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| Monday | 8:00AM-8:00PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00AM-8:00PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00AM-8:00PM |
| Thursday | 8:00AM-8:00PM |
| Friday | 8:00AM-5:00PM |
| Saturday | 8:30AM-12:30PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
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Latest News Articles
13Aug
Syphilis surge declared ‘of national significance’ for first time
A nationwide push to contain syphilis is now in place, as Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd declared it a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance (CDINS). The declaration, the first of its kind for syphilis since notifications for the disease began to be tracked in 2004, is designed to redouble nationwide healthcare efforts to reduce and treat infections, which have spiralled in recent years. The declaration of a CDINS enables an ‘enhanced coordination of national efforts’ from the federal, state and territory governments to stop spread and ‘dire health outcomes’. Cases of syphilis peaked in 2023, with 6566 cases of infectious syphilis and 20 cases of congenital syphilis, which led to the deaths of 10 babies. Professor Kidd warned that notifications among women of reproductive age this year ‘are expected to be similar to 2023’. So far in 2025, there have been 3602 new cases of infectious syphilis recorded as well as 11 cases of congenital syphilis leading to four infant deaths. Dr Sara Whitburn, Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Sexual Health Medicine, said there is likely to be a variety of reasons behind the rising levels of sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, including reduced condom use among younger people and older people. She cites decreased sexual health education in schools during the pandemic years as a factor. ‘We still call for supportive, encouraging and non-judgmental education in schools,’ she told newsGP. ‘As STIs rise, they might start in populations who are at higher risk, but then will move into other populations, and that is what we’re seeing in syphilis.’ A newly updated National Syphilis Response 2023–30 plan published by the Interim Australian Centre for Disease Control also warned that the disease ‘is no longer confined to certain regions or cohorts’. For Dr Whitburn, the declaration underpins the need for GPs to offer opportunistic testing where possible. ‘It’s being aware that syphilis is on the rise and that syphilis can occur in all populations,’ she said. ‘Syphilis should be considered in sexually active people, no matter what their background is or their population. ‘It is recommended to do HIV and syphilis testing as well as chlamydia and gonorrhoea for anyone who’s presenting for an asymptomatic STI test.’ Syphilis is asymptomatic in about half of new cases.
Dr Whitburn also stressed the importance of testing throughout pregnancy, including in the third trimester. This year, rates of syphilis notifications are highest among 30–34-year-olds, with 587 notifications for males and 140 for females in this cohort recorded so far. The most notifications in 2024 were in New South Wales (968), followed by Queensland (869) then Victoria (834). However, the highest rate per 100,000 was in the Northern Territory (111) followed by Queensland (26) then NSW (22). Professor Kidd’s statement said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are ‘disproportionately affected’, with notification rates seven times higher than for non-Indigenous Australians last year. It also stated that of the 99 cases of congenital syphilis reported between 2016 and 2024, 33 infants died, with 58% of those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants. Professor Kidd said he is ‘very concerned’ about the disease’s ongoing impact. ‘I urge all Australians who are sexually active to get regular sexual health checks, especially when entering new sexual relationships, during pregnancy or when planning for a baby,’ he said. ‘And I urge all pregnant people to seek antenatal care throughout pregnancy.’ Following the spike in deaths linked to congenital syphilis in 2023, officials from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and the Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine met to discuss ways of addressing the disease. A roundtable report by that group last year recommended the disease be declared of national significance as part of a strategy to eliminate congenital syphilis. Dr Whitburn believes that, despite the recent rise in cases, the elimination goal is attainable – but also highlighted the issue of current supply shortages of certain benzathine benzylpenicillin products used in the treatment of bacterial infections such as syphilis. ‘Syphilis is treatable now,’ she said. ‘One of the things I hope the Chief Medical Officer’s statement might support is also advocating for the protection of things like benzathine benzylpenicillin, which is so important – making sure we have got good manufacture and good delivery routes.’
Photo and Article Courtesy of RACGP
11Jul
New Medicare Item Numbers for Menopause Treatment
The government has announced new Medicare item numbers for assessing and treating menopause. Please ask your GP how this affects you. Additionally, exciting new medications for menopause treatment are now available for our patients.Menopause appointments should be booked as long appointments with your GP to ensure comprehensive care.
https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/australian-government-strengthening-medicare-with-over-500-million-for-womens-health <!-- [if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><!--[endif]-->
27Jun
Game Changing Reforms Allow GPs to Treat ADHD
In May 2025, the government announced significant healthcare reform allowing GPs to both diagnose and treat ADHD. This service is already available in other states around Australia, and Brunker Road General Practice will be participating in this important change.We are hoping to have several GPs completing additional training and qualifications to provide this service, however the deails and timeline of the process is not yet clear. We will keep you informed via our news section on our website when we know more.Please note that ADHD appointments will likely need to be longer than standard consultations. We will develop a comprehensive plan and keep patients informed through updates on our website.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/ministerial-releases/game-changing-reforms-allow-gps-to-treat-adhd-to-reduce-wait-times-and-costs
Image Courtesy of RACGP
26Mar
Measles alert for Newcastle and Lake Macquarie areas
Measles alert for Newcastle and Lake Macquarie areas
Hunter New England Local Health District is advising people to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after being notified of three cases who were infectious while visiting several locations in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie areas.
One of the cases, who is unvaccinated, recently returned from Vietnam, where there is an ongoing large scale outbreak of measles. The cases are known to each other.
People who attended the following locations at the specified times should watch for the development of symptoms. These locations do not pose an ongoing risk.
Charlestown soccer ground
o Saturday 1 March 2025, 2pm – 5pm
Belmont Hospital Emergency Department
o Monday 10 March 2025, 10.30am – 8:30pm
o Sunday 23 March 2025, 11am – 6pm
Go Vita Lake Haven shopping centre
o Sunday 2 March 2025, 11am – 2pm
o Sunday 16 March 2025, 10am – 4pm
Go Vita Mount Hutton shopping centre
o Monday 17 March 2025, 11am – 5pm
Dr David Durrheim, Director of Public Health Hunter New England Local Health District, said anyone who visited the above locations at those times should monitor for symptoms.
“Measles is a vaccine preventable disease that is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes,” Dr Durrheim said.
“Symptoms to watch out for include fever, runny nose, sore eyes and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body.
“It can take up to 21 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it's important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms for three weeks after the dates listed.
“If they develop symptoms, they should call ahead to their GP or emergency department to ensure they do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients.
“We want to remind the community to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations. The measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough.
“Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine. This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment."
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective and is given free for children at 12 and 18 months of age. It is also free in NSW for anyone born after 1965 who hasn't already had two doses.
Children under the age of 12 months can have their first dose of MMR up to six months early if they are travelling overseas. Parents should consult their GP.
People who are unsure of whether they have had two doses should get a vaccine, as additional doses are safe. This is particularly important prior to travel. MMR vaccine is available from GPs (all ages) and pharmacies (people over 5 years of age).
For more information on measles, view the measles factsheet. If you, or a loved one, is experiencing measles symptoms, or have questions about measles, please call your GP or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.