Abbotsford COVE General Practice

Your Guide to Women's Health by Jeans Hailes Foundation Jean Hailes for Women's Health

A 2-dose course of Shingrix is available for free for:

✅ People aged 65 years and over
✅ First Nations people aged 50 years and over
✅ Immunocompromised people aged 18 years and over with the following medical conditions:
- haematopoietic stem cell transplant
- solid organ transplant
- haematological malignancy
- advanced or untreated HIV.

If you previously received a free Zostavax shingles vaccine under the NIP, you are not eligible for a free Shingrix vaccine for at least 5 years.

If you purchased the Zostavax vaccine privately, you can receive Shingrix for free under the program if you’re eligible.

You should wait at least 12 months between receiving Zostavax and getting the Shingrix vaccine.

Talk to your health professional about eligibility for the free shingles vaccine today.

We have merged with MediPlus Medical Centre at Five Dock and will continue to operate as ABBOTSFORD COVE GENERAL PRACTICE.

We will continue as a MIXED BILLING practice.
The Phone, Fax and Email Address will remain the same.

As you are aware, we are moving into a new location next week. The clinic will start operating from next Wed, 1st of Nov at the new address.

Happy International Women's Day

https://www.facebook.com/225158094350206/posts/1758903227642344/

NSW recorded 1,742 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

A total of 122 cases of COVID-19 with the Omicron variant of concern have been confirmed in NSW.

Four COVID-19 cases have been excluded following further investigation, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 90,144.

There are currently 192 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 26 people in intensive care, eight of whom require ventilation.

There were 143,938 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 104,501.

Across NSW, 94.8 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 93.3 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Of the people aged 12 to 15, 81.4 per cent have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 77.8 per cent are fully vaccinated.

The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 13,115,507, with 4,221,684 doses administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night and 8,893,823 doses administered by the GP network, pharmacies and other providers to 11.59pm on Tuesday 14 December 2021.

Everyone aged 18 years and older may now receive a booster five months after receiving their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

The emergence of the Omicron variant is a timely reminder of the importance of booster shots in maintaining a high level of protection against the COVID-19 virus.

We urge people to get their booster dose as soon as they are eligible, to best protect yourself, your loved ones and the community from the ongoing transmission of COVID-19.

We also strongly recommend that people aged 12 years and over who are severely immunocompromised have a third primary dose of vaccine from two months after their second dose. Talk to your GP for more advice.

NSW Health encourages everyone who is eligible to book into a NSW Health vaccination clinic or another provider without delay through the COVID-19 vaccine clinic finder.

NSW Health continues to be concerned about the ongoing spread of COVID-19 in the Newcastle area, where the majority of a record number of cases are the Omicron variant of concern.

Several venues and events have now seen transmission of COVID-19, and NSW Health again asks everyone across the community to continue to be particularly careful and practise COVID-safe behaviours.

We urge the local Newcastle community to seriously consider deferring any social events in Newcastle until after Christmas in order to help keep family Christmas gatherings safe, and to help protect their loved ones, the vulnerable and our essential workers.

NSW Health last night issued a public health alert for The Cambridge Hotel, 789 Hunter Street, Newcastle. Anyone who attended The Cambridge Hotel from 6.30pm Friday 10 December to 2.30am Saturday 11 December is a close contact and must immediately get tested and isolate for seven days.

Anyone who attended Finnegan's Hotel from 6.30pm Friday 10 December to 2.30am Saturday 11 December, is a close contact and must immediately get tested and isolate for 7 days.

Anyone who attended The Argyle House nightclub from 9pm on Wednesday 8 December to 3am on Thursday 9 December has been assessed as a close contact and must immediately get tested, and isolate for 7 days.

Given the high transmission of COVID-19 at these venues, we ask household contacts of anyone who attended to also immediately get tested and isolate until they and the close contact tests negative.

However Omicron will quickly spread in other parts of the state. With most COVID-19 restrictions eased yesterday, we are urging everyone across the community to continue to practise COVID-safe behaviours.

The Omicron variant continues to spread internationally and has been identified in arrivals to NSW. NSW also has local transmission of Omicron.

Fully vaccinated arrivals from the eight southern African countries of concern no longer have to enter 14 days hotel quarantine, bringing all international arrivals under the same requirements.

Fully vaccinated people from the countries of concern who were already in hotel quarantine on Wednesday, 15 December have to remain there until at least 72 hours after their arrival in NSW

All fully vaccinated international arrivals into NSW must isolate for 72 hours, avoid high risk settings until after day seven and have a PCR test in the first 24 hours and on day six after arrival. They are also strongly encouraged to get tested 12 days after arrival because the risk of infection extends to up to two weeks after exposure.

All recent international arrivals must be vigilant for symptoms and isolate and get tested immediately should symptoms develop.

Any passengers arriving from overseas aged 18 years and over who are not fully vaccinated must go directly into 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine.

Penalties for non-compliance with the isolation, testing and quarantine requirements have increased to $5,000 for individuals (from $1,000), and $10,000 for corporations (from $5,000).

If you haven’t received a COVID-19 vaccination yet, please don’t delay. Even if you have had COVID-19 and recovered, you should get vaccinated.

Of the 1,742 cases reported to 8pm last night, 633 are from Hunter New England Local Health District (LHD), 231 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 188 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 166 are from Western Sydney LHD, 159 are from Sydney LHD, 111 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 81 are from Northern NSW LHD, 43 are from Central Coast LHD, 38 are from Western NSW LHD, 28 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 23 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 14 are from Mid North Coast LHD, five are from Murrumbidgee LHD, four are from Far West LHD, three are from Southern NSW LHD, and 15 are yet to be assigned to an LHD.

If you are directed to get tested for COVID 19 or self-isolate at any time, you must follow the self-isolation rules.

If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, get tested immediately and self-isolate until you receive a negative test result.

There are more than 450 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week. To find your nearest clinic visit COVID-19 clinics or contact your GP.

Video of today’s update is available here: https://vimeo.com/657223644/b62f8d9881

𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝟯𝗿𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗢𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗘𝗗..

💉 An mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) is preferred to Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) for this 3rd dose.
💉 The recommended interval for the 3rd dose is 2 to 6 months after the 2nd dose.

🚨🚦🚨TALK TO YOUR GP🚨🚦🚨

𝗣𝗘𝗢𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗢𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗣𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗪𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗛 𝗔 𝟯𝗥𝗗 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗗𝗢𝗦𝗘 𝗜𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗗:

⚠️ Active haematological malignancy

⚠️ Non-haematological malignancy with current active treatment including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and/or hormonal therapy, but excluding immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors

⚠️ Solid organ transplant with immunosuppressive therapy

⚠️ Haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients or chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy within 2 years of transplantation.*

⚠️Immunosuppressive therapies including:

💊High dose corticosteroid treatment equivalent to >20mg/day of prednisone for ≥14 days in a month, or pulse corticosteroid therapy.

💊Multiple immunosuppressants where the cumulative effect is considered to be severely immunosuppressive.

💊Selected conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDS)*

💊 Biologic and targeted therapies anticipated to reduce the immune response to COVID-19 vaccine*

⚠️Primary immunodeficiency including combined immunodeficiency and syndromes, major antibody deficiency (e.g., common variable immune deficiency (CVID) or agammaglobulinemia), defects of innate immunity (including phagocytic cells), defects of immune regulation, complement deficiencies and phenocopies of primary immunodeficiencies.

⚠️Advanced or untreated HIV with CD4 counts

Pfizer Cominarty Vaccine.
Anyone over the age 12yo (even above 60yo) can now get the Pfizer vaccine.
Ask your GP or Immunisation provider.

Our practice can start giving Pfizer vaccination to ELIGIBLE patients from next week. Call reception to book.

Life's ups and downs happen to all of us. So chances are someone you know might be struggling. Your genuine support can make a difference whatever they are facing, big or small.

So, don’t wait until someone’s visibly distressed or in crisis. Make a moment meaningful and ask them how they’re really going.

Are they really OK? Ask them today. Your conversation could change a life.

Priority Pfizer for 16 to 49 yo extended for those living in these LGAs.

https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/health-and-wellbeing/covid-19-vaccination-nsw/priority-covid-19-vaccination-booking-for-16

NSW Health has identified three locally acquired cases of hepatitis A in recent weeks, believed to have acquired their infections from consuming ‘Jordan River Dates’ brand of fresh Medjool dates.

⚠️People who have consumed this and are WELL do not require testing.
⚠️People who have consumed this and HAVE SYMPTOMS OR SIGNS of hepatitis should see their GP for testing.

Source - NSW HEALTH
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/Pages/20210806_05.aspx

SO WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL WITH THIS DELTA VARIANT???

https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/how-delta-presents-differently-to-other-covid-stra?utm_source=racgpnewsgpnewsletter&utm_campaign=newsgpedm&utm_medium=email

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗔𝗜𝗗𝗢𝗖 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲 – 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆! – calls for all of us to continue to seek greater protections for our lands, our waters, our sacred sites and our cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration, and destruction.

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Country is family, kin, law, lore, ceremony, traditions, and language. It has been this way since the dawn of time. When they talk about Country it is spoken of like a person.

Healing Country means embracing First Nation’s cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia's national heritage. That the culture and values of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders are respected equally to and the cultures and values of all Australians.
The right to protect Country and culture is fundamental.

While we can’t change history, through telling the truth about our nation’s past we certainly can change the way history is viewed.

🖤💛❤ Happy NAIDOC week ❤💛🖤

We are now taking bookings for our Covid vaccination clinic starting from Tue, Apr 13th 2021. Please call reception on 02 97122298.

Our practice is getting ready to take part in the Phase 1b of the Covid vaccination program (AstraZeneca) and will be available from Apr 12th. Please ring reception on 02 9712 2298 to find out more.

We are looking for a casual receptionist who is familiar with Best Practice software and has experience working in a GP clinic.

We have applied for Expression of interest to administer Covid vaccine in the next phase.
Will keep you updated.
Hear the facts from the right source before you make the decision. Watch this space ...

Don't ignore that kit that's in a corner somewhere in your home. Find it today or see your GP to have the Screening for Bowel cancer.

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/case-locations-and-alerts.aspx

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) - Latest COVID-19 case locations and alerts in NSW This information will be updated if further locations are identified. Locations are removed when 14 days have passed since the last known date that a confirmed case was associated with the location. Learn more about symptoms and who should get tested.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/31/covid-hotspots-nsw-list-of-sydney-and-regional-coronavirus-case-locations

Covid hotspots NSW: list of Sydney and regional coronavirus case locations Here are the current coronavirus hotspots in New South Wales and what to do if you’ve visited them

We welcome new patients at Abbotsford Cove General Practice. We are open 5 days a week and offer high quality and comprehensive health care to all age groups in our community.

Our practice is fully QPA accredited so you can be sure we meet the rigorous RACGP standards for general practices.

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/seasonal-flu-vaccination-faqs.aspx

Immunisation Programs - Seasonal influenza vaccination - Frequently asked questions Answers to frequently asked questions about seasonal influenza vaccination.

𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗘𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗗𝗢𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗥(𝗔𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗔 - 𝗡𝗦𝗪 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦)?
If you have travelled to 𝙒𝙪𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝘾𝙞𝙩𝙮 in the past 1⃣4⃣ 𝘿𝙖𝙮𝙨 and have a 𝙁𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙎𝙮𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙨 (𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝, 𝙎𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙩 𝙊𝙧 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙊𝙛 𝘽𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝) , 𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗔𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗 for a conversation with your doctor (do not attend) or before you present to the Emergency department. Suspected cases are better further investigated and managed at a Public hospital.

It's preferable you ring your GP and talk or ring
☎️𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗢𝗻 𝟭𝟴𝟬𝟬 𝟬𝟮𝟮 𝟮𝟮𝟮.

𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗗𝗢 𝗦𝗬𝗠𝗣𝗧𝗢𝗠𝗦 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗧?
It is unknown at this stage but most likely between two and 14 days.

Practice good hygiene by covering your coughs and sneezes and wash your hands thoroughly, for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.

𝗗𝗢 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗞𝗦 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗩𝗜𝗥𝗨𝗦? 𝗪𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗛 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗞𝗦?
P2 masks are likely to provide some protection against the virus, but these must be fitted and worn properly.

P2 masks are not recommended for this purpose outside the health care setting. People who think that they might be infected with novel coronavirus should wear a surgical mask (or P2 mask) in order to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to anyone else.

𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗜𝗦 𝗜𝗧 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗?
There is no specific treatment. Most of the time, symptoms will go away on their own. People who have serious, chronic illnesses with complications can be cared for in hospital.

Information source:
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/alerts/Pages/coronavirus-faqs.aspx #5

Abbotsford Cove General Practice has been established in Abbotsford for over 30 years, with the aim to provide a holistic approach to medical care in a homely atmosphere.

The practice prides itself on its patient oriented approach to healthcare and its commitment to providing appropriate treatments.