Ocean Medical Practice Bondi

17/07/2022

COVID VACCINES and BOOSTERS
We are administering Pfizer vaccine primary and booster doses to our current patients who have a valid Medicare card, and it has been at least 3 months since the previous dose of any Covid vaccine or confirmed Covid infection.

1st booster dose is recommended for:
• All patients 16 years and older who completed primary course of COVID-19 vaccination at least 3 months ago
• 12 to 15 years old who:
o are severely immunocompromised, or
o have a disability with significant or complex health needs, or
o have severe, complex, or multiple health conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19
For more information on boosters in adolescents aged 12-15 years see: ATAGI recommendations on first booster dose in adolescents aged 12-15 years.

2nd booster dose (4th dose) is recommended for people in the following groups, 3 months after the first booster dose:
• people 50 years or older
• residents aged 16 years and older of an aged care or disability care facility
• people aged 16 years and older who have complex, chronic, or severe medical conditions that increase their risk of severe illness from COVID-19
• people aged 16 years and older with disability with significant or complex health needs, or multiple comorbidities which increase risk of poor outcome from COVID-19.
Adults aged 30 to 49 years can receive a winter booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, however the benefit for people in this age group is less certain.
For more information on winter booster doses see:
ATAGI recommendations on a winter booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Influenza vaccine can be administered on the same day as the additional booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Information regarding Covid vaccines/boosters:
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-information-on-comirnaty-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/patient-information-sheet-on-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-and-thrombosis-with-thrombocytopenia-syndrome-tts
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-preparing-for-covid-19-vaccination
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-after-your-comirnaty-pfizer-vaccine

Please note COVID testing is not available at Ocean Medical. For the nearest COVID TESTING sites follow the link:
https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-safe/testing/clinics

For further information regarding Covid 19 please visit:
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Factsheets/people-exposed-to-covid.pdf
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Factsheets/self-isolation-covid-and-close.pdf
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Factsheets/confirmed-cases.pdf
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Factsheets/recovery.pdf
https://www.tga.gov.au/covid-19-rapid-antigen-self-tests-are-approved-australia

A list of approved COVID-19 tests included in the ARTG for supply in Australia

17/07/2022

Ocean Medical Practice Update
We are continuing to provide face to face consultations to our existing and new patients. We also provide telehealth consultations.
To book an appointment please phone Ph 9386 9822 or visit
www. hotdoc.com.au .

If you have fever, cough, scratchy/sore throat, runny nose, or you think you are developing cold/flu you can still attend a face to face appointment, but you are required to show a proof of a Negative Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) or preferably a Negative PCR for COVID-19 performed within 24 hours of your appointment.

Face masks are mandatory when visiting the practice.

Telehealth consultations are billed privately and attract the same fee as face-to-face consultations. Medicare rebate is available for patients who have a valid Medicare card, with out-of-pocket cost approx. $55.00 depending on the length and complexity of the consultation.

Please note if you have any medical issues to discuss or any health related questions to ask, you will need to book an appointment with the doctor. This cannot be done through reception, emails or messages.

We take all your medical questions seriously and endeavour to respond as accurately and appropriately as possible. Therefore, it is essential to allocate the necessary time so you can communicate directly with your doctor and avoid any misunderstanding and/or unintended misguidance.

12/01/2022

At OCEAN MEDICAL PRACTICE we are continuing to provide support and ongoing health care to our existing and new patients. We would like to provide you with an update on our practice procedures and share some information related to the current pandemic. Thank you for your patience and understanding during these challenging times.

APPOINTMENTS

TELEHEALTH
If you have any of the following symptoms: fever, cough, scratchy/sore throat, runny nose, chest pain, shortness of breath, unusual muscle ache or fatigue or, if you have been or currently are in isolation and awaiting results of a COVID 19 test, you will be required to book a Telehealth appointment before you can come in for a face-to-face consultation.

To keep the practice open and continue supporting all our patients, please do not attend the practice before phoning first.
To book a telephone consultation phone Ph 9386 9822 or visit www.hotdoc.com.au .

Telehealth consultations are billed privately. Medicare rebate is available for patients who have a valid Medicare card, with out-of-pocket cost approx. $55.00 depending on the length and complexity of the consultation. The billing will be discussed with you at the time of booking and prior to the consultation.

Please note if you have any specific health related questions you will need to book an appointment with the doctor. We take all your medical questions seriously and endeavour to respond as accurately and appropriately as possible. Therefore, it is essential to allocate the necessary time so you can communicate directly with your doctor and avoid any misunderstanding and/or unintended misguidance. Medical issues cannot be discussed through reception or messages.

FACE TO FACE CONSULTATIONS
You will be asked to confirm that the above conditions are met at the time of booking and when confirming your appointment. You will also be asked to complete a questionnaire when you arrive at the practice. Currently these procedures are necessary for everyone’s safety and for the practice to remain open and continue to provide service to the community.

Our practice strictly follows the current COVID Safe guidelines, including a must check in before entering the practice by scanning our QR code, minimizing number of patients in the waiting room at any time and requesting adherence to social distancing rules, as well as encouraging our patients not to bring other people with them to the appointments and to wait outside whenever possible. All patients must wear a face mask inside the practice.

COVID VACCINES AND BOOSTERS
We are currently administering Pfizer vaccine primary and booster doses to our current patients, age 12 and above (boosters age 18 and above), providing they have valid Medicare card, and it has been 3 or more months since the second dose of any Covid vaccine.

If you had Covid it is advisable to receive the vaccine/booster as soon as you recover from the illness. If you have any specific questions regarding vaccination post covid, please make an appointment to discuss it with your doctor.

To book an appointment to receive COVID vaccine booster please phone the practice on 9386 9822. The above stated safety requirements for face to face consultations must be observed.

Information regarding Covid vaccines/boosters:

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-information-on-comirnaty-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/patient-information-sheet-on-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-and-thrombosis-with-thrombocytopenia-syndrome-tts
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-preparing-for-covid-19-vaccination
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-after-your-comirnaty-pfizer-vaccine

Please note COVID testing is not available at Ocean Medical.
For the nearest COVID TESTING sites follow the link:
https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-safe/testing/clinics

For further information regarding Covid 19 please visit:
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Factsheets/people-exposed-to-covid.pdf
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Factsheets/self-isolation-covid-and-close.pdf
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Factsheets/confirmed-cases.pdf
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Factsheets/recovery.pdf
https://www.tga.gov.au/covid-19-rapid-antigen-self-tests-are-approved-australia

24hours Health information :
HealthDirect Australia 1800 022 222
National Coronavirus Helpline 1800 020 080

Nearest Hospitals:
Sydney Children's Hospital 9382 1111
Prince of Wales Hospital 9382 2222
St Vincent’s Hospital 83821111

A list of self-tests that are approved in Australia

12/08/2021

We are now vaccinating people 18+ with Astra Zeneca Covid Vaccine.
You are welcome to give us a call or book online.

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25/06/2021

Reminder we are still open over the week of lock down for appointments and still administering Astra Zeneca Covid Vaccinations to 60 years and over. Please phone to book or book online at www.oceanmedical.com.au

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19/05/2021

Did you know the Influenza vaccine is free for children aged 6 months to less than 5 years?
Ask about the influenza vaccine today.

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting people against harmful diseases before they come into contact with them. Immunisation not only protects individuals, but also others in the community, by reducing the spread of preventable diseases.

09/04/2021

Dear Patients,

We write this email in order to give you information about the Covid vaccination immunisations.

Ocean Medical Practice is a registered Covid vaccination clinic and we will commence vaccinations in line with government regulations.

Important points;
* We will commence Covid Vaccination clinics on Monday 12th April 2021.

* The vaccination is free for patients with a valid Medicare card, but is not compulsory.

*The first priority group (1b) is patients 70 plus including patients with chronic/serious health conditions, Health Care workers not in phase 1a and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders over 55. Only these patients are eligible for the vaccination at present. Others will be notified and vaccinated later.

* At this stage we will be able to vaccinate 50 patients a week - which is our current allocation of vaccines.

* At the time of making your appointment, you will be given a link to fill in the consent form which will be sent via sms to your mobile.

*You could ask a family member to assist if this proves difficult for you. Pls fill it in and submit it to us online promptly.

*At the appointment of your first dose, we will book you in for your second dose 12 weeks later. You will receive an sms reminder prior to both appointments.

*Please bring your valid Medicare card and/or other form of ID to your appointment.

*Your appointment is for consent and vaccination only. Please arrive 15 minutes earlier to complete your consent forms and you will be asked to stay 15 to 30 minutes after your vaccination, for observation of any adverse reaction.

When we call to arrange your appointment time, please inform us if you’ve had a past history of anaphylaxis to a medication or vaccination or if you’ve had any immunisation in the past 2 weeks.

Please refer to the following roll out as prescribed by the Government :

Vaccines Eligibility Checker

26/03/2021

Preparing for COVID-19 Vaccination.
As we get closer to receiving the COVID 19 Vaccination at the clinic we ask you to make sure all your details are correct.

Make sure your details are up to date with Medicare. You can do this via your Medicare online account through mygov or The Express Plus Medicare app or calling the Medicare Program.

10/03/2021

Dear Patients,

Our Practice has been included on the list of eligible practices for the PHASE 1B Rollout COVID-19 VACCINATION.

We will be contacting our eligible patients via SMS/Telephone once we have further information.

Thank you

02/03/2021

While it is common for children six years and under to wet the bed, sometimes older children can wet the bed too. They may continue bedwetting from birth or start wetting the bed again when they are older.

There are a number of possible causes of bedwetting in older children. These include:

 Sleeping deeply and not walking up when their bladder is full.
 Having a small bladder that can’t hold a lot of urine overnight.
 Not producing enough of a hormone called AntiDiuretic Hormone (ADH) — it makes urine more concentrated so when levels are low a child will produce more urine.
 Family history — if one or both parents wet the bed when they were younger, it is more likely to occur in their children.
 In rare cases, there may be an underlying medical condition.

Bedwetting can be upsetting and frustrating for both you and your child. But there are things that you can do to help.

1. Don’t punish or scold your child — bedwetting is accidental and isn’t their fault.
2. Make sure your child drinks enough fluid throughout the day but avoid drinks containing caffeine at night.
3. Consider a device which senses when your child starts to wet. They help your child start to recognise when their bladder is full and learn to hold on, or wake up and go to the toilet. Alarms aren’t suitable for all children and are usually only recommended for those aged 7 years or older.
4. Consider buying bedwetting sheets or a waterproof mattress protector. These can make it easier to change your child’s bedding
at night and stop their mattress from become
wet and smelly. Underwear pads can also be helpful, particularly if your child is sleeping away from home such as at a sleepover or
school camp.
5. In some cases, your child’s doctor might prescribe medication (a synthetic form of ADH) to help with bedwetting.

If you are worried about your child’s bedwetting or if it is causing issues for your child, speak to your child’s doctor who can help you to find the best solution for your child and your family.

24/02/2021

Men’s Health: Heart Health

Heart disease is Australia’s single leading cause of death. In 2017, heart disease claimed the lives of 51 Australians each day – that’s one person every 28 minutes.

While both men and women are affected, men are more likely to develop heart disease than women.
There’s no single cause for heart disease but there are many risk factors which increase your chances of developing it.

These risk factors include:
 Age
 Family history
 Ethnic background
 Smoking
 Being overweight
 Being physically inactive
 Eating an unhealthy diet
 Having high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol
 Having diabetes
 Social isolation and depression

Fortunately many of the risk factors for heart disease are
modifiable by introducing a few simple lifestyle changes:

1. If you smoke, quit. This is one of the best things you can do to
reduce heart disease risk.
2. Get moving. Schedule regular exercise and incorporate more
movement into your day. It’s also important to limit your
sitting time.
3. Improve your eating habits. A heart-healthy diet contains
plenty of fibre-rich veggies, legumes, fruits, wholegrains, moderate amounts of lean protein and healthy fats from foods like avocado, nuts, seeds and fish.
4. If you drink alcohol, try to keep it to no more than 2 standard
drinks a day.
5. Get enough sleep.
6. Take care of your mental health

17/02/2021

Maintain your mental health during COVID-19

There is no doubt that COVID-19 has altered the way that we live,
and work. While restrictions may have eased in parts of the country, the recent increase in numbers in some states
has shown the need for continued social distancing and the likelihood of further lockdowns for many Australians.
The impact of the restrictions on mental health is well recognised. Some people are more likely to have symptoms of depression and anxiety and low optimism, especially those who have lost jobs, people living alone and those caring for dependent family members.

If you are struggling with your mental health because of COVID-19 it’s important to reach out for help. There are many online resources now available including Beyond Blue’s Coronavirus
Mental Wellbeing Support Service, providing information, advice and strategies to help you manage your wellbeing and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can also
speak with your doctor or a mental health professional.
Things you can do to look after your mental health and wellbeing during this time include:

 Staying informed but not overwhelmed. Limit the time you spend reading, watching or listening to news that makes you feel
stressed or anxious.
 Maintaining or building a daily routine. Try to get up and go to bed at similar times, eat regular meals and work and rest times.
 Looking after your physical health by eating well, exercising regularly and getting a good night’s sleep. Avoid using alcohol and drugs to cope with anxiety, boredom or social isolation.
 Staying connected with friends and family. Even if you can’t do this in person, you can keep in touch via phone or video calls.
 Helping others. If you can, consider offering support to other people in your community such as offering to help them with food
shopping. Take care that this happens safely with appropriate social distancing.

If you are being treated for a mental health condition, continue to take your medications and attend appointments with your mental
health professionals (whether in person or by phone or video), keep in touch with those who care about you, and know who you can contactfor support when needed.