On a foundation of respect, trust and openness our three-way patient/doctor/nurse partnerships aim to engage and empower you to take control of your health. Our team-based, patient-centred approach to your clinical care is especially important when managing chronic diseases which are currently so prevalent in our community such as Diabetes, Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD) and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
It’s your better health
It's your better health
Better Health Clinics
Our Better Health clinics are conducted by our qualified, experienced practice nurses, who work in partnership with all our doctors to manage complex conditions such as Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease in particular. Our nurses also manage the comprehensive health assessment programme for our patients 75 years and over and conduct our Coordinated Veterans Care (CVC) for our Vets.
Our aim is always prevention – ideally to diagnose the early warning signs and halt the onset of chronic disease or to work with you to manage your disease and strive for the best outcomes and keep you out of hospital.
If you have a chronic or complex disease, we encourage you to discuss joining our Better Health programmes with your doctor or our nurses. Our nurses conduct our bulk-billed clinic sessions in a warm, friendly manner and support you to gain the knowledge and skills you need to manage and monitor your condition. A team of professionals may also be coordinated around you and your specific clinical needs. These clinic sessions also provide the perfect opportunity for you to discuss other aspects of your health which may be concerning you.
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Diabetes Management
Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of Diabetes and occurs most commonly in people aged 50 and over.
It is widely recognised that a patient-centred, coordinated team approach is the most effective way to manage complex, chronic conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes. If you have been diagnosed with this disease, you will benefit most from care delivered from a range of professionals. For example, under your Team Care Arrangement, your doctor may recommend you seek care from a number of services such as our in house Dietitian/Diabetes Educator Carole Richards, a Physiotherapist, Podiatrist or Ophthalmologist. Medicare will cover or assist you with the costs associated with up to five Allied Health appointments in a calendar year.
In accordance with the best evidence-based clinical practices and national guidelines our Better Health Diabetic clinics aim to prevent and limit the progression of the disease and slow the onset of complications that can cause severe disabilities and be life threatening.
Ask your doctor about joining our Better Health Diabetes management programmes – our clinics which include a consultation with the nurse and your doctor are bulk-billed.
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Immunisation for Children and Adults
When enough people in our community are immunised the infection can no longer spread from person to person.
Protecting your baby or child
Immunisation is the most effective way to protect your child against serious disease. The routine childhood immunisations currently protect against 13 diseases which can cause serious complications or sometimes death.
Skipping vaccinations puts your child at greater risk of contracting a vaccine preventable disease. All vaccines for your child have been thoroughly tested for safety and efficacy and receive ongoing monitoring and evaluation.
Are your child’s immunisations up to date? Please don’t take a risk – ask your doctor or one of our nurses to check the records or phone us for assistance.
No Jab, No Pay – from 1 Jan 2016 the Australian Government, Department of Health introduced “New Immunisation Requirements for Family Assistance Payments. Only parents of children (less than 20 years of age) who are fully immunised or are on a recognised catch-up schedule can receive the Child Care Benefit, the Child Care Rebate and the Family Tax Benefit Part A end of year supplement. Conscientious objection and vaccination objection on non-medical grounds will no longer be a valid exemption from immunisation requirements.
For the facts on immunising and protecting your child and our community visit: immunisation facts or Immunise Australia program
Adult Vaccinations
About the seasonal influenza vaccination
If you are considered high risk, having a vaccination against influenza (flu) is now the standard of care in Australia. If you are in the following groups you are eligible for a free flu vaccination:
- People aged 6 months and over with medical conditions which may mean they are vulnerable to severe influenza (flu):
– cardiac disease
– chronic respiratory conditions
– other chronic illnesses requiring regular medical follow up or hospitalisation in the previous year
– chronic neurological conditions that impact on respiratory function
– impaired immunity,
– children aged 6 months to 10 years on long term aspirin therapy
- All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) children aged 6 months to under 5 years and ATSI people aged 15 years and over.
- All pregnant women
- All people aged 65 years and over
We encourage you to discuss your health and flu vaccination with your doctor.
Seasonal Flu Vaccination Clinics: To help manage the high demand, we conduct seasonal flu vaccination clinics – our reception team can assist you with your booking.
Travel immunisations
Your doctor can assist you with the travel vaccinations you may require so please make an appointment. Your vaccine injection can then be given to you by our nurse under the supervision of your doctor.
We provide these vaccines: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Boostrix (Diptheria, Tetanus and Pertussis).
Queen Street Medical Centre is an accredited Yellow Fever vaccination centre.Please note any vaccines bought at the pharmacy must be kept cold or they will spoil. When you arrive with a vaccine please inform our receptionist immediately and we will refrigerate your vaccine until it can be administered.
- People aged 6 months and over with medical conditions which may mean they are vulnerable to severe influenza (flu):
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75+ Annual Health Check - stay safe and healthy
Having this annual health check can help keep you healthy and safe – and ensure you are well supported in your own home.
This is a bulk-billed, annual health assessment programme for our patients who are 75 years and older – this programme is led by our practice nurses.
You will need to allow an hour for your health assessment. Your first 40 minute session is with our practice nurse and this is followed up by a consultation with your doctor who will review your care. You are welcome to bring along a friend or family member.
In a caring and confidential session our nurse will ask you about the following aspects of your health:
→ Your recent health
→ Medications you take
→ Immunisations
→ Nutrition and exercise, smoking and alcohol
→ Mobility
→ Mood, memory and sleep
→ Home safety
→ Social and family supportOur nurses also have information on many community based assistance programmes – so if you need additional assistance in your home or to manage the day-to-day we are here to advise and help.
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ATSI Health - clinics and services
At Queen Street Medical Centre we work closely with your local Aboriginal health teams to deliver Healthy for Life and Closing the Gap programmes – which aim to improve the health of you and your children – and your community.
If you have a chronic disease like Diabetes or Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) we can help you on the path to better health by regular check-ups in our friendly Better Health clinics –these are bulk billed so you won’t be out of pocket. If you are enrolled in the Closing the Gap programme you are eligible for benefits which are designed to support you so please ask us about this programme.
ATSI Health Check clinics are regularly conducted at our Moruya practice in conjunction with the Healthyforlife team. Our receptionists can help you to make an appointment for one of these clinics or to make an appointment with your doctor.
We are here to support you and your family to access the very best quality health care so please give us a call or pop in to see us to make an appointment – or just drop in if you are in Moruya.
Our nurses will be happy to check if your child’s immunisations are up to date.
We can also put you in touch with local services and people who can help such as Grand Pacific Health’s team of 17 Aboriginal health workers and nurses. You can access loads of services such as Koori Health Checks, Koori Diabetes Days, Koori Booris – a free fortnightly clinic and playgroup for mums and bubs – where dads are welcome too! Southern NSW Partners in Recovery is another service they can offer for people with mental illness who need lots of help to aid their recovery.
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Women's Health Clinic - new cervical screening...
At Queen Street Medical Centre our Women’s Health Clinics includes the new Cervical Screening Test, as well as other examination, advice and referral as indicated. This service with Dr Judy Toman and our women’s health trained nurses Annie and Shelley, is bulk-billed and scheduled at different times and days to facilitate attendance. Our reception team can make your appointment.
About the new Cervical Screening Program and Test
Australia has one of the lowest rates of cervical cancer in the world, largely as a result of the success of the National Cervical Screening Program over the last 25 years. From 1 December 2017 this program has changed, based on the latest available evidence on the development and prevention of cervical cancer.The Cervical Screening Test, which aims to detect the human papillomavirus (HPV) has replaced the Pap test (or Pap smear) for women aged 25–74. Usually the test will still require a vaginal speculum examination and cervical sample, but if negative then depending on past history, the screening will need to be repeated in five years.
→ Women who are already having regular Pap tests will start having the new Cervical Screening Test when they are next due, which is usually two years after their most recent Pap test if this was negative.
→ 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.
→ The new Cervical Screening Test also only begins at the age of 25, depending on past history and results.
Patients may of course, continue to have their cervical screening with their usual GP at QSMC, or at Community Health with the women’s health nurse.
For more information about this new Cervical Screening Test Program please ask your doctor or one of our practice nurses. You may also see our receptionists who can refer you to someone on our team who is qualified to answer your questions.
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45 - 49 Years? Why book a health check...
It’s time for your health check.
If you are 45 – 49… ask your doctor or nurse now about taking the 45-49 year old health check.
45-49 year olds may be at risk of chronic disease if smoking, drinking, overweight and not exercising or have high cholesterol. Taking your 45-49 year old health check can help you on the path to better health to prevent the onset of chronic disease.
Our Practice Nurses
Our practice nurses manage and prioritise patients, assist doctors with minor surgery, perform immunisations, dress wounds, conduct “Better Health” clinics for diabetes, kidney and other disorders plus many other essential health care tasks.
Our nurses are also qualified to conduct Cervical Screening (formerly known as Pap Tests) – please enquire about our regular Women’s Health Clinics.
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Nurse ManagerShelley Pritchett RN
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Practice NursesAnnie Williams RN, Vivienne White RN, Kate Tiller RN, Nicola Vukasin RN, Ruby Griffin RN, Crystal Smith EN
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Broulee Practice NurseLisa Ashton RN
Better health links
- Health Organisations, Agencies and Services
- ATSI Health
- Mental Health
- Mental Health self-help and support online
- Sexual Health Services – Eurobodalla
Our Dr Tim says thank you for energy, wisdom and friendship…
February saw a fitting farewell for our Dr Tim Shepherd who has retired after 35 years of wonderful service to our community. We feel it’s not the end of an era but the beginning of the new for Tim and his wife Jann who’ll be enjoying their love of the “great outdoors” – hiking, kayaking and camping. Our Dr Tim hopes to be making what he says are “cameo visits” to consult from time to time when other GPs are on leave.
“To all my patients who have been a huge part of my life for 35 years – you will know how my time will be spent. This photo is just a sample! I will miss the day to day interaction with these friends who have been intimately connected to my life – and in many cases, from whom I have received energy, wisdom and friendship . Thank you to you all – it’s reassuring to know there is a wonderful team to continue “after Tim”.
Medicare rebates now apply for eligible MRI scans
For over two years South East Radiology (SER) has been campaigning for Medicare rebates to be available on the MRI scanner in Moruya. SER is happy to announce their MRI site, located in the Mirrabooka wing of our Queen Street Medical Centre, has been granted a full Medicare license by the federal government today. This license will enable patients with an eligible referral from a specialist or GP to access Medicare item numbers and now have their examination bulk billed with no out of pocket payment.
Avoiding dehydration – a risk for babies and children in hot weather
With the hot weather still here for a few weeks to come, our QSMC registered practice nurse Kate Tiller advises it’s important to be particularly aware of dehydration. Dehydration happens when your body loses more fluid than it’s been taking in. Kate, who holds qualifications and experience in paediatric nursing, is keen for parents and carers to be aware that infants and children are at greater risk of becoming dehydrated. See Kate’s article and download The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne fact sheet.
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