Stirling Central Clinic welcomes our new GP – Dr Tess Newton. Tess completed her Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Adelaide, and has also completed a Professional Certificate in Skin Cancer Medicine. She enjoys a broad spectrum of general practice, including chronic disease management, paediatrics and family medicine. She is committed to delivering patient-centred, evidence-based care for patients of all ages. Tess’s medical experience includes work at Flinders Medical Centre, The Repat Health Precinct, and Mount Barker Emergency Department, where she [...]

There has been media attention in recent times about the efficacy of a number of sunscreen lotions in Australia. With the recent heatwave and as our sunny days continue, it is important that people are aware of what choices to make. The sun produces ultraviolet (UV) radiation: UVA rays cause skin ageing and contribute to skin cancer UVB rays cause sunburn and also contribute to skin cancer To protect your skin from damage, choose a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with [...]

Each year in Australia around 1,900 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. In most cases the cancer will be diagnosed at an advanced stage, where it is very difficult to treat. The symptoms of ovarian cancer are often vague and difficult to diagnose because they can be caused by other, less serious medical conditions. If you have any of the following, please contact your GP by clicking here or phone 8370 9777 to speak to a receptionist for an appointment. Increased abdominal size or persistent [...]

In late December 2025, SA Health was informed of a case of measles in an adult who was exposed overseas and visited South Australia whilst infectious. In South Australia, in 2025, there were seven cases of measles notified to SA Health. Measles in highly contagious and is a serious infection which can be associated with severe complications including encephalitis. We reported recently that Stirling Central Health Clinic is offering a Measles Vaccination Program for adults born during or after 1966 and up until 1989 who [...]

Across Australia already since 2026 began, a total of 2,500 Australians have contracted a highly transmissible new strain of influenza. The unseasonably high rate of infection for just the first week of January has been driven by a mutation of Influenza A H3N2 known as subclade K – now colloquially referred to as Super-K – first identified in September by scientists at Melbourne’s Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners have stated that vaccination rates have been plummeting [...]

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, men have different societal experiences than women, which may affect their health outcomes compared to women. Men are more likely to experience physical violence (ABS 2025) are less likely to have a bachelor’s degree or above (ABS 2025) work in occupations with a higher risk of work-related injury and death (SWA 2025) face social expectations around masculinity (Jesuit Social Services 2024) In 2023, the leading underlying causes of death for males were: Coronary heart disease Dementia [...]

With the summer months and holiday season fast approaching, many people will be looking to travel overseas. If you travel outside of Australia, you may get sick from a number of diseases that vaccinations can prevent. Travellers sometimes unwittingly return home with symptoms that may cause disease outbreaks. Stirling Central Health Clinic can meet your needs in terms of what vaccinations are required for the trip that you are planning. Your immunity to some diseases may have changed or reduced in time so a booster [...]

The South Australian Government has announced that it is funding a Measles Vaccination Program for adults born during or after 1966 and up until 1989 who have not received two doses of the vaccine. This is because measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can cause serious complications such as encephalitis. As from November, Stirling Central Health Clinic will be notifying patients born between 1966 – 1989 via text message who may be eligible and inviting them to attend a Measles Vaccination Clinic. The [...]

During the month of November, the Cancer Council and the Lung Foundation are urging Australians to become more informed of the signs, symptoms and treatment options for lung cancer, According to the Cancer Council, lung cancer is the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia and it is estimated that one in twenty people will be diagnosed by the time they are 85 years. The main symptoms to be aware of are: • shortness of breath • hoarseness of the voice • chest pain • [...]

To date in South Australia in 2025, there have been: • 9,591 reported cases of COVID-19 with 57 deaths • 26,614 reported cases of Flu with 25 deaths • 11,049 reported cases of RSV with 5 deaths • 2,586 reported cases of Whooping Cough and no deaths For both Flu and Whooping Cough, the data indicates an increase on 2024 numbers. Vaccination remains an important component in keeping the community safe from these respiratory conditions. Stirling Central Health Clinic continues to offer Flu and COVID [...]

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 1 in 5 Australians aged 16 – 85 years, or 4.3 million people, have experienced a mental disorder in the past 12 months. 17% of Australians experienced an anxiety disorder and 1 in 7 children and adolescents aged 4 – 17 years experienced a mental illness. There are a plethora of reasons that contribute to mental health disorders across age groups: family circumstances, housing, employment, income, social media, drug use, peer pressure, bullying to name a [...]

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia with more than 25,000 men newly diagnosed each year. Fortunately, prostate cancer is slow growing and if detected early enough, men have an excellent chance of survival. Possible symptoms of prostate cancer (which may also be caused by other conditions such as an enlarged prostate) include: • Needing to urinate more often during the day or night (note: waking once a night can be normal as men get older) • A sudden or urgent need [...]

Since September 2024, parts of South Australia continue to be affected by the ongoing microalgae bloom, Karenia mikimotoi. This has been especially evident with the recent weather event affecting the coastline whereby a proliferation of foam was seen along the foreshore. The algae does not produce a toxin that is harmful to humans or one that could cause long-term effects. However, exposure can cause: • skin irritation • eye irritation • respiratory symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath. These symptoms resolve within several [...]

Lung cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in Australia. A new Lung Cancer Screening Program is now available to eligible people. Are you aged between 50 and 70 years and: • show no signs or symptoms suggesting you may have lung cancer • currently smoke or have quit smoking in the past 10 years • have a history of tobacco cigarette smoking of at least 30 pack years* *One pack-year is equal to smoking 20 cigarettes (one [...]

The Australian Government has released a National Immunisation Strategy for Australia for the next 5 years. Its mission is to reduce the impact of vaccine-preventable diseases through high uptake of safe, effective and equitable immunisation across a person’s lifespan. The strategy has 6 priority areas. A key priority is to make it easier for people to access vaccines, with a focus on priority populations, such as: • infants and children • pregnant women • older people • people with disability • Aboriginal and Torres Strait [...]

In 2024, it is estimated that about 15,122 Australians were diagnosed with lung cancer and about 8,900 people died from the disease. Large international clinical trials have shown that CT scans can detect up to 70% of lung cancers at early stages and reduce lung cancer mortality by 20%. Are you: • aged between 50-70 years, and • show no signs or symptoms suggesting that you may have lung cancer and • currently smoke or have quit smoking in the past 10 years, and • [...]

In the week ending 27th June 2025, there were 1,268 cases of Flu reported in South Australia with 8,941 cases reported for the year to date. In the same week, there were 458 cases of COVID reported with 6,234 cases reported for the year to date. A total of 32 people have died from COVID this year. Get a free COVID-19 vaccine every: • 6 months if you are aged 75 years or older • 12 months if you’re aged 65 to 74 years (or [...]

Did you know that 1 in 7 people over the age of 50 years have signs of age-related macular degeneration or AMD. This is a chronic disease of the macula which is an area in the central part of the retina at the back of the eye. If your eyes are affected, AMD will cause loss of your central vision, but it will leave your peripheral vision intact. Central vision loss will impact on your ability to watch television, read and recognise faces. AMD is [...]

Regular health checks can help detect problems early and reduce your risk of serious conditions such as stroke, heart disease, and diabetes. Here are four key areas to be aware of: 1. High blood pressure High blood pressure is the most significant known risk factor for stroke. It means your heart has to work harder to pump blood around your body. A reading consistently above 140/90 mmHg is considered high. If you are over 18 years, it is recommended to have a blood pressure check [...]

So far in 2025, there have been 59 cases of measles reported across Australia compared to 57 in the whole of 2024. Ten of this year’s cases have been in children 4 years and younger. This underscores the need for vaccination rates to improve to prevent further outbreaks of this highly contagious disease. Measles is a viral illness that can be spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes and talks. It usually starts with flu-like symptoms which may include: • fever • fatigue • [...]

High blood pressure is known as hypertension. More than 1 in every 3 Australians over the age of 18 has high blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured as millimetres of mercury (written as mmHg). Your blood pressure is considered high if the reading is more than 140/90mmHg. Blood pressure over this level puts you at higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke – also known as cardiovascular disease. This is true whether the first number (systolic) is higher than 140, or the second [...]

This year to date there have already been 2025 cases of influenza notified in South Australia compared with 1469 at the same time last year. The flu vaccine is adjusted each season to protect against new strains of the virus. Delivery of vaccines is timed to ensure South Australians can be vaccinated and protected ahead of the peak months of flu season, usually between June and September. Flu symptoms include a rapid onset of fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, cough, [...]

Falls can lead to serious injuries, including fractures, head injuries and traumatic brain injuries, potentially resulting in long-term disabilities or even death. Every day in South Australia, about 50 older people are admitted to a public hospital after a fall at home or in the community. Maintaining good health is essential for reducing the risk of falls, especially as we age. By focusing on strength, balance, and overall wellbeing, you can stay active and independent while lowering the chances of injury. Good balance is needed [...]

Our clinic is delighted to welcome two new doctors to the team! Dr Nicola Cranwell completed her Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Adelaide in 2016. She has been in General practice since 2019 and has special interests in preventative medicine, women’s and children’s health, palliative care and dermatology. Nicola is also involved in medical education at the University of Adelaide, training third year medical students at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. If you wish to read more about Nicola, click here. Dr [...]

Glaucoma is the name given to a group of eye diseases where vision is lost due to damage to the optic nerve. The resulting vision loss is irreversible. This is usually a gradual loss of sight and a considerable amount of peripheral (side) vision may occur before a person notices the problem. Unfortunately, there is no cure. In Australia, 1 in 50 people will develop glaucoma in their lifetime. 50% of people with glaucoma don’t know they have it. You are 10x more likely to [...]