Typical presentations include:

• Cardio-respiratory illness such as coughs and colds, sinus disease, asthma attacks, chest pain or any difficulty breathing
• Gastrointestinal problems such as nausea & vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain, unexpected weight loss, or any unusual change in habit
• Neurological symptoms such as headache, visual disturbance, dizziness, weakness or muscle cramps
• Mental health problems such as stress, anxiety, depression, drug and alcohol problems
• Kidney problems such as pain with passing urine or a change in bladder habit
• Sexual problems such as loss of libido, erectile dysfunction or worry about a possible infection
• Injuries from falls or accidents
• Skin rashes, itch or trauma
• Joint pains or swelling
• Pregnancy care

We have the staff and equipment necessary to manage urgent and semi-urgent presentations as well as the facility to arrange ambulance transfer to the nearest hospital for emergencies requiring more intense management.

We have medical and nursing staff skilled in the management of chronic illness. Any condition which is not curable will benefit from implementation of a good management plan that is individualised to suit your personal history and lifestyle.

To this end we will devise a GP Management Plan that provides you with a summary document of all the health issues that are being monitored, include your agreed goals, and the strategies that we will use to achieve them. If necessary we will develop a Team Care Arrangement that includes all the health professionals that contribute to the management process.

Typical conditions include:

• Cardiovascular disease such as ischaemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation and heart failure
• Respiratory disease such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Kidney disease such as renal failure due to a variety of causes, or recurrent stone formation
• Diabetes
• Mental health conditions such as mood disorders or schizophrenia
• Immune problems such as allergy, coeliac or thyroid disease
• Skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis
• Joint disease such as osteo- or rheumatoid arthritis or gout
• Neurological conditions such as migraine or dementia
• Childhood challenges with behaviour or developmental problems

We assess and manage acute and chronic mental health conditions including stress, anxiety, depression, psychosis, and drug and alcohol problems. Many of our doctors are trained to deliver psychological treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy. We also work closely with a number of allied health professionals such as psychologists, mental health nurses and counsellors as well as psychiatrists.

We offer a comprehensive mental health treatment plan which involves a thorough assessment of your mental health, identification of needs and goals and the services needed to achieve your goals. We are able to refer to mental health workers under Better Access through Medicare and to MHNIPs and PMHC  through WentWest our Primary Health Network.

We are currently in the process of establishing this service.

Our GPs can provide assistance in the prevention and management of workplace injury, and health promotion in the workplace.

Together, our doctors and allied health professionals will spend time working alongside patients to provide the best possible outcome, with the aim of injury prevention, injury management and return to work.

Your doctor will require background information, including:

• •Your current job
• •Previous and current health status
• •Hazards you face in the workplace
• •Any symptoms that you are currently experiencing
• • Medications
• • Allergies
• •Smoking
• •Drug and alcohol use
• •Family history

•Pre-employment medicals for all types of employment situations

• Management of injuries in the workplace
• Documentation and liaison with WorkCover insurers
• Vaccination programs

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has formalised recommendations for screening well men, women and children in order to prevent disease and maintain wellbeing. We follow these guidelines for all our patients and therefore offer regular health assessments.

Children: Health checks with vaccinations at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 18 months, again at 2 and 3 years of age with a full health review at 4 years. We recommend yearly checks thereafter in order to monitor growth, development and well being. We are keen to develop a relationship with the child as they approach adolescence so that we may be better able to recognise issues that could herald a problem with their physical or mental health.

Young People: It is recommended that we be opportunistic and take advantage of visits to the doctor to explore the typical issues that face young people at school and home. An individual Medicare card is able to be issued to children from 15 years of age so that they may feel free to visit the doctor if there are any concerns that might not be so easy to discuss with parents. We support all families and encourage open communication but will honour the confidentiality of the consultation room unless there is a safety concern.

Middle Life: We assess risk factors in lifestyle, family or personal history. A comprehensive health assessment is recommended between 45 and 49 years of age if there is a risk factor for chronic disease as well as thorough checks from 40 to 49 years if there is a high risk of diabetes. We also follow recommendations for checks of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar level and calculate your cardiovascular risk. We make recommendations for the screening tests that have evidence to support their benefit. And we spend time answering questions and educating our patients in all health matters.

Women: In addition to routine health matters, we offer expertise in discussions about fertility, contraception, Implanon insertion, pregnancy planning, antenatal care, post-natal checks, breast concerns and bladder problems.

Men: In recognition of the fact that men are less likely to think about their health unless they get sick, we offer reminders and recalls to attend for the recommended check ups with a practical, individual approach to management. We offer expertise in discussion about sexual health, sexuality, prostate, testicles, relationships, coping with life stressors, alcohol and work.

Older People: With people generally living longer, the label of “old” does often not apply until much later in life. From 75 years of age we conduct a yearly comprehensive health assessment that looks at physical, social and mental wellbeing with the goal of maintaining good health for as long as possible.

Women’s Health

The mental, emotional and physical health needs for women are complex and evolve with age, fertility and environment.

Pine Lodge Medical Centre has female GPs who offer health services to women to improve their general well-being, improve reproductive health and avoid long-term health problems in the future.

There are many health issues which impact women. Some areas the GPs can provide assistance in:

• •Antenatal care
• •Breast examinations
• •Cervical screening
• •Contraception advice
• •Chronic disease management
• •Family planning
• •Fertility
• •General health check-ups
• •Immunisations
• •Iron deficiency
• •Menopause
• •Menstruation
• •Mental health
• •Pre-pregnancy planning
• •Pregnancy testing
• •Sexual health
• •Weight management

Men suffer from more illnesses and accidents than females, and are less likely to return to the doctor for a general checkup. The doctors at Pine Lodge Medical Centre recognise that prevention is vital to improving health outcomes for men and encourage regular check ups.

Cancer

• •The GPs recommend that males routinely check for blood in the stool every 2 years, after the age of 50. For males who have a family history of bowel cancer, routine colonoscopy’s are also recommended.
• •Males between the ages of 19 and 32 are encouraged to examine their testes regularly for any signs of testicular cancer. Prostate cancer screenings with a PSA and digital rectal examination should also be discussed for all men over 50, or 40 if they have family history.
• •Discuss any changes in urinary symptoms with your GP. This includes frequency, stream, nocturia, or dribbling.

Cholesterol

• •High cholesterol levels increase risk of developing heart disease and stroke. It is important to keep cholesterol levels in check to improve men’s health outcomes.
• •Adopting healthy eating habits and engaging in regular exercise can help to lower cholesterol, or prevent it from becoming high in the first place.

Erectile Dysfunction

• •Erectile dysfunctions effects around 1 million men in Australia. It is more common amongst older men. Many men experience this at some stage in their life, it can come and go.
• •There are a range of causes for erectile dysfunction, these can be both physical or psychological. It can also be a sign of other illnesses including heart disease, depression or diabetes. 
• •It is very important to raise this issue with your GP to allow them to investigate and treat the problem.

Depression

• •One in eight men will experience depression during some stage of their life.
• •Men often feel angry or irritable, as opposed to saying that they feel low.
• •Common reasons that cause depression in men include unemployment, physical health issues, drug or alcohol abuse, or a change in their life situation.
• •The GPs encourage men to discuss issues so that they are able to provide appropriate support and intervention.

Heart Disease

• •The risk of developing heart diseases can be reduced significantly by:
  •     •Regularly exercising
  •     •Healthy diet
  •     •Not smoking
  •     •Maintaining healthy weight
• •To improve men’s health, conditions including high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol need to be managed to lower the risk of heart disease. This can be achieved through a chronic disease management plan.
• •The 45-49 year health check is a good basis for an extensive health check-up, and is covered through Medicare.

All doctors at Pine Lodge Medical Centre provide health checks and childhood vaccinations for newborns and children. 

“Blue Book” schedule:

• •1-4 weeks
• •6 weeks
  
• •4 months
  
• •6 months
  
• •12 months
  
• •18 months
  
• •2 years
  
• •3 years
  
• •4 years
  
• 
  

Childhood Vaccinations

• Children require vaccinations against many diseases to help protect them while their immune systems are developing. To confirm the specific needs of your child, speak to you doctor.
• 
  

Growth and Development Checks

• Regular GP check-ups can help to track your child’s development and provide insight into any potential risk factors in their lives.
• Child health assessments help to identify any issues that are presenting themselves, and allows for appropriate management.

All procedures that are carried out at Pine Lodge Medical Centre are done with hospital standard equipment, sterilisation and protocols in place.

Your doctor will take great care to explain the procedure to you thoroughly and provide you information on any follow-up treatments. Your doctor will also be able to answer any questions you have regarding the procedure.

Out-of-pocket expenses, if any, will be clearly set out prior to the procedure.

You will be asked to confirm your agreement to the procedure by signing a consent form.

A range of minor procedures can be carried out by GPs, including:

• •Dressings
• •Excision of cysts
• •Implanon insertion and removal
• •Incision and drainage of abscesses
• •Iron Infusion
• •Plastering and plaster removal
• •Removal of foreign bodies (i.e. in ears, eyes, skin)
• •Suturing
• •Wart removal

Other services:

• •Pathology collection
• •Chronic disease management (e.g. diabetes, asthma, osteoporosis, ischaemic heart disease)
• •BP monitoring

Travelling overseas can expose you to various health risks, but with a bit of preparation, illness can be prevented when travelling overseas. Book a consultation with your doctor at least 6-8 weeks prior to travelling in order to allow adequate time to prepare for any vaccinations or other measures that you may wish to undertake.

Seeing a General Practitioner prior to leaving for a holiday will allow them to advise you on infectious diseases that you risk being exposed to when travelling. 

Many of the diseases which travelers risk being exposed to can be prevented through immunisations. Some immunisations that your doctor may consider are:

• • Cholera
• • Covid-19
• • Hepatitis A
• • Hepatitis B
• • Influenza
• • Japanese encephalitis
• • Measles
• • Meningococcal
• • Rabies
• • Tuberculosis
• • Typhoid
• • Varicella
• • Yellow fever
•  

Talk to your GP about any vaccinations or boosters that you may require prior to your holiday.

Older drivers or those with medical conditions may be asked by Transport NSW to have regular medical checks. This can also apply to some heavy vehicle drivers.

Transport NSW will send you a form via post, for your GP to complete.

At Pine Lodge Medical Centre, Allied Health services including a podiatrist and dietician are available on site.