The Australian government has launched it’s new tracing app COVIDSAFE. We are advised that the more people who use this app, the easier and faster it will be to trace those who’ve come into contact with the virus.  We’ve included these links so you can learn more about the app and how to download it to your phone. Click on the this link here

Dear Patients, over the years so many of you have come to know our wonderful Patient Services Manager and registered nurse, Annie Williams – we know this because whenever we’re out and about with “Celebrity Annie” every five metres is a “social occasion” as she’s stopped and greeted warmly by so many of our patients eager for a chat.

Annie retires tomorrow, 24 April – it’s such a milestone for the practice because for the past 11 years, Annie has been such a positive influence in so many ways upon us all. The good news however, is that Annie will return to help out the nursing team from time to time. Since 2018, Annie has managed our dedicated Patient Services Team. Just managing the daily volume of calls (recently over 600 on some days) is a challenge and when not operating under this COVID-19 pandemic, our practice team usually manage the health needs of 350 to 400 patients per day, in addition to providing admin and nursing support for 8 to 12 doctors plus our visiting specialists. 

Our congratulations to our Nurse Manager Shelley Pritchett (pictured left) who is taking up the challenging Practice Manager role from Monday 27 April. Since 2017 Shelley has been been such a valued member of our managment team and just like Annie, she is well equipped for this demanding operational role. Shelley we wish you every support and success.

Here’s some good news for patients not eligible for the government-funded flu vaccine – we have received our practice supply of the vaccines for sale for $25. So if you’re aged 5 to 64 years and you don’t have a chronic disease, you may purchase your vaccine from our practice. 

Please phone us to book your flu vaccination – the first clinic at our Moruya practice is on Wednesday, 29 April 2020 from 2.00pm to 4.30pm. 

Appointments for a flu vaccination only are bulk-billed – you will only be charged $25 for your influenza vaccine. You will be asked to pay for your vaccine before you receive it.

Advice to all our patients: We continue to impose stringent infection control measures – if you have a respiratory infection of any description you must contact us before your appointment for instructions about your consultation at our ‘off-site’ respiratory clinic – you must not enter the practice. We sincerely appreciate your co-operation during this COVID-19 pandemic. We are doing our utmost to safeguard the health of all in our practice so we can continue to remain open.  Please ensure you observe all requests by our staff and doctors and continue to be open and honest about your health and COVID-19 risk. 

Some welcome news for our Broulee patients – our practice will re-open on Friday 24 April 2020.

We appreciate the understanding and patience of our Broulee patients during these difficult circumstances.

Advice to all our patients: We continue to impose stringent infection control measures – if you have a respiratory infection of any description you must contact us before your appointment for instructions about your consultation at our ‘off-site’ respiratory clinic – you must not enter the practice. We sincerely appreciate your co-operation during this COVID-19 pandemic. We are doing our utmost to safeguard the health of all in our practice so we can continue to remain open.  Please ensure you observe all requests by our staff and doctors and continue to be open and honest about your health and COVID-19 risk. 

Exercise Physiologist, Hamish Gorman says online exercise classes are a great way to stay healthy whilst staying at home.

“We’re having great uptake from our community and
awesome feedback on the enjoyment and effectiveness
of these classes.”

These classes are delivered daily via ZOOM and include:
• Staying Healthy at Home (exercise class for over 65’s)
• Strength and Social (bone and muscle strength class approx age range 50-70)
• Daily dose (exercise class for everyone)
• Oncology Specific group 
• Parkinsons Specific group

If you’re interested in getting involved and to find out more – click the read more link

We are busy planning our annual flu vax clinics with the strictest COVID-19 control measures in place.

The flu vaccine has not arrived – it’s expected in around four weeks. Be sure to stay tuned to our website for the latest information – please do not phone.

Our doctors will vaccinate those most at risk as a priority and we are aiming to give the vaccine to as many people as we can – as quickly as possible.

Southern NSW Local Health District has established COVID-19 clinics at Queanbeyan, Moruya, Bega, Goulburn and Cooma. These clinics will test people, as necessary, and provide advice about symptom management and other advice about COVID-19. These walk-in clinics do not require a referral from your GP and will operate during the day on Monday to Friday. However, you are advised to call the Healthdirect hotline on 1800 022 222  or the local number provided, BEFORE attending one of these clinics. 

For clinic locations and opening hours click on Read More here…

We all need to work together to help stop the spread of Coronavirus. To protect those most at risk and to slow the rate of community transmission – non-essential organised gatherings should be kept to fewer than 500 people. 

People who have returned from anywhere overseas are required to self-isolate for 14 days. During this time, you should monitor your health closely. If you develop symptoms including a fever and cough, you should seek medical attention, remembering to call ahead.

People who have been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus should also monitor their health and seek medical advice.

From 18 March 2020, all Australians are advised not to travel overseas. Go to www.smartraveller.gov.au for further information

 For Department of Health information on Coronavirus (Covid-19) published 17 March 2020, click the Read more link below to find out who is most at risk, what to do if you develop symptoms, if you should wear a mask – who needs to be isolated and what home isolation means. There is also advice on how to prevent the spread of the virus.

Please note: If you feel you may have been in contact with the virus and you develop symptoms you must first call either our practice or contact the Moruya or Batemans Bay District Hospitals for professional advice on what you should do to minimise risks to yourself and others.  

New COVID-19 clinics have been established in our region by our Southern NSW Local Health District – see the news post on our Home Page.

What do you need to know about COVID-19 and coronavirus? The Conversation asked their readers for their top questions and sought answers from two of Australia’s leading virus and vaccine experts.

This podcast episode is produced by The Conversation – it features Professor Michael Wallach and Dr Lisa Sedger – both from the School of Life Sciences at the University of Technology, Sydney – answering questions from readers. 

Also visit The Conversation https://theconversation.com/au

Join our practice dietitian Carole Richards at our free, one hour workshop on Wednesday, 19 February to celebrate Smart Eating Week.

You’ll gain the know-how to decipher food labels and solve the mystery of the “nutrition panel”,  allowing you to make smarter choices when confronted by more than 30,000 packed food items stocked by our supermarkets. 

Carol’s informative, relaxed workshop starts at 2pm at Queen Street Medical Centre’s Moruya meeting room. Please make a booking by calling our reception team.

It’s business as usual by appointment for our Moruya and Broulee practices from today –  13 January.

We are anticipating a higher than usual phone call load this week so if you are in the queue on the phone press 2 for an auto-call back – you won’t loose your place in the queue. Remember you can also book appointments and order most scripts on line so do give this a try. 

Sincere thanks to our practice team who have done their very best to keep the practice up and running whenever we could safely open during these days of crisis. 

We pay tribute to all our brave and couragious RFS firefighters – their support teams and families, our emergency services and the army of volunteers helping our community and wildlife – our heartfelt thanks to you all.

Our practice will be open tomorrow morning from 8.00 am until 12.00 pm for appointments and walk-in services.

The practice is closing at midday due to the anticipated fire threat to Moruya and region due to deteriorating weather conditions forecast. Patients with afternoon appointments on 10 Jan will be sent an SMS message to please phone the practice to re-schedule their appointment.

We plan to open for “business as usual” from Monday 13 Jan at our Moruya and Broulee practices and will issue any updates as required. Also stay tuned for Radio ABC South-East for updates about our practice.

Our practice is open for patients with appointments and we are offering walk-in medical services – our doctors will endeavour to see all who require medical attention on a priority (triage) sit and wait basis.

Our Broulee practice will remain closed until further notice and the phone is diverted to our Moruya practice. We cannot offer any immunisations due to the power outages as the vaccines cannot be stored without refrigeration. Our thoughts and wishes remain with you all – please remain alert to bushfire conditions near you. 

Message to our staff and doctors: Your safety is our utmost priority – do not attend work unless it is safe to do so.

Due to the bushfires our practice will offer limited, walk-in services only on 2 and 3 Jan 2020. The practice is without power and IT and many of our team are unable to work due to the distaster situation.

Doctors will strive to see anyone who requires attention on a WALK IN basis only. There will be NO appointments and we cannot advise on waiting times. Patients will be triaged and seen on a priority basis.

We will continue to monitor the situation during the coming days and issue advice when possible. Please understand the practice may have to close without warning due to the fires and road closures.

Queen Street Medical Centre Broulee will be closed 2 and 3 January.

Message to our staff and doctors: Please attend work only when it is safe for you to do so. The safety of you and your family is paramount and our thoughts and wishes are with you.

Dear patients, due to the bushfire emergency across our region our Moruya practice is running limited services today, 31 December. Please phone the practice before you come in as many of our doctors and staff are protecting property or evacuating. We are also experiencing power blackouts and may close the practice at any time. 

Ensure you remain alert to all fire warnings and road closures – listen to radio ABC South East and also see important links in the previous news post – above all stay safe.

Our Broulee practice is closed due to the fire emergency.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has declared a state of emergency across the state for the next seven days. Your safety and welfare is on our minds and we extend our wishes to everyone affected by these devastating bushfires.

Leaving early when threatened by fire is always your safest option and you should never wait and see what happens when a fire is threatening.  Staying alert to what’s happening in your area is essential – visit this site https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me and download the free fires near me app to receive updates and alerts.  Click Read More for more essential information links and the RFS information line.