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.

For appointments:
Call us on 9944 6200
email: info@erahealth.com.au

Lockdown in Melbourne: Mad, Sad or Fed Up

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.

Accept the reality of lockdown and look to positives by focussing on yourself, your family/co-residents and your home.

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.

Remember, Era Health remains open for both face-to-face and telehealth consultations.

Stay safe.

For appointments:

Go online (https://www.erahealth.com.au/)
Email the clinic (info@erahealth.com.au)
Call the clinic (9944 6200)

Other Blogs Post

How to put on, wear and remove a Facemask effectively

Mental health & COVID-19 – Tips and advice‎

Telehealth appointments in Melbourne from The Comfort Of Your Home

Disposable facemasks – advice from Era Health

Tips on how to put on, wear and remove a facemask effectively

Welcome to week two of the Victorian COVID 19 lockdown – facemasks.

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.

Remember, Era Health Doctor Melbourne CBD remains open for both face-to-face and telehealth consultations.

Stay safe.

For appointments:

Go online (https://www.erahealth.com.au/)

Email the clinic (info@erahealth.com.au)

Call the clinic (9944 6200)

Mental health & COVID-19 – Tips and advice‎

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:

Go online (https://www.erahealth.com.au/)
Email the clinic (info@erahealth.com.au)
Call the clinic (9944 6200)

Other telephone and online supports:
Beyond Blue
1300 224 636
www.beyondblue.org.au
Lifeline Australia
13 11 14
www.lifeline.org.au

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.

Go online (https://www.erahealth.com.au/)
Email the clinic (info@erahealth.com.au)
Call the clinic (9944 6200)

Clinic hours: 9.00 AM – 5.00 PM Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays)

Other News on Telehealth

Your Next Doctors Appointment Could Be Right from The Comfort Of Your Home
https://local.google.com/place?id=10082356490144129063&use=posts&lpsid=6697344607038570664

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.

• If you feel unwell, stay home and call a doctor or health professional, Era Health Doctor Melbourne CBD offers Telehealth Appointment for all new or current patients. 

• 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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=q6kyXtChVJ0&feature=emb_title

References

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorian-public-coronavirus-disease-covid-19         

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