September is Prostate Cancer Awareness month. New international research providing evidence of the effectiveness of MRIs in detecting prostate cancer could change the way the way the disease is screened for and help save the lives of more than 3500 Australians every year. A new study from University College London researchers, published in BMJ Oncology, found that more than half of participants who had "serious prostate cancer" recorded a "low" PSA reading. The findings also suggest MRI could be more reliable than the PSA test [...]

Dementia is the second leading cause of death of Australians, and the leading cause of death of Australian women. The focus of Dementia Action Week is to reduce the stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with dementia and their families/carers. As you age, changes may occur in your brain that might affect your memory and thinking. This is normal. You may forget names, appointments, directions or lose things. But if you are concerned, make an appointment to see your GP by booking here or phone [...]

Cancer rates rising in people under 50 years  Globally since the 1990s rates of certain cancers have increased markedly in younger people, prompting researchers to label early-onset cancer as “an emerging global epidemic”. A review of cancer registry data, published last year, found the incidence of 14 cancers – including colorectal, oesophageal, endometrial, gall bladder, kidney and thyroid – in under-50s had increased significantly in the past three decades in Australia, New Zealand, US, England and Wales, Canada and South Korea. Scientists hypothesise that the rise [...]

Strokes are Australia's second single greatest killer, with over 60,000 strokes occurring each year. National Stroke Week encourages the community to get involved, raise money and support the national campaign. For more information click here. How do you know if someone is having a stroke – think FAST: The Stroke Foundation recommends the F.A.S.T. test as an easy way to remember the most common signs of stroke. Using the F.A.S.T. test involves asking these simple questions: Face - Check their face. Has their mouth drooped? Arms - [...]

All adults can get a booster if it’s been 6 months or longer since their last COVID-19 booster or confirmed infection (whichever is most recent) for additional protection against severe illness from COVID. This is particularly recommended for people at higher risk of severe illness, including: everyone 65 years and over everyone 18 years and over with medical comorbidities, disability or complex health needs. Children and young people aged 5 to 17 years can get a booster dose if: they have a health condition that [...]

While the majority of Australians support organ and tissue donation, only around one in three (36%) are registered to be a donor. Can you donate 1 minute to register as a donor? Organ, eye and tissue donation saves lives, restores health and improves the quality of life for thousands of Australians each year. Right now, there are 1,800 Australians waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, and thousands more whose lives could be transformed through organ or tissue donation. To find out more, click here.

Doctors and staff at Stirling Central Health Clinic are encouraging patients who have not had their 5th Booster for COVID-19 as yet to book into the clinics now! Click here for a Pfizer Booster and here for a Moderna Booster now! This is because the latest statistics show that only 38.1% of people in Australia over the age of 65 years have had a COVID-19 booster. This percentage decreases in younger age groups too. The virus remains prevalent in our society evidenced by the fact [...]

June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. Bowel cancer claims the lives of 103 Australians every week (5,354 people a year) - but it's one of the most treatable types of cancer when detected early. While the risk of bowel cancer increases significantly with age, the disease doesn't discriminate, affecting people of all ages.   300 Australians will be diagnosed with bowel cancer this week (15,610 people a year). For more information, click here. If you have any concerns about your bowel health, book an appointment [...]

Flu Vaccinations Available Now! Since the opening of international borders, there has been a resurgence of influenza in the community! This is expected to continue in 2023. Doctors at Stirling Central Health Clinic encourage people to book in now for their annual vaccination to prevent influenza and its complications. Annual influenza vaccination should occur from April onwards to provide protection for the peak of the influenza season, which is generally from June to September in most parts of Australia. For more information, click here To [...]

Kidney Health Week – 21st – 27th May 2023 Kidney Health Week aims to raise awareness about kidney disease in Australia. Kidney disease is the 10th most common cause of death in Australia. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, over 50 people die from kidney related disease every day. Kidney disease can be a serious condition in which the kidney loses part or all of its function. Kidney dysfunction can lead to a build-up of waste water which remains in the body. A consequence [...]

World Hand Hygiene Day – May 5th According to the World Health Organisation, hand hygiene saves millions of lives every year when performed at the right moments during health care delivery. We need to accelerate implementation of the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic and increase investments to close gaps in infection prevention and control, including hand hygiene. All doctors and staff at Stirling Central Health Clinic maintain their education and skills in Hand Hygiene on an annual basis as a strategy in the prevention of [...]

Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) The Australian Government is monitoring the unfolding situation in Australia concerning the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). It has been declared a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance.   Japanese encephalitis is spread through bites from mosquitos, which become infected through biting infected pigs and waterbirds.   Free JEV vaccination is available for the following eligible groups: people aged 2 months and older who have a primary residence in an eligible postcode below AND spend at least 4 hours per day outdoors most days [...]

New COVID-19 testing requirements for people travelling from China to Australia If you’re travelling by plane to Australia from China, including Hong Kong and Macau, on or after 5 January 2023, the Australian Government requires you to undertake a COVID-19 test in the 48 hours before your scheduled departure date.   You should be ready to show evidence of your negative test result when boarding your flight in China. You may also need to show this evidence again when you arrive in Australia.   For [...]

February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month! Around 1,550 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Australia each year, with more than two-thirds at an advanced stage. Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is all about helping people get tested earlier to prevent this as well as providing support to patients and families.   There is no early detection test for ovarian cancer, so all women need to be aware of the symptoms. The most commonly reported symptoms for ovarian cancer are:   Increased abdominal size or persistent [...]

International Day of People with Disability – December 3rd 2022 The Australian Government has been supporting International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) since 1996 and provides funds to promote and raise awareness of the day and support activities around Australia. This includes encouraging individuals, schools, community groups, businesses and organisations to get involved and hold events on, or around, 3 December. The IDPwD program aligns with key action areas under Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-31. This includes improving community awareness by recognising the positive contribution people [...]

Travelling can take a significant toll on the body, leaving it susceptible to a wide variety of potential illnesses. It’s important to seek out travel health advice and the relevant vaccines prior to travelling, to make sure you don’t catch an unwanted bug while abroad. Our doctors can give you all the advice you need before travelling overseas, to avoid coming back with a nasty illness. It’s important to get the right advice before travelling, because it’s not always just about getting the right vaccinations. [...]

Are you jetting off for the holiday season? Wearing a mask. Wearing a mask is a good idea when you travel and can help protect you and those around you. To use a mask properly you should: wash or sanitise your hands before putting it on or taking it off make sure it covers your nose and mouth and fits snugly under your chin avoid touching the front of your mask while wearing or removing it keep it in place – don't hang it around your neck [...]

Meet our Speech Pathologist - Rebecca Cowling, BSpPath Rebecca Cowling is a certified practicing speech pathologist and has been in private practice in the Adelaide Hills and Murraylands since 2007. Rebecca provides a speech pathology service for children specializing in school age and adolescents and can assess, diagnose and provide therapy for a wide range of communication difficulties, including: Speech delays and disorders Language delays and disorders Literacy difficulties Alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) Tongue thrust swallow and feeding Rebecca is a Medicare provider and [...]