Did you know that 3rd March was World Hearing Day? In 2017 the World Health Organisation (WHO) focussed on raising awareness of the economic impact of unaddressed hearing loss. WHO estimate that unaddressed hearing loss costs the international economy $750 billion annually (which is the same as the combined annual health expenditure of Brazil and China, or the annual GDP of the Netherlands).
On an individual basis, it has been found that Europeans with significant hearing loss are twice as likely to be unemployed those without hearing loss. In the US, people with untreated hearing loss earn 50-70% less.
Action to protect against hearing loss is cost-effective however. You can prevent hearing loss by protecting against loud sounds and identifying and treating otitis media (ear infections). Hearing loss can be identified early through screening of newborns, school children and adults over 50. Hearing can be rehabilitated via the continuous use of hearing aids. Access to cochlear implants, an Australian invention, is also improving globally. In addition to this, captioning and sign language interpretation are effective in making information accessible to those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Interventions to address hearing loss result in:
- Financial savings and significant return on investment
- Increased access to education
- Greater employability and earnings which benefits the economy
- Lower costs related to depression and cognitive decline
- An integrated society
Please see your GP if you are concerned about your hearing, or that of your family.
We are pleased to announce that Dr Chieh Cheng will be joining our practice on Friday 10th March and will be the fourth GP Obstetrician at Mead Medical.
Chieh grew up in Perth, is a local University of WA medical graduate and has worked for over a decade in various hospitals in metropolitan and rural areas in WA. Chieh has just returned from Albany where she worked for the last seven years as a rural GP obstetrician, providing continuity of care for the young and the elderly, and performing procedures such as caesarean deliveries, Implanon and Mirena insertions.During this time she was involved with the Rural Clinical School and loved teaching medical students.
Chieh has a special interest in women’s health and paediatrics, mental health and palliative care.
Outside of medicine, Chieh enjoys watching films, cooking and discovering the world through travelling. Dr Cheng will practice from both of our locations.
We wish to advise that we are currently undertaking a major practice management software migration. The migration is expected to be completed by Wednesday 1st February, however as with most software upgrades, teething problems are likely immediately following the migration. We remain open and operational during this time, however we do ask for your understanding as we move from one platform to another.
Delivering exceptional clinical care and service remains our focus, but we may deliver it at a slightly slower speed whilst we familiarise ourselves with our new software. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause in the short term but look forward to the added benefits we can bring you in the longer term.
If you have any concerns, please raise them with the reception supervisors or our General manager, Daniel Rarp.
We have unfortunately bid goodbye recently to three outstanding GPs; Rebecca Hunt-Davies. Tim McNaught and Siobhain Brennan.
Rebecca has decided to take an exciting opportunity for her and her family to relocate to Magnetic Island (in Queensland) where she will be one of two GPs on the island.
Following the successful completion of his fellowship exams, Tim is taking the opportunity to do some extensive travel around the world.
Siobhain has moved practices as part of her continued registrar training. We wish them all well in each of their respective pursuits and hope to see them all back at Mead sometime soon.
The Kalamunda Clinic will be closed on Sunday the 29th of January. We will re-open on Monday the 30th of January.
We are sorry for any inconvenience caused and thank you for understanding.
With 2017 just around the corner, it is now that we start thinking about our resolutions for the New Year, and some of the most common New Year’s resolutions are health related.
These can be very individual but common ones include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, increasing exercise or losing weight.
When it comes to goal setting, there are some very simple things that we can do to give ourselves the best chance of success.
- Write it down
- Let other people know what you are trying to achieve (as they will be able to keep you motivated)
- Be SMART
SMART is an acronym and way of formulating goals that has been proven to significantly increase the chances of achieving that goal.
S – Specific (exactly what are you trying to achieve)
M – Measurable (how will you know if it has been achieved)
A – Attainable (is it possible to achieve this goal)
R – Relevant
T – Time based (by when do I want to achieve this goal)
Using the framework above, an example of a health related SMART goal would be:
‘I want to lose 10kg (specific, measurable, attainable) by July 1st 2017 (time based)’
Once you have your goal worked it, it is much easier to put strategies in place to help you achieve it.
Good luck with health goals in 2017, and remember your GP will be an important part of your support team, so get them involved.
What is COPD?
Otherwise known as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), is a chronic lung condition that can lead to chronic cough, phlegm production and shortness of breath.
It affects up to 1 in 7 Australians.
Who gets COPD?
Smokers or ex smokers make up 80% of COPD cases, although passive smoking, occupational exposure and long term poorly controlled asthma are other risk factors.
How is it diagnosed?
COPD is diagnosed with a lung function test, or spirometry, which can be easily arranged through your local GP.
How is it treated?
Unfortunately COPD is not treatable but medications are available that can help with the symptoms.
Early treatment is important, so if you are a smoker (particularly over the age 35) or have any of the symptoms mentioned above it is important to be screened for COPD.
How can I prevent COPD?
Stopping smoking is by far the most important way to prevent the development of COPD.
There are lots of treatments and strategies available to help with this, and your GP would be happy to discuss these with you.
Please note, the Kalamunda Clinic will be closed today, Tuesday the 13th of December, from 6pm. Please note that our previous post said we would be closed all day today. This is incorrect and we are open until 6pm. We are sorry for any inconvenience
This is a one off occurrence and normal hours will resume on Wednesday the 14th of December.
After 11 months on maternity leave, we are sad to advise that Dr Julia Marcello has decided not to return to Mead Medical. With the birth of her daughter, Julia has decided to work closer to home; a decision we understand and support.
Julia has made a great contribution over the last five years and will be greatly missed by colleagues and patients alike.
We wish Julia and her family the best of luck and thank her for her dedication and commitment to Mead Medical over the years.
Shingles is a common condition which can affect up to one third of adults in their lifetime (increasingly as people age).
It is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus and can present with fever, flu like symptoms, headache and then the classic rash, which will look like small blisters, usually in a stripe like pattern, affecting one side of the body. A tingling or burning sensation can be felt on the skin before the rash develops.
As people get older or if they have low immunity, the symptoms can be more severe and the risk of developing complications increases, including prolonged pain symptoms, blindness (if the eye is affected), temporary paralysis of the face and meningitis.
The Department of Health will be funding a Shingles vaccine (Zostavax) as part of their National Immunisation Program Schedule from the 1st November 2016.
The vaccine will be free for all patients aged 70-79.
If you are interested in finding out more, please make an appointment with your regular GP at Mead Medical.
Welcoming Dr Emma Johnson to Mead Medical
We're thrill to introduce Dr Emma Johnson to Mead Medical from next
Farewell to Dr. Rebecca Hunt-Davies: Celebrating 15 Years of Dedication
It is with mixed emotions that we announce the departure of Dr. Rebecca
Introducing Dr Dulanthie Seneviratne
We're pleased to introduce Dr Dulanthie Seneviratne to the Mead Medical
World Hearing Day 2017
Did you know that 3rd March was World Hearing Day? In 2017 the World Health Organisation (WHO) focussed on raising awareness of the economic impact of unaddressed hearing loss. WHO estimate that unaddressed hearing loss costs the international economy $750 billion annually (which is the same as the combined annual health expenditure of Brazil and China, or the annual GDP of the Netherlands).
On an individual basis, it has been found that Europeans with significant hearing loss are twice as likely to be unemployed those without hearing loss. In the US, people with untreated hearing loss earn 50-70% less.
Action to protect against hearing loss is cost-effective however. You can prevent hearing loss by protecting against loud sounds and identifying and treating otitis media (ear infections). Hearing loss can be identified early through screening of newborns, school children and adults over 50. Hearing can be rehabilitated via the continuous use of hearing aids. Access to cochlear implants, an Australian invention, is also improving globally. In addition to this, captioning and sign language interpretation are effective in making information accessible to those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Interventions to address hearing loss result in:
- Financial savings and significant return on investment
- Increased access to education
- Greater employability and earnings which benefits the economy
- Lower costs related to depression and cognitive decline
- An integrated society
Please see your GP if you are concerned about your hearing, or that of your family.
Welcome Dr Chieh Cheng
We are pleased to announce that Dr Chieh Cheng will be joining our practice on Friday 10th March and will be the fourth GP Obstetrician at Mead Medical.
Chieh grew up in Perth, is a local University of WA medical graduate and has worked for over a decade in various hospitals in metropolitan and rural areas in WA. Chieh has just returned from Albany where she worked for the last seven years as a rural GP obstetrician, providing continuity of care for the young and the elderly, and performing procedures such as caesarean deliveries, Implanon and Mirena insertions.During this time she was involved with the Rural Clinical School and loved teaching medical students.
Chieh has a special interest in women’s health and paediatrics, mental health and palliative care.
Outside of medicine, Chieh enjoys watching films, cooking and discovering the world through travelling. Dr Cheng will practice from both of our locations.
Practice Software Upgrade
We wish to advise that we are currently undertaking a major practice management software migration. The migration is expected to be completed by Wednesday 1st February, however as with most software upgrades, teething problems are likely immediately following the migration. We remain open and operational during this time, however we do ask for your understanding as we move from one platform to another.
Delivering exceptional clinical care and service remains our focus, but we may deliver it at a slightly slower speed whilst we familiarise ourselves with our new software. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause in the short term but look forward to the added benefits we can bring you in the longer term.
If you have any concerns, please raise them with the reception supervisors or our General manager, Daniel Rarp.
Goodbye and Goodluck
We have unfortunately bid goodbye recently to three outstanding GPs; Rebecca Hunt-Davies. Tim McNaught and Siobhain Brennan.
Rebecca has decided to take an exciting opportunity for her and her family to relocate to Magnetic Island (in Queensland) where she will be one of two GPs on the island.
Following the successful completion of his fellowship exams, Tim is taking the opportunity to do some extensive travel around the world.
Siobhain has moved practices as part of her continued registrar training. We wish them all well in each of their respective pursuits and hope to see them all back at Mead sometime soon.
Kalamunda Clinic – Closed 29th January
The Kalamunda Clinic will be closed on Sunday the 29th of January. We will re-open on Monday the 30th of January.
We are sorry for any inconvenience caused and thank you for understanding.
SMART Goals
With 2017 just around the corner, it is now that we start thinking about our resolutions for the New Year, and some of the most common New Year’s resolutions are health related.
These can be very individual but common ones include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, increasing exercise or losing weight.
When it comes to goal setting, there are some very simple things that we can do to give ourselves the best chance of success.
- Write it down
- Let other people know what you are trying to achieve (as they will be able to keep you motivated)
- Be SMART
SMART is an acronym and way of formulating goals that has been proven to significantly increase the chances of achieving that goal.
S – Specific (exactly what are you trying to achieve)
M – Measurable (how will you know if it has been achieved)
A – Attainable (is it possible to achieve this goal)
R – Relevant
T – Time based (by when do I want to achieve this goal)
Using the framework above, an example of a health related SMART goal would be:
‘I want to lose 10kg (specific, measurable, attainable) by July 1st 2017 (time based)’
Once you have your goal worked it, it is much easier to put strategies in place to help you achieve it.
Good luck with health goals in 2017, and remember your GP will be an important part of your support team, so get them involved.
November 16th was World COPD Day
What is COPD?
Otherwise known as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), is a chronic lung condition that can lead to chronic cough, phlegm production and shortness of breath.
It affects up to 1 in 7 Australians.
Who gets COPD?
Smokers or ex smokers make up 80% of COPD cases, although passive smoking, occupational exposure and long term poorly controlled asthma are other risk factors.
How is it diagnosed?
COPD is diagnosed with a lung function test, or spirometry, which can be easily arranged through your local GP.
How is it treated?
Unfortunately COPD is not treatable but medications are available that can help with the symptoms.
Early treatment is important, so if you are a smoker (particularly over the age 35) or have any of the symptoms mentioned above it is important to be screened for COPD.
How can I prevent COPD?
Stopping smoking is by far the most important way to prevent the development of COPD.
There are lots of treatments and strategies available to help with this, and your GP would be happy to discuss these with you.
Kalamunda Clinic Closed from 6pm Tuesday the 13th of December
Please note, the Kalamunda Clinic will be closed today, Tuesday the 13th of December, from 6pm. Please note that our previous post said we would be closed all day today. This is incorrect and we are open until 6pm. We are sorry for any inconvenience
This is a one off occurrence and normal hours will resume on Wednesday the 14th of December.
Goodbye Dr Julia Marcello
After 11 months on maternity leave, we are sad to advise that Dr Julia Marcello has decided not to return to Mead Medical. With the birth of her daughter, Julia has decided to work closer to home; a decision we understand and support.
Julia has made a great contribution over the last five years and will be greatly missed by colleagues and patients alike.
We wish Julia and her family the best of luck and thank her for her dedication and commitment to Mead Medical over the years.
Shingles Vaccine
Shingles is a common condition which can affect up to one third of adults in their lifetime (increasingly as people age).
It is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus and can present with fever, flu like symptoms, headache and then the classic rash, which will look like small blisters, usually in a stripe like pattern, affecting one side of the body. A tingling or burning sensation can be felt on the skin before the rash develops.
As people get older or if they have low immunity, the symptoms can be more severe and the risk of developing complications increases, including prolonged pain symptoms, blindness (if the eye is affected), temporary paralysis of the face and meningitis.
The Department of Health will be funding a Shingles vaccine (Zostavax) as part of their National Immunisation Program Schedule from the 1st November 2016.
The vaccine will be free for all patients aged 70-79.
If you are interested in finding out more, please make an appointment with your regular GP at Mead Medical.
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