General Medical Information

What is My Medicare and why should I register?

If you're ready to register for MyMedicare, here's the link: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/register-for-mymedicare

MyMedicare is a new voluntary patient registration initiative by the Federal Government aimed at strengthening the relationship between patient, GP, and primary care team.

Patient Registration has now commenced for all patients who have attended the practice at least twice in the last 2 years.

By registering for MyMedicare, patients can get access to:

A formalised ongoing relationship with your general practice and preferred GP, which has been shown to improve health outcomes
Longer MBS funded telephone consultations with your usual GP
Longer bulk billed telehealth consultations for children under 16 and Commonwealth concession card holders, at the new triple bulk billing rate

How to register as a MyMedicare patient:

Signing up for MyMedicare is easy and can be done through your Medicare online account, the Medicare app, or in person at your preferred clinic.

It's important to note that if you choose not to register with our practice, you will still continue to receive the comprehensive level of care as you currently do.

Here’s the 2 main ways you can register:

a) Start the registration process in your Medicare Online Account or Express Plus Medicare Mobile app. Our team will then complete the registration in the MyMedicare system.

b) Alternatively, we can start the registration in MyMedicare, and this will trigger a registration in your Medicare Online Account or Express Plus Medicare Mobile app, which you can then complete.

c) You can also fill out a registration form at our practice. By signing the form, you are giving your consent to participate in MyMedicare with our practice. Practice staff will then complete the registration in the MyMedicare system.

You can choose to register with another practice if you prefer.

More information here: How to Register for My Medicare

More details on MyMedicare - and the benefits

By signing up for MyMedicare now, you can enjoy the main benefit of accessing Medicare rebates for longer telehealth consultations. In 2022, the government removed Medicare rebates for telehealth appointments longer than 20 minutes and longer than 40 minutes. However, if you register through MyMedicare, you will regain access to these rebates.

The out of pocket cost for telehealth appointments will vary depending on your GP's billing policy.

Encouraging patients to visit one GP

While the MyMedicare scheme encourages patients to visit one GP for better health outcomes and continuity of care, individual circumstances should come into consideration.

Some patients may need to see multiple providers for different needs.

Factors to consider include:

Unique expertise offered by different GPs
Preference for a specific gender of doctor, e.g. a female may prefer to see a female doctor for women's health concerns
Patient location / convenience
Cultural preferences

Rest assured, you are not locked into your initially registered practice or preferred GP and can make changes at any time.

However, if you do change clinics, please note that two face-to-face appointments may be required before your telehealth benefits fully take effect, unless exemptions apply to you.

Future plans for MyMedicare

MyMedicare will gradually roll out over three years. Details are still being finalised, although from mid-2024, two additional incentives will become available:

Aged Care Incentive, which will provide payments to doctors who make regular visits to MyMedicare registered patients in residential aged care.

Frequent Hospital Users Incentive, which rewards doctors for offering comprehensive, multi-disciplinary care to individuals with complex chronic diseases. This type of care aims to reduce hospital visits for these patients.

As the MyMedicare program continues to unfold, we remain committed to providing you with the latest updates and ensuring that you receive the best possible care and support.

Continuity of care with a regular doctor

If you’re visiting a new doctor for the first time, are you planning to maintain continuity with them when it comes to your healthcare?

As it turns out, having a regular GP is more important than you might think. The benefits of having a regular doctor include better access to care and better outcomes in general. But how do you get that regular doctor? And what exactly does “continuity” mean? In this post we’ll explore what continuity of care means, why it’s so important for people’s health outcomes and how they can get it.

What is continuity of care?

Continuity of care means seeing the same doctor for all your health needs.

We believe that if patients saw the same doctor, the effectiveness of the consultation would improve. The evidence indicates that continuity of care is of great benefit for both patients and doctors.

Why having a regular GP is better for your health outcomes

Doctors working in a busy clinic frequently encounter new patients, and within a very limited time must get familiar with their medical history, establish trust, and address their present concerns.

A regular doctor is more likely to know or at least very quickly understand your medical history, so they can provide better, more comprehensive care. They are also more likely to offer you preventive care and be aware of contributing factors to your health that may not be immediately apparent at the time of your visit.

How do I get continuity of care?

To get continuity of care, you can book in with your regular doctor when you need an appointment, or if they’re away or fully booked, book with a GP in the same practice. That way, your treating doctor has access to all relevant information about your care history, for example allergies, chronic health conditions and medications, and you can get the most out of your appointment.

The best way to maintain continuity is to choose a regular doctor

Finding a regular doctor who you feel comfortable with, who understands your needs and who is willing to take on new patients, can be difficult but it’s worth the effort.

Visit your regular doctor whenever possible when sick or injured to allow them to catch potential problems early on and ensure continuity between visits.

If you do not have a regular doctor and would like one, ask at Reception for help finding a GP who has availability and suits your needs and stage of life.

Continuity of care is becoming more scarce in the fast-paced world of modern medicine. At Robina Town Medical Centre, we are committed to changing this trend. Despite being a large clinic, we uphold the traditional values of patient care within a team-based approach so your family doctor can help improve the health and wellness of you and your family.

Do you often visit different health care providers? Have a chronic health condition? Frequently travel interstate?

Perhaps you or someone in your family could benefit from a My Health Record.

What is a My Health Record?

A My Health Record is an online record of all your health information in one central, secure place.

What this means is that all of your healthcare providers such as your family GP, other doctors, hospital staff and specialists, can access, upload and share vital information about your healthcare.

This enables all of your healthcare providers to give you the best care possible for your unique situation.

Why have a My Health Record?

A My Health Record is a great option for parents to help keep track of their children’s health history (up to the age of 14).

It’s also a big time saver for patients with complex health care needs.

Health providers can access information from one central place, and every provider is able to access up-to-date information regarding current conditions, care plans, test results and treatments.

Add personal notes about your allergies and allergic reactions, an advance care plan or custodian details
Set access controls to restrict who can and can’t see your health information
Review your own health information, and see the information your healthcare providers can see
Set up SMS or email notifications so you know when a healthcare provider first accesses your record.

Healthcare providers will be able to access details whether you are interstate, in a medical emergency or simply changing doctors.

You can opt out at any point.

Who has a My Health Record?

Every Australian citizen automatically has a shared record, although once they turn the age of 14, patients automatically have a private shared record.

Who can upload to your My Health Record?

Your GP and other health providers can upload information to your shared record and this can be viewed by you securely online, from anywhere, at any time – even if you move or travel interstate. You can access your health information from any computer or device that’s connected to the internet.

Who can see what?

You can decide. The Shared Record is not designed to replace clinical information held at your General practice or with other health care providers – it is a summary only.

The type of information that is stored on a My Health Record includes:

Current medications
Medical conditions
Allergies
Vaccinations
Test results
Medicare claims
Organ donation

Test Results:

If you have a pathology or radiology test and don’t wish for the results to be uploaded please INFORM your GP as the test is being written. They need to tick a box which stops the pathology\radiology provider automatically uploading the results.

When might an upload to your account occur?

This should be guided by how necessary the information is to support clinical decision-making.

Will the information be of benefit to other healthcare providers, and therefore yourself in the future?

If you are taken to hospital and cannot talk, what would be beneficial for a doctor or specialist to know?

It is worth knowing not every interaction with your GP leads to your shared summary being updated. You may wish to ask for the GP or other health care provider to specifically do an upload.

There is no obligation for them to upload information for every encounter but it is important both parties recognise instances when it will be particularly beneficial.

Up to date information

It is important you keep your information up to date because the most recently uploaded information is likely to be the first accessed by any other healthcare professional viewing your My Health Record.

This is especially important if you visit more than one GP. Any changes to medication, allergies, diagnosed medical conditions or other important changes to your health care requirements, should be passed on to your GP so they can update your clinical file and then your shared record.

Are there privacy issues?

Strict regulations govern who can view your My Health Record. You can choose to control the information that is shared in your My Health Record and you will also be able to see who has accessed your record.

You can cancel your My Health Record at any time

Once your Record is created, you can choose to cancel your My Health Record and permanently delete your information from the system, at any time.

This does not impact medical records held at our practice, or any other practice.

Is a patient’s consent required to upload a Shared Health Summary?

To create a shared health summary, the healthcare provider (our practice) will need to obtain your agreement that:

the healthcare provider is to be the individual’s Nominated Healthcare Provider;
the healthcare provider is to create a shared health summary for the patient.

How to get a My Health Record

You’ll first need to create a myGov account if you don’t already have one.

A myGov account allows you to securely access services from government agencies such as Medicare, Centrelink and the Australian Tax Office.

myGov is also where you access your My Health Record.

You’ll then need to verify your identity. Here’s what you’ll need on hand:

Your myGov account login
An email address that belongs to you
Medicare Card
The BSB and bank account number you currently use for Medicare
Your address as recorded by Medicare
Information about your last doctor’s visit

Further information and FAQs

You can find My Health Record information packs at all general practices and medical centres, containing updates which may assist in providing information for patients on the strengthened privacy protections.

Following is a link to additional information in the form of FAQs for patients:

https://www.myhealthrecord.gov.au/for-you-your-family/howtos/frequently-asked-questions

What next?

Once your myGov account and My Health Record account are set up, there’s a final step to complete the process:

When you next visit your GP, ask your GP to put your health information into your My Health Record.

You can agree on which records can be shared to your My Health Record, and which records you would prefer to remain on our practice files only.

We look forward to helping you setup your My Health Record. Simplifying the management of your healthcare for you and all of your healthcare providers is a positive step towards better health.

For further information, go to https://myhealthrecord.gov.au.

You can also speak with our friendly Reception team on 07 5578 9000.

Protect your health and reduce the risk of getting the flu

Over time, the perceived severity of influenza has weakened somewhat with many people passing a bad cold off as ‘flu’ without any real understanding of the impact this viral condition can have once it’s contracted.

While symptoms like those of the common cold present themselves in most flu cases, there’s no doubt that, unlike the common cold, the potential consequences of this disease can be a significant cause for concern.

Flu is highly contagious and is spread by direct contact with skin or airborne liquid particles. The incubation period for is an average of two days, so you won’t be aware of exposure until it’s too late.

Some common symptoms include:

Fever
Aches
Chills and sweats
Headache
Cough
Fatigue
Congestion
Sore throat

The flu develops suddenly, and in many cases, the symptoms cause pain, discomfort, and make the patient feel extremely unwell.

Symptoms usually clear up by themselves within one to two weeks. As it’s a viral condition, no medication can cure the flu, and the only option for relief during this time is to treat the symptoms.

Paediatric and pregnancy influenza vaccination recommendations

Influenza in pregnancy

In all flu cases, the virus attacks the immune system so if your immune system is weak; it’s more likely that complications will arise from a bout of the flu.

The immune system of an expectant mother in her first trimester of pregnancy is naturally suppressed, so there is a high risk of complication for both the mother and the unborn child if she contracts the infection.

In extreme cases, the flu can lead to miscarriage if the mother isn’t strong enough to fight the virus, or it can bring on early labour if contracted in the later stages of pregnancy. There is a higher death rate in pregnancy if flu is contracted.

How to minimise risks of getting flu when pregnant

All pregnant women are eligible for the influenza vaccination under the National Immunisation Program, so it’s important that to reduce the risk of contracting the potentially deadly virus; they are immunised as soon as conception has taken place.

The vaccine is completely safe for expectant mothers, and it will also safeguard the infant against contracting certain strains of the virus themselves until they’re six-months-old when they’re considered strong enough to have a direct vaccination, if required.

Influenza in childhood

Children have weaker immune systems than adults, so it’s important that they’re fully protected against the flu virus to avoid secondary infections developing. 35 children a year die from flu in Australia.

Secondary infections include the following:

Bronchitis
Asthma
Pneumonia
Seizures
Sinus infection

Immunisation against flu is safe for a child over six-months-old. The vaccination is covered by Medicare if the child has a medical condition which puts them at high risk for problems arising from contracting the flu such as asthma, bronchitis or liver disease.

The influenza vaccination is recommended annually for children over 6 months old under the National Immunisation Program, but it’s only available without charge for children with existing medical conditions.

There are four age-specific variants on the flu vaccine for children, and variants are developed every year to respond to the different variations of the flu strain that are prevalent that season to ensure the maximum safety and protection of the child.

The only way to prevent against harmful strains of influenza which can have potentially devastating consequences is to immunise you and your children.

The implications of flu can be extremely severe so to reduce the risk associated with these and to protect the health of your child, contact us today for more information on vaccinating you or your child.

Whooping cough vaccination: essential to help protect the precious babies around you

Pertussis, or whooping cough, as it’s more commonly known, is an acute infection with potentially devastating consequences. Adults are just as susceptible to contracting the disease as children, but with their immune systems still developing, babies under six months old are at much greater risk of complications arising from the illness.
Babies under 6 months of age are at risk of dying if they contract whooping cough. This is why recommendations are for all pregnant women to have this vaccine at 28 weeks each pregnancy. This means that immunity will develop before the baby is born. Adults over the age of 65 years are also at risk of dying from pertussis or being admitted to hospital if they contract it. According to the World Health Organisation, in 2008, 16 million cases of whooping cough were diagnosed globally which resulted in 195,000 deaths. While 95% of those cases were in developing countries, 5% of those infant deaths were in fully developed countries which had access to the preventative whooping cough vaccination which means that they could have been avoided.

How does whooping cough spread?

Whooping cough is extremely contagious and is contracted when a carrier coughs, sneezes or talks near you. The infection is transferred through the air by infection droplets which are invisible to the human eye. The incubation period for whooping cough is from as little as 4 to as many as 21 days so symptoms might not display themselves before unavoidable human contact takes place. This could be a family member, colleague, or someone who walks past you in the shopping mall; whooping cough is non-discriminatory. Not only is it an airborne disease, but infection can also take place by direct touch or by coming into contact with an infected object (such as a handkerchief).

Whooping cough symptoms

Symptoms of whooping cough start out just like the common cold with a runny nose, fever and persistent feeling of being unwell. A cough generally begins three to seven days later, and it can last for months. Whooping cough also has the nickname ‘the hundred-day cough’ which indicates the severity of those persistent symptoms. The intensity of whooping cough is much more than the type of cough which accompanies the common cold. Not only is it longer in duration, but it also comes in prolonged fits which are often followed by shortness of breath and vomiting. It’s possible to make a full recovery from whooping cough, but complications include pneumonia, hernias, brain bleeding, brain damage from lack of oxygen and death. Fortunately, the whooping cough vaccine is part of the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule, so contraction is easily avoided.

Whooping Cough Treatment

The best treatment for whooping cough is a course of prescribed antibiotics. Not only should the patient take the antibiotics, but everyone who comes into contact with the the child or person infected should also schedule an appointment with their doctor to arrange treatment as a preventative measure. Antibiotics will reduce the effects of the illness but because whooping cough is so highly contagious, prevention is a much safer recommendation than cure.

Prevention of Whooping Cough

Quarantine A carrier is most contagious within the first 21 days of contracting whooping cough, so it’s important that any sufferers, where possible, avoid contact with others during this highly infectious time. Unfortunately, with carriers not showing symptoms for up to four days, the illness is virtually impossible to contain. Vaccination Pertussis, or the whooping cough vaccine is included in the National Childhood Immunisation Program and is administered as a combination with the diphtheria and tetanus immunisation (DTaP vaccine). To ensure protection against whooping cough, the vaccine to prevent Pertussis is funded in full by the Queensland government. The schedule from Queensland Health is recommended in four stages as follows:

Babies aged two months, four months, and six-months-old (can be given from 6 weeks old)
Toddlers aged 18 months
Children aged four-years-old (anytime from three years and six months)
Year 7 booster administered as part of the school immunisation program
And pregnant women with each pregnancy

Following this schedule will increase the protection against the disease with each whooping cough vaccination that’s administered.

Who else should have the vaccine?

It’s not just babies who should receive the whooping cough vaccination. Like immunisation against any illness, protection doesn’t last a lifetime, so it’s important that the following groups are fully immunised too: Pregnant women and mothers If you’re in the third trimester of your pregnancy, the whooping cough vaccination (or Pertussis vaccination) is fully-funded by the Queensland government. It’s recommended that this is most effective when administered between 28 and 32 weeks’ gestation, but it’s safe for mother and baby anytime from 28 weeks up until delivery. Because the baby can’t be directly immunised until they’re six-weeks-old, this boost given through the mother will offer a level of protection to the infant until such a point that they’re strong enough to receive their own whooping cough vaccination. If a pregnant woman fails to have the whooping cough booster during her pregnancy, she forgoes her right to have this funded by the Queensland government, but it’s still highly recommended that she has it once the baby is born to remove the risk of passing the disease onto the child before they’re fully immunised. Adults who have contact with a baby that hasn’t yet been immunised The effects of whooping cough can be extremely severe, and because of how easily it’s contracted, any adult who comes into contact with a newborn before they are immunised should receive a whooping cough booster. Fathers, aunts, uncles, grandparents, friends and caregivers are all responsible for making sure they’re fully immunised against whooping cough at least two weeks before they meet a newborn. Working carers Anyone working in a childcare facility or caring for infants such as nurses, kindergarten teachers and nursery staff must have a whooping cough booster vaccine every ten years. This isn’t funded by the government but is still a responsibility for anyone working around children. Whooping cough is a severe illness that can have devastating consequences for both children and adults. If you haven’t received a booster in the past ten years, or your children are not vaccinated, it’s important that you rectify this to avoid contracting this potentially life-threatening illness and passing it on. Anyone who is having a tetanus immunisation Anyone having a tetanus vaccination should consider the whooping cough vaccine too. Adults at 50 should have a tetanus booster and it is recommended this be given as a combination vaccination with pertussis. Whooping cough can last 100 days and cause rib fractures. Adults over 65 Adults over 65 should get the pertussis vaccine as there is new evidence that adults at this age and older are at increased risk of admissions to hospital, pneumonia and even death from whooping cough. Whooping Cough Vaccine Cost There is a payable fee not covered by Medicare for adults (except for pregnant women) but the whooping cough vaccination will protect you, your family and most importantly, tiny babies who aren’t strong enough to cope with the severity of the disease. It has the potential to save their life. To arrange a whooping cough vaccine, Gold Coast residents, call us today! Phone our Robina Practice to make an appointment on 5578 9000, or contact Easy T Practice on 5503 6333.

Do you suffer from low iron?

If you’re anaemic or have trouble tolerating iron supplements, you could benefit from an iron infusion. An iron infusion delivers iron directly into the bloodstream through a vein. Iron is an essential mineral assisting the body to carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, amongst other important functions. There are risks and benefits to having an iron infusion, and your doctor can explain these to you at a consultation.

What is Iron and why do we need it?

Iron is essential for the body to make haemoglobin (Hb), a pigment that makes red blood cells red. When the amount of iron in the body gets too low, the haemoglobin levels fall below normal. This is known as iron deficiency anaemia.

Haemoglobin is very important as it carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. If your haemoglobin or iron levels are low this may make you feel tired and not able to carry out your everyday activities.

What are the symptoms of iron deficiency and who is at risk?

Iron deficiency symptoms include:

Paleness
Tiredness
Low energy
Feeling cold
Dizziness
Headaches
Infections due to low immunity

People who are at the highest risk of iron deficiency include females due to monthly periods and childbirth, people with kidney failure, those who are taking blood-thinning medication and those who have trouble absorbing iron due to biological factors.

Iron deficiency treatments:

There are three main recommendations to counter iron deficiency:

Improving diet through eating foods high in iron (red meat, eggs, tuna, seafood, peanut butter, iron-fortified foods)
Iron supplements – usually in the form of tablets or drinks
Intravenous (IV) Iron infusions

Choice of treatment comes down to the individual. Unfortunately some people simply cannot absorb enough iron from their food no matter what they eat. Further, some people are unable to tolerate iron supplements as they can cause stomach issues. Others may require a rapid increase in iron levels to avoid other health complications or due to a blood transfusion. An iron infusion is often the best choice in these circumstances.

What is an iron infusion?

At the beginning of an iron infusion, a needle is placed into a vein. Next, the needle is attached to a drip containing iron mixed with saline. This fluid is slowly dripped into the vein and mixes with the blood in the body.

The iron infusion replenishes iron stores, allowing the normal production of haemaglobin. The process takes approximately 1 hour.

Most patients notice symptoms (tiredness, dizziness and so on) improve within a few days with the full effect being more evident after a couple of weeks.

Risks and benefits of IV iron

There are risks, benefits and alternatives to IV iron. The most significant risk when receiving intravenous iron is a very small chance of an allergic reaction which, in rare cases can be life threatening. IV iron is prescribed when the benefits outweigh the risks.

Before you have IV iron

Tell your doctor if you are:

Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
Have a history of asthma, eczema or other allergies
Have had a reaction to any type of iron injection in the past
Have a history of high iron levels, hemochromatosis or liver problems
Are on any medications – including over the counter or herbal supplements

We only perform iron infusions when medically indicated. We do not do perform iron infusions on athletes for the purpose of performance enhancement.

How much iron is needed?

When all of the iron needed by the body is given in a single infusion (1 treatment) this is called a ‘total dose’ infusion. This delivers the right amount of iron to make enough new red blood cells to Hb levels to normal and have some stored in reserve for the future.

In other cases just giving smaller amounts of IV iron can help increase Hb levels enough to improve symptoms and help avoid a blood transfusion. The rest of the iron can then be given back to the body slowly over the coming months with iron tablets.

How do I book an iron infusion?

All patients must book a counselling session with an Iron Infusion Doctor before having the procedure.

Current Iron Infusion Doctors:

Dr Annelies Geissler (Easy T)

If you think you’d benefit from an iron infusion, please book an appointment with one of our Iron Infusion Doctors. We look forward to helping you achieve better health.