If you have a medical condition, which is not optimally controlled and you need medication, or if you have several chronic medical conditions requiring a number of different medications, you may benefit by having a medication review with a consultant.

Consulting clinical pharmacist Ann Winkle, will explain to you what each medication you take is for, ensure you understand what you take and make sure you are taking it at the right time in the best way.

She will look for drug interactions with other medications you might be taking which is why it will be important to include both prescribed and over the counter medications in the review. Ann will then write a report to your doctor.

You can make an appointment to see your doctor who will discuss the medication review with you, taking all your clinical information into consideration, and decide if improvements can be made.

You are welcome to ask a family member or friend to attend the appointments with you.

There is no fee for a medication review.

Our patients and their families enjoy a continuing relationship with a particular GP and their colleagues with support from a practice team and other clinical services in the 'medical neighbourhood'.

This patient-centred model for health care is effective, efficient and welcomed by patients and providers.

Two important facilities which contribute to this medical care and for which many of our patients are eligible areGP Management PlansandTeam Care Arrangements.

GP Management Plans

Our united and informed approach leads to improved patient health and well-being.

Your doctor and Practice Nurse will develop a plan designed to meet your needs. It will give you a co-ordinated approach to include the specialists and allied health practitioners who also care for you.

We see it as an integral part of the personal care we provide for our patients who are living with chronic medical conditions or terminal illness. It ensures both parties have a clear understanding of your very specific needs and provides thought out and well planned pathways to manage those conditions.  We make sure we look after our patients who those require multidisciplinary, team-based care from a GP and at least two other health or care providers.

Who will benefit from a GP Management Plan?

Any person with a chronic (long term) medical condition such as:

• Diabetes
• Asthma
• Arthritis
• Cancer
• Heart Disease
• Osteoporosis
• Mental Health

How does it work?

Taking into account your medical history held at our clinic and other health records you can provide, together we identify the following:

• Your health priorities
• Actions you can take to help manage your condition
• Other health care and community services you need and provide the relevant referrals
• What results you would like from the plan to help with your chronic condition

What will Team Care Arrangements mean for me?

We will prepare any referrals you need.

Once it is determined you would benefit from other health care providers or allied health professionals being involved in providing treatment, a team care arrangement will be completed. With your consent, your doctor or practice nurse will ask the relevant allied health professionals to be part of your care plan.

Who are allied health professionals?

Any allied health worker such as a physiotherapist, dietitian, podiatrist, audiologist, diabetes nurse, occupational therapist, pharmacist, psychologist, psychiatrist or exercise physiologist.  Some of the allied health professionals we work with operate from our clinic rooms.

How many visits can I have with an allied health professional?

Patients with a GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangement are eligible for 5 visits per calendar year to see allied health professionals.

Will it cost me anything?

GP & Team Care Plans are bulked billed by your GP at Keperra Family Practice, so there will be no charge for these services.

Will it cost anything to see an allied health professional under my plan?

Once your GP Management Plan is in place you can access eligible allied health practitioners through the Medicare system. Some may choose to bulk bill you and others may charge you their standard private fee however the rebate you can claim through Medicare is higher than you would receive if claiming through a private health fund. Check with the health practitioner when you book.

I have my Plan, what happens next?

We have made it easy for you:

1. Keep your copy of your GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangement in a safe place.
2. Book your appointments with your allied health teams.
3. Track how you are responding to the recommendations and healthcare services you receive
4. Book a review with your GP every six months to discuss your treatment. Ask if we can set up a reminder for you!

As we age, our health requirements change and we may develop a chronic illnesses that could be prevented.

There are a number of Health Assessments patients can take advantage of at various life stages. In many cases, experience has shown having a relevant Care Plan has provided the patient with information and tools which may help them prevent an illness such as diabetes or other complex health needs.

All the following Health Assessments are Bulk Billed.

45-49 Year Old Health Check

We all know prevention is better than cure. That's why the 45 year old Health Check has been introduced to assist with the prevention or early detection of disease.

The aim of the health check is to help find, prevent or lessen the effect of disease and it is for everyone aged between 45 and 49. It will help identify those who may be at risk of developing a health complaint like diabetes, heart problems or cancer.
This health check will give us the opportunity to look at your lifestyle, medical and family history to find out if you are at risk. It involves:

• Updating your medical history and looking at any health issues
• Doing tests (such as blood pressure tests, an ECG or lung function tests), if required
• The follow up of any problems identified
• Advice and information, for example on how to make lifestyle changes to improve your health

Over 75 years Health Check

This assessment provides a structured way of identifying health issues and conditions that may be preventable or responsive to appropriate interventions to improve your health and quality of life. The aim of the health assessment is to help find, prevent or lessen the effect of disease and it is available for everyone once a year from the age of 75.

After all, it is better to avoid disease than to treat it. It gives us the opportunity to look at your lifestyle and medical history. It involves:

• Updating your medical history and looking at any health issues
• Assessing your medication
• Checking your blood tests and doing tests such as ECG or ABI if required
• Reviewing your immunisation status for influenza, tetanus and pneumococcus
• Advice and information, for example on how to make lifestyle changes to improve your health and much, much more

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Health Checks

This assessment will help ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people receive primary health care matched to their needs, by encouraging early detection, diagnosis and intervention for common and treatable conditions that cause morbidity and early mortality.

It covers the full age spectrum including:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who are less than 15 years old
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults who are aged 15 years and over but under the age of 55 years
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander older people who are aged 55 years and over

It includes an assessment of the patient's health, including their physical, psychological and social wellbeing. It also assesses what preventive health care, education and other assistance should be offered to the patient to improve their health and wellbeing. It complements any existing services already being undertaken by any of the patient's health care providers.

Skin checks

We use state-of-the-art high resolution imaging to improve the likelihood of early detection of all types of skin cancers to assist with a patient’s diagnosis and management.

Contact Reception on 3351 0323 to check if you are eligible for one of the Health Assessments and to make an appointment.

Dr Michelle Kwan, is the face of travel medicine here at Keperra Family Practice. As she can tell you, it is amazing how many people can be so focussed on the tours they are going to do, making sure their accommodation has all the bells and whistles and that they have their blog set up, before they even begin to think about their medical safety.  Up to 90% of Aussies travelling in South East Asia end up with some kind of illness, many of which could be avoided had they seen us first.

Our travel doctors can provide patients with accurate travel advice and travel letters stating what medications are prescribed for you and provide you with printed information outlining any specific risks for the areas you are visiting.

Coming down with a tummy bug or a dose of the 'flu can certainly dampen your holiday. Not knowing where to go and what to buy to treat the illness just adds to the stress of the moment.    

Your own GP can assist you with comprehensive advice on overseas travel, so before you travel, make an appointment to discuss:

• Health conditions in the countries you will be visiting
• Best protection available while you are travelling
• The need for any additional vaccinations
• Your current medications and the need for special medications for travel

We can suggest items you should obtain for your own Travel Medical Kit. The practice is accredited to provide and administer Yellow Fever vaccinations. To make sure you are travel ready it is vital that you make an appointment with a travel medicine GP at least 8 weeks before you travel, giving you time to have  the vaccinations at the right time before you leave.  

Medication

If you are travelling with medication, needles or syringes it is important to make sure you have the right paperwork and the relevant country specific information.  

Here are some quick tips to help make your journey run smoothly:

When traveling with large quantities of medication, it is good practice to separate the quantity amongst your luggage, in case bags go missing.  Don’t forget to keep some in your hand luggage!

Keep all medications in the original, labelled container to avoid customs problems.

Make photocopies of the labels, any scripts and doctors letters t ogive to someone back home or a fellow traveller for safe keeping.

Check with the relevant foreign mission in Australia for the countries you are visiting for any health alerts.

Carry a copy of your doctors travel medicine letter explaining your medications and stating it is for personal use only.

For more travel medicine related information go to

http://www.smartraveller.gov.au