Your Services

General Health

To maintain your health and wellbeing, your doctor will talk to you about your medical history, your family’s history of disease and your lifestyle choices, such as diet, exercise habits and whether or not you smoke or drink alcohol.

Seeing your doctor for regular medical check-ups will help you stay healthy and pick up early warning signs of disease or illness. Many diseases such as cardiovascular (heart) disease, diabetes and some cancers can be detected in their early stages, when treatment is often more effective.

If you have high risk factors, such as a family history of a particular disease, it is recommended that you get checked more frequently, and at an earlier age.

Some of the general health services we provide are:

• Family health
• Accidents and injury
• Investigations
• Referrals to specialists
• Dermatology disorders
• Drug and alcohol problems
• Preventative testing
• Nutrition, diet and exercise
• Common colds, flus, infections and viruses
• Ear suction
• Driving medicals

Health Assessments & Management Plans

We offer a range of health assessments designed to provide early intervention for possible future chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiac disease as well as plans to assist with the management of an existing chronic disease.

Whether a patient is eligible for a Health Assessment, Management Plan or to access allied mental health services is essentially a matter for your treating health practitioner to determine, using their clinical judgement and taking into account both the eligibility criterion and the general guidance.

With this in mind and with the valuable help of our practice nurses we offer the following:

• Aged Health Assessments – for patients 75 years of age and over. The aim of this assessment is to keep patients living independently in their home and to provide an in-depth health assessment to identify any risk factors requiring further health management. If you are over 75 and provide your consent, our practice nurse will visit you in your home to complete the assessment. This is followed up in a consultation with your GP to discuss the assessment and any recommendations, including community services you may be eligible for if you are in need of assistance.
• Comprehensive Medical Assessments – for permanent residents of an aged care facility. If you are a permanent resident of an aged care facility, your doctor can carry out an assessment of your health and physical and psychological functioning to recommend appropriate interventions, and to provide advice and information.
• 45 to 49 year old Health Check This health assessment is for patients 45-49 years old to assist in prevention or delay of onset of chronic disease. Your GP will conduct an overall assessment of your health and carry out any necessary investigations, providing advice and information to assist with lifestyle and behaviour changes if required.
• Type 2 Diabetes Risk Evaluation Health Assessment – for patients 40 to 49 years of age at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.  If you are shown to be at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes following a risk evaluation, your doctor may recommend this overall assessment. This is an assessment of risk factors, and of the results of relevant examinations and investigations, so that appropriate interventions can be initiated, including referrals and follow up services. You will receive advice and information, including strategies to achieve lifestyle and behaviour changes, if necessary.
• Health Check for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People The aim of this health assessment is to provide early detection, diagnosis and intervention for common and treatable conditions. The assessment involves a health check, including physical, psychological and social wellbeing. It also determines what preventative health care, education and assistance should be offered to improve overall health and wellbeing.
• Mental Health Treatment Plan Medicare rebates are available for up to ten individual and ten group allied mental health services per calendar year to patients with an assessed mental disorder who are referred by a GP managing the patient under a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan
• Chronic Disease Management (CDM) – GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangement This care plan is available to patients with a chronic condition. Examples of a chronic condition are asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, musculoskeletal conditions and stroke. The CDM items are designed for patients who require a structured approach, including those requiring ongoing care from several different specialised (multidisciplinary) care providers.

Whether a patient is eligible for CDM services is a clinical judgement for the GP, taking into account the patient’s medical condition and care needs, as well as the general guidance set out in the Medicare Benefits Schedule.

Patients who have a chronic medical condition and complex care needs and are being managed by their GP under a GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangement are eligible for Medicare rebates for certain allied health services on referral from their GP.

Your GP must determine if you are suitable for a Health Assessment or Management Plan and this would require discussion at a prior consultation.  Your Health Assessment or Management Plan is initiated by our Practice nurse followed by an appointment with your doctor.  A further appointment may be required if a Team Care Arrangement is put into place.

Minor Surgery

Accidental injury and unwelcome growths are just a couple of examples that many of our doctors have an interest in and include the following:

• Removal of suspicious lumps & bumps
• Removal of skin tags
• Cryotherapy (freezing small growths)
• Removal of foreign bodies (inhaled peas, pieces of lego, steel splinters, glass and so on)
• Accidents and injuries

Skin Checks

Your skin is the largest organ in your body and the most visible to yourself and the sun.

Skin Clinics at Aldinga Medical Centre are staffed by Dr Ashton Taplin & Dr Scott Masters who have an interest in skin disorders; although not a dermatologist, they have training in diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders with special emphasis on skin malignancy (cancer).

Following an extensive skin examination via body loupe and discussion with the patient, they are able to perform removals at the surgery, or if necessary, refer you to a specialist for further attention and management.

After the examination, a time for a review will be made.  The time will vary according to your risk of skin malignancy.  Review is important and a reminder will be sent by post.  Please ensure that your postal address is correct each time you visit our clinic.

Although we do our best to detect all skin malignancy, no-one is perfect and even the best dermatologists achieve only 90% accuracy in diagnosis.

You should become familiar with your skin and be aware of your entire body as skin cancers can sometimes occur on parts of the body that are not exposed to the sun.  Be alert to new or changing moles, freckles and spots. You see your skin every day and can notice changes that we do not see until your next visit.  If, at any time, you have a particular concern about a lesion, do not wait for your scheduled appointment, call the clinic immediately and tell the receptionist of your concern and you will be given the earliest appointment available.

Eye Care

Dr Jack Tan offers specialised skills in eye care.  He has a Master of Medicine in Ophthalmic Science and this means that many of the conditions that would normally be referred to a specialist can be managed here.

Jack’s aim is to provide optimal visual healthcare and improve the eye health of our community.

Immunisations

Routine immunisation clinics are held:
Monday 9.30-11.30am, Tuesday 2.00-4.00pm and Friday 9.30-11.30am.
Please book with reception for 2, 4, 6, 12 and 18 month immunisations.

We fully endorse the practice of immunising children and adults as appropriate to their age and health conditions, lifestyle and occupation.

Immunisation is a proven and safe way to be protected against diseases that cause serious illness and sometimes death.  By reducing the spread of disease, immunisation not only protects those who have been immunised, but it also protects those in the community who may be unable to receive vaccines themselves.

Vaccines recommended for children and adults are available at no cost to individuals eligible for Medicare benefits, through the National Immunisation Program.

We offer immunisations under The National Immunisation Program including:

• Childhood Immunisation, including Catch Up Program
• Annual Influenza Program
• National Shingles Vaccination Program (currently free for 70-79 year olds)
• Whooping Cough Vaccine in Pregnancy Program
• High Risk Hepatitis B Immunisation Program
• Pneumococcal Disease
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and children

Other vaccines may be recommended, but are not free to all groups, for example, the vaccines recommended for specific occupations or prior to travel overseas.  Please make an appointment to discuss these with your doctor.

For further information, see our Patient Health Websites tab for the link to Immunisation Australia and select the “Travellers” page.

Women’s health

Our doctors cover all aspects of women’s health to provide advice, support and direction for any issues you may experience, including:

• Breast care
• Cervical Screening Tests (pap smears)
• Menstruation
• Reproductive health
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Menopause
• Endometriosis
• Incontinence

For further information, see our Patient Health Websites tab for the link to Women’s Health on the Health Direct website.

Cervical screening

The Cervical Screening Test is a simple procedure to check the health of your cervix, and if normal will only need to be performed every 5 years.

The Cervical Screening Test is more effective than the Pap test at preventing cervical cancers, because it detects human papillomavirus (known as HPV).   HPV is a common virus that can cause changes to cells in your cervix, which in rare cases can develop into cervical cancer.

We encourage all our female patients aged 25-74 to be a part of this program.

For further information see the National Cervical Screening Program website.

Men’s health

Good health is vital for a happy and full life, although men may not look after themselves as well as they could.  Yet, men do not live as long and have more health risks than women, so it is crucial that men know more about looking after their health.

Your doctor is here to assist you in achieving this.  We manage a wide range of men’s health matters including:

• Puberty
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Reproductive health
• Hormones
• Erectile dysfunction
• Prostate health
• Mental health
• Smoking

For further information, see our Patient Health Websites tab for links to other helpful Men’s Health websites.

Family Planning

If you need information or advice regarding your contraception or sexual and reproductive health, or support with your pregnancy, your GP can help.  We will answer your questions and provide the advice necessary to help you through your decisions and to ensure your wellbeing.

Children’s health

The importance of assessing and monitoring the growth and development of your child at this delicate age is a big responsibility on you as a parent or legal guardian.  We are pleased to support you in this role by providing the following services and assessments for your child.

• Immunisations
• Hearing checks
• Physical activity
• Speech and language development
• Fine and gross motor skills
• Behavioural patterns

Ante-natal shared care and post-natal care

Drs Janet Thornley and Sorcha Doyle are interested in antenatal and postnatal care.  They share care with private specialists of Flinders Medical Centre.  This allows the patient to receive their antenatal care locally and deliver at the hospital of their choice if they are private patients or attending Flinders Medical Centre.

On confirmation of your pregnancy, your doctor will be happy to provide shared care with your chosen specialist or midwife to monitor you and your baby’s progress.

After delivery, your doctor will provide postnatal health checks for you and your baby at six weeks.  This is to check on your physical and emotional recovery, to address your needs going forward and to check that your baby is healthy and growing well.  Please advise reception when making an appointment so that an appropriate length appointment may be booked

Remember, you are welcome to see your practitioner any time you are in need of support.

Cardiac Care

Many of us are at risk of developing some form of heart disease due to a number of risk factors.  Some of these factors can be changed, others cannot.  If you have more than one risk factor, this will dramatically increase your risk.

Factors that can be reduced or avoided are high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and excess weight, smoking and inactivity.

These can be controlled by healthy eating, 30 minutes of physical activity per day, limiting your alcohol intake and cessation of smoking.

Our practice nurses provide advice and education on how to achieve these steps and with your doctor’s management and treatment, will provide ongoing care to keep you in optimal health.  Some of the services consist of:

• Electrocardiographs (ECG)
• Chronic Disease Management Plans (or Care Plans)
• Diet and exercise education and advice
• Home blood pressure monitors

Diabetes Management

Diabetes is a chronic condition where your body is unable to produce enough insulin to convert glucose to energy, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels.

If you think you may be at risk, please visit us to learn of the changes you can make to your lifestyle to avoid or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes.  There is no cure for this condition.

Alternatively, if you already have diabetes, it is important to discuss management with your doctor who will consider a combination of diet, exercise, medication and insulin regulation to return your blood glucose levels as close as possible to normal.  Along with regular visits to your doctor, blood glucose levels, or glycaemia, can be monitored and self managed.

To assist in this process our doctors and nurses provide:

• Chronic Disease Management Plans (or Care Plans)
• Diet and exercise education and advice
• Insulin education
• Eye care
• Foot care

Pain Management and Addiction Medicine

Dr Rhys Henning is an Addiction Specialist and provides a consultant service for patients with pain or drug dependence and part of this service involves managing opioid analgesics. These often are an essential part of the management of acute and terminal pain.

He is a qualified hypnotherapist who provides coping mechanisms for patients to assist in their daily activities and manages mental health problems associated with pain or addiction.

Mental Health

Mental Health is an important part of our everyday health.  If you are feeling anxious, extreme sadness, irritability or fatigue, your thoughts or feelings may be due to a mental health issue.   An appointment with your doctor will help to determine if this is the case.  Your GP is there to offer you and your family support, counselling and the appropriate resources available.

If you are in need of urgent assistance, please go to our Emergency and after hours contacts tab.

OR

If you are having thoughts of suicide, contact your GP.  Alternatively call Mental Health Triage on 13 14 65 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

If your life is in danger call Emergency Services on 000.

Workcover (ReturntoWorkSA)

Work related injuries can have a detrimental effect on your overall health and our doctors will assist wherever possible with your recovery and help get you back working as soon as it is safely possible.

Sports Medicine

Being active is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle.  Our doctors offer management and rehabilitation of complications involving joints and muscles, including orthopaedic and musculoskeletal issues, arthritis, and sporting injuries  If you sustain an injury, we can assist you in your treatment and recovery.