The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has advised that people in community detention should be managed the same way you would manage other community patients. This ensures that the care provided equates with that available to other members of the Australian community. (more…)

Following a review of the existing “blue book” Child Health Record, a new, improved version has been launched. From November 2011 parents of all babies born in Victoria will receive the new booklet, titled My Health and Development Record. (more…)

Recently a number of travellers returning from rabies-endemic regions have been referred to our practice for post exposure treatment. According to DHS statistics, in 2010 in Victoria alone there were 217 returning travellers who required post exposure treatment. (more…)

In response to low participation rates for cervical and breast screening, we (with SWISH and SWAT, our voluntary women’s health working groups) engaged the communities of Hepburn Shire in a project called Hepburn Shire Goes Pink For Women’s Health. (more…)

Almost half the women that walk through your door have not had a Pap test in the past two years, making our area the worst in Victoria for Pap testing rates. (more…)

Significant changes were made to MCH program across the state in 2009. MCH is now using the PEDS or Parent Evaluation of Development Status model as part of the Key Ages and Stages for consultations. (more…)

To help improve our region’s wretched cervical screening rates (56.3%), GPs and PNs recently took part in a clinical survey. This is a summary of what you told us. (more…)

The death of a 34 year old local woman this year highlights the human cost of cervical cancer. (more…)

Local immunisation rates continue to slide. Here’s what you can do about it. (more…)

The GP-based HPV vaccination program for women aged 18-26 is coming to an end. Practices need to identify patients who have only had 1 or 2 doses NOW! (more…)

Last month I warned about dropping immunisation rates in the region.  Here’s what you can do about it. (more…)

You may recognise this quote (some say misquote) from the Apollo 13 space mission. In fact, for Ballarat and District Division it’s more like Ballarat, we have a problem! (more…)

The number of notified cases of pertussis (whooping cough) has increased sharply in Victoria, with a 48% increase occurring between December 2007 and December 2008. There have been 37 notified cases of Pertussis within BDDGP from January 1 to March 6 2009 ¹. (more…)