"Swine Influenza"

We still have a good supply of the vaccine against this strain of influenza. Please make an appointment for it to be done and mention that this is why you are coming as Nurse Debbie usually works from 10am till 4pm.

Swine flu is still around so if you think you may have Swine flu:

1. Please ring and make an appointment mentioning this.
2. Come to the surgery car-park in your car and park near the old house at the back.
3. Phone 3886 6888 on your mobile when you have parked.
4. Dr. Orr or Dr. Stephenson will see you via the rear door at the side of the building near the old house. He will phone you on your mobile and will meet you at the side door beside the old house.

"The 'Flu vaccination"

Influenza is a very nasty illness which gives the patient a very high temperature for five days with a hacking cough. It can be treated with a medication (Relenza, Tamiflu) provided it is commenced as soon as it is suspected or diagnosed. These medications can be hard to get as they have been stockpiled against Bird 'Flu. Patients commonly get bacterial pneumonia after or during influenza so prevention with a vaccine is so much better than treatment. Please note: the 'flu vaccination does NOT protect you from the common cold which is also very prevalent in the winter and autumn months.

We now have seasonal vaccines in stock but the pharmacy next door does not but should have it soon.

This year, the seasonal (usual annual) 'flu vax will have a booster dose of the swine 'flu. If you have not had the swine 'flu vax, you need to have it at least three weeks before the seasonal 'flu vax. If you are over 65 years of age, or a patient at special risk of adverse consequences of lower respiratory tract infection, we will be carrying stocks of the vaccine supplied by the Government. If you are not in that category, you should think about purchasing it.

The cost of the vaccine will vary according to your health status and whether you have a Health Care Card (HCC). Unfortunately, the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme only subsidises "persons at special risk of adverse consequences of a lower respiratory tract infection", so even if you have a HCC, you probably will have to pay the full price for a private script unless the above condition applies to you. Your doctor will discuss this with you at the time of prescription.

If you have had a dose before, you only need one dose. If you have not, you should have two doses one month apart. Annual vaccines are required because the influenza virus keeps changing.

"Medicare Claiming"

As our practice is at the forefront of testing computers in general practice in Australia, we are very pleased to announce that we can lodge your Medicare claim immediately on line and if you pay with EFTPOS by debit card (not a credit card), you will receive an immediate refund! We are having a few teething problems so please be patient. No money has gone astray in this testing process.

If you do not pay in full, a cheque will still be sent to your postal address to bring/send in to the practice. Please ask our Federal Member of Parliament Jon Sullivan why this wasteful and time consuming cheque system is still in place when electronic crediting of medicare refunds to patients is possible but not the same for pay doctor cheques.

Mr Jon Sullivan M.P.'s address is: 110 Morayfield Road, Caboolture Qld 4510
Tel: (07) 5495 6290 Fax: (07) 5498 3307. web contact

"Weather Station"

Dr. Stephenson has been measuring Narangba's rainfall, together with maximum and minimum temperatures since 1996. He has now invested in an electronic weather station and you can see the sensors on the roof of the surgery. The station has a web-site and can be seen located on the world map. Double click on the map of Australia.