We know so many of  you will know and love our nurse manager Annie Williams RN.  After nine dedicated years with us here at Queen Street Medical, Annie is taking a six month “geographical sabbatical” to travel and spend some more time with her family. We are sending her off with our collective good wishes but as the saying goes

Grand Pacific Health is offering a free group-based treatment programme starting in April for those with sleep problems. During the programme you’ll learn various strategies to achieve a longer and more restorative night’s sleep. These sessions will help you establish a routine that both prepares your body for sleep and teaches you ways to calm your mind at the end of the day. The program is conducted by clinically qualified presenters and runs over four weeks with two 1.5 hour sessions in a small group.  

A warm welcome to Hamish Gorman – founder of Eurobodalla Exercise Physiology. Hamish will be consulting at QSMC Moruya on Fridays from 2nd February. Hamish has extensive experience in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and chronic disease management and believes strongly in using exercise as medicine to improve people’s health, wellbeing and quality of life.

When is a salad not just a salad? QSMC dietitian Carole Richards gives us 10 easy and delicious ways we can nutritionally boost and transform our salads into stand-alone meals.

From 1 December 2017, a new Cervical Screening Test, which aims to detect the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is replacing the Pap test (or Pap smear) for women aged 25–74.  This program is changing based on the latest available evidence on the development and prevention of cervical cancer. Women who have been vaccinated against HPV still need to have regular cervical screening, as the vaccine does not protect again all types of HPV.

We are so sorry to have to give you this deeply sad news that our dearest friend, colleague and our practice Partner GP, Dr Steve Murray passed away on Friday 27 October 2017. At these times we often find ourselves lost for words but perhaps we can find some comfort from these recently expressed by Steve: “So many of you have grown into friends over these many years. I am humbled but bolstered by the overwhelming flow of love and support and the courage that is brought to myself and my family.” “Continue to strive for Better Health in yourself, which was always our shared goal and my greatest reward.” Dr Steve Murray 2 April 1953 to 27 October 2017 All at our practice extend our deepest sympathy to Chris and all Steve’s family and we are enormously appreciative of the condolences and tributes we have received here at QSMC. “Let’s honour the legacy of Dad’s life work over his 35 years of practice in Moruya. We aim to keep his service alive in the community and region. All proceeds will go towards cancer prevention, early detection and holistic care in local institutions.” Danny and Bernadette Murray To find out more and to make a donation click here:  http://www.mycause.com.au/page/164632 Prue Beckett – Practice Manager

We’re extending our services north…to Broulee!  From Tuesday 3rd October 2017 we’ll be welcoming our patients to Queen Street Medical Centre Broulee at 33 Clarke Street. “We are excited by our expansion to Broulee. It fits into our commitment to Banksia and allows us to continue to build on the local service initiated by Dr Tuckwell.” says Queen Street Medical partner Dr Steve Murray. Doctors Angela Bennett and Lisa Hyde will continue to consult from the practice which will be open for longer weekday hours from 8.30am to 5.00pm…

The Queen Street Medical Centre has a mission statement that refers to our shared journey. I am confronting an illness that will see our paths separate for a period of time. I am now being asked to do what I have been asking of you over the years. The strength and resilience you have shown me in the years we have been together as doctor and patient is the template that I can follow through this time.

After two years of planning and construction South East Radiology’s MRI scanner was finally lowered by crane into its new home here at QSMC on Saturday 29 July. The MRI  is now fully operational and providing scanning services to patients.  This is a milestone in medical services for the Eurobodalla as patients needing an MRI scan have previously had to travel to Nowra, Canberra or Bega.

ANU medical student Jessica Weber believes “one of the things I like most about training in a smaller town is that you see a far greater continuity of care for patients than in the larger cities. The thing I’ve noticed during my time at the Queen Street Medical Centre is that the doctors are all very involved not only within their medical practice, but within the broader community as well.”

Despite recent claims of Medicare number hacks on the dark web, a Department of Health spokeswoman has assured that just having a Medicare card number does not allow My Health Record information to be accessed or hacked, despite some misinformation to the contrary. The Australian Digital Health Agency’s Digital Health Cyber Security Centre has controls in place to prevent a malicious attack…

According to research many people with hearing impairment don’t accept their disability initially. Audiometrist Gerry Taniane says “a loss of hearing is more obvious than any pair of hearing aids. Your friends, associates, clients and loved ones are already aware of your hearing loss. You can push it out of your mind, however you are fooling only yourself.”

NSW Health is warning the public of a measles outbreak in western Sydney following confirmation of six further cases in the community. Dr Vicky Sheppeard, Director Communicable Diseases, NSW Health says “The recent cases reinforce the importance of getting vaccinated”.

Keen to have your say on health care? You are invited to share your views on our local Consumer Health Panel!

Thirty-seven dollars and five cents is the value this government places on up to twenty minutes of my time writes Sydney GP Dr Elizabeth Oliver. This figure, the amount a practice receives from Medicare for a standard consultation, has not changed in four years, and under the current arrangement, will not change for another three. I myself receive sixty five percent of that. But are the pennies well spent? Let’s see.

Successful health ministers need well-honed political skills, a lot of patience and even more backbone for the very public battles needed for real change says Jim Gillepspie, Deputy Director, Menzies Centre for Health Policy, University of Sydney…

The zucchini is not as humble as we might think – it’s low in kilojoules, high in fibre – loaded with goodness and a low energy base to meals…here are three quick and tasty recipes from our dietitian Carole Richards.

General Practice Accreditation means achievement of the nationally recognised Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Standards for general practices, that focus on health care quality and patient safety.

Over 300 patients responded to our survey during August. CFEP report 97% of all QSMC patient ratings were good, very good or excellent with the majority of our scores exceeding national benchmarks. Our thanks to all who participated.

Harden up. Suck it up. Man up. We’ve been telling our men this for years, but is it healthy? Suicide is now the leading cause of death for Australian men aged 15-44. And alarming new research suggests that some men choose to take their own life, rather than appear weak by asking for help.