Dr Alison Soerensen in Mandurah, Western Australia | Family doctor

Dr Alison Soerensen

Locality: Mandurah, Western Australia

Phone: +61 8 9535 1166

Address: Murray Medical Centre, 34-36 Minilya Parkway 6210 Mandurah, WA, Australia

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25.01.2022 Or perhaps not, because it’s a public holiday!! If you have a medical concern that can’t wait until MMC is open on Tuesday, you’ll find me on public holiday duty tomorrow 9-1 Private after hours billings for all consults. Medicare rebates available. ... Appointments can be booked by ringing the rooms tomorrow morning on 95351166. Online bookings will open tomorrow too.

24.01.2022 It’s my turn again Tomorrow you’ll find me at MMC providing after hours medical care for any issues that can’t wait until Monday! Please note, private after hours rates apply for all patients and consults. ... For more details, see the MMC website: http://www.mmcmandurah.com.au/appointments.html

24.01.2022 (Since we don’t live in the US!) - your GP wants you to know this stuff too

24.01.2022 Well... I survived my first week of doubled consulting hours!! And it just so happens that it’s my turn to work a Saturday this weekend, so if you’ve got a health issue that can’t wait until next week, feel free to book online on HotDoc or by calling the rooms on 95351166. (*Private billing applies) Next week I’m working Monday/Friday as usual but only the evening session on Wednesday due to an extracurricular commitment. I’ll also be covering Thursday evening when our r...egular evening doctor is on leave! Please let me know if you’re having difficulty getting in to see me. I think my on the day appointments seem to be at about the right level - enough availability to accommodate short-notice issues but not too much that I’m sitting around twiddling my thumbs!

24.01.2022 Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. There are a number of serogroups and five of these most commonly cause disease in people - A, B, C, W & Y. Invasive disease mainly occurs in the form of sepsis and/or meningitis (infection of the blood stream and/or the lining of the brain). It is a rare but devastating disease with both a high rate of death and complications amongst survivors. Australian children have been immunised against meningococ...cal C since the vaccine was added to the National Immunisation Program in 2003. Subsequently we saw a significant reduction in the incidence of meningococcal disease caused by serogroup C. In 2018, the vaccine on the NIP was changed from a meningococcal C vaccine to an ACWY vaccine at 12 months for all Australian children. This reflected an increase in the number of cases caused by serogroups W & Y. In July 2020, meningococcal B vaccination was added to the NIP for Indigenous children at 2, 4 & 12 months due to rates of the disease being 3-4 times higher compared with non-Indigenous children. Both the meningococcal ACWY and B vaccines can be given as early as 6 weeks of age - this offers earlier protection for the highest risk age groups (highest incidence in children less than 2yo and highest in the 3-5 month age bracket). The next most commonly affected age group is adolescents. Depending on the age you choose to start, a healthy child will require 2-3 doses of each vaccine (the government funded ACWY vaccine at 12 months counts as one dose). ACWY vaccines are ~$50-80/dose and B vaccines $100-130/dose. For more information, see the immunisation handbook https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au//meningococcal- To discuss your child’s circumstances, please see your GP

24.01.2022 We often look to find the meaning in life events... we feel guilty - it must have been something I did. It wasn’t. It isn’t your fault. ... Be kind to yourself.

24.01.2022 This is one of the reasons why I run late... because when someone chooses today to open up about their deepest fear/worry/regret, giving them the time and space to be seen... to be heard... that’s where healing begins.

23.01.2022 Serious health issues often arise unexpectedly. Unfortunately, over the past 48hrs, I’ve found myself on the other side of the consultation. Thanks to some clever ED colleagues, my unusual symptoms were accurately diagnosed (sometimes when you hear hoofbeats, it really is a ). I am now home, on the right treatment and I have a great GP and non-GP specialist keeping an eye on me. I’ve been instructed I need to take it easy for the next two weeks so reluctantly, I’ve closed ...my books. I feel irrationally guilty about taking a step back at such short notice but I respect the advice of my treating team. For those with appointments already booked, reception will be contacting you to reschedule, either with one of my excellent colleagues or me on my return. If you need to get hold of me urgently, please contact reception and they’ll relay a message.

23.01.2022 It’s World Family Doctor Day! An opportunity to highlight the role and contribution of family doctors to our healthcare system. I hope I don’t need to explain to the followers on this page the value of a good family doctor ()... But it always amazes me when people think GPs just do scripts, sick notes and cervical screening tests! ... Flashback to a blonder, fresher-faced version of me three years ago

23.01.2022 Women develop their infant feeding expectations by watching the people around them. - Breastfeeding Management in Australia, published by the Australian Breastfeeding Association I have breastfed all my babies in public and I encourage all my patients to feel confident to do the same. Why?... Well, firstly, your have a right to feed your baby wherever and whenever you choose. In Australia you are legally protected from being discriminated against on the basis of breastfeeding. But secondly, you never know how the simple act of breastfeeding your child in public may empower another mother to do the same. Small acts create cultural change.

23.01.2022 Spoiled with a delicious takeaway breakfast from Mataya for Mother’s Day. Parenting hack #271 - chocolate shavings on the high chair tray will entertain a toddler long enough to enjoy your breakfast and makes for excellent pincer grip practice Wishing all my mums a very happy Mother’s Day and thinking of those that may find today hard.

23.01.2022 It’s that crazy time of year again where there are LOTS of public holidays. MMC will be closed on Christmas Day but for all the other public holidays (Sat Dec 26, Mon Dec 28, Fri Jan 1) we will have a doctor available for urgent after hours care. If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself in need of medical attention on Monday or Friday next week, you’ll find me in the rooms both days. ... After hours rates apply to all consults - Medicare rebates available. The rooms will be open as usual Tues/Wed/Thurs next week.

23.01.2022 Hello and thank you for visiting my page. I’m Dr Alison Soerensen, a locally trained GP at Murray Medical Centre in Mandurah, Western Australia. I am a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and a graduate of the University of WA. I completed my Diploma of Breastfeeding Management with the Australian Breastfeeding Association in 2018 and have been awarded a Diploma in Child Health from the Sydney Children’s Hospital. I chose to specialise in General ...Practice because I believe good primary care is the foundation of a healthy society. I enjoy building long term relationships with my patients and understanding their individual needs and goals. I have special interests in women’s health, paediatrics, infant sleep and breastfeeding medicine. The views expressed on this page are my own and do not reflect the views of the practice/committees/boards that I am a member of. I am unable to provide individual medical advice via social media but hope to generate discussion through sharing relevant posts. If you wish to discuss your health, please feel free to make an appointment on 0895351166 or online at https://www.hotdoc.com.au//murray/doctors/alison-soerensen

23.01.2022 What a great pictorial demonstrating what feeding on demand might look like, and acknowledgement of how the advice in hospital may not be the best strategy long term. Scheduled feeding may work for some dyads but it can also cause a myriad of problems... low supply... blocked ducts... mastitis... weight gain issues in baby etc When in doubt, follow your baby’s lead

22.01.2022 Confused about COVID? When you book an appointment at MMC, online or over the phone, you’ll be asked if you have any symptoms that may be COVID related. Whilst the risk of COVID in WA is low, it isn’t no risk. We will only know it’s in the community after the first person’s swab comes back positive. ... With this in mind, if you have symptoms that may be consistent with COVID, we are able to offer you a telehealth consult and arrange a COVID swab at one of the local drive through clinics. Results are coming back within 24hrs which in most cases is an acceptable delay to in-person clinical exam if warranted. Equally, if during your telehealth consult there are signs or symptoms of concern that warrant review prior to a swab result, the GP can arrange earlier review with appropriate protective equipment. Please be honest about your symptoms so I can protect myself and my other patients. If in doubt, just ask

21.01.2022 Starting Solids - it can be an exciting, challenging (and sometimes terrifying!) transition. Purées or ‘Baby-led-weaning’ Both?... Rice cereal or fruit & veggie purée? Or an mashed/puréed version of what the family is eating? Store bought or home made? A bit of both? Bland or flavourful? So many decisions!! Transitioning from a ‘sucked’ liquid diet to solid family foods is a long process. Learning to use their tongue to move food around their mouth, and their teeth to bite and chew aren’t skills learned overnight. Sometimes problems arise when parents well-meaningly attempt to transition their baby to textures that they aren’t developmentally ready for. This website summarises the normal developmental phases babies go through to learn to eat. It might seem simple but it’s really complex! https://sosapproachtofeeding.com/developmental-milestones-/ If you’re concerned about how your baby is transitioning to solids, speak with your GP or child health nurse - if concerns persist, they can arrange a paediatric speech and language therapist review.

21.01.2022 Miscarriages don’t just happen to women - Partners experience grief and loss too. There are resources to help. Speak to your GP

20.01.2022 Such a warm fuzzy feeling when one of your little patients includes you in their family portrait

20.01.2022 It’s been a somewhat chaotic return to work this past week or so - I’ve been running exceptionally late as I’ve tried to catch up on all my patients who opted to wait for my return, while also trying to fit in my regular patients with acute medical problems! I’m incredibly grateful to the wonderful admin team at MMC who have been frequently hovering outside my door waiting to ply me with coffee and food When I doubled my hours two months ago, I didn’t expect to end up... back to a 5-7 day wait for a standard appointment I’m trying to get the balance right with on-the-day availability so please bear with me! As most of you would know, I have a special interest is lactation medicine as well as the fourth trimester (the first ~4 months of a baby’s life). Problems that arise in lactating women and little babies often can’t wait 5-7 days and frequently need more than a 15 minute on-the-day slot. In addition social media seems to be generating a lot of word-of-mouth referrals on top of increasing requests for medical review from local child health services. In an effort to meet this need (without running horrendously late!!), starting next week I’m experimenting with putting aside some consult time each working day that will preferentially be available for this patient cohort. In the event these appointments aren’t filled, they will release ‘on-the-day’ as extra appointments available to all patients. If you are a breastfeeding mum or have a baby <4 months with an acute issue that can’t wait until my next available appointment, please flag it with reception and I’ll do my best to see you promptly.

19.01.2022 Accreditation Provider Number Ready, set, GO!!! You’ll find me practicing Lactation Medicine at One For Women South (Murdoch) every second Thursday, starting tomorrow, October 1. ... Women can self refer but I’m equally happy to accept referrals from colleagues. Appointments can be made by calling OFW on 93280500. Private billing with Medicare rebates.

19.01.2022 Ahhh school holidays... when you don’t have school pick ups and drop offs to worry about... but you have to juggle the kids in a different way! As a result, my hours will be temporarily different for the next two weeks! Week 1 ... Tuesday/Thursday 8-4 Saturday 8.30-3.30 (**Private billing**) Week 2 Tues/Thurs 12.30-4 On the day appointments available via HotDoc from midnight or ringing MMC reception on 95351166 first thing in the morning. If you’re lucky enough to be going away, enjoy the break and stay safe!

18.01.2022 I’m on (again!) this Saturday at MMC (And yes, I do occasionally have a life outside of work ) On the day appointments will be available with me and my colleagues from midnight via HotDoc or by calling the rooms tomorrow from 8am.

18.01.2022 As a GP with an interest in mums and bubs, I see LOTS of baby ... photos of ... nappies with one-we-prepared-earlier ... sometimes I even get to wear baby So perhaps unsurprisingly, I found this paper really interesting! ... Lots of mums worry about mucous in their baby’s , but it turns out, that it’s an incredibly NORMAL finding in breastfeeding babies (>50% of normal breastfeeding babies in this study had mucous-y !). The wide colour range was pretty impressive too So, if you’ve got a question about , you know where to turn

18.01.2022 Woken up with *tinsel-itis*? You’re in luck! You’ll find me at MMC this morning ... Appointments can be made online at HotDoc https://www.hotdoc.com.au//m/doctors/dr-alison-soerensen-1 Or by calling our reception team on 95351166. Private billing applies to all patient appointments today - Medicare rebates available.

18.01.2022 Babies don’t come with instruction manuals (unfortunately!!). I see a lot of normal newborn behaviour ‘pathologised’ and vulnerable parents recommended a range of treatments with little evidence of benefit and at times with significant (undisclosed) risk of harm. With increasing social isolation and distance from our villages, social media and Google are rapidly becoming sources that parents turn to for advice, with no meaningful way to sort the wheat from the chaff. ... My 2 cents... if crowd-sourcing advice at 2am helps, go for it. But then make sure you have a trusted health professional who can help you critically assess this information and determine if it applies to you and your baby. There is no such thing as a stupid question. Ever.

17.01.2022 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage. It’s a staggering statistic and one that can be hard to fathom as women and their partners often grieve in silence. There is no right way to feel after experiencing a miscarriage but you don’t have to do it alone. Your GP can walk beside you and there are groups like Pink Elephants that offer support to people affected by pregnancy loss. https://m.facebook.com/pinkelephantssupport/

17.01.2022 I’m taking a few days by the beach to reconnect with my small humans so I won’t be in the rooms this Friday. (If you have an appt today, yes I’m in ) My lovely colleagues at MMC are ready and willing to provide care in my absence otherwise I’m back on deck on Monday!

16.01.2022 So what do I do on my day off? Bring the baby into work for a meningococcal B vaccination of course Poor chicken is overly familiar with this treatment bay #mymumsadoctor There are a number of vaccines that aren’t on the Australian Immunisation Schedule but are recommended for children. Over the next few days I’ll share details about the various vaccine preventable diseases that you may wish to immunise your child against.

16.01.2022 Constipation is really common, affecting a third of children. It often occurs around transitions - starting solids, toilet training, starting daycare or moving rooms, starting school. Sometimes the signs are subtle. Abdominal pain. Recurrent UTIs.... Faecal soiling. Passing large stools (did that man-size really just come out of my toddler!!?) Children are clever. When something hurts them (i.e. passing a large, hard stool), they try to avoid it in future. But when it comes to constipation, this feeds in to a negative feedback loop. Hurts to poop >>> avoid passing stool >>> faeces backs up, dilating rectum, getting hard >>> can no longer avoid pooping and when they do, it hurts... etc When the problem has been going on a while, treatment is rarely quick. But it is possible to achieve resolution through a combination of medication, behaviour modification and sometimes dietary modification over a period of weeks to months (and sometimes years!). If you need help with your child’s (or your own!) -ing problems, see your GP. Image @charlesdeluvio

16.01.2022 A great piece by Dr Briony Andrew about the immature guts of newborn babies, the physiology behind their behaviour and some conservative management tips. It’s common to see normal newborn behaviour pathologised and interventions recommended, when in most cases, time and parental support is all that is needed. If in doubt, see a trusted health professional for a thorough history and examination.

16.01.2022 Exciting News!! As of September 7, my hours at MMC will be increasing. I’ll be working Monday & Friday (9-4.30), plus I’ll be available all day Wednesday, including a late session from 6-8pm for those who find it easier to come in after work! ... I’m hoping the extended hours will make it easier for everyone... those who want to be seen after work... my families with school-age children who want an appointment after school... and really anyone who likes to be seen without waiting 2-3 weeks #nomore3weekwait

14.01.2022 This is what being a general practitioner means to me. Coming up on six years into the journey with many of my patients in Mandurah. I can’t watch it without tearing up Proud to be a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners RACGP

14.01.2022 It was brought to my attention by a patient today that Infants Friend has been recalled by the TGA over unacceptable levels of chloroform (see link). If you have been using the affected product and have concerns about your baby, please see your GP. Please share with your friends and family.

14.01.2022 Naw Little people are just the best!

13.01.2022 It’s a lactation medicine, One For Women kind-of-day! Mums and babies and boobs - all my favorites!! And the cherry on the cake? A coffee from my favourite cafe next door at FSH You know they do the best coffee when the line is 10+ health professionals deep!

13.01.2022 Tomorrow I’m the rostered doctor on at MMC to handle your urgent medical issues that can’t wait for usual office hours. Appointments can be made online anytime or from 9am tomorrow by calling 95351166. Please be aware that as it is a Sunday, all consults are privately billed at the after hours rates as per the MMC website.

13.01.2022 As a GP, I often sit with my patients on the worst day of their life... cancer diagnosis... loss of a pregnancy... breakdown of a relationship. Sometimes I feel helpless. I can’t control the situation. I don’t have a magic pill. All I can do is offer to walk beside them in their grief. And then sometimes, I‘m privileged to be there when the sun breaks through the clouds. They beat cancer. Their rainbow baby arrives. They find love again.... Forever grateful to be #justaGP

13.01.2022 Saying goodbye can be really challenging for toddlers (and parents!) Tears and tantrums may leave you wracked with guilt about leaving your child but understand that it’s a fairly common (and normal!) developmental stage. As children learn that their parents will come back, they feel more secure and goodbyes get easier. ... Some tips: - Talk to your toddler about what’s happening. Usually their receptive language (what they understand) is greater than their expressive (what they can say). - Tell them when you’re coming back (I’ll see you after lunch/before dinner - Tell you’re toddler that you’re leaving. It might seem counterintuitive at the beginning but it will help them feel more secure in the long run. - Transitional objects can also be useful - having access to a loved toy or blankie from home. With all of the above in mind, if anyone has any tips with helping your toddler cope with the devastation of the #thermomix being sent away for a service... I’m all ears!

13.01.2022 You might have heard in the media that a new study has come out proclaiming that there is no safe level of caffeine in pregnancy. Before you go cold turkey on caffeine or start feeling anxious about having damaged your unborn child, consider that there are varying levels of ‘evidence’ - Dr Shavi has written a great summary.

12.01.2022 A really interesting breastfeeding study utilising MRI to assess suck and swallow from Mills et al has recently been made available via open access https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/lio2.397 Those who’ve been seeing me for breastfeeding support have probably heard me talk about it already because I was fortunate enough to hear Nikki Mills speak about her then-unpublished work at an Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine conference. So what pearls has this work given... to those of us practicing lactation medicine? Well I see lots of mums who‘be been told their baby must evert their upper lip to breastfeed - it simply isn’t true and now we have some fancy pics to prove it ! In this study of 11 normal dyads, 8 babies had a neutral upper lip while only 2 had an everted one! (One couldn’t be determined). So cool!

12.01.2022 A beautiful new piece of artwork has made itself at home in my office today - Mother’s Devotion from Djarnda Art Isn’t it amazing!!?

12.01.2022 Starting tomorrow, my days and hours are changing. My new regular hours will be Monday & Friday 0900-1630 plus Wednesday 0900-2000. My colleagues and I share the weekend roster to provide after hours care to our patients and the wider community, so sometimes you’ll see me rostered to work a Saturday or Sunday too. With regards to my fees, weekdays between 0800-1800: - Children <16 are bulk billed. - Health care card holders and pensioners are charged a reduced private fee. ... - Everyone else pays a private fee. Medicare rebates can be processed by reception immediately following payment. All consults, for all patients on weekends and after 6pm on weekdays are privately billed. Details on fees can be accessed on the MMC website or by speaking with our friendly reception team. ‘On the day’ appointments are available for acute issues. They become available after midnight on HotDoc for patients to book directly. Any remaining spots can be booked by calling reception when phone lines open at 8am. If you miss out on one of these appointments and you’re a regular patient of mine with an urgent issue, please flag it with reception. I do my best to fit patients in if it’s urgent, particularly women with breastfeeding issues and unwell babies. And lastly, if you no longer need your appointment, please give us as much notice as possible so we can offer it to somebody else. Fees may apply if you do not attend or cancel with less than 2hrs notice.

12.01.2022 In early 2019, I heard about an amazing new obstetric service that was opening in Midland called One For Women. Their model - provide holistic, team based, pregnancy and post partum care at an affordable price point. OFW brought together a skilled group of specialist GPs, OBGYNs, midwives, child health nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, dieticians and lactation consultants, all under one roof. Unlike other services that discharge mothers and babies at 6 weeks post part...um, OFW recognized the importance of nurturing new families right through until the end of the ‘fourth trimester’. Through collaboration, the team at OFW have achieved amazing results and as such the model has been resoundingly popular with patients. Over the past 18 months, OFW have expanded their services and now have rooms at Joondalup Health Campus, St John of God Mt Lawley and St John of God Murdoch. With growth comes opportunity and as such, I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve been invited to join the team at OFW South (Murdoch). GPs with expertise in breastfeeding medicine bring a highly valuable skill set, particularly for dyads with complex breastfeeding issues and/or co-existing medical problems. I’m so excited to work with the team at OFW and in particular, my friend and mentor, Dr Marnie Rowan (GP/IBCLC) to help more women meet their breastfeeding goals. (Now before anyone starts panicking, No! I’m not leaving MMC! In fact, from next week you’ll (hopefully!) notice my increased availability when my GP consulting hours return to pre-maternity leave levels )

11.01.2022 It’s #crazysocks4docs day - an event that raises awareness of doctors mental health. My heart breaks for my medical colleagues around the world who are suffering, mentally and physically, losing their lives on both fronts, as they fight COVID19. So, wear your crazy socks today. Post and share on social media. Doctors are human too.

11.01.2022 It’s dress up day at school - ‘Come as your COVID Superhero’. I suspect she was thinking she’d go as a doctor, rather than as her mum... But I reckon the heroes of the past few months are actually the mums, dads and carers who have worked their bums off trying to maintain some sense of normalcy and calm in their children’s lives at a time when the world has felt anything but stable.

10.01.2022 Being a mum can be a useful adjunct to being a GP... for example you’re cool enough to be able to hold a conversation about beanie boos My girls reckon this is the best gift I’ve gotten all year

10.01.2022 A few people have commented that my appointment books have blown out... sorry!!! I’m having a few days off this week which has contributed to the back log I’m in the rooms tomorrow then back again as usual next Tuesday 18/8. Also as usual, the rooms can get hold of me if needed otherwise my colleagues will take good care of you in my absence. ... And watch this space as I expect to have some good news with regards to availability soon

10.01.2022 If you have an urgent health issue that requires attention, you’ll find me at MMC from 9-1 tomorrow. Appointments available on 95351166. Private after hours fees apply.

07.01.2022 No one ever told me... is this normal? Through pregnancy you may go to breastfeeding classes and ‘bringing baby home’ classes, but it’s not uncommon for women to get very little information about what to expect when it comes to their own body post partum. Women are often encouraged to write a birth plan but rarely do you hear about postpartum plans. ... At times it can seem like once the baby is born, it’s all about them - the woman is just the baby’s ‘mum.’ Prof Alison Stuebe, a passionate O&G and advocate for ‘Fourth Trimester’ care for women says many of our current models of care can leave women feeling like the discarded candy wrapper. www.newmomhealth.com has some excellent resources for post partum women. As a GP IBCLC, I feel fortunate to be skilled and well placed to support women through this period.

06.01.2022 It’s World Breastfeeding Week 2020 This year’s theme is Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet and calls on governments to protect and promote women’s access to skilled breastfeeding counseling. Breastfeeding might be natural but it isn’t always easy. As a GP, I’m fortunate to be able to support women through their breastfeeding journey from pregnancy to the early post partum period and to the months and years beyond. ... #WBW2020

06.01.2022 I see so much of this... parents trying to do their best, following misinformed advice to put their baby on a routine and unintentionally sabotaging their breastfeeding relationship. You need to stretch their feeds. Your baby should be taking 150mL per feed. You need to stop them snacking.... That baby is using you as a dummy. Your baby is manipulating you. They are all things I’ve heard in the course of caring for babies and their parents. My advice? Feed your baby on demand. Find someone who understands the physiology of breastfeeding and normal infant behavior to support you.

06.01.2022 A beautiful reminder during this particularly challenging time.

06.01.2022 I see lots of women who feel unhappy with their post baby bodies. The pre-kid routines of flawless hair, body and make up rarely survive the first few years of raising small humans... heck, a four hour block of sleep, a shower alone and a hot cup tea suddenly seem like a luxury. When you’re feeling insecure, avoiding having your picture taken comes naturally, but I implore you, don’t miss out on the opportunity to capture memories of you with your babies. Those pictures will mean so much to all of you in the decades to come. K Etherington Photography

06.01.2022 I suppose my pasta gets the tick of approval Toddlers develop the necessary fine motor skills they need to feed themselves by playing and experimenting with food. If mess stresses you out, try putting down a drop cloth (cheap shower curtains work a treat!), feed them outside or get a golden retriever

06.01.2022 Kids fussy about eating their ? - Involving them in your grocery shop , - Getting them to help you prepare them - Or growing and harvesting your own... are all ways you may encourage them to explore new tastes and textures! FYI - Miss 4 highly recommenda tomatoes at sun temperature

05.01.2022 What do woolen jumpers, heaters and viral illnesses all have in common? They can all trigger eczema flares! Eczema is a common condition in infancy and childhood which requires avoidance of triggers, maintaining an effective skin barrier through frequent moisturizing and appropriate treatment of flares with steroids +\-antibiotics +\- wet dressings +\- bleach baths. Avoid putting food based products on broken skin as there is increasing concern that this may lead to the deve...lopment of food allergies. Eczema management plans can help parents take control of their child’s eczema. See your GP if things are getting out of hand.

05.01.2022 Apologies in advance - my availability will be a bit crappy next week! I’m not rostered on the Monday public holiday and I’m only in for the evening next Wednesday instead of my usual session . Stay safe this long weekend and I’ll see you on the other side! If you have something that can’t wait, why not try out one of my clever colleagues at MMC?

04.01.2022 There is lots of misinformation around about normal infant sleep. Parents often worry if their baby is getting enough sleep, if they are doing something ‘wrong’ because their baby isn’t ‘sleeping through.’ The www.basisonline.org.uk website offers evidence based information to help parents make choices around where their baby might sleep and how to support healthy infant sleep, feeding and attachment.

04.01.2022 Phew!!! After-hours sessions can be so variable. Some days it’s quiet and others are anything but...!! You can guess what today was like Tomorrow I’m out of the office - I’ll be brushing up my emergency medicine skills instead ... I’m back in the rooms Wednesday & Friday this week. It was looking fairly choc-a-block () when I cast my eyes over the bookings this afternoon. As usual there will be on the day appointments for urgent issues.

03.01.2022 When the cause of your coffee habit is obsessed with trying to take it And in that vein... Did you know that it’s common for 1-3 year olds to still wake at night? (Note that normal doesn’t = fun ) There can be underlying medical issues that predispose to frequent night wakings as well as some simple tweaks to your sleep routine that might improve things, so consider a review with your GP if you’re concerned

03.01.2022 It feels very official when you make it on the website newest GP IBCLC at One For Women

03.01.2022 Are you *still* breastfeeding? It can feel like a really loaded question. In my office, it isn’t (and I try to word it differently!) ... There is no judgement. Your body, your baby, your choice. Knowing if you’re breastfeeding is relevant to decisions doctors make about your healthcare, particularly with regards to drug choices and timing of operations. Not all doctors are as educated/passionate/supportive of breastfeeding, so if I need to refer a patient somewhere, I want them to know I have their back and will advocate and support them in navigating decisions that might impact their breastfeeding relationship. Lots of women tell me in the early days that their goal is to get to 12 months of breastfeeding. (Which is awesome!) But plenty of those who reach this milestone realise that the baby they were breastfeeding at 364 days postpartum isn’t very different at 366 days. So please, don’t ever feel like you can’t tell me. You - Ummm does it matter that I’m *still* breastfeeding? Me - Ahh yes! Because now I need to give you a high five!

03.01.2022 For anyone who’s feeling overwhelmed... just take it one step at a time.

03.01.2022 Varicella Zoster, commonly known as Chicken Pox, is a highly contagious viral illness. The varicella vaccine was added to the National immunisation Program in 2005. Prior to this, there were ~240,000 cases of varicella per year in Australia, 1:150 would require hospitalization and 7-8 children would die. At present, Australian children receive a dose of varicella vaccine at 18 months in the combination MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella). In a US study, a single dose ...is 80-85% effective at preventing any disease and 95-98% effective at preventing severe disease. This means that there’s a 1.5-2/10 chance that if your immunised child is exposed to a case of chicken pox, they may still become unwell. By giving a second dose of varicella vaccine, you can reduce the risk of breakthrough varicella (= varicella in an immunized child) to <5%. This may be particularly important for families who work and use daycare, as chicken pox requires children to be isolated until all lesions crust over (~5-10 days). Chicken pox can also be very dangerous to pregnant women and newborns so this can be another reason you may wish to reduce your risk of an older child/sibling being infected and bringing it home. Depending on the brand of varicella vaccine, it can be given as early as 9-12 months. There must be 4 weeks between doses of live vaccines and you need a minimum of 4 weeks between the two doses of varicella vaccine for appropriate effect. The private cost of the vaccine is ~$60-80 and you may be eligible for a partial rebate from your private health insurance. For more information, please see the Australian Immunisation Handbook https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au//varicella-chic and to discuss specifics with regards to your child, please see your GP.

02.01.2022 Monday - ED Doctor Tuesday - ED Doctor Wednesday - GP Thursday - Duck Doctor?? ... Our family welcomed some fluffy new members this week - *six* cute ducklings!! This little guy got a bit stuff in his eggshell and has splayed legs. So today, on my day off, I’m putting my splinting skills to work in the hope we can bring them back into alignment! (Yes I googled how to splint my duckling’s legs... and yes... my vet likes to know when I’ve been googling, just like me with my patients ) So what do you think? Should Friday be, bring-your-duckling-to-work-day?

02.01.2022 Well that’s a bit cool!

02.01.2022 Having a baby is something people often assume will happen quickly and easily, but ~1 in 6 Australian couples will have difficulty conceiving. If you’re trying to fall pregnant but haven’t been successful, your GP is a great place to start. We can review your general health, your gynecological and obstetric history and identify barriers to conception. ... Depending on your age, medical issues and how long you’ve been trying, we may arrange some investigations like those discussed in the video and refer you on to specialists like Dr Fiona Langdon at Fertility Specialists of Western Australia.

02.01.2022 Exciting news to share... The results are in... as of 1/1/21, I’m officially an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) As a GP with an interest in maternal and infant health and breastfeeding, the IBCLC certification is recognition of my additional knowledge and skill set in these areas. ... As a GP IBCLC I offer mothers and babies, (especially those with complex health issues) access to holistic, continuity of care that balances their feeding goals with their medical and psychosocial needs. So whether you’re pregnant and anxious about potential breastfeeding issues, expressing for a premature baby, having issues with a fussy newborn, need support juggling breastfeeding with returning to work or you just need a safe space to discuss your health issues with a doctor who won’t judge you for *still* breastfeeding your 12/18/24/36/48 month old - my door is open. For breastfeeding consults regarding infants <4 months old, I strongly encourage you to ring reception at MMC to book. Please let them know it’s lactation related so enough time is put aside. (Of course you’re also welcome to come see me at OFW South @ SJOG Murdoch - booking appointments are somewhat less complicated at OFW as I’m only doing lactation medicine sessions ).

02.01.2022 It breaks my heart to know that this practice, Woodbridge Womens Clinic and its patients are under threat. I became a GP because of the amazing experiences I had as a 4th year medical student, learning under the supervision of Dr Wood and Dr Bouverie. They epitomise excellence in primary care - they are the benchmark that I aspire to measure up to. Please consider signing this petition, demanding the new corporate owners keep the practice open.

02.01.2022 Mid year means Kindy Child Health Check results are out and I start to get referrals to review children who have been identified to have high BMIs. It probably comes as no surprise, that a phone call advising you that your child may be above a healthy weight can be very triggering as a parent, particularly if you previously had no concerns. So how concerned should you be and what is the next step?... BMI stands for body mass index and whilst used as a measure of body fatness, it is actually a measure of weight to height. BMI can’t distinguish between body fatness, muscle mass and skeletal mass - as an example, adult body builders often have BMIs in the overweight or obese BMI range despite very low body fat due to their high muscle mass! So first of all, deep breaths! Kindy Health Checks are a screening tool - they aren’t diagnostic. And they are only a snap shot in time. The goal is to pick up POTENTIAL issues so that where appropriate, early intervention can be arranged. So my advice - make an appointment with your GP and take your purple book. If you see me, I’ll plot your child’s weight, height and BMI from birth to now. We’ll discuss parental and sibling build/growth. We’ll talk about your child’s eating habits and their activity levels. We will consider if there’s a potential disease process that needs investigation. We will NOT talk about them being fat/big/overweight/obese. We will NOT talk about good and bad foods. And most importantly, we will decide TOGETHER whether any intervention is needed and then plan to review their growth in 3-6 months time. We’ve got this xx

02.01.2022 Tomorrow marks my return to MMC after an unexpected health issue saw me sidelined for a fortnight. I’m incredibly grateful for all the well wishes from friends, colleagues and patients over the past two weeks. I can’t say I’ve enjoyed being on the other side of the consult, but I’m grateful for the excellent care I’ve received. I’m very heavily booked this week as I catch up on all the rescheduled patients who opted to wait for me rather than see a colleague. ... I’m hopeful that by next week, I’ll be back to my usual capacity to offer on the day appointments for acute issues. Thank you for your ongoing patience!

02.01.2022 The Australian Breastfeeding Association is Australia’s largest breastfeeding information and support service. For $70/year ($55 for concession) you get access to many great benefits including half price pump hire, access to a email counseling by trained ABA counselors and member only classes. Membership also allows you to connect with other mothers through ABA support groups - I met some of my closest mum friends through my local ABA group 7 years ago! Over the next year, the ABA will be running 4 member-only breastfeeding education classes in Mandurah. Antenatal breastfeeding education has been shown to increase your chances of meeting your feeding goals, so if you’re having a baby, check it out

01.01.2022 PMDD is a really important diagnosis to be aware of - help is available!

01.01.2022 The days are long but the years are short... some days it seems that you only blinked and the baby girl you welcomed into the world now stands before you, a budding ‘tween.’ Whilst I’m in no hurry to see my little girls grow up, as a GP, I’m very aware that some girls start their transition into puberty earlier than others. The average age of menarche in Australia is ~12-13yo but it can occur normally in girls as young as 9. ... If your daughter is showing early signs of puberty (breast buds, pubic hair), you may like to consider discussing what to expect with her first period. If this feels outside of your comfort zone, consider getting some help from your GP. (And if you’re worried it’s happening too early, please see your GP too!) Another great idea I recommend to my parents of tweens is to put together a period pack - something she can carry in her bag to school. You need something large enough to hold everything she would need (pads +/- water wipes +\- period underwear (best invention ever!) + a ziploc bag) but small enough to be carried without drawing unwanted attention. A small pencil case may fit the bill. Even if your daughter doesn’t experience her first period at school, having the pack may mean that she can help a peer who gets caught out. Periods don’t need to be shameful or stigmatizing. Prepare your daughters. Talk to them.

01.01.2022 Impulsivity is a trait that causes problems for a lot of kids and adults. Teaching our kids constructive ways of dealing with their big feelings is a really important job as a parent. It’s a work in progress in this house (as the four year old tantrums about the unfairness or having to wear shoes... again!!)