Newsletters

The recent patient survey conducted was overwhelmingly positive. Lengthy wait times for appointments were identified and this is being addressed by my team, encouraging more Telehealth appointments for routine matters along with allocated time for administration tasks.

The practice has undergone Accreditation which occurred on 3 March 2021. The findings will be published in our next newsletter.

I am feeling very refreshed after a week’s holiday in Tasmania. My thanks as always to Dr Harry Jacobs for his enthusiasm and ongoing assistance in caring for my patients.

I am happy to report that my practice was successful in a recent expression of interest for the roll out of phase 1b of the Covid-19 vaccine. This means patients will be able to receive their vaccination at Noosa Heads Medical. The phased roll-out will see the higher risk groups being vaccinated first.

Below is the link to the Australian Government, Dept. of Health program for you to see when you are eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccination.

https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines

Please refer to the Noosa Heads Medical and Health Engine websites for specific details of the roll out as we will be posting specific times for vaccination clinics, as they are finalised.

https://healthengine.com.au/medical-centre/qld/noosa-heads/noosa-heads-medical/s82290

You can refer to the Health Engine website and the Noosa Heads Medical website for the latest information from 9 March 2021. The vaccine you will be receiving is the Astra Zeneca vaccine. There is no charge for this vaccine nor to administer. We will of course be involved with the roll out of the other phases of the vaccine program and the booster dose for each phase.

The Covid-19 vaccine will be given outside of a consultation for any other medical issues, as there are strict Department of Health requirements to follow with the drawing up of the vaccine from a multi-dose vial, including recording the vaccine in My Health Record, plus additional time to stay in the practice for 15 minutes after the vaccine is administered.

The fluvax will be available from the second week of April 2021 for those who are eligible for a government-funded vaccine; namely those over 65, or those who are younger and are medically at risk [for e.g. asthma and diabetes].

The fluvax can be given during a routine medical consultation. A minimum period of 1 week must occur between the administration of the Covid-19 vaccine and administration of the fluvax.

The cost of the fluvax vaccine itself is $20 and I would urge those eligible for phase 1b of the Covid-19 to have THIS vaccine first.

Dr Nick Hummel