PRIVATE FLU VACCINE STOCK for 2020  

• FOR PEOPLE AGED 5 to 64 who are not eligible, for the funded vaccine, we now have private flu vaccines available.
• Please phone reception on 4778 6444 to book
• Cost is $19 and must be paid on booking
• We will notify when Govt. funded vaccines have arrived

DATED: 26.03.2020

Here at Bluewater Medical, we have been part of Northern Beaches Community for nearly 25 years. As such, our medical practice will be maintaining continuity of care and fulfilling your health needs during these challenging times. We aim to help keep you safe, in line with our first priority: the health and safety of our patients and our team.

We wish to assure you that we are treating the Coronavirus seriously and want to share with you some of the actions taken so far, to take precautions in Infection Control. We are constantly reviewing the advice and recommendations of the Australian Government, Queensland Health, local health authorities and the World Health Organisation.

Here is a sample of counter-measures already in place at our Practice:

o Thorough surface sanitation is carried out throughout the Waiting Areas, Entrance/Exits, Public Toilet’s;
o Cleansing of all working surfaces and common areas hourly;
o Sanitation services provided throughout the day to appropriate touch points and common areas;
o we have taken the action to remove the reading material ie: magazine and books
o We have also removed some of the waiting room chairs and expanded the space so that no one is sitting shoulder to shoulder.
o Hand Sterilisation unit is at the Reception entrance, and we are asking all persons entering the practice to please use this;
o With advance notice, if required, we can arrange your consult to be held in our Isolation Room (Room 10) which has access from the Verandah, this allows minimal contact with our Team and no contact with other members of the public.
o Anyone experiencing Cold or Flu symptoms should advise Reception when making their booking, as you may be required to phone again on your arrival into the Car Park where further instruction will be given.
o We are now conducting Telehealth/Telephone consultations to our most vulnerable groups of patients:
 Patient is Over 70
 ATSI patient is Over 50
 Patient has a chronic disease (eg Chronic health condition - ever had 721 billed or lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure.
 Patient is immunocompromised
 Patient is pregnant
 Patient is a mum with a child under 1 year of age

Given the rapidly changing nature of the COVID-19 situation, we are constantly monitoring developments and will be ready to act quickly across the Medical Practice.

As developments arise we will continue to add to the many precautionary measures already in place across our medical practice and will respond quickly to each emerging situation as it occurs, to help ensure the health and safety of everyone involved.

In the meantime, whether you prefer to engage with us in person for a consult or by Telephone Consultation, we are ready and equipped to support your needs.

If you have any questions or concerns, or need advice please call us 07 47786444.

Thanking You,
THE TEAM @ BLUEWATER MEDICAL PRACTICE

Dated: 21.03.2020

COVID-19   /  Coronavirus

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), common symptoms of coronavirus infection include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Breathing difficulties

In severe cases, symptoms become more advanced:

• Severe acute respiratory syndrome
• Kidney failure pneumonia
• Death

To highlight the difficulty of accurately describing coronavirus symptoms, around 5% of cases report a sore throat and runny nose, while a small percentage also report diarrhoea and vomiting.

INFLUENZA

Influenza has been widely researched and most Australians are probably already familiar with its symptoms. However, according to WHO, they can include:

• Fever (often with abrupt onset)
• Chills
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Headache
• Muscle pain

STILL NOT SURE?

Consider where you live and where you have been in the last 14 days.

If you live in an area with very limited cases of known coronavirus, and you find yourself with a sore throat or a runny nose and some muscle pain, you are more likely to have the flu than coronavirus.

The likelihood that you have Coronavirus rather than the Flu really depends on the following factors:

• If you have travelled to a ‘high-risk’ country. Check updates from the Australian Government Smart Traveller website: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/coronavirus-covid-19
• You have been in close contact with someone who has travelled to these countries or has been diagnosed or suspected of having Coronavirus.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT YOU HAVE CORONAVIRUS OR THE FLU

• If you believe that you have coronavirus, book a doctor appointment BY PHONE, and make it clear when you’re booking your appointment that you are concerned you may have symptoms of coronavirus.
• Please do not book online.
• We’ll chat with you over the phone to book you in to see a GP and ensure that you’re ok.
• If possible, wear a mask when you leave the house but try to stay home and rest to avoid spreading it further.
• Please practice good hygiene!      Wash hands, cough into your elbow, throw away dirty tissues.
• If you suspect that you have the flu, the same rules apply. Speak to a medical professional.
• When the Flu Vaccines do arrive, we will be holding Flu Vaccination Clinics which we will advertise on our Webpage, Facebook, SMS and with signage around the Practice.

dated @ 13.03.2020

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/923817

Article re-posted from Medscape 

23.01.2020