The Summerdale Medical Practice will be closed on Sunday the 16th of May 2021 due to a planned power outage. For urgent after hours attention our medical advice and triage service is available on 1800 022 222. We apologise for an inconvenience this may cause.

Influenza vaccinations have now arrived at Summerdale Medical!

Flu vaccination clinics are now available to book online through HotDoc otherwise you can phone reception on 6344 7177 or pop in and see the girls to organise your vaccination.

Please be patient when phoning, we are currently experiencing an unprecedented amount of calls due to Covid and Influenza vaccinations – our girls are doing the absolute best that they can.

NB:  There must be 2 weeks between receiving your Covid and Flu vaccinations.

BOOK APPOINTMENT

Our busy medical practice is looking for a vibrant, energetic person to join our administration team. Duties will include reception and back office work.

This is a full time position. Previous medical or administration experience preferred.

Interested parties should send a cover letter and resume to nicole.turner@summerdalemedical.com.au

Due to time constraints, applications will need to be in by COB Friday 19th March.

COVID-19 Vaccinations
Begin 22nd March 2021

Summerdale Medical Practice is pleased to advise it has been selected in the first group of General Practice sites in Australia to administer the COVID-19 vaccine in phase 1b of the National COVID-19 vaccination rollout (starting from 22nd March 2021).

Initial government supplies of the vaccine allocated to the selected practices are quite small and restricted and are targeted to those at most risk according to government criteria. As Australian production increases the government will expand the eligibility for the vaccine and will advise our Practice which additional groups we will be permitted to vaccinate.

The initial arrangements take into account how best to manage the small supplies of vaccines. As supplies increase we hope to adjust our booking process.

If you meet at least one of the eligibility criteria listed below please obtain a COVID-19 consent form by either downloading the form using the link https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-consent-form-for-covid-19-vaccination or collecting a form from reception. We then ask you to return the completed form to reception and we will add your name to our waiting list for the vaccine. We will contact you when your COVID-19 vaccine arrives. Please write your best contact phone number on the consent form.
DO NOT RING THE SURGERY TO BOOK A TIME FOR THE VACCINATION.
WE WILL CONTACT YOU WITH AN APPOINTMENT TIME.
It is important we keep our already busy phone lines free for medical problems.
If you have any concerns in relation to the vaccination please book an appointment for discussion with one of our doctors. It is important to note the rollout is a 6 month programme and it may be sometime before your turn comes.

Eligibility Criteria (Phase 1b)
To be eligible now (in phase 1b) you must be in at least one of the following categories:
1) Aged 70 years or over
2) Health care workers (includes medical and nursing students, employed carers, health facility office staff and health facility cleaners)
3) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders over 55 years
4) Specific medical conditions – see below*
5) Critical and high risk workers (defence, police, fire and emergency staff)

If unsure whether you are eligible please use the eligibility checker found at:
https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility

As with any vaccination you will be asked to wait for 15 minutes afterwards to ensure there are no adverse reactions and for 30 minutes if you have a history of severe allergies (anaphylaxis). The vaccine and the administration is fully funded by the government and there will be no out of pocket expense provided you have a valid Medicare card. If you do not have a Medicare card please call reception for advice about the alternative arrangements.

The vaccines will be administered by our doctors and nurses in the Baptist Hall across the road from the surgery. We ask that you attend as close as possible to your allocated time to ensure the smooth running of the COVID-19 vaccination clinic. Please let us know if you are unwell or have a temperature over 38’C on the day and need to defer your appointment.

More information about the COVID-19 vaccines can be obtained by using the link:
https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines

*The specific medical conditions (as determined by the government) which would qualify you for this phase (1b) of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout include:
Immunosuppressive treatment
Myeloma
Cancers not in remission
Undergoing Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Crohn’s Disease
Ulcerative Colitis
Chronic Kidney Disease
Heart Disease
Chronic Lung Disease (but not including mild or moderate asthma)
Diabetes
Overweight BMI >40
Chronic Liver Disease
Dementia
Stroke
Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinson’s Disease
Cerebral Palsy
Hypertension being treated with 2 or more medications

Information about our 2021 influenza vaccination programme will be advised once the national Chief Medical Officer determines the official commencement date. It is recommended that no other vaccine should be administered within 2 weeks of any of the COVID-19 vaccines so those currently eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine should delay their influenza vaccine until 2 weeks after having their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The second (booster) dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is 12 weeks after the first dose leaving plenty of time for you to have your annual influenza vaccine in between.

The second phase of the Covid vaccination roll out will make the vaccine available to at risk patients who fit within a specific criteria such as people over 70 or with chronic disease. Please use the following link to see if you could be eligible to receive your vaccination in the second roll out.

https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility