Collie River Valley Medical Centre

19/12/2025

19/12/2025

Please make sure you check your scripts and that you have enough of your medication over the public holidays.
You can not always rely on the availability of the On Call DR or Walk In Dr to be able to get your repeat scripts fulfilled.

11/12/2025

Congratulations to our Head of Department for Cardiology, Dr Allison Morton on being announced as a finalist in the 2026 WA Rural Health Excellence Awards this week.

Dr Morton moved to Bunbury in 2015 as the first full-time residential cardiologist in the South West.

Recognising that patients in the South West should receive life saving treatment in their local hospital, Dr Morton established the first regional emergency angioplasty service in WA. This means emergency care for those having heart attacks can be provided in their local hospital. Through her hospital commitments and establishing SouthWest Cardiovascular, Dr Morton works tirelessly to improve health outcomes for regional patients with heart disease.

Beyond leading our multi-disciplinary team in the Coronary Care Unit and Angiography suite, Dr Morton plays an active role in the South West community, competing regularly in the Busselton Jetty Swim and providing medical support for those taking on the Busselton Iron Man.

We know patients and family members who have experienced the care of our Coronary Care Unit will join us in congratulating Dr Morton in being named a finalist in the Specialist of the Year (Non-GP) category, after being nominated earlier this year.

The winner will be announced at the awards night in March 2026.

02/12/2025

Summer holidays and the festive season often bring a busy social calendar – parties, celebrations and time with friends and family.

For some, it can also be a stressful time of year.

If you or someone you know is trying to quit smoking or va**ng, this can be a challenging time.

Start 2026 strong by giving up smoking and va**ng for good.

There is a wide range of updated resources and services designed to help you succeed:
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or health professional.
Call Quitline on 13 7848.
Visit Quit.
Download the free MyQuitBuddy app.
Everyone’s quit journey will look different, and it’s important to find a way to quit that works for

For more information to help people quit, visit

Give Up for Good
https://healthcomms.health.gov.au/link/id/zzzz691c15d9da9c5993Pzzzz66c808f886793944/page.html

QUIT
https://healthcomms.health.gov.au/link/id/zzzz691c15d9d5e0d340Pzzzz66c808f886793944/page.html

01/12/2025

Important Information ⚠️
Please always speak to a GP with any concerns.

⚠️ Product warnings updated for GLP-1 RA class⚠️

*Content advice – this post contains reference to su***de*

We have updated the product warnings for GLP-1 and dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists for two separate safety issues.

This relatively new and high-profile class of medicines is used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus and/or obesity.

Medicines in the GLP-1 RA class currently marketed in Australia are:
• Ozempic (semaglutide)
• Wegovy (semaglutide)
• Saxenda (liraglutide)
• Trulicity (dulaglutide)
• Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

1. Potential risk of suicidal thoughts
Product warnings across the GLP-1 RA class of medicines have been aligned to ensure consistent information regarding the potential risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviours.

The updates follow investigations by TGA and other international regulators.

Patients taking any of these medicines should tell their health professional if they experience new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts or any unusual changes in mood or behaviour.

If you or anyone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

2. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and contraception
Our investigation into the potential for reduced effectiveness of oral contraception when first taking or increasing the dose of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) has found that this association could not be ruled out.

As a precautionary measure, the product warnings for tirzepatide have been updated to include further advice for patients using oral contraceptives. Patients taking tirzepatide are advised to switch to a non-oral contraceptive or add a barrier method of contraception for 4 weeks after first taking the medicine and for 4 weeks after each increase in the dose.

None of the GLP-1 RAs should be used during pregnancy and individuals of childbearing potential are advised to use effective contraception during treatment with a GLP-1 RA.

Read more: https://www.tga.gov.au/safety/safety-monitoring-and-information/safety-alerts/product-warnings-updated-glp-1-ra-class

01/12/2025

🎄Please note our adjusted operating hours over the Christmas and New Year period. We extend our warmest wishes to all our clients for a Merry Christmas and a safe, joyful New Year!

28/11/2025

Not feeling like yourself lately? You're not alone.
Medicare Mental Health is a free service that connects you with the mental health support that is right for you.

https://www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au/

28/11/2025

Feeling unsure about your child’s sudden illness? You don’t always need to rush to the emergency department. 🚑

Introducing WAVEDkids – a virtual emergency care service just for children, delivered by the same senior doctors and nurses who work in WA’s EDs.

If you call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222, you may be offered a WAVEDkids consultation to help manage your child’s condition safely at home. From fevers and rashes to tummy bugs and minor injuries, expert advice is just a call away.

Safe. Convenient. Trusted. https://bit.ly/3Yxt99U

28/11/2025

Not feeling like yourself lately? You're not alone.
Medicare Mental Health is a free service that connects you with the mental health support that is right for you!

Medicare Mental Health can help you find the right Australian mental health and wellbeing resources, for yourself or for someone you care about.

28/11/2025

Depression starts small campaign, is designed to raise awareness of the early symptoms of depression.
🖤This important campaign plays into the age-old metaphor of the black dog, updating it to introduce the black puppy as a symbol for mild to moderate depression.
🖤Depression starts small. The earlier you seek help, the easier it is to get depression under control.
🖤Whatever you’re feeling, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Help is just a call or a click away.
🖤Depression can sneak up on you. But you don’t have to deal with it alone.
Some of the early signs of depression can be surprising.
🖤Depression starts small.
🖤Get help before it grows.

Campaign website:
depressionstartssmall.org.au
Support services:
Medicare Mental Health service 1800 595 212 -
medicarementalhealth.gov.au
Lifeline 13 11 14
13YARN 13 92 762

MEDICARE MENTAL HEALTH: https://www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au/

25/11/2025

For 16 days in November and December, the community is invited to take a part in encouraging change to stop violence against women.

The annual 16 Days in WA – Stop Violence Against Women campaign takes place from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day.

The campaign draws inspiration from the global movement for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence to drive a change in culture, behaviour and attitudes that lead to violence against women and their children.

The 2025 campaign theme is Stopping Family and Domestic Violence: Play your part.