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From November 1, 2023, eligible Australians aged over 65 are able to receive free protection against shingles.

This initiative is part of an $800 million investment in immunization, designed to safeguard the health of our senior citizens. The previously funded Zostavax will no longer be available after 31 October 2023. 

What is Shingles?

• Shingles is a viral infection caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus and typically presents as a painful, blistering rash on one side of the face or body that lasts 10-15 days
• One in five people who gets shingles may develop severe and long lasting chronic nerve pain known as post-herpetic neuralgia
• The risk of shingles and severity of the rash and neuralgia increases with age, making Australians aged 65

Who is eligible?

1. Adults aged 65 years and over (>50 if Indigenous), including those who have self-funded the first dose of Shingrix
2. Those aged 18 years and older, who have previously been unable to have Zostavax due to a weakened immune system 

Please note that patients who have previously received Zostavax free under the NIP cannot receive free Shingrix until at least 5 years after the Zostavax dose.

To book an appointment or find out more, please contact our friendly team 03 9584 9504.

Southland Medical Centre has joined thousands of healthcare providers across Australia in registering for MyMedicare. MyMedicare is a new voluntary registration system that will help us formalise the relationship between us and our patients. 

Formalising the patient-practice relationship, like with MyMedicare, has been shown to improve patient health and wellbeing, and that is why we are inviting all our regular patients to register for MyMedicare. 

MyMedicare allows you to nominate a general practice and General Practitioner (GP) as your regular healthcare provider. When you register in MyMedicare it supports our practice to provide more of the targeted care you need. Currently, patients who register with our practice in MyMedicare may benefit from longer MBS-funded telephone consultations, from 1 November 2023.

 If you would like to nominate your preferred GP at Southland Medical Centre, the process is simple and convenient:

1. complete your registration via your Express Plus Medicare App or complete the registration process in your Medicare Online Account
2. complete a Registration Form via the link or at our practice. Our friendly team are available to assist you in the registration process to ensure you receive the care that suits your needs. 

FAQ’s

What is MyMedicare – MyMedicare is a new voluntary and free patient registration model. It aims to formalise the relationship between patients, their general practice, general practitioner (GP) and primary care teams.

Why Register for MyMedicare? – Evidence shows that seeing the same GP and healthcare team regularly leads to better health outcomes. MyMedicare patients will have access to:

• greater continuity of care with your registered practice, improving health outcomes
• longer Medicare Benefit Scheme (MBS) funded telehealth consultations with your GP
• triple bulk billing incentive for longer MBS telehealth consultations for eligible children under 16, pensioners, and concession card holders

Does MyMedicare restrict me to only seeing my preferred GP? – No. Registering with MyMedicare does not restrict your access to other healthcare providers including other GP’s and practices. You will only be able to access benefits provided through MyMedicare at your registered practice.

Can I change my GP/practice? Yes, you can change or update your preferred GP or regular practice. Once you have registered with your regular general practice and preferred GP in MyMedicare, you are able to change or update your registration at any time.

Is MyMedicare the same as My Health Record? – No. MyMedicare is a registration system that records your details and the details of your regular general practice and primary care team. MyMedicare can not hold any of your clinical health information. Your clinical information will continue to be available in your My Health Record, if you have one.

Our clinical and reception team recently underwent our CPR training. And although it doesn’t look like it, all dolls survived!

Our entire team keeps their CPR training up to date, which usually includes a few laughs too.

Southland Medical Centre is currently preparing for Accreditation Certification, part of our commitment to bringing you quality, patient focused healthcare.

Practice accreditation is independent recognition that a practice meets the requirements of governing industry standards. These are set by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).

General Practices are recognised for their commitment to safety, quality and continuous improvements with the award of practice accreditation.