Corona Virus :

"Patient Alert - Coronavirus

If you are experiencing any cold or flu like symptoms, please do not attend the clinic, instead, book a telephone consult. Please call us. Do NOT book online. Do NOT attend the clinic without calling ahead first".

"Patient Alert -Influenza vaccination: This is funded for the following groups who can be at higher risk of complications from influenza:

all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over

all children aged 6 months to less than 5 years of age (including Aboriginal and medically at risk)

all individuals aged 5 years and over with medical risk conditions, namely:

cardiac disease, including cyanotic congenital heart disease, coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure

chronic respiratory conditions, including suppurative lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and severe asthma

other chronic illnesses requiring regular medical follow up or hospitalisation in the previous year, including diabetes mellitus, chronic metabolic diseases, chronic renal failure, and haemoglobinopathies

chronic neurological conditions that impact on respiratory function, including multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, and seizure disorders

impaired immunity, including HIV, malignancy and chronic steroid use

children aged 6 months to 10 years on long term aspirin therapy

pregnant women (influenza vaccine can be given at any stage of pregnancy)

people aged 65 years and over (vaccine that is specifically designed to produce a higher immune response is available for this group).

Please note that we will be able to supply you with a private script for the influenza vaccine if you are interested but don't meet the criteria for the government funding.

Why is my GP now charging?

Your GP has one job, to care for you and your family. In Australia, this is mostly funded by the federal government, in the form of a Medicare rebate (MBS).

There are many costs, including staff wages, medical equipment, rent, electricity and consumables (e.g. masks, dressings, etc.). We all know that the cost of living has increased in recent years, and costs to medical practices are no different. In fact, medical equipment costs increase at more than twice the rate of inflation every year. Despite the increase in costs, which are being felt by everyone, the government has not increased the Medicare rebate enough to support your ongoing healthcare.

Medicare rebates have barely increased in the last 10 years. The Government started the Medicare “freeze” in 2013 and this lasted until July 2018, but then did not increase at the same rate as wages. Since then, as a result, the current funding for General Practice is less than half of what it should be if it had kept up with real world costs.

The graph below shows the difference between rising costs of living (the top line) and the amount the government invests in your healthcare (bottom line). You will notice that these lines are moving further apart. Unfortunately for the practice to survive, we must charge.