Central Gippsland Family Practice

21/08/2026

Women of all ages are encouraged to become familiar with their breasts, with monthly self-checks recommended starting in adolescence or early adulthood.

Adult women are generally advised to perform a self-exam once a month.

For women who are still menstruating, the best time is 3 to 5 days after your period starts, when breast tissue is least tender and swollen

Postmenopausal women, or those with irregular cycles, should pick a consistent day each month, such as the 1st or 15th, to make the exam routine

03/08/2026

Planning on travelling abroad?

Whether you're exploring the streets of Berlin, hiking the Great Wall of China, or just relaxing on the beaches of Hawaii, one thing remains the same - you'll want to stay as healthy as possible while you're away.

Depending on your destination, you may need or be recommended to have travel vaccinations before you leave.

Book an appointment with one of our GP's well before your departure to discuss your travel plans and receive personalised advice on any recommended or required vaccinations.

To schedule an appointment, please call us on 5127 9800.

Because safe travel makes for a great holiday.

23/07/2026

Advance care planning involves planning for your future health care. It allows you to decide what health care you would or wouldn't want if you become unable to make or communicate your treatment preferences in the future.

Advance care planning gives you the opportunity to think about, discuss and record preferences for the type of care you would want and the outcomes you would consider acceptable. It can be a difficult conversation however it helps to ensure your loved ones and health providers know what matters most to you and respect your treatment preferences.

Advance care planning is about your wishes and preferences. It’s about giving you a voice in decisions about your health care when you can’t speak for yourself.

How well do you know your partner? We put couples to the test. Yo...

15/07/2026

You're invited to take part in the ePREVENT-360 study

Central Gippsland Family Practice is taking part in a University of Wollongong study called ePREVENT-360.

Patients of our clinic aged 30-65 years are invited to consider participating. This study provides access to THRIVE, an online health check tool designed to help people better understand their health and receive tailored information about ways to reduce their risk of chronic conditions.

Participation is voluntary. Choosing whether or not to participate will not affect the care you receive from your GP, nurse or our clinic. Improved health outcomes are not guaranteed from participating in this study.

Your feedback may help inform the future development of digital tools to support preventive healthcare.

To learn more, please scan the QR code below or click this https://thrivein2health.com/eprevent360-consumerinfo/

30/06/2026

📢 Important Medicare Update – Effective Wednesday 1 July 2026

From Wednesday 1 July 2026, important changes to the Medicare Assignment of Benefit (AoB) process come into effect.

What's changing?

✅ All bulk-billed Medicare services now require your explicit consent before a Medicare claim can be submitted. This consent can be provided either digitally or by signing a paper form and must be completed after each eligible visit.

Enduring Assignment of Benefit

Patients who are registered with MyMedicare or living in a Residential Aged Care Home may choose to complete an Enduring Assignment of Benefit agreement for ongoing bulk-billed GP services.

An enduring agreement means you only need to provide consent once for the nominated GP services covered by the agreement. Any services not included in the Enduring of Assignment agreement will still require consent to be provided after the visit.

Our reception team and clinicians are here to help make this transition as smooth as possible. When you attend your appointment at Central Gippsland Family Practice, we will explain these changes and answer any questions you may have.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Central Gippsland Family Practice

04/06/2026

Protect Yourself Against RSV This Winter

Central Gippsland Family Practice is now offering bulk-billed RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccinations for eligible patients aged 75 years and over.

RSV is a common respiratory virus that can cause serious illness in older adults, particularly during the colder months. Vaccination is a simple and effective way to help protect your health and reduce the risk of severe infection.

✅ Free for eligible patients aged 75+

If you or a loved one are eligible, we encourage you to book your vaccination today.

Please call us on (03) 5127 9800 to make an appointment, or speak with our team during your next visit to the clinic.

Stay protected. Stay healthy.

29/05/2026

From 1 July 2026, changes to Medicare processing and bulk billing procedures will begin across Australia.

As part of these updates, you may notice:
* New digital consent options for bulk billing
* SMS or email confirmations for Medicare claims
* Changes to how Central Gippsland Family Practice processes Medicare benefits

These changes are designed to make claiming simpler and more secure.

What this means for you:

* You may be asked to confirm consent electronically
* Please ensure your mobile number and email details are up to date with our clinic
* Central Gippsland Family Practice will be introducing new check-in and billing procedures

Our team is preparing to ensure a smooth transition and continued high quality care for all of our patients.

If you have any questions, please speak with our reception team.

19/05/2026

Sleep plays a vital role in maintaining overall health and well-being.

During sleep, the body repairs tissues, strengthens the immune system, and restores energy needed for daily activities.

Getting enough quality sleep also supports brain function by improving memory, concentration, learning, and decision-making.

A lack of sleep can lead to fatigue, irritability, difficulty focusing, reduced productivity and effects hunger hormones and cravings.

Sleep also has a major impact on long-term physical and mental health.

Consistent poor sleep patterns have been linked to serious health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and depression.

Maintaining healthy sleep habits, such as following a regular sleep schedule and limiting screen time before bed, can greatly improve both physical health and emotional well-being.

17/05/2026

World No To***co Day - 31st May 2026

The rise in ni****ne addiction among younger age groups is a growing concern. In Australia, e-cigarette use has increased significantly, with people aged 18–24 years recording the highest rates of va**ng use.

Behind the flavours, colours and marketing, ni****ne addiction can have serious impacts on health and wellbeing.

To***co use increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, lung disease and several cancers. Va**ng may also cause lung irritation, breathing problems, ni****ne dependence and exposure to harmful chemicals.

World No To***co Day is an opportunity to raise awareness, support informed choices, and encourage healthier futures for young Australians.

If you are thinking about quitting smoking or va**ng, support is available. Please call 51279800 to book an appointment with our team to discuss strategies and support options for ceasing to***co and ni****ne use.

12/05/2026

We are proud to be supporting Reading out of Poverty (ROOP) - an incredible Australian not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping children aged 0-5 years develop early literacy skills, regardless of their circumstances.

As part of this initiative, we have installed a mini library within our clinic filled with children's books for families to enjoy whilst waiting for their appointment.

At Central Gippsland Family Practice, we believe supporting children's health also means supporting their learning, development, and future opportunities. Every child deserves the chance to flourish through literacy.

We look forward to seeing our young readers enjoy this wonderful new space during their visits!

Further information on the ROOP program can be found here https://roop.org.au/