MEN’S HEALTH

Hillcrest Medical Centre has doctors with special interest in all areas of men’s health.

Many men put off making appointments with their GP, even though we know that prevention and early diagnosis are critical components for good long-term outcomes.

For several reasons, men have a shorter life expectancy than women. You can start to make changes to this statistic by seeking more regular advice from your doctor about a whole range of men’s health issues.

‘Men’s health’ is a broad category of health, and your ‘men’s health issue’ can be anything you want it to be! Take a moment to reflect on what “men’s health” means to you and how you might go about improving your own health as a man.

A men’s health check is a great place to start and can provide you information about your overall level of wellness or what you could do to help improve your health.

MENTAL HEALTH

Are you feeling stressed, anxious, or depressed? Our doctors at Hillcrest Medical Centre are committed to being the first ones who patients call for during mental health struggles. We understand how complicated mental illnesses can be, regardless of age. Almost half of all Australians from the ages 16 to 85 will experience a mental illness at some point in their life.

The most common conditions are depression and anxiety. If you’re seeking treatment for depression, anxiety or any mental health condition, the doctors at our clinic are here to help.

SEXUAL HEALTH

STD Checks & STI Tests

An active sex life plays an important role in healthy relationships, but it also carries risks. Engaging in any sexual activity without protection can result in sexually transmitted infections (STI) or unintended pregnancies. The sexual health services our clinic offers provides treatment for these issues as well as counselling and other preventative measures.

Hillcrest Medical Centre is a modern, purpose built medical practice. We are committed to providing high standards of care in a friendly environment. Our clinic’s sexual health services, including STD and STI tests and treatments are easily accessible and we’re dedicated to providing the highest level of care to all our patients.

WOMEN’S HEALTH

At Hillcrest Medical Centre, we’re committed to delivering optimal primary care in the area of women’s health. We recognise that it is very important to have a kind, empathetic and thorough GP when seeking help with women’s health issues. That’s why we are very proud to have a FRACGP-qualified female doctor with extensive training and qualifications in specific areas of medicine that affect women.

Just after your routine women’s health check-up? We can help you get the most out of your women’s health routine check-up.

We help patients in all areas of women’s health at all stages of life, including:

• Mental health
• Period pain management
• Skin cancer checks
• Contraception, including insertion of Implanons, Mirena and Kyleena IUDs
• Pap smears (now called cervical screens)
• Breast screens
• Advice on sexual health, fertility, pregnancy care (Antenatal shared care)
• Pregnancy planning and pregnancy checks
• Postnatal health and wellbeing, six-week postnatal checks for new mums and six-week baby checks
• Osteoporosis and bone health
• Menopause management

Implanon Insertion & Removal

This is a long-acting method of contraception in which a single rod approximately 4cm in size is inserted under the skin of your upper arm. You will receive a script to pick it up from a pharmacy. During the insertion process, your doctor will apply a local anaesthetic to the area before making an incision and inserting the implant. The implant should be inserted on days 1-5 of your cycle.

An implant is removed by making a small incision into the area of insertion and then carefully prying it out using forceps. The Implanon should be replaced or removed at three years.

Intrauterine Device (IUD) As Contraception

The intrauterine device, or IUD, is a form of contraception in which a T-shaped frame is inserted into your uterus. The hormonal IUD is made of plastic and releases the hormone progestin to prevent pregnancy. The non-hormonal IUD is made of plastic and copper.

The copper is released in small amounts to disrupt the process of conception. Hillcrest Medical Centre can assist with the insertion and removal of the hormonal intrauterine device (IUD), and in the removal of non-hormonal or copper intrauterine device (IUD).

Hormonal IUD Insertion & Removal

Hormonal IUD, is inserted inside the uterus by a trained doctor. Your doctor will use a speculum to ensure access to the uterine cavity. Once the cervical canal and uterine cavity are aligned and the depth is measured, your doctor will fold the Hormonal IUD arms and insert the device using an applicator tube. There should be a fine nylon string that comes out through the cervix when properly inserted. Your doctor will trim the string should it be too long.

The device can remain for up to five years. If the device is being removed, your doctor will use forceps to grasp at the strings and gently pull.

Copper IUD Removal

At Hillcrest Medical Centre, our doctors are able to remove the copper IUD contraceptive device. Copper IUD devices have varying lifespans of between 5-10 years. Your doctor will advise when it needs to be replaced or removed.

CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT

• Chronic diseases are the leading causes of illness, disability and death
• Patients can benefit from a tailored GP Management Plan
• Patients can gain access to Medicare subsidised allied health visits

Patients with chronic disease often require long term management and hence can benefit from tailored management plan.
At HMC, we endeavour to work with patients to ensure monitoring and control of these chronic conditions.

What are chronic diseases?

Chronic disease is any medical condition that has been, or is likely to be, present for six months or longer. Many patients have more than one chronic disease at the same time. Many different illnesses can be classified under chronic disease.

The following are some examples of chronic diseases:

• Diabetes Mellitus type 1 and 2
• Cardiovascular (Heart) conditions such as Coronary artery disease, Stroke and Vascular disease
• Cancers
• Respiratory conditions such as Asthma, Emphysema and Obstructive sleep apnoea
• Mental health conditions such as Depression and anxiety disorder
• Musculoskeletal conditions such as Arthritis, Osteoporosis and Chronic back pain
• Gastrointestinal conditions such as Coeliac disease and Inflammatory bowel disease
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Neurodegenerative disease such as Dementia, Parkinson disease

Chronic Diseases Care Plans

A GP Management Plan (GPMP) is a plan coordinated by your doctor in order to identify chronic disease management goals and task. The plan is developed every 1 to 2 years depending on circumstances. If your doctor believes that you could benefit from the support of allied health, a Team Care Arrangement (TCA) will be provided.  TCA plan provide patients with Medicare subsidised access to allied health visits from physiotherapist, podiatrist, exercise physiologist, dietitians and diabetes educator. Speak to our doctors at HMC for more information.

Diabetes Care

Diabetes is a complex and chronic health illness requiring multidisciplinary approach to the management. If not managed adequately, diabetes can lead to disease of the heart, kidney, eyes, nerves, and arteries. It is essentials for patients with diabetes to have an in depth understanding of their condition and their dietary requirement. Patients will also benefit from exercise program and regular feet care.

Doctors at HMC can provide a GP Management plan to coordinate the monitoring and care of the disease. Patients with Diabetes will be able to receive 5 subsidised individual allied health visits from diabetes educator, exercise physiologist, dietitian, and podiatrist. In addition, patients may also be eligible to attend a Type 2 Diabetes education program run by diabetes educator.

The following are useful Links:

• https://strokefoundation.org.au/
• https://www.diabeteswa.com.au/
• https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/
• https://www.cancerwa.asn.au/
• https://www.arthritiswa.org.au/
• http://lungfoundation.com.au/
• https://asthmawa.org.au/
• https://kidney.org.au/
• https://www.ncwa.com.au/

EMPLOYMENT MEDICALS & WORKER'S COMPENSATION(WORK COVER)

Doctors practising with Hillcrest Medical Centre can perform a range of medical checks, from pre-employment medical assessment screens to commercial driver’s licence medicals. Many conditions including blackouts, sleep disorders and vision problems can impact your ability to drive safely and may endanger others, so screening is an important public health measure.

Work injuries

If you have been injured at work, we can support you through your recovery. Please note: We do not bill workcover directly unless you have a letter accepting your claim, with a claim number and billing information. If you do not have such a letter, we will bill you as normal and you will need to seek reimbursement from your employer or workover.

IRON INFUSION

Iron is an essential part of healthy function in the human body – it is a central part of haemoglobin, which is used to transport oxygen through the bloodstream. Low iron levels can lead to less oxygen being delivered to your cells, which results in patients struggling with lethargy/tiredness. This is typically resolved through dietary modifications however, in some cases your doctor may decide that an iron infusion is required. This is much more immediate in its effect, and also eliminates any problems with absorption by delivering the iron directly into the blood via an IV drip.

CHILDREN’S HEALTH

Keeping kids healthy and developing good habits early sets them up for better health throughout their lives. A GP who’s good with children can encourage a positive relationship with health management and remove any fears associated with injections or medical visits. GPs practising at HMC are parents themselves and genuinely enjoy interacting with their younger patients.

75 YEARS AND OLDER HEALTH ASSESSMENT

If you are aged 75 years and older and live at home, you are eligible for a bulk-billed annual health assessment. In other words, this health check is provided at no cost.

An annual health assessment will identify ways that you can improve your health and wellbeing. For instance, it will help you by advising you on how you can maintain your independence at home and in your community.

Importantly, the purpose of this health assessment is to help identify any risk factors that may require further health management. In addition to assessing a person’s health status, a health assessment is used to identify a broad range of factors that influence a person’s physical, psychological, and social functioning. Our friendly and professional nurse will undertake a comprehensive and confidential health check.

The annual health assessment involves:

• Information collection, including taking a patient history and undertaking or arranging examinations and investigations as required.
• Making an overall assessment of the patient.
• Recommending appropriate interventions.
• Providing advice and information to the patient.
• Keeping a record of the health assessment, and offering the patient a written report about the health assessment, with recommendations about matters covered by the health assessment; and
• Offering the patient’s carer (if any, and if the GP considers it appropriate and the patient agrees) a copy of the report or extracts of the report relevant to the carer.

Components of the health assessment

Specific components of the health check include an assessment of the patient’s:

• Medication.
• Continence.
• Immunisation status for influenza, tetanus and pneumococcus.
• Physical function, including the patient’s activities of daily living, and whether or not the patient has had a fall in the last 3 months.
• Psychological function, including the patient’s cognition and mood; and
• Social function, including the availability and adequacy of paid and unpaid help, and whether the patient is responsible for caring for another person.

Furthermore, the assessment also includes:

• Measurement of the patient’s blood pressure, pulse rate and rhythm;

In addition, the nurse undertaking the health assessment may also consider:

• Any need the patient may have for community services;
• Social isolation of the patient;
• The patient’s oral health and dentition; and
• The patient’s nutrition status.

Above all, our nurse will work closely with you and your General Practitioner. Therefore, our nurse will co-ordinate any necessary follow up consultations or supports to help you manage your health in the future. This health assessment is provided at no cost.

In conclusion, if you are aged 75 years or older, contact us to book your annual health assessment.

FLU VACCINATION

Should I be vaccinated?

Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months of age or over.

It important to get the flu shot every year, as the virus changes each year. Influenza is the most common vaccine-preventable disease in Australia. Although it can be a mild disease, it can also cause very serious illness in otherwise healthy people. It can require hospitalisation and can cause death. The more people who are vaccinated, the less likely that the flu will spread in the community.

Having influenza usually means taking a week or so away from work or school, and feeling very unwell. Can you and your family afford to risk influenza?

Who should be vaccinated?

Influenza vaccination is particularly recommended for:

• Children aged 6 months to < 5 years
• Adults aged ≥65 years
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• People with medical conditions that increase their risk of influenza
• Homeless people
• Pregnant women
• Carers and household contacts of people in high-risk groups
• Residents, staff and volunteers in aged care and long-term residential facilities
• Commercial poultry and pork industry workers
• People who provide essential community services
• People who are travelling during influenza season

People with the following medical conditions have a higher risk of influenza

• Immunocompromising conditions, such as HIV, malignancy, functional or anatomical asplenia, and chronic steroid use
• Receiving immuno-oncology therapy
• Received a haematopoietic stem cell or solid organ transplant
• Cardiac disease
• Down Syndrome
• Obesity
• Chronic respiratory conditions
• Chronic liver disease
• Other chronic illnesses that need medical follow-up or hospitalisation
• Long-term aspirin therapy in children (aged 6 months to 10 years)
• Preterm infants (<37 weeks gestation)

When should I have the Influenza Vaccine?

We recommended having the Vaccine any time after beginning of April every year.

How much does it cost?

Those eligible for a free (government-funded) flu shot under the National Immunisation Program include:

• People 65 years and over
• People under 5 years of age
• Pregnant women
• People with medical conditions that increase their risk of influenza
• All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People from 6 months of age
• People who are not eligible for a government-funded vaccine may purchase a private vaccine: