Goondiwindi Medical Centre in Goondiwindi, Queensland | Family medicine practice

Goondiwindi Medical Centre

Locality: Goondiwindi, Queensland

Phone: +61 7 4671 1444

Address: 49 Bowen St 4390 Goondiwindi, QLD, Australia

Website: http://www.gmc.com.au/

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25.01.2022 Goondiwindi Medical Centre GP Respiratory Clinic! In response to this pandemic we have endeavoured to keep you and our staff safe by caring for those with respiratory symptoms and fevers without having them enter the main GMC building, mostly through the use of Telehealth.... By screening everyone at the front door we are now able to provide more face-to-face consultations in the main GMC building for people without respiratory symptoms or fever. Our first week of screening was successful - thank you for your patience with this new process. This week we will open our dedicated GP Respiratory Clinic - we have installed a stand-alone consultation room behind GMC House, accessible from Bowen Lane. This clinic will allow people who are unwell with respiratory symptoms (sore throat, cough, runny nose) and fever to have a face-to-face consultation with a GP and nurse, who will be using personal protective equipment (PPE). If you have cold or flu like symptoms or a fever of unknown cause, and you are seeking assessment, please phone reception on the day you are sick. You still have the option of Telehealth with your GP or another who is available. If you are sick and want to be seen face-to-face please ask about the GP Respiratory Clinic. We will run the clinic late morning. It will have limited appointments and we will adapt the times if the need is there. Markings outside the clinic will indicate where to stand to keep 1.5m apart. We aim to open the clinic Tuesday. #staysafe Thank you to those who have helped with installation - Robbie Hanna, Luke Fritz, Mann's transport, foremen Jon and Tim Gleeson

24.01.2022 Elf took a bath in the deep freeze..

24.01.2022 Respiratory clinic Goondiwindi Medical Centre This is running Monday to Friday- appointments for those with cold and flu symptoms and/or a fever You will be seen and assessed face to face with a doctor.... Ring reception to book

24.01.2022 Look who popped into GMC today. Elf used the AMS app to register as a new GMC patient and book an appointment. He also let us know that he is happy to receive SMS appointment reminders and recalls. We can’t wait to see what exciting things he gets up to on our countdown to Christmas! To get the AMS app, search AMS Coonect in the App Store or follow the below link-... Apple devices click https://tinyurl.com/y8e4gwan Android devices click https://tinyurl.com/ybfqrvr2

24.01.2022 Medical care and our state border This is to follow up our post from late last week. The border has closed and only those in the border zone (see picture) can access Goondiwindi. Last week we had information that if you were south of the zone and needed a face to face appointment we could provide a letter. Some of our patients are still being turned away and Qld Police have told us this week that you may not be able to cross the border unless it is an emergency. We want to ma...ke sure we can continue to take good care of our community and and we are asking the Chief Health Officer for help with this problem. Until there is a solution, or, if the border zone remains closed to our patients outside the border zone in NSW, please be assured we are committed to providing access to care as best we can. If you are outside the border zone 'bubble' please don't panic, there are many things we can manage via phone or video appointment. You can book an appointment online, or with reception. If you have appointments coming up or require regular review of your chronic disease PLEASE DON'T CANCEL YOUR APPOINTMENTS and please maintain an appointment with your GP on the phone or by video. We have been doing Tele-health now for 5 months, we have a good relationship with our local pharmacies who reassure us that medications can be delivered to Boggabilla for patients further south to access. We can deliver your prescriptions to the pharmacy of your choice.

24.01.2022 Mental Wellbeing Making some small changes to your routine can improve your mood and wellbeing. Create a deck of activities with ideas from this website. ... https://mentalwellbeing.initiatives.qld.gov.au/activities

23.01.2022 How to access your vaccination record When you have a vaccine it is reported to the Australian Immunisation Register. It is recommended you access your own record if you need evidence of this. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au//how-get-immunisation... If you cannot access this or don't have a means to get help with this, please ask for a printout at the time of your vaccine.

22.01.2022 COVID vaccine safety Goondiwindi Medical Centre is assisting with the rollout of the COVID vaccine, phase 1B is well underway. Late last week the government issued a change to recommendations on the current vaccine in use. There may be a link to the vaccine with rare cases of thrombosis (clot), especially in younger people. One case has been reported in Australia and some overseas. Based on information to date the risk of a clot is about 1-8 per million doses of the vaccine.... For comparison every year 1-2 adults per 1000 in the general population can develop a thrombosis (clot). Other side effects that are more common and more likely to occur in the first 48 hours include fever, headache, chills and fatigue. These are usually self limiting. Anaphylaxis to the vaccine appears to occur about once per one million doses. Current recommendations from health.gov.au: The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommends that the COVID-19 vaccine by AstraZeneca is preferred for adults over 50 years old and the Pfizer (Comirnaty) is preferred in adults aged under 50 years. This recommendation is based on: the increasing risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 in older adults (and hence a higher benefit from vaccination), and a potentially increased risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia following AstraZeneca vaccine in those under 50 years. The COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine can be used in adults aged under 50 years where the benefits clearly outweigh the risk for that individual and the person has made an informed decision based on an understanding of the risks and benefits. If you are under 50 and have had the vaccine locally please don't panic but do seek urgent attention if you have a headache or abdominal pain not settling with simple pain relief (nurofen and panadol). If you are under 50 and are eligible for the current rollout please discuss the risks vs the benefit for you with your doctor. If you are already booked for a vaccine please call reception to allow an appropriate time for discussion or consider deferring until you have had a discussion with your GP.

22.01.2022 Elf tried to make himself some new friends

22.01.2022 Are you a young person at risk of a mental health condition? Do you care for or know a child or young person under the age of 25 with severe mental health symptoms? This program - Crew4Youth - is funded to provide a care coordination service in our area. That is they can assist you to get to the services needed, and help keep you engaged to receive help.... You can refer yourself or talk to your GP today. https://www.each.com.au/service/crew4youth/

22.01.2022 Ladies, put your hands up! Keep them up if you've pushed back any GP appointments, or keep putting off any health checks. We've got your to-do list ready... to go, so make a coffee, grab your phone, and book in your annual health checks. Click on the link below for our #womenshealth to-do list. https://bit.ly/3bDkrgy DISCLAIMER: Women tend to put everyone else's needs before their own. Its time to put yourself at the top of the list. Don't put off any regular health appointments, particularly if they are breast or cervical cancer screening.

21.01.2022 naughty Elf knows he shouldn't be sitting there..

21.01.2022 Influenza vaccines are being rolled out at Goondiwindi Medical Centre! Please book into our flu clinics to receive your annual influenza vaccine. We recommend this as a good way to protect you and your family from influenza, we especially recommend this for those over the age of 65, those with chronic disease, our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and pregnant women.

21.01.2022 Goondiwindi has been fortunate to have registrars like Dr Tranter come to complete their specialist training with us. Sometimes they have to move on. Sometimes they stay, and are still here 20 years later!

21.01.2022 Today is our Practice Manager, Alicia’s birthday Elf definitely enjoyed her birthday cake

20.01.2022 SMS with your results This year we implemented a system called AutoMed. This has allowed online booking, tracking appointments via the app, and kiosk check in and out at the medical centre.... The next stage is to send our patients an SMS when your results are reviewed by the doctor. This will allow us to alert you if we want you to rebook to discuss the blood results or xray findings. We may also ask you to book in following review of a letter from another health professional. If your doctor has already asked you to book back for review please come back as planned even if the SMS indicates your results are normal. You may need further examination or tests. You may receive a text message to say the doctor has reviewed your results and they are normal. This could be good news and give you peace of mind they have been seen and checked. If you continue to have concerns for your health we welcome a follow up appointment to review how you are going. You may receive a text message to say your doctor has reviewed your results and would like to see you back to review a result - this will continue to prompt you until an appointment has been made. If you believe this recall has been reviewed and you are continuing to receive messages in error please phone reception and ask about this. If there is an urgent result the reception will phone you to arrange an urgent review.

19.01.2022 What is advance care planning? If you were very unwell, and not able to communicate your preferences for care to others, who would you want to speak for you? And more importantly, what healthcare decisions would you want them to make? Advanced illness or serious injury can sometimes mean that people cannot make their own decisions about health and personal care. This can happen to people of all ages, and especially towards end of life. Writing an Advance Care Directive (valu...es and/or instructional) lets you say what you would want, if you are ever unable to communicate for yourself please find below and guide to getting started with advanced care planning.

18.01.2022 Type 2 Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness in our community - have you had your eyes checked? How are you going with your diabetes management? https://fb.watch/1WUIMnLckZ/

18.01.2022 Elf is taking some time to appreciate the art work hanging in GMC waiting area.. please remember to read the paintings meaning when you are next at GMC

18.01.2022 New restrictions for the amount of people in a gathering.

17.01.2022 I wish more people were aware of this.

17.01.2022 The famous Gundy Medical Muster is going virtual this year. Each of our delegates is receiving a box of delicious local produce to enjoy while they learn, network and discuss how to improve the health and wellbeing of rural communities. #gundymuster

17.01.2022 Very honoured to announce The Virtual Gundy Muster keynote speaker is rural generalist and our new National Rural Health Commissioner, A/Prof Ruth Stewart, bea...ming in all the way from Thursday Island! Join us and hear about the exciting future of rural health across the disciplines including the rural generalist and allied health programs. Ancient Wisdoms and Modern Ways. Sat Sept 12th from 4pm. Only $58.84 and half price for students. Includes a pack of Gundy Goodies mailed to your door to enjoy together with all our delegates! Register now at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/virtual-gundy-medical-muste

17.01.2022 We have all been doing such a great job protecting our community from the risk of COVID and it’s great to see that we will be able to travel within Australia fo...r Christmas We still need to be vigilant and continue physically distancing, washing our hands regularly and most importantly staying home if we are unwell GMC will be scaling back our door screening process on Monday. This means that when you enter GMC you will need to present to the reception desk. Our reception staff will ask if you have had a cough, fever, sore throat or runny nose in the last 3 days, then they will take the details of anyone who may be accompanying you to an appointment and they will need to answer the same question. If you have any of these respiratory symptoms we will still look after you, just in a manner that is safe for the community and reduces any risk of spreading any contagious virus to others. We are able to offer video and phone consultations, so you can speak to your Doctor from your home and we have a dedicated Respiratory Clinic where we can physically assess patients without risking passing germs onto others. In order to manage the flow of foot traffic into GMC, we will be closing the door between Sullivan & Nicolaides Pathology/ Goondiwindi Ultrasound and GMC. Sullivan & Nicholaides and Goondiwindi Ultrasound can be accessed from the McLean Street entrance. We appreciate your support and thank you for making these changes with us

16.01.2022 R U K? Ask someone today if they are ok. If they are not make time to listen, encourage action to change and check back in. https://youtu.be/erHLP29tzPE

16.01.2022 The Uluru Statement from the Heart Goondiwindi Medical Centre has pledged support for this statement. This statement was issued to the Australian people in 2017. It is an invitation to walk with the First Nations people for a better future where we can all move forward. It calls for structural reform: -a Voice to Parliament for Indigenous Australians... -a Treaty (agreement between First Nation people and government) -a process of Truth-telling to allow all Australians to understand the history of Aboriginal and Torres strait Islanders #UluruStatement https://www.youtube.com/watch

16.01.2022 An invitation to all nursing, allied health and medical professionals, near and far. Join us for an evening of education, advocacy, support and good old country fun at the Virtual Gundy Muster. Only four weeks away! Be among the first 100 to register and receive a complimentary gift pack of local goodies!

14.01.2022 Elf has got himself into a bit of sticky situation today..

13.01.2022 Telehealth Goondiwindi Medical Centre continues to offer Telehealth for consultations. You will get a medicare rebate (that is medicare will pay for part or all of your consultation - depending on concession status) if you are a regular patient of our practice. A regular patient by medicare definition is someone who has been seen face to face at the practice in the last 12 months.... We offer telephone and video consultations - video consultation is with the use of a camera on your phone or device. Video consultation is preferable - it allows us to see how you are as well as hear how you are. We can see how you are feeling, how you are breathing, what the rash or skin lesion looks like, how alert your child is and how you move your joints. Please ask for a video consult - if we experience technical issues or you have concerns we can revert to the telephone if we need. If we decide in the consultation you need to be examined face to face we can arrange this too. #staysafe

12.01.2022 Happy 50th birthday Elf! Today Elf got a free bowel screening kit in the mail from the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. This test could potentially save Elf's life.

11.01.2022 Telehealth and billing The government has announced Medicare will continue to subsidise Telehealth appointments for another 6 months. You are eligible for the Medicare rebate on Telehealth appointments if you are a regular patient of ours (you will need to have been seen face to face in the last 12 months). As of the 1st October the government has taken away the incentive payment to bulk bill people who have been at risk during the pandemic (examples are pregnant women, thos...e with chronic disease, people consulting with us from home who are suspected of having coronavirus). Due to ongoing costs associated with running our service we will change the billing system effective October 1st. We will continue to bulk bill pension card holders and offer a discounted bill for those with a health care card. If you book an 'urgent' appointment face to face or via Telehealth this will incur a private fee (with medicare rebate) regardless of concession card status. Please be patient during another change to the billing system during the pandemic. Our reception staff will do their best to explain the financial requirements when you book so please ask if you are not sure.

11.01.2022 Many thanks to Mayor Springborg and the Goondiwindi Regional Council for your support with fast and effective advocacy. As we expressed to the Chief Health Officer, this will make a huge difference for our NSW patients in accessing essential medical and other services. We know there are still many of you for whom this has not fixed the problem and you still face limitations on business, social and health matters - there is still much to do. We continue to provide Telehealth appointments and will arrange face-to-face appointments when needed. If you do have a face-to-face appointment, remember to arrive a little early to make time for the short screening process at the GMC door. This is for everyone's safety.

11.01.2022 Goondiwindi Medical Centre Respiratory Clinic The clinic is up and running at the back of GMC house 47 Bowen St. See the photos of the access via Bowen Lane behind the Civic Centre, this is next to the council car park off Bowen St and adjacent to the council car park off McLean St. The clinic is running late morning - you can book a spot the afternoon before or the morning of the clinic via reception. This is a safe space where you can be seen face to face by a doctor and a ...nurse if you have respiratory illness or fever. Due to the costs of running such a clinic with one on one time with a nurse and doctor the clinic is privately billed, there is a discount bill for pension card holders, and medicare rebates apply. Thank you for supporting this clinic. Over the coming weeks we may modify the access and hours depending on the needs of the community. You can continue to access GPs via Telehealth at other times in the day. #washhands #staysafe

10.01.2022 Australian Food Safety Week Tips to avoid being a statistic - 4.1 million cases of food poisoning each year! *Wash your hands... *Keep you food chilled - keep the fridge at 5oC or lower *Separate the raw meat on the bench from the food not being cooked *Cook poultry and minced products to 75oC in the centre *Don't cook for others if you have gastro Enjoy food safely this summer!

10.01.2022 HELP ME! Elf was helping to get Q fever vaccination and got stuck in the fridge!

09.01.2022 Exercising daily keeps our Elf healthy

09.01.2022 Our elf has been helping with door screening today! GMC will be continuing to carry out door screening for the foreseeable future. Alternative options to speak with or see a doctor are available for anyone who answers YES to any of our questions.

09.01.2022 Are you eligible for a COVID vaccine? Check the government eligibility checker https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility

06.01.2022 Sunday's are for being lazy and lying in a hammock all day... Santa's orders!

06.01.2022 Masks! You will notice we are wearing masks more often now. We will offer you a mask too. ... We recognise that we can't keep 1.5 metres during consultation - therefore, on the advice of our public health unit, in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19, a mask is recommended when you come to the medical centre. You can wear your own 3-layer fabric mask if you prefer. Queenslanders are also encouraged to use masks in the community if they are in a position where social distancing (keeping 1.5 metres) is not possible. Read this blog for more information https://www.gps-can.com.au/covid19-blog/myth-busting-masks

06.01.2022 Happy World Breastfeeding Week! This years World Breastfeeding theme is: Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet. ... Breastmilk is a natural, renewable food that is produced and delivered to the consumer without pollution, packaging or waste. When we protect and support mothers and breastfeeding, we are also reducing the impact on our air, water and land, protecting our young ones and future generations. Watch this space for some fun facts and highlights around breastfeeding. #WBW2020 #indigenoushealth

06.01.2022 Well deserved Dr Sarah Gleeson!

06.01.2022 #gettested Runny nose? Cough? Sneezing? Might just be a cold or flu, or even allergies. It also might be COVID-19. Seriously. ... Even here. While it's not likely to be COVID-19, it just might be. And if it is, and we don't know immediately, the consequences are almost too serious to contemplate. COVID-19 is not eradicated from Australia, and in most parts of the world it is spreading more than ever. As we open up more, there is a good chance we will see more cases closer to home. That's ok. A few cases need not lead to widespread infections and further lockdowns - but only if we keep up the measures we learned about at the start of the pandemic. 1. Stay home if you are sick 2. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, get tested 3. Stay 1.5 metres away from other people think two big steps. 4. Wash your hands lots, with soap and water, or hand sanitiser. 5. Sneeze or cough into your arm or a tissue. Then put the tissue in the bin. This advice remains the same. It has never changed. And it is as important as ever. So, if you have a cough, sore throat, fever, loss of smell or runny nose, please get tested. You can go to the drive in testing site at Caltex. You can call for a Telehealth consultation at GMC. You can book into the GP Respiratory Clinic at GMC, if you feel you need to be seen in person. If you feel you need urgent attention at any time, call 000 or go to the hospital.

05.01.2022 COVID swab We are testing lots of people to ensure our community is safe and clear of COVID.... Who should we be testing? Anyone with any of the following COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild: o fever or history of fever o sore throat, rhinorrhoea o cough, shortness of breath o acute fatigue/myalgia/arthralgia o loss of smell, loss of taste People in quarantine, in accordance with current quarantine protocols. This is to ensure they are not infectious when they are released from quarantine. All people being tested should be advised to isolate themselves until their test results are available. 2020 is not the year to go to work or school with a cough or runny nose! We know these swabs are not nice. Some of our doctors have been swabbed more than twice! We are acting under direction of the Qld Public Health Unit.

05.01.2022 Elf is suppose to be assisting with baby checks today.. looks more like he is sleeping on the job..

05.01.2022 COVID vaccine side effects You may experience minor side effects from the vaccine. More common symptoms include pain and swelling at the site, fever and headaches. This is not a live vaccine and you cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine. These symptoms usually settle within a couple of days. Serious reactions to the COVID vaccine are rare. If they occur it is likely in the first 15 minutes after the vaccine - we ask you to stay close to us for 15 minutes after in case you ne...ed medical assistance. The risk of thrombosis (clot) due to a reaction to the vaccine we have is about 1-8 cases per million vaccines, if you are under the age of 50 we recommend talking to your GP to discuss benefits vs the risk from having the vaccine. https://www.health.gov.au//what-happens-after-i-am-vaccina

05.01.2022 We have just found Elf making snow angels! that's one way to stay cool in this heat

05.01.2022 **Border Restrictions Direction** This weekend our border has further restrictions for travel between QLD and NSW. This is creating stress for our community and patients. Please see the QLD Government website for up to date information. ... We serve patients across our district which includes northern NSW. A border zone has been established to allow people living and working on the border to cross (with appropriate documentation) to access services in that zone, but not beyond. The map currently includes postcodes 2409, 2405, 2410 - residents in these areas can cross. Residents outside this area are in a NSW hotspot with very tight restrictions. People in areas such as North Star who travel to our community for medical appointments will require additional paperwork which we can assist you with. We have been using Telehealth (phone and video) to reach our patients since March. Please book an appointment with your GP if you need review or help! We can talk to you from the safety of your home. If during the consultation your GP decides they need to see you face to face this can be arranged. We can provide a letter to confirm that you need to cross the border for medical review. Be kind to others, wash your hands, keep your distance and keep calm. Please phone or book online to access your GP via Telehealth.

04.01.2022 Elf has been helping with skin checks today.. Are you up to date with your skin checks? if not call Goondiwindi Medical Centre now to book your appointment!

04.01.2022 Elf has used his magic to make it snow at GMC today

03.01.2022 Elf has been assisting our nurses with ECG's today.. looks more like he's just getting tangled up

03.01.2022 ~~~Junior Position Available~~~ We are looking for a bright and bubbly junior to join our team as our dedicated door screener. This is an excellent opportunity for someone starting out on their employment journey. Due to the uncertainty of future changes, this position doesn’t have a specified end date at the moment, but could potentially lead to growth within the role and additional opportunities with the GMC team for the right applicant. Initially hours will be within 8am-...6pm, Monday-Friday, so availability within these times is a must. As a junior position, we don’t expect applicants to have extensive experience so we’d love to hear a bit about you in your application. We are looking for a good fit for our team in this position! Please submit applications to [email protected]. Applications close 21st September.

02.01.2022 #NAIDOC2020 Always Was, Always Will Be. In celebration of NAIDOC week 2020 we recognise that First Nations people have occupied this land for over 65,000 years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were the first explorers, engineers, farmers, diplomats and artists. ... We join Australians in celebration of this remarkable history.

02.01.2022 Hepatitis C Jeanette the Community Outreach Nurse from Hepatitis Qld came to visit to remind us of the importance of screening for Hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus that can be transmitted through sharing needles, needle stick injuries, tattoos with unsterile equipment, sharing toothbrushes and razors, contact with blood through procedures (rare in Australia).... Hepatitis C is curable. There is hope Australia can be free of this disease. If the virus is active for long enough in the body it can lead to liver damage and liver cancer. Please see your doctor for a screening test. #HepFreeAus

02.01.2022 Parkrun! Remember the fun free timed event every Saturday morning at 7am down at Riddles Oval - this was how we spent our Saturdays until COVID hit in 2020. It is back November 28th!!... You can walk, run, cheer or volunteer. Get down and start getting active this summer! https://gmc.com.au/community/our-new-website/

01.01.2022 Elf has been assisting our nurses with Chronic disease clinic and health assessments today

01.01.2022 Countless heartbreaking stories are surfacing, either side of the border, with residents waiting on exemptions to travel for health care. Pregnant women and can...cer patients are among those desperately seeking approvals. The government now acknowledging, the system needs to change. www.7NEWS.com.au #7NEWS

01.01.2022 COVID update Greater Sydney was declared a hotspot this week. We cannot be complacent. If you are sick with fever, cough , sore throat, headaches, diarrhoea please stay at home. See below for current quarantine information. Elf has woken up with a cough this morning. He doesn't feel terribly sick, but he knows he should be tested for COVID.... The Caltex testing site is closed. Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology are able to assist with COVID self testing- for people who aren't unwell enough to need to see a GP but should be tested. Please call ahead to arrange and then call from your car when you arrive and DO NOT enter the building, the S&N staff will come out to you. GMC and S&N will be closed from Christmas Day through to Monday the 28th of December, we will reopen on Tuesday the 29th. If you require urgent assistance over the Christmas break please call 000 or go to your nearest hospital. Please see our website for our after hours number. Queensland residents instruction on returning from Sydney: Queensland residents returning from Greater Sydney will have 24 hours after 1am Monday 21 December to get a border pass, return to their residence in Queensland, get tested and quarantine at home for 14 days from when they left the hotspot. From 1am Tuesday 22 December, Queenslanders returning from Greater Sydney will be required to get a border pass to enter Queensland and undertake 14 days of mandatory hotel quarantine. Anyone already in Queensland who has been in Greater Sydney since 11 December should get tested and home quarantine until they get their result. Home quarantine requirements include not taking visitors and remaining in your home. https://www.qld.gov.au//current-sta/urgent-covid-19-update #staysafe #stayhome

01.01.2022 Elf has been helping our reception staff this morning and getting to know our new girls! We thank them all very much for all the hard work they do everyday!