Rutherford North Medical centre

13/02/2023

Dear Patients,
Please note , after Thursday, 16 February 2023, the Dr is moving on to practice in Newcastle, the practice will be closed until further notice, while we try to source new replacement GP(s). We will keep our emails channel open to organise your records to be transferred. Please get your new Gp email [email protected] a request of records signed ( consent) by you, in that regard . We request you to watch this FB page or our website rutherfordnorthmc.org for future announcements about potential reopening.
Wishing you all the best.
Rutherford North Medical Centre

11/07/2022

Everyone aged 50 and over is recommended to get a winter fourth dose for the best possible protection this season. People aged 30-49 can also receive a fourth dose if they choose.

You can now get your fourth dose 3 months after your booster ✅

If you’ve had COVID-19, you should get your next dose 3 months after you’ve recovered.

For more information visit 💻

Recommendations from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) on the COVID-19 vaccine winter dose.

30/06/2022

Free flu vaccines extended. Please have your flu vaccines asap

08/06/2022

Get your flu shots this season

07/06/2022

Masks are still mandatory in the following settings across NSW:

• public transport and public transport waiting areas
• taxis and ride-share services
• airports and on a domestic commercial aircraft
• public hospitals or private health facilities
• residential care facilities or hostels
• indoor music festivals with more than 1,000 people
• cruise terminals.

Masks are still recommended outside of these settings, particularly indoors and for customer-facing retail staff where it can be hard to keep your distance from others.

More info:

Wearing a face mask is mandatory in some settings. Learn about when you need to wear a face mask, when you can remove it and who is exempt.

31/05/2022

A free flu jab will be available to all NSW residents in a month-long blitz from June 1 in an effort to combat this year’s expected severe influenza season.

With a sharp increase in flu cases already, the NSW Government will fund flu vaccinations at GPs and pharmacies until June 30.

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said there were 1,140 cases of respiratory illness notified this week, compared with 766 in the previous week and 150 presentations and admissions to hospitals.

“We strongly urge everyone over six months of age to get a flu shot as soon as possible to protect themselves and their loved ones, as the virus is easily spread and potentially deadly,” Dr Chant said.

“This is particularly important for those in high-risk groups, such as the elderly and children aged six months to five years. If you live in an aged or disability care facility, are aged over 65 or are immunocompromised, now is the time to book in.

“We also recommend a COVID-19 winter booster if you are eligible, as both flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time.”

The Commonwealth Government provides vaccines for vulnerable populations, and funds GPs through the MBS to administer vaccines. However, as COVID-19 has taught us, the role of pharmacies is crucial and the NSW Government is funding community pharmacies to deliver influenza vaccinations this June.

NSW Health has also permitted pharmacies to administer flu vaccines to children aged five years old, reduced from 10 years, making it easier for families to be vaccinated together. GPs will be reimbursed for any flu stock they have already purchased that is used in the month of June for this vaccination program.

The Commonwealth Government provides free flu vaccine for those considered to be at higher risk of severe illness from the flu, including:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from six months of age
- Children from six months to under five years of age
- People with serious health conditions (including severe asthma, diabetes, cancer, immune disorders, obesity, kidney, heart, lung or liver disease)
- Pregnant women
- People aged 65 and over.

Other protective measures individuals can take include staying at home if sick and washing your hands. Find out more about how to protect yourself from the flu at www.nsw.gov.au/flu.

03/05/2022

If you have COVID-19, please read your text messages from NSW Health carefully.

These messages contain important information about:

✔️ How to manage and monitor symptoms
✔️ The dates of your self-isolation period
✔️ A link to your Medical Clearance Notice which can be used as evidence of release from self-isolation

It’s important you don’t delete the text message with the link to your Medical Clearance Notice - click on the link and download or screenshot it. You may be asked to provide evidence of release from self-isolation by your employer, education facility or if travelling internationally.

Please note, you will only receive a text message if you have registered your positive rapid antigen test result or had a PCR test.

Most text messages are sent around 1am as they are system generated.

More info: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/management/advice-for-confirmed

02/05/2022

Using hand sanitiser when out in public is a great way to keep those germs at bay!

• The amount of alcohol-based sanitiser you use matters - apply a palmful of alcohol-based sanitiser to cover all surfaces of your hands and rub your hands together using the right technique until they’re dry (20-30 seconds)
• Touching a communal bottle of alcohol-based sanitiser won’t infect you - once you’ve sanitised your hands, you’ve disinfected them from any germs that may have been on the bottle
• If everyone uses sanitiser in a public place such as a supermarket entrance, the risk of germs on communal items will be lower and will help keep everyone safe

More: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-safe/maintain-good-hygiene

29/04/2022

Did you know that staying connected can help you age well?
Catching up with family and friends, and getting back to doing the things you love, is important for your mental health and wellbeing.

It can feel daunting getting out and about again following years of trying to reduce contact with others, but there are ways in which you can reconnect with your loved ones safely. Here are some quick tips:

• Gather with family or friends outdoors or in well-ventilated areas
• Stay at home if you feel unwell, and ask others to do the same
• Get tested for COVID-19 if you have any symptoms. If you get COVID-19 and are at higher risk of serious illness you may be able to access antivirals
• Stay up to date with your vaccinations, including COVID-19 and flu vaccinations
• Wear a mask when indoors and when you can’t physically distance from others
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or using hand sanitiser

Looking after yourself, also means moving your body. See here for how you can stay active: https://www.activeandhealthy.nsw.gov.au

28/04/2022

24/04/2022

World Immunisation Week is a good reminder to make sure your child is up to date with their routine vaccinations including whooping cough, measles and polio. When is your child’s next vaccination due?
More info: www.health.nsw.gov.au/vaccinate

21/04/2022

Why do I still need to isolate if I've tested positive for COVID-19 but have no symptoms?

If you've tested positive for COVID-19, you are infectious for at least 7 days after your positive test, even if you have no symptoms.

This means that you can still spread the virus to others, even if you're asymptomatic.

It's important that you test and self-isolate if you've been exposed to COVID-19, even if you do not have symptoms, to help prevent the spread of the virus.

More info: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/management/advice-for-confirmed