All things come to an end, even good things. Unfortunately due to the Medical Boards changes around telehealth and the difficulty in sourcing GPs we have closed our Stradbroke Satellite clinic from the end of October.

We apologise to patients who regularly use our service and encourage you to seek alternative care arrangements either at:

Locally on Stradbroke Island:

Stradbroke Island Medical Centre

34098660 at 4 Kennedy Dr , Point Lookout QLD 4138

or

Yulu-Burri-Ba

3409 9596 at 16 Dickson Way, Dunwich QLD 4183

Alternatively, if you specifically want to retain your normal GP you can receive both telehealth and in person care through our Manly West site.

Dr David Nixon will cease working as a GP at the end of October. 2022 for health reasons. He has been involved significantly in the life of the practice over the last 4 years and leaves a legacy behind him. We know patients may be confused with the recent move to the other practice and with his sudden departure may cause confusion and frustration. Please note our practice will try to address your health concerns and needs with other doctors if you wish.

It is recommended Dr Nixon’s patients book in with Dr Reza or Dr Eleasa for the handover of care.

We wish him well and good health as he moves into this next part of life.

Dr Nixon will no longer be practising at Silky Oaks Medical Practice or Bulk Docs Corner House from 31/10/2022.

This Saturday we are offering a discount of $11.50 on vaccines for groups of 3 or more booking in.

To make a booking simply call the practice

We can come to you!

Nathan Shewry RN and Pharmacist has joined the Team at Silky Oaks.

Nathan provides Home visit consults to patients in the community to enhance the care of chronic conditions.

Nathan’s typical visit lasts 20 mins, he will review whether there are services, immunisations or referral options still available to you in managing your chronic condition. He also will review your medication and how you are managing it.

For some patients, he will provide health assessments to reduce the time you need to spend at the practice for your assessments.

Please welcome Nathan next time you see him.

Telehealth Consults available for All

All medicare cardholders are eligible from Monday 30/03/2020 to have their consult via teleconsult.  This is bulk-billed regardless of your concession status, age or the time of the day.

Telehealth is an effective way to have an appointment with your GP remotely via video or phone meetings. All of our Doctors will be offering telehealth appointments to eligible patients. If your GP concludes that you need a face to face appointment, they will discuss this with you during your telehealth appointment.

Preparing at-risk patients for Corona Virus

If you are over 60 years and have a chronic health condition, please expect a call from our nurses. Over 700 patients will be contacted in the coming weeks as soon as possible. We will endeavour to reach as many as possible.

The nurse will call to develop a personalise Covid Management Plan to make sure you are managing your current chronic health as optimally as possible. They will spend around 15 - 20mins on the phone with you and then book you in to see your usual GP. At this booking, the doctor will finalise this preparation plan and give you Flu vaccine. Please be willing to go through this with them. You must make plans with our team around managing your conditions for the coming months ahead.

Flu Vaccines are here. 

Our Flu Vaccines have arrived. We are running clinics for family groups and individuals under 60 years on Saturday Afternoons and Sunday for the next few weeks. The vaccines cost $16.50. Some patients are eligible for funded vaccines. This includes: 

• all children from 6 months to less than 5 years of age (State-funded)

• pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy (influenza and whooping

•     cough vaccination can be given at the same time OR at different times

•     during pregnancy). More information about whooping cough and influenza

•     vaccination for pregnant women is available

• all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over

• individuals aged 6 months to under 65 years with medical conditions which increase the risk of influenza disease complications (for a full list go to NCIRS Influenza Vaccines Fact Sheet).

• adults aged 65 years and over

You should book this online, due to a significant increase in demand for our services. Select Flu Vaccine as your appointment type in the comments if there is a family group just make a note of the number of people needing to be vaccinated. Please make sure this is for appointments after 2 pm on Saturdays and after 10 am on Sundays. 

When you arrive for your appointment, please follow the directions of staff. 

For all patients in the at-risk groups we want to have you attend the practice for a full review consultation to ensure your medication is up to date in preparation for the Coronavirus outbreak. Please book your appointment as per normal advise you also want a flu vaccine. However, if you simply want to get the flu vaccine with your family at during a flu clinic, please do so.  

Keeping you safe for face-to-face consults

We have made further changes to ensure your safety and that of the doctors at the practice. Some of the changes included:

• All patients with flu/or respiratory conditions need a telehealth consult before attending the practice.

• When you arrive for your appointment please call reception and remain in your car/ or wait outside as we need to limit the number of people in the waiting room to ensure distancing areas are enforced. 

Booking Appointments

Due to high demand for our services, please consider using online bookings when you need to book your appointment. This can be a straight forward process go to www.silkymed.com.au/appointments . Alternatively, please be aware there will be longer wait times for your call to be answered. If you have cold/flu like symptoms please book a telehealth consult the doctor will then advise to attend for a face-to-face.

This is an important patient broadcast in regard to Covid-19/Corona Virus from Silky Oaks Medical Practice. This message is for all patients of Silky Oaks Medical Practice from the Practice Director, Matthew Mercer and Clinical Lead Dr Paul Mercer.

Covid-19 Response

We are here to help you. We will not turn you away if you are concerned you have Covid-19, but please follow the instructions of signs, messages and from reception and nursing staff at the
practice. This is for your safety and everyone else. 

How to determine if you may have Covid-19? Please beware that the is already an influenza A/Rhinovirus and para influenza virus outbreak in Brisbane. If you are feeling unwell it is more
likely you have contracted one of these. The following diagram to self-assess
your likely condition:

If you are concerned about covid-19 please call the practice or book a telehealth-covid appointment through Health Engine with your usual GP. They will discuss your symptoms and determine
whether you may have it or will need testing. If you are at low risk and need clearance for work, we may email/fax a referral form for you to get tested at a local pathology provider. If the doctor suspects you may have Covid-19, they will direct you to the nearest fever clinic.

Introduction of Telehealth Consults 

Medicare is allowing GPs to consult patients via telehealth consistent with Covid-19 risk factors or patients at most risk, such as anyone over 70 years, Aboriginal or Torres Strait islanders over 50
years, anyone with a chronic health condition or is immunocompromised. Parents of infants and pregnant women. These consults will be Bulk Billed regardless of your concession status or the time of day booked. 

We are already equipped to provide Telehealth consults at the practice and will start offering this service from today along with usual in practice consults. We will explore how patients that are not in these categories can access their normal GP via telehealth if they wish. If you don't already have, please consider downloading WhatsApp (surgery number is 0410 571 471) or Skype on to your phone or tablet device. As for some telehealth consults your doctor will need to see you. 

WhatsApp Android

WhatsApp App Store

Skype Google Play

Skype App Store

Increased infection controls 

Importantly we have increased our infection controls in the practice. This has included increase rotation of cleaning schedules by admin and nurses throughout the day. Added we have replaced the water cooler with water bottles and will not require you to sign for Medicare Vouchers to reduce points of high contact traffic.

 For patients that are suspected of Covid-19 we have been isolating these patients to car-park consults during limited times in the day to reduce risk to others and staff. We are focused on your wellbeing and health during this time and will always approach you with compassion and will help you.

We are discussing with health authorities the possibility of having a fever clinic for Covid-19 suspected
patients which would be in a separate location to the practice onsite. If you are asked by your GP to attend this clinic, please understand that it is equipped to test and address your needs better than the practice currently is. 

Flu Vaccines

Government vaccines will arrive in April we are starting to book clinics for the season. Private stock is will
arrive shortly, we will send out an SMS to all patients when they are available. We will be charging $16.50 for however if you are one of the following you will have access to the government-funded stock:

• all children from 6 months to less than 5 years of age (State-funded)

• pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy (influenza and whooping
       cough vaccination can be given at the same time OR at different times
       during pregnancy). More information about whooping cough and influenza
       vaccination for pregnant women is available

• all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over

• individuals aged 6 months to under 65 years with medical conditions   which increase the risk of influenza disease complications (for a full list go to NCIRS Influenza Vaccines Fact Sheet).

• adults aged 65 years and over

It is highly recommended we all get the flu vaccine. In our context we do not want to have influenza and covid-19 at the same time or even consecutively as this will challenge our immune response. Anyone with a chronic health issue or that is over 65 needs to seriously consider the consequence of not having a flu vaccine this year. The flu vaccine does not stop Covid-19 but it is your best shot to reduce
your risk of contracting both which will put your health in severely compromised position.

In the coming months, we will be adaptive and responsive to the covid-19 outbreak and will start to meet your needs in different ways. Whether this is an increase in home visits for vulnerable patients, motor vehicle consults, increase in our telehealth capability or even medication deliveries. We are exploring ways to allow and even increase your access to our services whilst securing your wellbeing. 

Silky Oaks Medical Team

Two new GPs have joined Silky Oaks. They are fellows of the RACGP and plan to stay at Silky Oaks Medical ongoing. They are not bound by the normal restrictions Registrars are under.

Welcome them next time you are at the practice.

We are undergoing some maintenance and our Server will be offline between 12pm Sunday 08/09 to 5am Monday 9/09.

This will impact on our ability to make bookings through HE.

Please be advised that on MONDAY  13th August beginning at 5.30am, there will be rectification work being undertaken on the main driveway to the SIlky Oaks.

This means.

1.       The main driveway will be closed for the most part of the day.

2.       Entry will be available via the rear gate or the CCC carpark.(see attachment) 

3.       The paddock area will be available for car parking

4.       No impact is expected on the front bitumen carpark area for the doctors clinic.

5.       Facilities will have in place parking and traffic control signage.

6.       There will be no access to the driveway area while work is underway.

It is with sadness we are announcing the retirement of Julie Healy. Julie has been a part of the Practice at Silky Oaks for decades. Julie truly has impacted the lives of so many patients. She plans to travel and become more involved in the lives of her grandchildren after many years in nursing. Julie will be greatly missed in the life of the Practice. So please thank her when you see her next for the fantastic work and commitment she has put in over the years to patients and the practice. A big thank you and congratulations from the team at Silky Oaks Medical Practice.

Dr David Nixon has been a GP in the Gumdale/Wakerley area for many years. He and his wife Carolyn will be joining the team at Silky Oaks Medical Practice from Monday 12th Feb. We are excited about his passion and vision for General Practice.

Be ready to welcome Dr Nixon and Carolyn when you see them next at the practice. 

WE ARE CLOSED THIS SATURDAY 25th NOVEMBER FOR MAINTENANCE. AS A RESULT, NO DOCTORS WILL BE ON SITE. PLEASE CALL AFTERHOURS SERVICE 13SICK, National Home Doctor Service