Dr Kellie Wallace

Happy Mother’s day to all the Motherly figures in our lives 💗

If you or someone you know if struggling please speak to your Doctor.

It's almost guaranteed that parents in NZ/Aus will have heard the term "self-settling", along with a hefty implication that parents will stop their babies from developing this skill if they respond 'too quickly' to their babies cries, especially overnight.

But is this true?

The term “self-settling” comes from a 1978 study by Dr Thomas Anders, who found that while most babies woke multiple times during the night, some cried to get their parent's attention and some didn’t. He called these “signallers” and “self-settlers”.

Legit, that’s it.

Some babies wake or rouse, remain calm, and go back to sleep. Others will wake and signal to their parents that they need help to get back to sleep. If not attended to, they tend to become distressed and require parental input (co-regulation) in order to become calm enough to get to sleep.

The key here is that the "self settling" children are not distressed in the first place - they’re not soothing themselves; they just didn’t need soothing in the first place.

The sleep training industry tells us that we can turn our signallers into self-soothers by delaying our response to them. But parents of signallers know: if you ignore them, they tend to escalate in their distress until they are attended to, or until they pass out, exhausted.

If you have a baby that needs your help more often than not overnight, this is not a sign that you’ve done something wrong. It's a sign that you have a baby who needs more support overnight.

Do you have a signaller or a self-soother?

I have the surprising pleasure of a baby (my third) who self-settles and it is BONKERS. And I can hands down, categorically say it's not because I "taught" him to do it!

Around the world, the right to health of millions is increasingly coming under threat. Diseases and disasters loom large as causes of death and disability. Conflicts are devastating lives, causing death, pain, hunger and psychological distress.
This year’s theme was chosen to champion the right of everyone, everywhere to have access to quality health services, education, and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination.
See more on the World Health Organisation Website.

If you’re travelling this long weekend stay safe and happy Easter!

This year’s theme for World Down Syndrome day is: End the Stereotypes. For people with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities, stereotypes can stop them from being treated like other people.
By wearing a pair of fun socks you can start a conversation about Down Syndrome and what you can do to help this campaign.
See more on the World Down Syndrome Day website.

Multiple birth week is a national campaign to raise awareness around, and draw attention to, the unique realities for multiple birth families in Australia. Multiple birth families face unique challenges, and advocacy efforts during MBAW aim to improve health outcomes for these families. Despite the modest Multiple Birth Allowance provided to higher-order multiples, only 11% of parents of multiples in Australia feel adequately supported by existing programs and policies.
Read more on the ‘Australian Multiple Birth Association’ website.

Happy International Women’s Day!!

Last week on the 28th of February it was Teal Ribbon day, a day to wear teal ribbons in support of those affected by and to raise awareness for Ovarian Cancer

Each year in Australia around 1,815 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. In most cases, the cancer will be diagnosed at an advanced stage, where it is very difficult to treat.
Wearing your teal ribbon will start conversations that change lives, it will increase awareness of the disease and it will help raise funds to support people affected by ovarian cancer.
See more on the Ovarian Cancer website.

The International day for Women and Girls in science is internationally observed on the 11th of February each year and aims to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women and girls in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This day recognizes the importance of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in the scientific community. Let us continue to support and empower women and girls in science, ensuring that their voices and talents are heard and valued in the quest for knowledge and innovation.

See more on the official Internation day for Women and Girls in science website.

For emergencies ring 000 for help.
If you have any concerns please book a consult with your Doctor.

Happy new year!

Connect through conversation this Perinatal Mental Health Week 🫂

Honest and compassionate conversations about perinatal mental health are life-changing.

Whether you’re experiencing mental health challenges yourself, or concerned about a loved one we know it can feel tricky to find the right words. You might be worried about the way the person you’re talking to will react, and there’s a lot of fear around getting it wrong.

That’s why this Perinatal Mental Health Week, we want you to know that reaching out, truly listening and making a connection is more important than getting the words completely perfect.

See more info

If you or someone you know is struggling, contact a medical professional.
Other services are available 24/7 over the phone such as Lifeline or the Mental Health Access line.
Lifeline - 13 11 14
Mental Health Access Line - 1800 011 511

In an emergency also ring ‘000’ for help

Are you up to date with cervical screening?

https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2023-07-08/andromache-mary-papanicolaou-pap-smear-test-cervical-cancer/102484690?fbclid=IwAR0_-mJ386WPJRVBDWNizPcWtSmbetYm83sMPToR9HX4e2BiJVPsDepoA68_aem_AR5ELxpyCMjob3b9AKdYPWlmvaZ9zTwQyc1LVh4CLNsQe1jM7-M5AQpIfhBtVa9zAqs

Every day for 21 years, Mary got a vaginal test. Her 'generosity' helped save 'millions of lives' The next time you book yourself in for a cervical screen, spare a thought for the woman who endured a similar procedure every day for 21 years.

https://canwe.org.au/staying-healthy/cervical-screening/?fbclid=IwAR1543wqAKZZj2K54Uh7haQGJoYbRX2ioaAePgDxJksFpRlhwLCRF-AbpgA

Can We - Cervical Screening Welcome to Can We’s conversation on cervical screening and preventing cervical cancer for LGBTQ people

Today, on October 15, people around the world remember the precious little ones held dearly in our hearts, but no longer in our arms.

If you or a family member need support following the loss of a baby, please contact Sands Australia’s 24-hour helpline on 1300 072 637 or talk to your GP.

You are not alone

Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month Each October we acknowledge pregnancy and infant loss awareness month and its special day on 15 October Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance day.

Imagine a world where girls and boys have EQUAL access to education and work.

Imagine a world where every woman and girl can find equality, freedom and power without suffering any discrimination.

Imagine a world where every woman and girl is seen, heard and valued and can choose her own path in this world.

International Day of the Girl Child | United Nations The International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.

Many of you would be aware that many GPs have moved away from the bulk-billing model due to the rising costs of running a small business. With more GPs implementing a mixed-billing or private billing model to remain sustainable, for the first time many patients are now experiencing out of pocket costs when they see a doctor.

I have previously spoken about how the freeze on Medicare rebates, over successive governments, has resulted in a ballooning deficit when it comes to the costs of providing medical services. While many patients may be dismayed at having to pay to see a doctor they previously saw ‘for free’, tonight I wanted to discuss a Medicare initiative that can help lessen the cost of medical care for those who have large families, are concession card holders, receive Family Tax Benefit A, or who have frequent medical appointments.

Many patients are unaware about the existence of the Medicare Safety Net. Many more may have heard of it, but are unaware that they need to register for it with Services Australia.

So, what is it?

The Medicare Safety Net is available to everyone who is registered with Medicare. For simplicity’s sake, I will discuss the Extended Medicare Safety Net, because this is the program that can have a big impact on saving money when you see doctors for out of hospital services.

So, how does it work?

Medicare will normally pay you a rebate for the medical services that you have accessed through them. Bulk billing doctors would ordinarily accept that rebate alone as sufficient payment for their services without charging you anything out of pocket. But with bulk billing on the decline, your doctor is charging you a fee for their services because the rebate in insufficient to remain viable. This results in you being out of pocket a certain amount. In GP land, this out of pocket payment will vary depending on the time spent with the doctor, and the indication for the appointment.

However most people don’t recognise that when you have paid a certain amount in out of pocket payments for medical services, Medicare’s Extended Safety Net kicks in. This means that Medicare will now pay 80% of the out of pocket costs, slashing the amount you are paying.

To illustrate, Jane goes to her GP every few weeks for management of several chronic health concerns. Each appointment costs her $85 (the recommended AMA rate) but the Medicare rebate only covers $39.7 of this. She is hence $45.3 out of pocket for her consultations.

However, once Jane has reached the Extended Medicare Safety Net threshold, Medicare will cover 80% of her out of pocket costs for seeing her doctor. She is hence $9.06 out of pocket for her consultations for the remainder of the calendar year.

So what is the threshold?

If you are an individual with no concession card then the threshold is reached when you have paid a total of $2249.80 in out of pocket services.

However, if you are a family with no concession card, then the threshold is reached when the entire family have paid a total of $2249.80 in out of pocket services.

But what people don’t realise is that having your children and spouse listed on your Medicare Card doesn’t automatically register you as a family for safety net purposes 🤯 You MUST fill out a form available on the Medicare Express app or the Services Australia website, explicitly stating that your spouse and dependents are one family unit, otherwise Medicare will consider you as seperate independents with a Safety Net threshold of $2249.80 each, instead of $2249.80 cumulatively.

So let’s get back to the example of Jane.

Jane is seeing her doctor every few weeks for her chronic medical needs, paying $45.3 out of pocket for her appointments. Her 18 year old daughter, Melanie, has been seeing a gastroenterologist monthly for her Crohn’s disease, paying $200 out of pocket for each appointment. Her 21 year old son, Paul, has been seeing a sports physician every fortnight for an acute and serious knee injury sustained playing soccer, and he has been paying $200 out of pocket for his consultations.

But because Jane registered her two dependents Melanie and Paul as her ‘family’ with Medicare, once they have collectively paid $2249.8 in out of pocket costs, the extended safety net kicks in. Jane now is $9.06 out of pocket for her GP visits, Melanie is $40 out of pocket for her gastroenterologist appointments, and Paul is $40 out of pocket for his sports physician appointments.

But there is more.

Because if the family is a concessional family, where two of the people in the registered Medicare Safety Net family have an eligible concession card, OR the families are eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part A, the safety net threshold is much, much lower: $717.90!

Continuing Jane’s example: Jane’s and Melanie’s chronic medical conditions mean that they are both on Disability Support Pensions. As a result of this, the family’s Safety Net Threshold is now $717.90. Once the family have collectively paid this amount in out of pocket fees, Medicare will cover 80% of their out of pocket medical expenses.

So, what services counts towards the safety net?

Out of hospital services with your GP and other medical specialists will count, as will radiology and pathology services.

But what many people don’t realise is that services like psychology also count! Anyone with a mental health care plan knows how cost prohibitive regular psychology sessions can be, but the Medicare Safety Net will slash the out of pocket costs associated with it.

But remember: anyone who is part of your family MUST register with Medicare as a family for Safety Net purposes. It is not automatic and it doesn’t matter if you are all listed on the same card. Go to the Medicare Express app or Services Australia website to do so.

I hope that the above information provides some relief to families that are experiencing hardship during these trying times.

- Sara

https://www.health.gov.au/news/self-collection-now-available-for-cervical-screening?fbclid=IwAR2CiwuKnOXiBLUwSoSY45wg4e3PN2BGvX7DSoLbc096hULejN1qA950bxo

Self-collection now available for cervical screening From 1 July 2022, the National Cervical Screening Program will allow all eligible screeners to collect their own Cervical Screening Test sample.

NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard and NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant have just held a press conference in Sydney. With BA.4 and BA.5 COVID variants in our community Minister Hazzard is calling on the community saying “what we do know is getting fully vaccinated - to the degree you are eligible for - does make a difference".

"These pesky little variants are intelligent and if you are fully vaccinated this will reduce your chances of ending up in hospital or dying."

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said “we have started a new wave which is driven by the BA.4 and BA.5 COVID variants in our community and we expect this wave to peak in late July and early August".

Being up-to-date with your vaccinations is the best way to keep you from getting sick, hospitalised or dying.

Also remember to continue to:
✅Wear a mask if you can’t socially distance.
✅Wash your hands.
✅Stay home if you’re sick!

Everyone in NSW over the age of 6 months can receive a FREE flu vaccination from their local GP and pharmacy until 30 June.

The flu isn’t just an ordinary cold. It can cause serious illness and life-threatening complications, even in previously healthy people.

The flu vaccine is your best protection against severe flu and hospitalisation.

More info on the flu vaccine: www.nsw.gov.au/flu

Some important information about managing Covid-19 at home.

https://www.gps-can.com.au/covid19-blog/i-have-covid-the-infection-now-what?fbclid=IwAR3cy4TzTL0lLoWaT22YtGHkReZJ4sMfB1r9fhqR8JlvagAas55wyBP--hQ

I have Covid the infection. Now what? — GPs can Basic advice and resources for those at home with a Covid-19 infection