Preventative Health
Skin Checks and treatment, Skin Cancer Clinic
Skin cancers are very common in Australia, mainly as a result of our climate and our love of spending time in the sun, along with the fact that many of us have fair skin.
The three major types of skin cancer are:
Basal cell carcinoma: the most common form of skin cancer and begins in the epidermis (outer layer of skin | |
Squamous cell carcinoma: the second most commonn type of skin cancer, also begins in the epidermis | |
Melanoma: the most serious skin cancer, which begins in the skin cells called melanocytes that produce skin colour (meklanin). |
Early detection is an important step in the management of skin cancers and their associated risk.
Regular self-checks of your skin and noting any irregularities and changes in skin pigmentations and moles promotes early detection.
Visiting your GP and having an annual skin check is recommended. Skin cancers are found on the areas of our body that are not exposed to the sun and these may not be detected when self-checking.
All of our GPs perform skin cancer checks and we have a Skin Cancer Clinic here where the doctors remove skin cancers that do not need to be referred to a plastic surgeon for removal.
Diabetes Annual Cycle of Care
It is important if you have diabetes, that you take good care of your health in order to prevent or manage any changes to your body that cause a deterioration to your health and lifestyle.
The Annual Cycle of Care is a health check that is provided by the practice nurses and doctors each year and helps to optimise your health and lifestyle and control your diabetes.
The check involves recording the following information and about you and putting in place any measures that are recommended to help you manage your diabetes better:
6 Monthly:
· Measure height, weight and calculate BMI
· Measure blood pressure
· Examine feet (preferably done by a Podiatrist)
Yearly:
· Measure HbA1c, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, eGFR (blood test)
· Test for micro albuminuria (urine test)
· Provide self- care education
· Review diet / Healthy Eating Plan
· Review level of physical activity
· Check smoking status
· Review medication
2 Yearly:
· Comprehensive eye examination (by an eye specialist or optometrist)
Mental Health Assessment and Treatment
Black Dog Institute
Lifeline
Headspace

What is a psychologist?
Psychologists study the way people feel, think, act and interact. Through a range of strategies and therapies they aim to reduce distress and to enhance and promote emotional wellbeing. Psychologists are experts in human behaviour, and have studied the brain, memory, learning and human development. Psychologists can assist people who are having difficulty controlling their emotions, thinking and behaviour, including those with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, serious and enduring mental illness, addictive behaviours and childhood behaviour disorders.
All psychologists are legally required to be registered with the national registration board, the Psychology Board of Australia, in
the same way medical practitioners must be registered. This means that they must be competent and follow a strict Code
of Conduct.
Not all counsellors or therapists are registered psychologists. Seeing someone who is registered ensures you receive high quality ethical treatment.
If I have a mental health problem, how can a psychologist help me?
Psychologists specialise in providing therapies for mental health problems. These therapies are effective at treating common mental health conditions including anxiety and depression and most childhood problems.
Can I go directly to a psychologist to receive treatment through Medicare?
You must be referred by your GP, your psychiatrist or paediatrician. Your GP will need to complete a detailed mental health assessment and prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan before referring you to a psychologist. You should book a longer session with your GP to enable time for this.
What mental health problems can be treated under the Better Access initiative?
‘Mental disorder’ is a term used to describe a range of clinically diagnosable disorders that significantly impact on a person’s emotions, thoughts, social skills and decision-making. The Better Access initiative covers people with mental disorders arising from:
Alcohol use disorder Anxiety disordersAdjustment disorder Attention deficit disorder Bereavement disorder Bipolar disorder Conduct disorder Co-occurring anxiety and depression Depression | Drug use disorder Eating disorders Obsessive compulsive disorder Panic disorder Phobic disorder Post traumatic stress disorder Psychotic disorders Schizophrenia Sexual disorders Sleep problems |
How many sessions with a psychologist am I entitled to?
What will it cost me?
How do I pay?
What about my private health insurance?
Asthma Action Plans
Three main factors cause the airways to narrow:

- The inside lining of the airways becomes red and swollen (inflammation)
- Extra mucus (sticky fluid) may be produced, which can block up airways
- Muscles around the airways squeeze tight. This is called ‘bronchoconstriction’
What should I do if I think I have asthma?
Note: If asthma is left untreated the long term inflammation of the airway can cause permanent damage to the airway. This can lead to Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease (COPD) so it’s important to see your doctor if you have any concerns.
These plans let you know what to do when you are feeling well, what to do when you are feeling unwell such as when you have a cold, and what to do when you are having an asthma attack.
It is important to have these check-ups even when you have not had an asthma attack for a long time as you are still at risk of having an attack and need to check that the medication you are taking (or not taking) is still appropriate for you.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Health Assessments

Closing the Gap
Annual Health Assessments for 75 and overs

45-49 Year Old Health Assessments

What is a health check?
A health check is an examination of your current state of health, often carried out by your GP. From the moment we are born, and even before, we undergo a variety of tests to ensure we are on the right track to good health. As we get older, many of us become more vulnerable to illness. In order to reduce this risk, a number of health checks or screening tests are recommended at different stages of our lives.
Why are health checks important?
The aim of a health check is to help find, prevent or lessen the effect of health issues. It’s like getting your car serviced before it breaks down. It’s better to avoid disease than to treat it. Although some checks can be uncomfortable, they provide your GP or specialist with an opportunity to look at your lifestyle, medical history and family history to find out if you’re at risk.
Having a regular doctor or practice has several advantages. Most importantly, you will build a relationship over time and are more likely to feel comfortable talking openly. Also, your doctor will get to know you and understand your health needs and concerns. By having a regular doctor or practice, your medical history stays in the one place, and is more likely to be kept up to date.
What can a health check involve?
A health check generally involves:
- updating your medical history and examining your health issues
- performing tests if required
- a follow up of any problems identified
- advice and information on how to improve your health.
There are a number of health checks recommended at different stages of life.
Health Check Information
Make an appointment with the nurse and your doctor for a 45 - 49 year old health check.
Activity Assessments

Most importantly, regular activity can improve your quality of life. A minimum of 30 minutes a day can allow you to enjoy these benefits.
Benefits of regular physical activity
If you are regularly physically active, you may:
reduce your risk of a heart attack
manage your weight better
have a lower blood cholesterol level
lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and some cancers
have lower blood pressure
have stronger bones, muscles and joints and lower the risk of osteoporosis
lower your risk of falls
recover better from period of hospitalisation or bed rest
feel better – with more energy, a better mood, feel more relaxed and sleep better.
A healthier state of mind
A number of studies have found that exercise helps depression. There are many views as to how exercise helps people with depression. Exercise may block negative thoughts or distract people from daily worries.
Exercising with others provides an opportunity for increased social contact. Increased fitness may lift your mood and improve sleep patterns. Exercise may also change levels of chemicals in your brain, such as serotonin, endorphins and stress hormones.
Physical Activity
Book an appointment to speak to your doctor for a physical assessment.
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Adult Immunisation including for pneumonia and flu

Under the Natonal Immunisation Program (NIP), the following people are eligible to receive free influenza vaccine:
- Pregnant women
- People aged 65 years and over.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged:
- 15 years and over.
- People aged six months and over with medical conditions predisposing them to suffer influenza, namely:
- Chronic respiratory conditions, including severe asthma, cystic fibrosis, Bronchiectasis, suppurative lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic emphysema.
- Chronic neurological conditions that impact on respiratory function, including hereditary and degenerative central nervous system diseases, spinal cord injuries and neuromuscular disorders.
- Immunocompromising conditions, including immunocompromised due to disease or treatment (e.g. malignancy, transplantation and/or chronic steroid use), asplenia or splenic dysfunction, and HIV infection.
- Diabetes and other metabolic disorders.
- Renal disease.
- Haematological disorders, including haemoglobinopathies.
- Children aged 6 months to 10 years on long term aspirin therapy.
INFLUENZA VACCINATION FOR CHILDREN
Influenza vaccinaton is strongly recommended for all individuals who are at risk of influenza complications, including pregnant women. Children aged six months to less than nine years should receive two doses of influenza vaccine in the first year and one dose in subsequent years. The second dose should be administered even if it is late in the influenza season, as it primes the immune system for later years. While two doses in the first year is recommended, one dose does provide some protection and is preferable than no doses. If a child aged six months to nine years inadvertently does not recieve the second dose within the same year, the child should have two doses administered the following year.
In adulthood it is important to ensure on-going protection against vaccine preventable diseases. The following information provides advice on specific diseases that are important to be protected against in adulthood.
MEASLES MUMPS & RUBELLA (MMR)
WHOOPING COUGH (PERTUSSIS)
PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASE
INFLUENZA
YELLOW FEVER
Q FEVER
Adult Vaccinations