to supply cell based vaccine for $32, egg based is usually about $20

Who should receive Influenza Vaccine?
We advise everyone from the age of 6 months to have influenza vaccine

What about free government vaccines?
We are still supplying all the free government egg based influenza vaccines (for babies/children up until end of primary school, those with chronic illnesses, over 65 year olds)

 

Free Flu Vaccine's 23/11/2021

We invite you to book for a free Flu vaccine.

We have a large volume of excess flu vaccines. Many experts are predicting that when we open our borders and ease restrictions, we may see a large influenza outbreak in WA.

Rokeby GP is offering free booster vaccines from now until the 30th January 2022.

Please note that the influenza vaccine wanes after 3-4months which means you should still get your 2022 vaccine around May 2022.

Coronavirus Update 31/01/2021

We are continuously adapting our policies and procedures based on the changing landscape of the virus in WA. Due to the low risk of community transmission, RGP is currently allowing patients with respiratory symptoms to attend the practice. We follow strict protocols with these patients to ensure the safety of other patients.

If you have respiratory symptoms (sore throat, cough or runny nose) please inform reception before attending the practice. 

 

National Coronavirus Helpline

1800 020 080

For further information please visit the following websites:

Flu Booster Update 17/08/2020

Due to the early uptake of flu vaccines this year, it is an option to have a booster now. 

The effectiveness of the influenza vaccination may wane after 3-4 months.

The state health department has stated 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.

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

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2013/01/studies-flu-vaccine-effectiveness-waned-over-2011-12-season

75+ Health Assessment 26/08/2019

Patients holding a medicare card and are aged 75 years and over are entitled to a free annual health check.

The 75+ Health Assessment is an in-depth assessment providing 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.

Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness Week- November annually

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 5 expecting or new mums and 1 in 10 expecting or new dads will experience antenatal 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 in raising awareness of perinatal anxiety and depression in Australia.

For more resources and articles, visit the PANDA website.

Perth Children's Hospital Emergency Department now open, PMH closes doors 13/06/2018

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 ACWY vaccine now available 18/05/2018

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

Meningococcal B meningitis vaccine and Meningococcal ACWY vaccine now available from 2 months of age 19/10/2017

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.

Meningococcal B meningitis vaccine now available 03/07/2017 03/07/2017

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.

Meningococcal B meningitis vaccine now available but limited supply 01/05/2017

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

Influenza vaccine may work better if given in morning 01/05/2017

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.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4874947/

Private and government influenza vaccine now in stock 22/03/2017

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

Recommended Date to be Immunised against Influenza is late May/early June 22/03/2017

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

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2013/01/studies-flu-vaccine-effectiveness-waned-over-2011-12-season

Meningococcal B meningitis vaccine shortage 31/01/2017 31/01/2017

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

Shingles (also called Zoster) vaccine. FREE supply for 70 to 79 year olds.

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/

Swimming365 24/01/2017

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's Wrong Campaign 27/10/2016

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.

It's Wrong Campaign

Meningococcal Disease 26/10/2016

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

http://www.promedmail.org/post/4513543

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-20/spike-in-meningococcal-strain-most-not-vaccinated-against/7952580

https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/about/news-and-events/healthalerts/increase-in-meningococcal-w-disease-in-victoria

75+ Health Assessment

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.

4 Year Old ‘Healthy Kids Check’ Removed From The Medicare Schedule

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.

Department of Health: Healthy Kids Check.

Pneumovax (a vaccine which helps prevent pneumonia) is supplied for FREE by the government for all over 65 year olds.

You only need it once. Please check with our nurse as to make sure you have received this vaccine.

Influenza vaccine is recommended for all Australians over the age of 6 months.

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.

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