Dr Stephen Bradford in Lenah Valley | Medical and health

Dr Stephen Bradford

Locality: Lenah Valley

Phone: +61 3 6228 3331

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• Medical and health
• Obstetrician-gynaecologist

25.01.2022 As the country returns to a new normal I would like to reflect upon the last few months. One of the follies I have observed is that telehealth has been promoted as equivalent to face-to-face clinical reviews. Many politicians and indeed, doctors, have been promoting this idea. We at Hobart OBGYN have tried to limit telehealth consultations and instead altered the way the practice functioned. Some of the measures we instigated include but have not been limited to spiltting... into two teams of doctors, midwives and administration staff and prolonging our working days to facilitate increased gaps between patients and to limit the amount of people in the rooms at any one time. Patients have been screened upon entering the facility. We have limited partner involvement (very much against our instincts), we have installed perspex screens for staff safety and we have employed extra cleaning staff. In the practice of obstetrics and gynaecology we almost always examine and/or scan our patients. It is vital, for example, that we monitor growth of a fetus. This can only be done with ultrasound scanning. Further, many of our patients are sometimes anxious in regards to their pregnancy or gynaecological condition. This has possibly been the case even more so over the last few months. Face-to-face meetings tell the doctor so much more about the patient than you could garner with a phone or video call. I know that many of our patients have been very appreciative that we have had this approach. The doctors and our other clinicians (Jane Barker, Janet Frazer and Pip Cannan) have been very appreciative of our administration and nursing staff who have organised what we have deemed to be an extremely safe working environment. Going forward we will use Telehealth for conveying of some results, and as deemed appropriate for individual consultations. At Hobart OBGYN we will always take the safety and health of our patients and staff seriously. With this in mind, we will continue to see our patients face to face with many of the above measures still in place. The practice hours will, however, begin to revert back to the way they were. I would like to thank everyone in the practice including all the patients and staff for calmly accepting change during such a difficult time. Long live good medicine and good patient support!

25.01.2022 If you're into podcasts, Endometriosis Australia are releasing a new podcast called "Living with Endo". You can find the trailer on their website or on Spotify now. Coming soon to Apple and Google.

25.01.2022 Slowly, things look to be getting back to a new normal. I believe Tassie only had two new cases of COVID-19 overnight. Many have felt the economic consequences of a pandemic, however, lives have been saved. Naturally, there are many families that have been devastated by the loss of loved ones. Further, there will be many people that recover but struggle doing so. Others may be permanently damaged both physically and emotionally. From an economic point of view, families may ...be considering budget cuts. Individuals unable to cover the costs of private health insurance will have serious implications for both the private and public health systems. In other words, the health care of all Australians will assuredly suffer if too many people cancel their private health cover. I believe many of the private health companies have not increased premiums as was planned. I applaud this. I am more impressed however, with some of the funds helping people keep their insurance when they are under financial stress. I would suggest those who are facing financial difficulties should contact their insurance companies and try to come to some arrangement before ceasing private health insurance altogether.

25.01.2022 We had a productive meeting this morning at Calvary with the Womens Services Subcommittee. We have all been concerned about support for women, especially regarding lactation consultant services. One of the excellent supportive services for women delivering at Calvary has previously been the free lactation consultation service. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this postpartum service was (correctly I believe) transferred to phone and telehealth modalities. I am very happy to... communicate that after todays meeting with Calvary Health Clinical Director, Leah Magliano and Nurse Unit Manager, Sally Jarvis we have been able to recommence the face to face service. This important move epitomises both Leah and Sallys commitment to womens health and hopefully will enable women who are having trouble with breastfeeding to have more practical help. There are of course guidelines that have to be strictly adhered to. The first preferences will be via telephone or Telehealth with Face to Face offered if these two options are not adequate. Lets hope things keep improving and life eventually returns to normal. Stay Safe Steve

24.01.2022 This week is Women's Health Week. I'm talking to all the mum's, mum's to be, sisters, grandmothers. It's time to put yourself first and check in on your own health. This week I'll be sharing some posts on health checks you could be doing. What check ups are you scheduling for this month?... #womenshealth

24.01.2022 Women's Health Week - Health Check #3 BREAST SELF EXAMINATION & MAMMOGRAMS Early detection of breast cancer is most often self-detected. Monthly breast self examination will allow you to know your breasts normal feeling allowing for your to detect any changes if they occur. You should also have a breast examination with your GP on an annual basis. ... Screening mammograms are free every two years to all Australian women aged 40 and over who do not have any signs or symptoms of breast disease.

23.01.2022 Women's Health Week - Health Check #2 CERVICAL SCREENING Are you overdue for your cervical screening (formerly pap smear)? Early diagnosis of cervical cancer gives women the best chance of a full recovery. Once you have had the new cervical screening test and provided it comes back negative you can move to the new 5 yearly testing model. ... Book your cervical screening test with your GP today.

23.01.2022 Abdominal muscle separation is commonly experienced during and after pregnancy. Many women can experience a small amount of separation of the large vertical stomach muscles due to the pressure of the baby. Strengthening of the core muscles prior to pregnancy can help reduce the chance of abdominal muscle separation or lessen the extent of the separation. Most womens separation will return to normal post pregnancy, however women should be aware that they should take care n...ot to strain their stomach muscles too soon after giving birth, particularly if they are experiencing abdominal muscle separation. The attached sheet provides some things that you should avoid and also some exercise for strengthening these muscles. If you are concerned or experiencing pain you should seek the support of Jane Barker or Janet Frazer who both have a wealth of knowledge in this area. You can find them at Hobart OBGYN. https://thewomens.r.worldssl.net//Abdominal-muscle-seperat

22.01.2022 Baby + Child First Aid Tas supported by Child Health Association Tasmania are starting up their very important First Aid classes for parents and parents-to-be. This is such a valuable skill to have. If you can, you should enrol in one of these classes. All the details are in the Facebook post here: https://www.facebook.com/events/771146330314433/

22.01.2022 Earlier this year Endometriosis Australia released a webinar series on Endometriosis. The series includes information on diagnosis, treatment and fertility. You can find the series on Youtube.

22.01.2022 Endometriosis presents in many ways, people can be unknowingly hurtful when they ask these types of questions. Be kind and considerate with your words. Endometriosis can be treated, don't wait for your diagnosis, start seeking help now. If you feel that you might be suffering from some of the symptoms of Endometriosis, the best thing you can do is book an appointment with your GP for a referral. Each and every patient that I see for endometriosis symptoms is treated with care and respect. I will take the time to listen to you and work out a personalised plan of action for your individual situation. https://www.endometriosisaustralia.org//please-stop-asking

21.01.2022 Its World Continence Week. Do you know how important your pelvic floor is to your continence? Looking after your pelvic floor promotes good continence health and helps to ensure that you can go about your everyday life without the worry of leaking. This years World Continence Week theme is Laugh without Leaking. Did you know that you can exercise your pelvic floor without anyone knowing? The exercises are so simple, you could be doing them right now!... http://www.pelvicfloorfirst.org.au//pelvic-floor-safe-exer

20.01.2022 9:09am on the 9th day of the 9th month is observed every year in recognition of the importance of being alcohol free for the nine months of a pregnancy There is no safe time, there is no safe amount, and there is no safe type of alcohol. Today is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day. The affects of even small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy can cause lifelong damage to an unborn baby.... The majority of children and adults who have FASD live with significant cognitive, behavioural, health and learning difficulties, including problems with memory, attention, cause and effect reasoning, impulsivity, receptive language and adaptive functioning difficulties. These difficulties are lifelong and have a significant impact on behaviour. There is no safe level, please seek support if you have an alcohol dependency before you become pregnant.

20.01.2022 For all my patients that are currently pregnant this app is a great reminder to do your pelvic floor exercises. A strong pelvic floor can not only help with post natal recovery it can also help with birthing your baby. THIS APP WILL COMPLEMENT YOUR APPIINTMENTS WITH A PELVIC FLOOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST. The free Pregnancy Pelvic Floor Plan app includes: Tips on looking after your pelvic floor, bladder and bowel during pregnancy... Learn how to do pelvic floor exercises and receive reminders Information about safe exercise during and after pregnancy Health and wellbeing tips on looking after yourself Find local services for pelvic floor problems https://continence.org.au/pages/pregnancy-app.html

19.01.2022 "Once, doctors used to think if there was pain, there must be a problem nearby. As it turns out, however, pain is not always a stable or accurate measure of tissue health; rather, it may act as a protective mechanism, and just like a growling guard dog, it can sometimes get triggered by non-threatening disturbances. If this protective mechanism remains on high alert for too long, even when the threat is gone, it could cause more harm than good. Perhaps thats why some endo pa...tients experience excruciating symptoms with just a few lesions, while others with severe endometriosis suffer little or no pain." This is why it is so important to listen to our bodies and seek treatment early. You should never feel ashamed or that your pain is not enough to worry about. Seeking treatment early can help to reduce the time to diagnosis. Please call my offices to make an appointment if you feel that your pelvic pain is beyond normal.

19.01.2022 Studies like these help us to understand further how Endometriosis develops and gives us insight into how it might be treated better in the future.

19.01.2022 Womens Health Week - Health Check #3 BREAST SELF EXAMINATION & MAMMOGRAMS Early detection of breast cancer is most often self-detected. Monthly breast self examination will allow you to know your breasts normal feeling allowing for your to detect any changes if they occur. You should also have a breast examination with your GP on an annual basis. ... Screening mammograms are free every two years to all Australian women aged 40 and over who do not have any signs or symptoms of breast disease.

19.01.2022 Womens Health Week - Health Check Up #1 THE PELVIC FLOOR When was the last time you exercised your pelvic floor? Its important that when you are exercising your pelvic floor that you are doing it correctly. ... My lovely friend and colleague, Jane Barker, runs online pelvic floor exercise classes and you can also book an appointment to see her. i recommend at least one appointment with Jane or Janet Frazer throughout your pregnancy. http://www.pelvicfloorclinic.com.au/onlineinteractive-class

18.01.2022 Today starts Childhood Cancer Awareness month. In Australia, every year, more than 950 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer. Every week, nearly 3 children and adolescents will die from cancer. Despite the dramatic increase in childhood cancer survival rates over the last sixty years, from virtually 0% to 80%, nearly three Australian children and adolescents still die each week of cancer. Of the 950 children diagnosed with cancer each year in Australia..., 150 are either diagnosed with cancer types that have less than a 30% survival rate, or suffer relapse and then have less than a 30% chance of cure. The Kids Cancer Project have some great events that you could get involved with to help raise awareness and funds for further scientific research in to childhood cancer. Crazy socks and Pirate day sound like fun types of days to get involved with :) https://www.thekidscancerproject.org.au/fundraising-events

17.01.2022 Thank you to all the wonderful midwives that I have the pleasure of working with. Today is International day of the Midwife, today we say an extra big thanks to all our midwives that ensure that birthing women are comfortably cared for.

17.01.2022 What will you get up to this weekend? Are you taking the opportunity to explore our state? Share with us your ideas for places to see in our beautiful state. #fridayfunday #supportlocal #shoptasmania

17.01.2022 Womens Health Week - Health Check #2 CERVICAL SCREENING Are you overdue for your cervical screening (formerly pap smear)? Early diagnosis of cervical cancer gives women the best chance of a full recovery. Once you have had the new cervical screening test and provided it comes back negative you can move to the new 5 yearly testing model. ... Book your cervical screening test with your GP today.

16.01.2022 Do you feel supported in your workplace to take time off for menstrual pain or pain caused by Endometriosis? The more women speak up about the effects of period pain and endometriosis the easier it will become for future generations to be supported in their workplace and work environments.

16.01.2022 Surgery for gynaecological conditions such as endometriosis is often performed using laparoscopic surgery. Advanced laparoscopic skills and robotic assisted laparoscopic surgery are an essential modality to manage pain and infertility. At the end of 2019 I underwent further intensive training to become one of only 4 robotic surgeons in the state. Getting a chance to further advance my surgical skills has been both challenging and satisfying. Even though Covid-19 has meant... I have not been able to use the robot as much as I would like, I have completed over 20 procedures and my surgical team and I are enjoying trying to master this amazing piece of technology. NB: Robotic assisted surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery, performed through keyhole surgery. The robot provides a 3-D view of the procedure via a high definition camera. Working with the robot provides for a precision that is not achievable with normal laparoscopic instruments. If you would like more information on whether this type of surgery is suitable for your condition, please contact my offices at Hobart OBGYN for an appointment.

15.01.2022 Can you provide your feedback for this study? Did the workplace changes made during lock-down affect your Endometriosis support from your workplace? Were your symptoms affected by the changes in workplace?

14.01.2022 Male infertility is a subject that is often not given the attention that it should be. Male fertility should be considered just as much as a womens fertility when a couple is planning to start or grow their family. As stated in this article, 30% of fertility issues are related to male infertility. When considering assisting couples with family planning and fertility assessments I consider both the mother and the fathers health and fertility profile. It is particularly im...portant for Fertility specialists to treat both the mother and the father equally to avoid the burden of infertility being weighted against the mother. IVF Australia have some great resources on their website for male fertility. https://www.ivf.com.au//male-fert/male-fertility-predictor

14.01.2022 #fatherfriday I found this great project that has been started called The Fathering Project. There are a great number of resources on this page from all around the world that is relevant to dads of all varieties. Have a look and share this resource with other dads that you care about.... https://thefatheringproject.org/

14.01.2022 The TEAL Support program is a new telehealth support program being offered for Ovarian Cancer sufferers. Please click on the link below to get the full details if you believe that this service could help yourself or someone you know. https://www.facebook.com/OvarianCancerAustralia/posts/10158523577606823

13.01.2022 Who’s up for a bit of fun? What’s your favourite bogan name for 2020? Mine would have to be the ‘creatively spelt’ Carryn! Let us know in the comments your faves or any corkers you’ve heard this year!

13.01.2022 This week is National Chronic Pain Week. I want to further highlight the importance of recognising that pain in the pelvic region is not normal. Many men and women live with chronic pelvic pain. The article I have included below from Pain Australia includes some links to great organisations that I strongly support such as Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia. Pelvic Pain can be treated to reduce the amount of pain and to give the sufferer a more comfortable lifestyle. If you are suffering with chronic pelvic pain that is affecting your day to day life, please seek support. You can make an appointment with me via the Hobart OBGYN practice with a referral from your GP. I will also encourage you to seek help through Jane Barker or Janet Fraser.

13.01.2022 A campaign dedicated to raising funds and awareness for women's mental health, harnessing the true potential of the collective, encouraging and inspiring people to listen, share, and learn. https://www.liptember.com.au Funds raised during the month of September are donated to the Centre for Women’s Mental Health, Lifeline, Batyr, The Jean Hailes Foundation, The Pretty Foundation and The Magpie Nest Women's Program.

12.01.2022 This Daffodil day, I would like to put my support behind Tassie Dancers Against Cancer who this year will be fundraising to support Cancer Council of Tasmania. Too many lives and families are touched by cancer. Every year my girls perform a dance together at the TDAC Chance to Dance day. This year if you can help raise some funds, you can donate here: https://www.doitforcancer.com.au//tassie-dancers-against-c

11.01.2022 This week is PANDA week, raising awareness for the wonderful work that the people at Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia. Their website is full of wonderful resources, including survey's for performing self-assessments on your own mental health, articles and details for accessing their support lines. Recently the Morrison government has announced further funding for mental health resources for new and expectant parents. If you are needing support, you can contact PAN...DA's helpline on 1300 726 306 (Mon - Sat). #panda #tellsomeonewhocares #pregnancy #prenataldepression

10.01.2022 This week is Mens Health Week, so I thought I would share some mental health resources that are available for dads-to-be, new dads and dads in general. In 2020 looking after your mental health is more important than ever. Share these resources with a man you love, check in with them, talk to them. MensLine Australia https://mensline.org.au/being-a-dad/... PANDA - for Dads https://www.panda.org.au/info-support/how-is-dad-going DAD for Dads (Direct Advice for Dads) https://www.directadvicefordads.com.au/ Dadvice from Beyond Blue http://www.mengage.org.au/fatherhood/beyondblue-dadvice

10.01.2022 You all know how passionate I am about taking care of your pelvic floor. You should always be considering care for your pelvic floor, but it is most important just after giving birth when your pelvic floor has been stretched up to 3 times its normal length. This article includes some important points and exercises that you can start doing at any time to care for your pelvic floor. If you are concerned about your pelvic floor or would just like to get some help with exercise and lifestyle changes you can make to look after your Pelvic Floor you can make an appointment with the lovely Jane Barker at The Pelvic Floor clinic http://www.pelvicfloorclinic.com.au/.

10.01.2022 To all the families that have lost a baby, our thoughts are with you. If you ever experience difficulty with coping with your loss or have a friend or family member who is struggling. SANDS is available 24/7 on 1300 072 637.

10.01.2022 In the year of the word 'unprecedented' your mental health is probably taking a hit. Today is World Mental Health Awareness Day. Check in with yourself and your friends and family today and regularly. Are you ok? To all the new parents out there that are bringing new life into this uncertain world, are you ok? Do you need to reach out for support? PANDA offer a 24 hour support line. They also offer a self-check service through a simple online survey... https://www.panda.org.au/info-support/checklists

10.01.2022 Knowing your own body and not dismissing changes in the way you are feeling can be the first step in diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer. Currently there is no test for Ovarian Cancer, the Cervical Screening test DOES NOT test for Ovarian Cancer.

09.01.2022 Happy Fathers Day to all the dads, dads to be and those in the role of being dad out there, you rock! Hope you all have a great day doing whatever you choose to do!

08.01.2022 Its Jeans for Genes day! Get your jeans on and raise awareness for genetic conditions such as cystic fibrosis. To support Jeans for Genes this year why not do some science activities with your kids this weekend and inspire our next generation of scientists. There are some great activities here for all ages:... https://www.jeansforgenes.org.au/science See more

08.01.2022 This week is Womens Health Week. Im talking to all the mums, mums to be, sisters, grandmothers. Its time to put yourself first and check in on your own health. This week Ill be sharing some posts on health checks you could be doing. What check ups are you scheduling for this month?... #womenshealth

06.01.2022 Its nice to see things slowly returning to normal. The Haven by Child Health Association Tasmania is re-opening on July 21. Are you ready to start meeting new people again? Want somewhere safe for your kids to play while you chat with other mums? The Haven is the perfect space for doing all of this. Dont forget to share with any other mums and dads that might be looking to get out of the house.

06.01.2022 Looking forward to speaking at the rescheduled Endo High Tea this weekend. Raising awareness and speaking with women who are suffering with the sometimes debilitating disease of Endometriosis helps me learn and allows me to share my expertise in treatments. Excited to be able to offer my patients the option of robot-assisted surgery for the treatment of some Endometriosis related conditions. By speaking out about endometriosis and its effects on womens live we help to remo...ve the stigma associated with unseen pain and the effect that it can have on the daily lives of these women. There are still tickets available if you would like to attend.

05.01.2022 Endometriosis affects more than 10% of Australian women. Endometriosis can be very debilitating. It often starts in the teenage years but diagnosis may not occur for 7 - 10 years. Pain, painful intercourse and infertility are the hallmarks of this enigmatic disease. Gynaecologists that are serious about caring for women with pelvic and pain and endometriosis need to work in a multi-disciplinary team involving pelvic floor physiotherapists, psycholgists, dieticians, and pai...n specialists. An ultrasound conducted by appropriately trained radiologists and gynaecologist is also important. During my training, including working in four tertiary hospitals in four different states and territories, exposed me to training with some of the best pelvic surgeons in gynaecology in this country. My final year of training was as the advanced pelvic floor fellow training under Professor Penny Blomfield and Dr Michael Bunting which solidified my surgical skills and gave me a level of comfort in difficult pelvic procedures especially laparoscopically. Additional to my training to achieve my Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstretics and Gynaecology I obtained a Masters in Reproductive Medicine from UNSW. In-depth knowledge of reproduction medicine including IVF and fertility preservation help me treat and advise endometriosis patients with more confidence than many gynaecologists. The use of botox into the pelvic floor as an aid to assist pelvic floor physiotherapy is also an essential skill. When used in the right patient pelvic pain can be ameliorated substantially. I was the first gynaecologist to use botox injects into the pelvic floor in this state and have now used this treatment in excess of 100 times with some excellent results for many patients. If you have been following me for a while, you would know that I am a strong advocate for finding treatment options for women to be able to live a more normal life with Endometriosis. The aforementioned issue of many years to diagnosis will be a thing of the past if we get a loud message out there that pelvic pain is NEVER ok and that pelvic pain IS NOT NORMAL. To support this cause I will be speaking at the Endo High Tea to be held on August 29th (more details to follow). I am available for appointments if you would like to discuss any concerns regarding endometriosis or pelvic pain.

05.01.2022 Welcome to the team Emilie!

03.01.2022 It has been quite a busy period since Dietitian, Emilie Burgess, joined the Hobart OBGYN family. So we're winding back the clock to give you the opportunity to ...get to know a little more about Emilie. Keep an eye out for lots of nutrition updates from us in the coming months as we take you through an overview of the broad range of wellness and medical areas where nutrition plays an important and exciting role. See more

03.01.2022 What a positive move this is for Ovarian Cancer patients, being able to access the required treatment without financial concern will give these patients hope.

03.01.2022 This #fathersfriday I am sharing a story of a father suffering through the loss of his child. Today is Red Nose Day, a day where we remember all the infants that were taken too soon and a day where we seek to raise awareness for the work that Red Nose foundation does and to help raise much needed funds for further research and support systems for families of infant loss. You can provide your support by donating even just a small amount here: https://donate.rednose.org.au/donate/rednoseday

02.01.2022 World Breastfeeding Week All women/parents have the right to be supported by society to breastfeed optimally. Support can come from families, communities, health systems and workplaces. Breastfeeding counselling is a type of support delivered to women/parents and infants, and when breastfeeding counselling is available/accessible to women/parents, the duration and exclusivity of #breastfeeding is increased!... Find out about the importance of workplace support: https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/workplace #WBW2020 #breastfeeding