As we are all aware, payment for doctor consultations using debit card payment attracts surcharges which patients have to pay for this. This is hurting the pockets of patients. Sydney MP Jerome Laxale launched petition to call on RBA to ban surchages of debit payments. Here is the link about the news.

To sign the petition, please click on this link.

Monkeypox vaccine is now available in our medical centre. The mpox vaccine (JYNNEOS® vaccine) is available free-of-charge for eligible people.

Eligibility criteria

Post-exposure preventative vaccination (PEPV) preferably in 4 days, in accordance with clinical guidance from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) for:

• High-risk contacts of mpox cases
• Attendees of SOPVs and public or private events (particularly where sexual or intimate contact may occur) in areas where local transmission of mpox is occurring.

Eligible people for primary preventative vaccination (PPV) include:

• Sexually active gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men.
• Sexually active transgender and gender diverse people, if at risk of mpox exposure.
• Sex workers, particularly those whose clients are at risk of mpox exposure.
• Sexual partners (including anonymous or intimate contacts) of the above groups.
• Sex-on-premises venue staff and attendees.
• People living with HIV, if at risk of mpox exposure, and their partners.
• Laboratory personnel working with orthopoxviruses.
• Vaccination may also be considered for healthcare workers at risk of exposure to patients with mpox, based on local risk assessments. This may include primary care, sexual health clinics, hospital staff and others.

Two doses of the vaccine are required for optimal protection and are provided subcutaneously 28 days apart. The mpox vaccine takes approximately 14 days before it is effective.

Government funded flu vaccination is available under National Immunisation Program for following patients who meet criteria as below:

• people aged six months to less than five years (can be given at the same time as childhood vaccines)
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and older
• pregnant women (can be given at any stage of each pregnancy)
• people aged 65 years and older (a vaccine that is specifically designed to produce a higher immune response is available for this group).
• people aged six months and older with medical conditions putting them at increased risk of severe influenza and its complications.
• Medically at-risk
  • Cardiac disease
  • Chronic respiratory condition 
  • Immunocompromising condition
  • Haematological disorder
  • Chronic metabolic disorder
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Chronic neurological condition 
  • Long-term aspirin therapy in children aged 5 to 10 years

From 1 October 2023, MyMedicare is available for voluntary registration for all patients with valid medicare card or a Department of Veterans' Affairs(DVA) card. You will be eligible to register if you have two or more face-to-face appointments at Seymour Street Medical and Dental Centre in the past 24 months. People who are facing hardship are exempt from all eligibility requirements. This includes people experiencing domestic and family violence and homelessness.

By registering in MyMedicare, you may benefit from:

• A formalised relationship with your general practice or GP, which has shown to improve health outcomes.
• Longer Medicare Benefit Scheme (MBS) funded telehealth consultations with your GP.
• Incentive for longer telehealth consultations for children under 16 and Commonwealth Card Concession card holders, from 1 November 2023.
• More regular visits from your GP and better care planning for people living in a residential aged care home, from August 2024
• Connections to more appropriate care in general practice for people who visit hospital regularly, from mid-2024

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