Brunker Road
Medical Centre

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.

More choice, lower costs and better health care for women. The Australian Government will invest $573.3 million to deliver more choice, lower costs and better health care for women. New contraceptive pills listed on the PBS, after more than 30 years. A new contraceptive pill hasn’t been listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in more than 30 years. As a result, 1 in 3 Australian women aged 18-39 who use the combined oral contraceptive pill are paying for a non-PBS listed pill which costs them hundreds of dollars more each year. From 1 March 2025, some of the most commonly used contraceptive pills, Yaz® and Yasmin®, will be listed on the PBS, after the Minister for Health and Aged Care asked the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee to consider how to extend PBS benefits to the newer generation of oral contraceptives and menopause hormone therapies. The listing of drosperinone with ethinylestradiol (Yaz® and Yasmin®) is expected to benefit around 50,000 women each year, who would otherwise pay around $380 per year and will now pay $126.40 a year, or just $30.80 a year with a concession card. Work is also underway to progress the listing of other contraceptive pills. More choice, lower costs and better access to long-term contraceptives. Australian women have some of the lowest uptake of long-term contraceptives like intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) or birth control implants, despite these being the most effective option. One in 10 Australian women use a long-term contraceptive, compared to 1 in 8 women in New Zealand, 1 in 7 in Ireland and 1 in 3 in Sweden. The Government will boost Medicare payments to doctors and nurse practitioners to provide bulk billed insertion and removal of IUDs and implants. Medicare rebates will increase by up to 150 per cent, with around 300,000 women each year expected to save up to $400 in outof-pocket costs.  IUDs and birth control implants provide health benefits that extend beyond contraception, including for the management of heavy menstrual bleeding and painful periods, endometriosis, as well as perimenopause and menopause. An investment of $25.1 million will establish 8 Centres of Training Excellence to ensure healthcare professionals are trained, skilled and confident in this area. Department of Health and Aged Care – More choice, lower costs and better health care for women More Medicare support for women experiencing menopause with health assessments, national guidelines, and the information they and their doctor need. One in 5 Australian women will have menopausal symptoms severe enough to interfere with their daily life. From 1 July 2025, a new Medicare rebate for menopause health assessments will be introduced for women experiencing menopause and perimenopause, so they can get the care and support they need from their family GP. The Government will also provide funding for health professionals to undertake additional training in menopause and perimenopause and develop the first-ever national clinical guidelines. A national awareness campaign will help women have informed discussions with their doctor or health professional. The expanding network of endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics will be staffed to also provide specialist support for menopause. New menopausal hormone therapies listed on the PBS, after more than 20 years. After more than 20 years, three new menopausal hormone therapies will be listed on the PBS, after the Minister for Health and Aged Care asked the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee to consider how to extend PBS benefits to menopause hormone therapies and the newer generation of oral contraceptives. From 1 March 2025, estradiol (Estrogel®), progesterone (Prometrium®) and estradiol and progesterone (Estrogel® Pro) will be listed on the PBS, helping to secure supply and end the shortage of these important treatments. Around 150,000 women each year are expected to benefit, who otherwise might pay between $400 and $670 a year, but will soon pay a maximum of $31.60 each month or just $7.70 with a concession card. Women on these therapies will save up to $290 a year, or up to $577 a year with a concession card. More endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics available in more places and equipped to diagnose and treat menopause. Since coming to Government, Labor has invested more than $127 million to support women with endometriosis, including boosting Medicare rebates for specialist gynaecological care, listing the first endometriosis medicine on the PBS in 30 years, and establishing 22 endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics. As part of this package, the Government will deliver another 11 endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics across Australia and expand the remit of all 33 clinics to also provide specialist support for menopause and perimenopause. Department of Health and Aged Care – More choice, lower costs and better health care for women  Contraceptives and treatment for uncomplicated UTIs directly from pharmacies. To complement other state and territory programs, the Australian Government will provide over $100 million to support two national trials to make it cheaper and easier for many women to get treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) and over-thecounter contraceptives. From early 2026, 250,000 concession cardholders will be able to consult a trained pharmacist at no cost and, if medications are required, pay only the usual medicine cost.  Download the full PDF here.

Australia has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world, largely due to its predominantly fair-skinned population and high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, arises when the pigment-producing cells in the skin, known as melanocytes, mutate and grow uncontrollably. Prolonged exposure to UV radiation, whether from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds, significantly increases the risk. In Australia, the "sunburn culture" of outdoor activities like beach-going and sports has historically contributed to a high incidence of melanoma, making it a major public health concern. Newcastle and the surrounding areas were recently highlighted by the Cancer Institute of NSW, as one of these ‘Melanoma Hotspots’. The effects of melanoma extend beyond the physical impact to include significant psychological and economic burdens. Physically, melanoma can metastasize, spreading to other parts of the body and becoming life-threatening if not detected and treated early. Treatments, which may include surgery, radiation, immunotherapy, or targeted therapies, can be invasive and exhausting. Additionally, the diagnosis often causes emotional distress, anxiety, and a diminished quality of life, not only for the patient but also for their family. The economic cost is substantial, with healthcare systems bearing the brunt of expensive treatments and lost productivity due to illness or death. Efforts to mitigate sun damage in Australia have focused on public health campaigns like "Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, and Slide," encouraging people to take protective measures such as wearing sunscreen, hats, and protective clothing, seeking shade, and wearing sunglasses. These initiatives aim to reduce the incidence of melanoma by promoting sun safety awareness from a young age. Despite these efforts, the enduring effects of accumulated sun damage highlight the importance of ongoing education, early detection through regular skin checks, and community-wide behavioural changes to combat this preventable disease effectively. The Newcastle Skin Clinic which operates out of Brunker Road Medical Centre provide skin checks and can help give you peace of mind. Make an appointment today.

The Shingrix vaccine, a highly effective solution for preventing shingles, has recently become available in Australia, offering significant protection against the painful condition caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, typically affects older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems, leading to a painful rash and, in some cases, long-term nerve pain known as postherpetic neuralgia. Shingrix, a recombinant zoster vaccine, has demonstrated over 90% efficacy in preventing shingles and its complications in clinical trials, making it a major advancement in public health. The availability of Shingrix in Australia marks a significant milestone, as it provides a more effective alternative to previous vaccines like Zostavax. Administered in two doses, Shingrix is recommended for adults aged 50 years and older, as well as those at increased risk of shingles due to immunosuppression. Its introduction aligns with efforts to reduce the healthcare burden associated with shingles, which can lead to hospitalisations and reduced quality of life. Australians now have access to this powerful preventive tool, which will play a crucial role in protecting the aging population and minimizing the long-term effects of shingles-related complications. Please speak to your doctor to find out if you are eligible for Shingrix.