There have already been 24,019 laboratory-confirmed cases of the flu across Australia so far this year, according to official Department of Health figures. That's up 29 per cent compared to the same time last year. Flu vaccination is recommended every year for anyone aged 6 months of age and over, to reduce the risk of becoming ill with the flu. The best time to vaccinate is in autumn, but flu vaccines can be given at any time during the flu season while the vaccine is [...]

It is estimated by the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare that 48% of Australian adults report at least 2 sleep related problems. Getting enough sleep is crucial for our overall health and wellbeing. While most Australians are meeting national recommendations for how much sleep is required each night, many still experience some form of sleep problem. Poor sleep can seriously affect a person’s quality of life and increase the risk of developing chronic health conditions. It also has a substantial impact on the Australian [...]

The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care has just released guidelines to ensure your ongoing protection against COVID-19 by understanding the latest vaccination recommendations for 2024.  75 years and older Recommended every 6 months.  65-74 years Recommended every 12 months. Can consider every 6 months.  18-64 years With severe immunocompromise: Recommended every 12 months. Can consider every 6 months. Without severe immunocompromise: Consider every 12 months.  5-17 years With severe immunocompromise: Consider every 12 months. Without severe immunocompromise: Not recommended.  Under 5 years Not recommended. As with [...]

Each year in Australia, 1,550 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer according to the Australian Government’s Cancer Australia research findings. The symptoms of ovarian cancer can be vague and similar to other conditions so it is important that women are aware of their own bodies. There is no screening test for ovarian cancer and a Pap smear does not detect ovarian cancer – it screens for cervical cancer. If you experience: Abdominal bloating or increased abdominal size Abdominal or pelvic pain Appetite loss Urinary changes [...]

The latest statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (November 2023) state that the life expectancy of Australian males is 81.2 years and for females is 85.3 years. This is a slight decrease from the period 2019 – 2021. It is also commonly reported that men would rather ignore their health symptoms than see their GP. So, what are the symptoms that men in middle age should see their GP about? Chest pain Blood in urine Shortness of breath Erectile dysfunction Fatigue Dizziness Excessive thirst [...]

As has been reported in the media recently, King Charles will be undergoing ‘corrective surgery for an enlarged prostate’ shortly. The prostate is a gland that sits in the pelvis of males, just below the bladder, and plays a role in semen production. About 1 in 2 people aged over 50 years will have some prostate enlargement. This may result in the following symptoms: difficulty urinating frequency of urination waking at night to urinate  If you have any of these symptoms, it is recommended that [...]

January 31st 2024 is CTE Awareness Day. CTE is a type of dementia in which many repeated injuries to a person’s head can lead to a loss of neurons and their connections over time. It is thought that brain vibration, inflammation, or a person’s genetic profile may play a role in the development of CTE dementia. Athletes in contact or collision sports such as all codes of football, equestrian, boxing, wrestling, basketball and ice-hockey may be at risk of both concussion and repeated head trauma. [...]

Every year, in Australia: skin cancers account for around 80% of all newly diagnosed cancers the majority of skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun the incidence of skin cancer is one of the highest in the world, two to three times the rates in Canada, the US and the UK. The sooner a skin cancer is identified and treated, the better your chance of avoiding surgery or, in the case of a serious melanoma or other skin cancer, potential disfigurement or even [...]

Every three years as part of the Royal Australian of College of General Practitioners Accreditation requirements, our Clinic conducts a patient practice improvement survey. This is organised through an external company called CFEP. In September, 211 patients of the Stirling Central Health Clinic completed the survey. Questions in the survey asked about a range of topics including our provision of clinical care, satisfaction with your consultation, making appointments, after hours care, treatment in the practice, privacy and so on. Overall, 97% of all patient ratings [...]

(Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, National Immunisation program). From 1 November 2023, the shingles vaccine Shingrix® will replace Zostavax® on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for eligible people. A 2-dose course of Shingrix® will be available free for: • people aged 65 years and over • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over • immunocompromised people aged 18 years and over with the following medical conditions: o haemopoietic stem cell transplant o solid organ transplant o haematological malignancy [...]

Recently, a random selection of our patients was selected to complete an anonymous survey on the services provided by our GPs, Practice Nurses, Administrative staff and the clinic generally. An independent company was engaged to develop the survey, collate the data and will shortly be providing a report to the management team. The results will provide the clinic with information on what we do well and where we may need to improve. Once we have received the report, we will make the recommendations public on [...]

Dr Newman trained in Adelaide after graduating in 1986, completing his fellowship qualifications in Internal Medicine in 1994 and in Intensive Care Medicine in 2000. Having practiced in the public and private sectors he now consults at Stirling Central Health Clinic and 344 South Terrace Adelaide. His main interest is diagnostic medicine and management of the complex patient with multiple problems. For more information, click here.

Did you know that more than 1,800 South Australian women are diagnosed with breast and gynaecological cancer each year. That equates to almost 5 South Australian women diagnosed with breast and gynaecological cancer every day. By their 85th birthday, one in seven Australian women will develop breast cancer. Girls Night In is a chance to get your friends together, host an evening and help South Australian women impacted by breast cancer. For more information, click here. If you have any concerns about your health as [...]

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 [...]