Avoiding doctors or allied health during the current lockdown?
A significant amount of caution, and in some cases fear, has been created within the community in relation to the current pandemic. This has resulted in some patients not consulting with their health practitioner in a timely fashion resulting in adverse health outcomes. Please remember:
Era Health remains open for both telehealth and face-to-face consultations;
Under the lockdown conditions, you are permitted to travel beyond the 5 km radius of your home to attend a medical consultation (if Victoria Police stop you, you only need to advise them that you are attending the clinic and that they are able to confirm this either by contacting the clinic or seeing your appointment details on the SMS forwarded to you by the clinic);
Should you attend the clinic, you are at even less risk of contracting the COVID virus than you are by visiting your supermarket; and
Don’t let your medical conditions deteriorate.
Please note: Should you have symptoms of COVID – 19 (i.e. fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose and loss of sense of smell or taste), DO NOT attend to any clinic or work but DO follow the advice of the Department of Health and Human Services and get tested (https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/getting-tested)
Please stay safe and get in touch with us if you need some guidance or assistance.
Welcome to week four of the Victorian Covid lockdown! Had hoped to be able to say that we are in the last half of this state and on the way to an easing of restrictions – but this may not be the case.
So, are you tired of those walls, not socialising, perhaps feeling down, not working efficiently, Covid-fatigued? Fed up with your family or co-residents?
How hard is this new Lockdown in Melbourne?
Many of us may feel that life could be a bit better.
There are many articles on how to manage on the Internet but here are a few tips that may help.
Maintain regular communication between friends and family using the phone or the Internet.
Maintain a routine by getting up at your normal time, showering and dressing and attending to work and other activities.
Schedule your daily work into blocks of time setting yourself tasks for completion within those time blocks. Adhere to them with suitable breaks between for a refreshment break and/or a chat.
Eat carefully and drink wisely avoiding an excess of both.
Exercise is very important even if it is just walking. Try and do about 40 minutes a day, preferably outside.
Limit the amount of time spent listening to or watching broadcasts about COVID. They may increase your anxiety, anger and depression.
If you notice a change in your behaviour (becoming anxious, angry or depressed), seek help. Remember, we are available to help you and all that is required is a phone call or email.
Stay safe and follow the official advice on remaining safe with COVID.
Wear a mask. If you have a medical reason preventing you from wearing a mask, we can provide you with the necessary medical certificate. Just call us.
Facemasks/face coverings have now become compulsory in the Melbourne Metropolitan area and Mitchell shire.
For those wearing disposable facemasks (you are also permitted to use cloth masks and scarves), they must be put on, worn and removed safely.
We have noted many people are not wearing their facemasks properly!
Here are a few tips on how to put on, wear and remove a facemask effectively:
1- before touching a facemask, sanitise your hands (either washes your hands with soap and warm water or with a hand-wash containing between 70 – 95% ethanol);
2- holding the facemask only by the ties/ear loops, with the coloured side facing away from you and with the metal strip uppermost, position the top part of the mask containing the metallic strip over your nose, and secure the upper ties/ear loops (if ties, secure the upper ties above your ears);
3- centre the mask and then squeeze the metallic section so that it fits snugly over your nose;
4- holding the white rim of the lower part of the facemask, gently pull it down over your chin so that the mask fits snugly;
5- if your mask has ties, secure the lower ties beneath your ears;
6- change your facemask every four (4) hours or should it become moist;
7- DO NOT TOUCH the mask once you have it on (if you need to touch your mask, sanitise your hands first);
8- if you wear glasses, you may experience initial fogging of your glasses;
9- and, without touching the mask other than by the ties/loops, place it in a bin;
10- after removing your mask, sanitise your hands.
11- remember, used facemasks are potentially infectious.
It’s been a stressful time all around since coronavirus (COVID-19) arrived. COVID 19 brought a lot of uncertainty into our lives.
Some potential mental health impacts could affect all of us. Here are some of the problems.
• increased anxiety, a fear for our health.
• psychological distress
• social isolation
• Momentary interruption of our work or study
• Lack of a daily routine and functioning.
If you are feeling stress, anxiety, or any other mental health concern, below are some practices to help your Mental health to cope with COVID-19 – Tips and advice.
1. It is essential to maintain a daily routine.
2. Connect with family and friends
3. Practise exercises and try to eat healthy foods.
4. Limit the use of alcohol.
5. Find activities that can relax you. Meditation could be a great help
6. Avoid the 24 hours news that we are being exposed as well as content on Social Media
Below are some services for you to seek support if you need.
You can book an appointment to see one of our Doctor or Psychologist at Era Health.
Era Health, we offer both face-to-face consultations as well as Telehealth services.
For appointments:
How your health can be affected by the new restrictions
Welcome to Week 1 of the reimplementation of Stage 3 restrictions for those that live in the Melbourne Metropolitan area.
Era Health Doctor Melbourne CBD is open and operating as normal and providing both face-to-face and Telehealth consultations during this new Melbourne Stage 3 restrictions.
Telehealth is a great option for those not wanting to attend the clinic especially for those living outside the Stage 3 zones. With Telehealth, we can provide:-
• Consultations for many (but not all) medical conditions;
• Prescriptions for your medication(s);
• Chronic care plans;
• Mental health consultations and care plans; and
• Medical and WorkCover certificates.
It is important not to let minor health conditions become worse during this period just because you may feel reluctant to visit a health professional. We are here to help.
How to book Bulk Billed Tele-Health Consultation at Era Health?
You can book a Telehealth appointment on our website using the “Book Telehealth Online” button, or you can call the clinic to arrange it.
For Telehealth appointment, you will receive a call around your appointment time.
Are you living in Melbourne and looking for a new Medical Centre? There are a few things you need to look for to find the right medical Centre in Melbourne CBD, so here is what you need to know.
In Australia, over 400,000 people visit their general practitioner.
Now, from all of 400,000 people, only very few are happy with the Medical Clinic they choose.
The question here is why it is so hard to find the right Medical Centre near me?
The simple answer is because before going to visit a new GP, you need to be prepared to perform proper due diligence.
Do you know that there are approximately 28,000 registered practitioners in Victoria alone? That means they we have a lot to choose from but asking the right question we can be much closer to landing in the optimal Medical Clinic.
Here are the Top Tips to Find the best Medical Centre near me.
1- Mapping out your local area
If there is not a Medical Centre close to your home or work, try to find the nearest one.
Your GP must be close to your home or work in the case that you need to rush to see him. The last thing that we want is feeling seek and must travel far to your clinic. Preferent a walking distance is the ideal.
2- Ask your family and friends
Most likely, you know what you want. However, it can still be beneficial to ask people that you trust like your friends and family if they can recommend a General Practitioner.
People experience over time can be very useful, especially about a Doctor or a Medical Centre.
As we all are different, you must understand the needs and values of the adviser before we ask for a recommendation. If they closely align with your own, then add them to your shortlist to check out.
Sometimes we do not have the people to ask for advice, and that is ok. These days we can rely on Online reviews. In my opinion, Google reviews are the most effective way to get real opinions.
Let’s say that you search for Medical Centre near me, the first three results (called 3 pack Google My business) will show the number of starts and amount of reviews. The more reviews the medical Centre has, the more confident I am that the reviews are real.
As a rule, more than 50 reviews are a good indicator that what you are reading is most likely correct. Also, if the clinic or Doctor shows only five stars reviews, I would not trust very much, as it is hard to believe that every single patient received an outstanding experience.
3- Quality Control
There are several ways that you can check if your Medical Centre has the quality of care that you need. Firstly, those reviews I mentioned earlier are the right place to start.
Secondly, check that your General practitioner is registered with the Medical Board of Australia; this means the Doctor must be up to date on the latest practices and information.
Also, and perhaps the most critical aspect of quality control is that the medical Centre is an accredited clinic. But what is general practice accreditation?
According to RACGP, Accreditation is an integral part of safe and quality general practice in Australia. General practice accreditation is an independent recognition that practices meet the requirements of the governing national industry Standards. The standards are set by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
By undergoing independent assessment, the award of accreditation reassures practice owners, staff, and patients that the practice is meeting the safety and quality standards, by the RACGP.
A clinic to be accredited takes a lot of time and work. The preparation usually takes up to 3 years. If your Medical Centre is an accredited clinic, you can be sure that the clinic reaches the necessary standards to practise.
4- Cold Call Research
Now, you should have an excellent shortlist of clinics by far, and the next step is to call each of the practices. Phone etiquette of the practice tells a lot in the way of how they treat a patient.
There are some questions that you can ask about the following:
How they fulfil repeat prescriptions?
How do they let you know about test results?
What are the different ways you can book an appointment? Online, email, telephone, etc.
5- Trust Your Gut Feelings
Take everything we have discussed today into consideration when making your final choice. However, you also must go with what feels right for you.
Make an appointment in the clinic near you and see how you feel about the Doctor in person. At the end of the day, your feeling about the Doctor is critical.
You should feel comfortable discussing any aspect of your health with your General Practitioner. Working through the steps that we have presented to find your right clinic and then go with your instincts.
At Era Health Doctor Melbourne CBD, we manage all your Medical needs in one clinic.
Era Health Doctor Melbourne CBD provides medical services through our highly experienced General Practitioners. Here are some of our services
Skin Checks, HIV Rapid Test, Travel Doctor, Mental Health Services, Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Family Planning, Vaccination, Aviation Medicals, Diving Medicals, Weight Management, Executive Health Assessments, and More.
In times of Covid 19 we are offering the following services as well.
Telehealth or face-to-face consultations
Did you know you can book and attend your appointments at Era Health Doctor Melbourne CBD via Telehealth or face-to-face consultations?
Until 30 of September 2020 patients are eligible to use telehealth via phone or video for all regular appointments, GP management plans and mental health plans, so there is no need to wait for your health needs even if you are isolating at home.
For GP telehealth consultations will be bulk-billed for patients experiencing financial difficulties due to the current crisis.
Flu Vaccination
With the 2020 flu season arriving in Melbourne, the Flu Vaccination is even more critical than ever in 2020. Era Health Doctor Melbourne CBD is offering Flu shots for new and current patients.
Now, more than ever your health needs to be your priority. Telehealth Appointments
Telehealth Appointments
Now, more than ever your health needs to be your priority. Telehealth or face-to-face consultations are here to help
Did you know you can book and attend your appointments at Era Health Doctor Melbourne CBD via Telehealth or face-to-face consultations?
Until 30 of September 2020 patients are eligible to use telehealth via phone or video for all regular appointments, GP management plans and mental health plans, so there is no need to wait for your health needs even if you are isolating at home.
For GP consultations, telehealth consultations will be bulk-billed if you have a health care card, are over 70, ATSIC or have a chronic health condition. Any patients experiencing financial difficulties due to the current crisis will also be bulk-billed for telehealth.
For Psychologist consultations- teleheatlh consultations are available, but you need to ensure that you have a current mental health care plan to be eligible for medicare re-imbursement.
How to book Telehealth Appointments:
You can book a telehealth appointment on our website using the “Book Now” button or via the Appointuit Online Booking App – the same way you would book any normal appointment, or you can call the clinic to arrange this.
For phone appointments, you will receive a call around your appointment time
Flu Vaccination
At Era Health Doctor Melbourne CBD, you can have your Flu Vaccination, WE STILL HAVE STOCK.
The vaccines are quadrivalent influenza vaccines (QIVs) and are available for everyone aged 6 months or over.
The flu vaccine is free for those aged 6 months – 5 years and those aged 65 years or over. There is a small fee for all others. Please note that consultations for the flu vaccination only are bulk billed.
Coronavirus: what are the symptoms and how to act when you think you could be infected.
Coronavirus: Symptoms and What to Do – Update 15 March 2020
The coronavirus or better known as COVID-19, whose first cases were detected in early December 2019 in China, remained at the center of the world scene after its expansion around the world. Most infected people experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more serious in some cases. The risk groups are those over 65 years old and patients with pre-existing diseases.
What are the symptoms of coronavirus?
Some of them are high fever, chills, shortness of breath, sore throat, cough, muscle pain, and runny nose. The most complex cases are registered in the risk groups.
How to prevent coronavirus?
The World Health Organization lists several tips that are generally applied to reduce the risk of respiratory infections.
• Wash your hands frequently with an antiseptic gel, or with soap and water. The virus can be transmitted by touching contaminated or diseased surfaces, so this hygiene action reduces risks.
• Regularly clean certain surfaces such as desks in workplaces.
Ensure that information on COVID-19 comes from reliable sources such as national public health agencies, medical professionals, or the World Health Organization itself. It is important to understand that the COVID-19 usually begins with fever or dry cough, not with nasal discomfort.
• Avoid travelling when symptoms of fever or cough occur: if there is discomfort during a flight, immediately inform the crew, and once at home, contact health professionals, informing where you have been.
• When you need to cough or sneeze, always do it on the arm sleeve (not on the hand) or use a handkerchief that should be thrown away immediately, and then wash your hands.
• People over 65 years of age or patients with health problems such as cardiovascular, respiratory or diabetes disease are at greater risk of complications from potential infection, so extra precautions should be taken, avoiding crowded areas or places where they could be in contact with potentially infected people. These people at high risk should perform voluntary isolation in their homes.
• Avoid showing up spontaneously to an emergency department if you are uncertain about your conditions.
To be tested, it is important that patients fall into one of the three categories of the suspected case below:
A. Patients that have clinical and epidemiological criteria, which means: fever or acute respiratory infection AND international travel in the 14 days before the onset of illness, or close contact in the 14 days before illness onset with a confirmed case of COVID-19. Please note that casual contact is no longer a trigger for testing.
B. Patients that have severe community-acquired pneumonia (who are critically ill) and no other cause is identified, with or without recent international travel.
C. The patient is a healthcare worker with direct patient contact who has a fever (≥ 37.5) AND an acute respiratory infection (e.g. shortness of breath, cough, sore throat).
For more information visit Era Health Doctor Melbourne CBD www.era health.com.au or Call us at 9944 6200
What it is a Fitness for Duty, and what are the benefits?
Fitness for Duty assessments is designed to ensure an employee is physically fit and capable of carrying out the tasks associated with their particular job description. The fit to work assessment is a vital aspect of the injury management process for your staff as well as being essential to the operation of risk management for the company.
Benefits
Helps you manage and assess the health issues of your staff.
Assists in the risk management process of your company.
Assists in the worker’s compensation and injury management process of your workforce.
Assists with injury rehabilitation
Contributes to health and safety in the workplace
Complies with Workers’ Compensation legislation.
This service is available through Era Health Work Solutions in Melbourne and Australia wide.
Features
At Era Health, we pride ourselves on the attention to detail contained in our fitness for duty examinations and assessments. With an extensive consultation with the employee and managers, we aim to acquire a thorough understanding of their job description and the requirements of their position. A complete medical examination will ascertain the fitness and readiness of the employee to return to work.
A full written report is prepared, which contains the findings of our team, gives concise medical information and outlines specific recommendations if applicable.
Employees who are not physically or mentally fit for work constitute a danger to themselves as well as to others in the workforce. The purpose of an Era Health Fitness for Duty assessment is to conduct a full evaluation of an employee’s capability to remain at, or return to, their position. The comprehensive report applies to workers’ compensation and permanent disability claims.
If you need more information you can visit our website www.erahealth.com.au or you can call on 03 9944 6200
What is Keto or Ketosis?
If you are Keto diet beginner, Keto means fat burning
When you burn fat, the fat breaks down into what’s called Ketones where the body can use it as an alternative fuel, a much better fuel-source than sugar fuel. It lowers blood sugar and insulin levels and shifts the body’s metabolism away from carbs and towards fat and ketones.
What are the Best Type of Keto Diets
Different Types of Ketogenic Diets
There are many types of ketogenic diet, including:
Standard ketogenic diet (SKD): This is a very low-carb, moderate-protein and high-fat diet. It typically contains 75% fat, 20% protein and only 5% carbs (1Trusted Source).
Cyclical ketogenic diet (CKD): This diet involves periods of higher-carb refeeds, such as five ketogenic days followed by two high-carb days.
Targeted ketogenic diet (TKD): This diet allows you to add carbs around workouts.
High-protein ketogenic diet: This is similar to a standard ketogenic diet but includes more protein. The ratio is often 60% fat, 35% protein and 5% carbs.
Reduce weight on a Keto diet
Can I reduce weight on a Keto diet?
The answer is yes. A ketogenic diet is a great way to lose weight and reduce many risk factors for disease such as Cancer.
Healthy Ketosis is a version of regular Ketosis based on a principle where you must “Get healthy first, then lose the weight.” And “get healthy” means related to eating healthy, high-quality foods that are providing all of your nutrients.
The number of carbs that you can eat in a ketogenic diet is between 20–50 grams per day. probably its sound challenging, but lots of foods will fit into this diet. That is why we have created this blog for Keto diet for beginners so you can have a better understanding of what is involved.
We have selected 9 most healthy foods to eat on a ketogenic diet.
Seafood on a Keto diet
1. Seafood
Fish is very keto-friendly food. Probably Salmon is the number one superfood. It is very rich in B vitamins, potassium and selenium, and cero carb.
Sardines, mackerel and other fatty fish as well are very high in omega-3 fats.
Low-Carb Vegetables
2. Low-Carb Vegetables
Starchy vegetables such as Potato, Sweet Potato, Pumpkin you should avoid them in a Keto Diet. Contrary Non-starchy vegetables are low in calories and carbs and provide lost of nutrients, like vitamin C and several minerals.
Here is a list of 20 best veggies for a Ketogenic Diet
Bell Peppers
Broccoli
Asparagus
Mushrooms
Zucchini
Spinach
Avocados
Cauliflower
Green Beans
Lettuce
Garlic
Kale
Cucumbers
Brussels Sprouts
Celery
Tomatoes
Radishes
Onions
Eggplant
Cabbage
3. Cheese
Cheese is great to eat on the keto diet. But not all cheeses are created equal. Learn which cheeses are healthy, which cheeses to avoid, and where cheese fits into your ketogenic diet.
4. Avocados
Here we have another superfood. Avocados are high in several vitamins and minerals, including potassium, an important mineral many people may not get enough of. Also, Avocados offer a rich source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids. They also contain lots of fibre to help digestive health.
Meat and Poultry On A Keto Diet
5. Meat and Poultry
Meat and poultry are considered an important part of a ketogenic diet.
Fresh meat and poultry contain no carbs and are rich in B vitamins and several minerals, including potassium, selenium and zinc. Dieters often give up fatty steaks and pork for leaner cuts of meat like chicken breast. But people on the ketogenic diet understand the important role of fatty steaks and pork for Keto lifestyle diet.
6. Eggs
Eggs are one of the healthiest and most versatile foods on the planet. Eggs are perfect for breakfast on a low-carb diet such as Keto and extremely popular. Just one egg has about 6 grams of protein and only 71 calories.
7. Olive Oil
Olive Oil has an incredibly healthy amount of monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, extra virgin olive oil is a cold-pressed, unrefined oil that maintan the flavour and nutrients of the olives.
8. Nuts and Seeds
One of the healthy, high-fat and low-carb foods, Nuts and seeds have been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, certain cancers, depression and other chronic diseases.
Summary, a ketogenic diet can help you lose much more weight than any other diet.
But also, it has other great health benefits for different health conditions such as Heart disease, Cancer,Alzheimer, Epilepsy, Acne, Brain injuries, Parkinson and more.
Do you want to know more about the Keto diet for beginners please consult with one of our doctors
