Brunswick Central Medical Centre

Dear patients, BCMC will be closed for the festive period from Sat, 23 Dec ‘23 to Mon, 1 Jan ‘24.

We wish everyone an enjoyable and safe Christmas & New Year!

This is Amira, who is currently in hospital awaiting urgent open-heart surgery. She’s expected to need more than 20 bags of blood, and has a blood type so rare, just one in 10,000 people may be a match. We’re launching an urgent nationwide search for type O and A blood donors to help. To join the search, please book a donation over the coming week. https://donateblood.page.link/tzhH

Power has been restored to our building.

We appreciate your patience while we attend to the backlog of calls & appointments. Thank you.

Unfortunately, there has been a power failure in our building which has also affected our phones. Please bear with us while we wait for it to come back on.

Thank you for your patience.

https://nwmphn.org.au/for-primary-care/clinical-support/priority-primary-care-centres/

Priority primary care centres PPCCs ease pressure on hospitals by providing care for urgent, non-life-threatening conditions such as mild infections, fractures and burns.

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/servicesandsupport/priority-primary-care-centres

Priority Primary Care Centres Priority Primary Care Centres provide care for people with conditions that require urgent attention but not an emergency response.

Synthetic cathinones and PMMA are circulating in range of drug products in Victoria, linked to hospitalisations in Melbourne and Bendigo. Products include a light orange ‘Kenzo’ pill containing dipentylone and a black crystalline powder containing PMMA and M**A. Similar drugs are also circulating in other forms.
Call 000 if things don’t feel right.
More info: https://go.vic.gov.au/41a0EgZ

It is a good idea to visit a doctor regularly, even if you feel healthy.
Here are 5 reasons why regular health checks are important.
https://go.vic.gov.au/3xa1YUr

Why has my doctor stopped bulk-billing? For the first time, the gap fee you pay for a standard GP visit is more than the government rebate. Why? And what’s the fix?

Not everyone is comfortable seeing their doctor for a Cervical Screening Test (formerly a Pap Smear).

Self-collection now gives you the option to collect your own Cervical Screening Test sample 💜 Self-collection may be a better and easier option for you.

The self-collect process is simple:
✅get a swab from your healthcare professional
✅insert the swab yourself (only about 6 centimetres), and
✅ rotate for 20-30 seconds.

Speak with your doctor or healthcare provider about whether you’re due for screening. Visit 💻 www.health.gov.au/cervical-self-collect for more information.

Health warning on Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus and other mosquito-borne diseases Victorians are advised to protect themselves against mosquito-borne diseases such as Ross River virus infection and Barmah Forest virus infection this summer.

Vapes are clouded in misconception ☁️. They contain many of the same toxic and cancer-causing chemicals found in regular ci******es.

One of these ingredients is diacetyl, used in popcorn flavourings for its buttery taste.

When eaten, diacetyl is usually harmless. But, when inhaled in large amounts, can lead to 'Popcorn Lung' or bronchiolitis obliterans. 🍿🫁

Bronchiolitis obliterans is a rare condition that causes inflammation in the airways, leading to scarring and permanent damage. This can make it hard to breathe, and once occurs, can't be fixed. 😮‍💨

The sooner you put the v**e down, the quicker your body can rebound and repair itself. Don't get sucked in – it's not worth it.

If you or someone you know needs support to quit, contact Quitline on 13 78 48, or visit https://quithq.initiatives.qld.gov.au.

ℹ️ Source:
Qld health (2021). What's really in v**e juice. The known harms of e-ci******es and va**ng.
Cleveland Clinic (2022). Popcorn lung (bronchiolitis obliterans).

https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health-advisories/health-warning-on-mosquitoes-and-ross-river-virus?fbclid=IwAR2npQPMubw6ftT65OUIyeEX4GJ5kWpfQMSS8Hyh71niyrPMLpuaOVQQXy4&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Health warning on mosquitoes and Ross River virus Victorians are being warned to protect themselves against mosquito-borne diseases such as Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus this summer.

Due to increased thunderstorm activity the forecast risk of thunderstorm asthma has increased to high in the Mallee District. This is in addition to the high-risk forecast in Wimmera District.

This increases the chance of people experiencing asthma symptoms and breathing difficulties due to high grass pollen levels combined with thunderstorms.

Things you can do to help stay safe:
- Be alert to your local weather conditions and be prepared for thunderstorms and strong winds.
- Go inside and keep windows and doors closed, before and during any storms.
- Have your asthma medication with you at all times.
- Call NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24 if you experience mild asthma symptoms and need medical advice.
- If your condition is urgent, not improving or getting worse, call Triple Zero (000). Call Triple Zero (000) if someone is not breathing.


For up-to-date information and advice visit VicEmergency https://emergency.vic.gov.au/prepare/ -asthma-forecast

Give blood in Brunswick

Research study Understanding COVID-19 complications

Get your Lifeline Care Guide TODAY Decades of experience all in one place

Changes to COVID-19 isolation periods and masks on flights have started – so what does this mean for you?

The isolation period after testing positive to COVID-19 has changed from 7 to 5 days — but only if you’re symptom free and don’t work in a high-risk setting 🏥

If you’ve got symptoms 🤧 you might still be infectious, so stay home until you feel well 🛌

😷There are no longer mandates to wear masks on domestic and international flights into Australia 🇦🇺

People may still choose to wear a mask to protect themselves or others who are vulnerable, and it’s important to respect their choice👍

For more information visit 💻 https://www.health.gov.au/news/national-cabinet-statement-on-covid-19-settings_

Right Words, Right Time Get your Lifeline Care Guide today

“You do not want to be the person who brings FMD back to Australia.”

Read the full explainer here: https://bit.ly/3yGFsDc

🤧 If you’re at higher risk of severe illness, have COVID-19 symptoms and test negative on a RAT, get a PCR test.

Occasionally, RATS may not detect a COVID-19 infection straight away, so it’s important to get a PCR at a state or territory testing site.

COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments need to be started early after testing positive ⏰

Talk to your health professional now about your COVID-19 treatment options. For more information visit 💻 www.health.gov.au/oral-treatments.

Victoria is experiencing a new COVID wave.

To protect yourself and others, all Victorians are now strongly encouraged to wear a mask when with other people indoors and when you cannot physically distance, including outdoors.

You must still wear a mask on public transport, in rideshares and taxis, on planes and when visiting sensitive settings such as hospitals and care facilities.

👉For more information on staying safe this winter visit: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/how-we-live

: A fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is now recommended for people over 50 and offered to all people 30 and older, as the country faces a winter jump in COVID hospitalisations.

Health Minister Mark Butler said 7.4 million more people will now be eligible for the fourth dose from July 11.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) specifically recommended the shot for people over 50, while people aged 30 to 49 may choose to have a fourth dose.

ATAGI reiterated those already eligible, including those over 65, remain at high risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19.

Winter is a bad time for the spread of respiratory illnesses like the flu and COVID. If someone in your family is unwell with mild cold or flu symptoms, there are around 50 free GP Respiratory Clinics around the state. These clinics provide free, easily accessible testing and care for all Victorians, with or without a Medicare card. For information on clinic locations and operating hours, see https://go.vic.gov.au/BV3n7n

From July 1, there will be a more private way to detect the human papillomavirus – an infection that can lead to cell changes in the cervix causing cervical cancer.

Until now, this self-test had strict eligibility criteria, and was mainly offered to women who had never been screened for cervical cancer or who were overdue. Now, it will be offered to most people with a cervix due for their screening.

Studies have shown this self-test is as effective at detecting HPV as cervical screening done using a speculum.

Prof Karen Canfell, the director of The Daffodil Centre, a joint initiative between Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney, said: “It will be available from July 1st for those who are due for their screening and those overdue for screening.”

“So a lot of women would have already had a test for HPV in the last few years and will have tested negative, and so they are not yet eligible.”

With a self-test, a GP will explain to the patient how to collect a sample from the va**na using just a cotton swab. After receiving instructions from their doctor, the patient will go to a private area behind a screen or curtain, or in a bathroom at the doctor’s office, and take their own swab without their doctor present.

Read the full story here:https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jul/01/new-self-test-makes-it-easier-than-ever-to-screen-for-cervical-cancer-so-how-does-it-work?CMP=soc_567

Monkeypox (MPX) has recently been confirmed in Australia. Seek medical help if you think you may be at risk. Australian travellers returning from, or going to, countries where cases have been identified, should be aware that the symptoms of MPX include:
• fever
• swelling of the lymph nodes, and
• distinctive rash on parts of the body including ge****ls.

For more information visit health.gov.au/monkeypox-mpx

The flu is back! However, only half of Australian children are likely to be vaccinated against flu this year.

Discover Australian parents’ plans when it comes to flu vaccination in the latest RCH National Child Health Poll, visit: https://bit.ly/3z1l0hY

COVID-19 Scam Alert 📱

We’ve been made aware of scam text messages claiming to be the Department of Health, and other Government agencies. These text messages ask people to click on a link to get a free COVID-19 test kit - this is a scam. Do not open it and ensure not to click any links.

If you get a suspicious text message, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and report the scam. Find out more at 💻 https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/current-covid-19-coronavirus-scams