As the year ends, it is important to reflect on the happenings throughout the year. After the loss of Dr Davis, our staff have been under immense pressure juggling appointments and finding alternative doctors for his patient’s. Thank you for your patience and understanding throughout this difficult time.
Doctors
We understand that routine appointments have been difficult to get without a 6-8 week wait. We are pleased to announce that we will have a new GP, Dr Lydia Fleming, commencing in late January. Two GP Registrars will also be joining us in February. Dr Martyn Kinvig will be returning and Dr Pepe Misfud (whom you may have seen previously as a medical student at the clinic several years ago). Hopefully, this will take some of the strain off the system and we will be able to re-open our books to residents in the 2477 postcode.
Respiratory Illnesses
Covid
If you have respiratory symptoms and would like to see a doctor, we ask that you do a Covid (rapid antigen test) first. If it is negative, call reception on 6628 0505 to book an acute ‘on-the-day’ respiratory clinic appointment. Please stay in your car when you arrive and call our reception team so they can let the doctor know you are here. When the doctor is ready, they will call your mobile and advise where they will meet you for the consultation.
If your RAT is positive, please call to arrange a telehealth phone consultation so our on-call doctor can discuss with you how best to manage your illness.
Covid booster recommendations
| Age Group | Without severe immunocompromise | With severe immunocompromise |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 5 years | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| 5 to 17 years | Not recommended | Eligible for a dose every 12 months |
| 18 to 64 years | Eligible for a dose every 12 months | Recommended every 12 months and eligible for a dose every 6 months |
| 65 to 74 years | Recommended every 12 months and eligible for a dose every 6 months | Recommended every 12 months and eligible for a dose every 6 months |
| 75 years and older | Recommended every 6 months | Recommended every 6 months |
Pertussis
NSW Health has issued a Whooping Cough Alert. There is currently an outbreak of Pertussis (known as Whooping Cough or the 100-day cough) in NSW, the highest level since 2016, with over 12,000 cases reported between January and September 2024. Pertussis is a bacterial respiratory infection that can cause severe disease or rarely death in infants. Pregnant women are encouraged to get vaccinated between 20- and 32-weeks’ gestation to provide passive immunity to their newborn. This is free.
Please check your immunisation status (if looking at your Immunisation History, Boostrix or Adacel are the vaccines containing the Pertussis antigen). Adults 65 and over are recommended to receive a vaccine if you have not had one during the last 10 years. Pertussis is associated with increased morbidity in older people and waning of vaccine immunity during this time.
Vaccination is also recommended every 10 years for health care workers, early childhood educators and carers and people in close contact with infants (especially infants < 6 months who are too young to be fully vaccinated). Vaccines are available at the clinic for $45. Please call to make an appointment with the nurses.
Early symptoms
Whooping cough usually starts with cold-like symptoms that can include:
- Blocked or runny nose
- Dry cough
- Mild fever and tiredness
- Babies may have pauses in breathing
Later symptoms
As the disease progresses, the cough gets worse. Coughing fits can last up to 10 weeks or more, and include these symptoms:
- Intense, rapid coughing followed by gasping and a ‘whoop’ sound
- Vomiting or choking during or after coughing fits
- Exhaustion after coughing fits
- Babies may not feed well, or choke and gag
Take Home Message
Stay home if you are unwell and wear a mask if you need to go out. Tele consults or an appointment at the Respiratory Clinic (located at the Annexe) are available weekdays and Saturdays 9am-11am or after hours with the on-call doctor.
Upcoming Closure
The clinic will be closing at 3pm on 29th November for the staff Christmas Party.
Christmas/ New Year’s Trading Hours
- 25th December – Closed
- 26th December – Closed
- 1st January- Closed
- 26th January -Closed
From the staff at Alstonville Clinic, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!