Latest News
Medical Students
The Moruya Medical Centre is a training facility affiliated with Australian National University. We host medical students at varying times throughout the year. If you do not want the student to be present at your consult please let your doctor know.
Coercive Control & the Law
From 1 July 2024, coercive control is a criminal offence in NSW when a person uses abusive behaviours towards a current or former intimate partner with the intention to coerce or control them.
The criminal offence captures repeated patterns of physical or non-physical abuse used to hurt, scare, intimidate, threaten or control someone. The law only applies to abusive behaviour that happens after 1 July 2024.
Find out more about the NSW Government actions on criminalising coercive control.
Read the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Coercive Control) Act 2022.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/family-and-relationships/coercive-control/the-law
My Health Record
Download the my health app, a secure and convenient way to access My Health Record
Influenza & Coronavirus
NSW Health provides regular updates regarding Influenza & Coronavirus.
However the following information may be useful.
|
|
ATAGI advice on administering seasonal influenza vaccines in 2024
Updated advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) on the administration of 2024 seasonal influenza vaccines is available on the Department's website: Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI)
Key points
- Influenza vaccine and a dose of COVID-19 vaccine can be administered on the same day
- Further information is available about the COVID-19 vaccination program
- Influenza vaccination is recommended prior to international travel
Eligibility for free influenza vaccine
The influenza vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program for:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over
- Children aged 6 months to under 5 years
- Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
- People aged 65 years or over.
- People aged 6 months or over who have medical conditions that mean they have a higher risk of getting serious disease:
- cardiac disease
- chronic respiratory conditions
- chronic neurological conditions
- immunocompromising conditions
- diabetes and other metabolic disorders
- renal disease
- haematological disorders
- children aged six months to 10 years on long term aspirin therapy.
Your vaccination provider will advise if you or your child have a specified medical risk condition. See also Immunisation for people with medical conditions.
Children under nine years receiving their influenza vaccination for the first time require two doses of vaccine, spaced by a minimum of one month.
For up to date information please click on the links below.
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/Influenza/Pages/default.aspx
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx
If you believe you have come into contact with either of these virus' please phone the surgery for more personalised assistance. We ask that all patients with any signs of respiratory infection wear a mask into the surgery, immediately use the provided handrub solution & where necessary remain isolated from other patients.
Save the Date to Vaccinate
New app helps parents to ‘save the date to vaccinate’
On-time vaccination is a child’s best protection against serious diseases. If children are not up to date with their vaccinations, it can also impact enrolment in child care and access to family assistance payments.
NSW Health has released an improved Save The Date To Vaccinate app. This free app helps parents and carers stay on top of their child’s immunisations by creating a personalised immunisation schedule and helpful reminder notifications for when their child’s vaccinations are due.
This app makes it easier to keep kids protected from serious preventable diseases, which also protects the broader community. In NSW, over 94% of children are fully immunised while 95% is necessary for sustained control of vaccine preventable diseases (known as ‘her immunity’).
The free Save The Date To Vaccinate app can be downloaded on Apple or Android devices here.
We encourage you to make your patients and networks aware of this vaccination reminder tool.
New app to help parents ‘save the date to vaccinate’
On-time vaccination is your child’s best protection against serious diseases. If children are not up to date with their vaccinations, it can also impact enrolment in child care and access to family assistance payments.
NSW Health has just released an improved Save The Date To Vaccinate app. This app helps you stay on top of your child’s immunisations and makes it easier for you to keep your child protected from serious preventable diseases.
Simply download the app, set up your child’s profiles and the app will create your family’s recommended immunisation schedules, along with handy reminders for when vaccines are due.
A childhood immunisation rate of 95% is necessary to control preventable diseases (known as ‘herd immunity’). While over 94% of children in NSW are fully immunised, over 105,000 babies are born in NSW every year so it’s really important that all parents know to vaccinate their children on time. By vaccinating, you’re protecting your child as well as people in the community who can’t be vaccinated themselves – including children with serious illnesses like cancer.
The free Save the Date to Vaccinate app can be downloaded on Apple or Android devices here.
Health Events
September
1 September to 30 September – World Alzheimer’s Month
Each September, people unite from all corners of the world to raise awareness and to challenge the stigma that persists around Alzheimer’s disease and all types of dementia.
During World Alzheimer’s Month, we call on everyone, from individuals to large organisations, including every Alzheimer and dementia association globally, to support World Alzheimer’s Month by getting involved in some way.
1 September to 30 September – Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Shine a spotlight on this devastating disease in September.
Seventy per cent of Australians are unaware that more kids die from cancer than any other disease in this country. With awareness, comes support. Government funding only stretches so far so it is vital the community step up to help fund the scientific research so urgently needed.
1 September to 30 September – Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month
September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month. The Australian Gynaecological Cancer Foundation encourages everyone (not just women!) to learn more about gynaecological cancers, the signs and symptoms, where to get support and how you can help us fund research that will save lives.
Every two hours an Australian woman is diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer. These are cancers that involve the female reproductive organs – the vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and placenta.
The most common gynae cancer is uterine or endometrial cancer. In 2020, the estimated number of new cases diagnosed in Australia was 3,224 women. The second most common is ovarian cancer, which is often referred to as the silent killer as there are often no symptoms of the disease until it is at an advanced stage.
1 September to 30 September – Biodiversity Month
We celebrate Biodiversity Month every September and promote the importance of:
– connecting with nature and
– caring for nature in all its diversity – its biodiversity!
Nature is valuable and we need nature. It provides the building blocks for our survival, such as food, clean air, water, and shelter. Nature also supports our health and wellbeing, and our economy. And while we need nature, nature also needs us.
1 September – Gold Bow Day
Every year on 1st September, the Australian Thyroid Foundation’s Gold Bow Day raises awareness about the importance of being aware of symptoms and changes to your thyroid gland, which maybe a result in Thyroid Cancer.
1 September to 30 September – Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
September is International Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is asking Australia to get involved in helping create awareness, and raise the much-needed funds to assist in the fight against prostate cancer.
1 September to 30 September – STEPtember
This STEPtember, join a community of over 120,000 Australians moving together to drive meaningful change for people with cerebral palsy.
STEPtember is a fun and inclusive virtual challenge that encourages you to move your way to 10,000 steps a day – whenever, wherever, and however you like – from 1-30 September.
Every 20 hours, an Australian child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Taking on the challenge and fundraising for life-changing research, treatment, services and assistive technologies, supports people with cerebral palsy to live their best life.
Register today and join an incredible community of Australians who are making positive impact for people with cerebral palsy.
1 September to 7 September – National Child Protection Week
This year National Child Protection Week will continue to champion the message ‘Every child in every community needs a fair go’.
This message captures the essence of National Child Protection Week which aims to promote a safe and supported life for every child, now and into the future.
In 2024, the message that ‘Every child in every community needs a fair go’ will be complemented with the theme ‘Every conversation matters’.
1 September to 30 September – Liptember
At Liptember we’re committed to supporting gender specific mental health issues for women.
There is no doubt that mental health is important for all genders; however, as a result of both biological and gender-related differences, women can suffer from certain mental health conditions at higher rates than men.
Because of this, we are committed to undertaking gender specific mental health research that will pave the way for female-centric (or womxn-centric) methodologies when developing new approaches to mental illness prevention, diagnosis, treatment, support services and programs.
1 September to 7 September – National Child Protection Week
This year National Child Protection Week will continue to champion the message ‘Every child in every community needs a fair go’.
This message captures the essence of National Child Protection Week which aims to promote a safe and supported life for every child, now and into the future.
Many of our supporters may choose to continue to focus on this overarching message. However, many of our partners tell us that they value having a fresh annual theme to focus their local conversations each year.
So…. to build on last year’s theme of ‘Where we start matters’, this year’s theme will be: ‘Every conversation matters’.
2 September to 6 September – Women’s Health Week
Supporting women to make informed decisions about their health with information that’s easy to understand.
2 September to 8 September – Multicultural Health Week
A healthy lunch can help you and your family have plenty of energy to work, learn and play during the day. Packing your family’s lunchbox with healthy foods including vegetables and fruits can lower your risk of cancer and chronic illnesses like heart disease. Spend time with your family to create delicious lunchboxes.
Key messages for Multicultural Health Week 2024
Add a variety of vegetables and fruits to make lunchboxes tasty and healthy. Frozen and canned options are healthy and can save money.
Choose water as your main drink.
Keep lunch safe by keeping it cool. Add a cold pack or cold water bottle when packing your family’s multicultural lunchbox.
Key facts
Adults need five serves of vegetables each day and only 4 out of 100 adults eat enough vegetables. Only 6 out of 100 children eat enough vegetables.
Children eat about a third of their day’s food at school.
4 September – PKD Awareness Day
PKD Awareness Day takes place each year on September 4th and is our day to raise awareness for Polycystic Kidney Disease. Though PKD affects more than 25 thousand Australians and millions worldwide, many people have never heard of this disease. Together, we can change that! The more people that know about PKD, the closer we can get to additional treatments and a cure!
4 September – World Sexual Health Day
“WHO recognizes that people have sex as part of a healthy life and intimate relationships, and not solely for the purpose of reproduction. Our commitment to research, evidence, guidance and enthusiastic promotion of sexual health is essential to every person’s fulfilment of their human rights related to sexuality and well-being.”
Activities led by WHO and the United Nations Special Research Programme HRP include:
– education, counselling and care related to sexuality, sexual identity, and sexual relationships
– addressing sexual function and psychosexual counselling
– promoting positive sexual and psychosocial development
– prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV
– prevention and management of cervical and other cancers of the reproductive system.
4 September – Indigenous Literacy Day
Indigenous Literacy Day is celebrated on the first Wednesday in September. It aims to help raise funds to raise literacy levels and improve the lives and opportunities of Indigenous Australians living in remote and isolated regions.
We need your support to help raise funds to buy books and literacy resources for children in these communities.
5 September – International Day of Charity
The International Day of Charity was established with the objective of sensitizing and mobilizing people, NGOs, and stakeholders all around the world to help others through volunteer and philanthropic activities.
The date of 5 September was chosen in order to commemorate the anniversary of the passing away of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 “for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitute a threat to peace.”
link Visit the event website
6 September – Walk to Work Day
People who walk before or during work are generally healthier, more productive and less likely to be sick or absent. It’s in the best interests of all individuals and organisations to build walking into their daily routine and support the Walk to Work program.
6 September – Bravehearts Day
Bravehearts Day (formerly White Balloon Day) is Australia’s largest and longest-running annual campaign dedicated to the prevention and awareness of child sexual abuse.
Unite with thousands of Australians in the fight against child sexual abuse for Bravehearts Day, held annually during National Child Protection Week. Visit the dedicated website to learn more about how you can get involved!
7 September – World Duchenne Awareness Day
The World Duchenne Awareness Day 2023 theme is ‘Duchenne: Breaking Barriers’. World Duchenne Awareness Day (WDAD) is an annual event held on September 7. With this, WDAD supports creating a society that provides equal opportunities for all.
7 September – International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
UN Member States recognize the need to substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination by 2030, as well as to reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management by 2030.
Clean air is important for the health and day-to-day lives of people, while air pollution is the single greatest environmental risk to human health and one of the main avoidable causes of death and disease globally. Air pollution disproportionately affects women, children and older persons, and also has a negative impact on ecosystems.
Today, the international community acknowledges that improving air quality can enhance climate change mitigation and that climate change mitigation efforts can improve air quality.
Encouraged by the increasing interest of the international community in clean air, and emphasizing the need to make further efforts to improve air quality, including reducing air pollution, to protect human health, the General Assembly decided to designate 7 September as the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies
8 September – International Literacy Day
Since 1967, International Literacy Day (ILD) celebrations have taken place annually around the world to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights, and to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society.
Despite steady progress made across the world, literacy challenges persist with at least 763 million young people and adults lacking basic literacy skills in 2020.
This year’s International Literacy Day will be celebrated worldwide under the theme, ‘Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies’.
8 September – World Physiotherapy (PT) Day
World PT Day takes place every year on 8 September.
9 September – International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day
People all around the world gather for events to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking during pregnancy and the plight of individuals and families who struggle with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). The first FASDay was celebrated on 9/9/99. This day was chosen so that on the ninth day of the ninth month of the year, the world will remember that during the nine months of pregnancy a woman should abstain from alcohol. Anytime is a good time to raise awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).
link Visit the event website
9 September – World First Aid Day
World First Aid Day is an annual opportunity to highlight the importance of first aid around the globe as an act of humanitarian empowerment and as a key component of a wider resilience approach; it is an occasion to reach a wider public audience and try to change the way the world thinks about first aid. The Global First Aid Reference Centre is in charge to coordinate this event and provide resources for National Societies.
Since 2000, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and its National Societies have been honoring first aid on the Second Saturday of September of each year. This aims to raise public awareness on how first aid can save lives every day and specially in situations of crisis.
10 September – World Suicide Prevention Day
World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) was established in 2003 in conjunction with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and is a significant advocacy and communication based event aimed at reaching national organisations, governments and the general public, giving a singular message that suicide can be prevented.
WSPD continues to grow year on year, with recent years seeing the day observed in more than 60 countries with hundreds of events ranging from educational and commemorative events to press briefings and public conferences.
12 September – R U OK? Day
R U OK? is a public health promotion charity that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times in their lives.
R U OK? contributes to suicide prevention efforts by encouraging people to invest more time in their personal relationships and building the capacity of informal support networks – friends, family and colleagues – to be alert to those around them, have a conversation if they identify signs of distress or difficulty and connect someone to appropriate support, long before they’re in crisis.
13 September – World Sepsis Day
Sepsis arises when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs. It may lead to shock, multi-organ failure, and death – especially if not recognized early and treated promptly. Sepsis is the final common pathway to death from most infectious diseases worldwide, including viral infections such as SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19.
15 September – World Lymphoma Awareness Day
This World Lymphoma Awareness Day is an opportunity to learn more about this blood cancer, like common signs and symptoms.
16 September – International Day of the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
The ozone layer, a fragile shield of gas, protects the Earth from the harmful portion of the rays of the sun, thus helping preserve life on the planet.
The phaseout of controlled uses of ozone depleting substances and the related reductions have not only helped protect the ozone layer for this and future generations, but have also contributed significantly to global efforts to address climate change; furthermore, it has protected human health and ecosystems by limiting the harmful ultraviolet radiation from reaching the Earth.
The scientific confirmation of the depletion of the ozone layer prompted the international community to establish a mechanism for cooperation to take action to protect the ozone layer. This was formalized in the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, which was adopted and signed by 28 countries, on 22 March 1985. In September 1987, this led to the drafting of The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
16 September – International Day for Interventional Cardiology
Interventional cardio-angiology improves health, increases life expectancy and improves the quality of life.
The first coronary angioplasty was performed by Dr. Andreas Grüntzig on 16 September 1977.
Since then angioplasty has been the procedure that has saved the most grams of myocardium at risk worldwide.
16 September to 22 September – National Organic Week
National Organic Week Australia (NOW) is a week of targeted media and locally-held activities designed to increase awareness of the benefits of organic products and farming production systems and accelerate the uptake of these in the wider Australian community and environment.
“As consumers, you want food you can recognise and trust. Buying organic products supports food safety, health, good nutrition and the environment. Products that carry the logo of an accredited organic certification body are guaranteed to be genuine organic.” Costa Georgiadis, Ambassador of National Organic Week.
17 September – World Patient Safety Day
World Patient Safety Day calls for global solidarity and concerted action by all countries and international partners to improve patient safety.
The Day brings together patients, families, caregivers, communities, health workers, health care leaders and policy-makers to show their commitment to patient safety.
The resolution WHA 72.6 ‘Global action on patient safety’ recognizes patient safety as a global health priority and endorses the establishment of World Patient Safety Day to be observed annually on 17 September.
19 September – Dietitians Day
Dietitians Day is an annual celebration in September hosted by Dietitians Australia and supported by dietitians around the country.
When it comes to managing lifestyle through food and nutrition, a dietitian should be your first port of call. Ongoing and specialised training ensures dietitians are the reliable choice for life-changing food and nutrition support. Because we all have our own unique goals, challenges and lifestyles, APDs understand that our health is not a one-size fits all approach. They are trained to offer personalised health advice that is fine-tuned to your specific needs.
20 September – World Cleanup Day
This year’s event takes place on Friday 20 September following our addition to the UN Calendar of International Days!
We aim to activate 5% of the world’s population that will catalyse lasting societal change in behaviour around mismanaged waste.
We invite people from all sectors, from every nation, from all levels of society to join us. Let’s do it – together!
21 September – World Alzheimer’s Day
World Alzheimer’s Day takes place during World Alzheimer’s Month and is on 21 September every year.
In the build up to, and on the day of, many Alzheimer and dementia associations around the world host memory walks, fundraisers, awareness raising activities and campaigns to bring attention towards those in their community that are affected by Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia.
21 September – International Day of Peace
Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.
22 September – World Car-Free Day
Every year on or around 22 September, cities across the globe celebrate World Car-Free Day, encouraging motorists to give up their cars for a day. The event highlights the numerous benefits of going car-free to citizens—including reduced air pollution and the promotion of walking and cycling in a safer environment.
The World Carfree Network says that the World Car-Free Day can be a showcase for just how our cities might look like, feel like, and sound like without car… 365 days a year.
23 September – International Day of Sign Languages
The International Day of Sign Languages is a unique opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people and other sign language users.
According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are more than 70 million deaf people worldwide. More than 80% of them live in developing countries. Collectively, they use more than 300 different sign languages.
24 September – World Rivers Day
World Rivers Day is a celebration of the world’s waterways. It highlights the many values of rivers and strives to increase public awareness and encourages the improved stewardship of rivers around the world. Rivers in virtually every country face an array of threats, and only through our active involvement can we ensure their health in the years ahead.
25 September – World Pharmacists Day
Pharmacists are the custodians of medicine safety, not only in community pharmacies, but also in hospitals, in General Practice, in Aged Care Facilities, and in fact, right across our health system.
28 September – World Rabies Day
World Rabies Day is celebrated annually to raise awareness about rabies prevention and to highlight progress in defeating this horrifying disease.
28 September also marks the anniversary of Louis Pasteur’s death, the French chemist and microbiologist, who developed the first rabies vaccine.
Today, safe and efficacious animal and human vaccines are among the important tools that exist to eliminate human deaths from rabies while awareness is the key driver for success of communities to engage in effective rabies prevention.
link Visit the event website
29 September – World Heart Day
WORLD HEART DAY IS A GLOBAL, MULTI-LINGUAL CELEBRATION
Spanning six continents, our hundreds of World Heart Federation (WHF) member organizations, the countless schools, universities, sports clubs and the vibrant cardiology community make World Heart Day (WHD) a truly global celebration.
Every year these groups and individuals bring their local flair, favor and colors to festivities, marking the day by sharing heart healthy regional specialties, leading a dance to get the whole community moving, and sharing life-saving lessons far and wide.
29 September – International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste Reduction
Reducing food losses and waste is essential in a world where the number of people affected by hunger has been slowly on the rise since 2014, and tons and tons of edible food are lost and/or wasted every day.
Globally, around 14 percent of food produced is lost between harvest and retail, while an estimated 17 percent of total global food production is wasted (11 percent in households, 5 percent in the food service and 2 percent in retail).
The International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste is an opportunity to call to action both the public (national or local authorities) and the private sector (businesses and individuals), to prioritise actions and move ahead with innovation to reduce food loss and waste towards restoring and building back better and resilient-ready, food systems.
30 September – International Translation Day
International Translation Day is meant as an opportunity to pay tribute to the work of language professionals, which plays an important role in bringing nations together, facilitating dialogue, understanding and cooperation, contributing to development and strengthening world peace and security.
Transposition of a literary or scientific work, including technical work, from one language into another language, professional translation, including translation proper, interpretation and terminology, is indispensable to preserving clarity, a positive climate and productiveness in international public discourse and interpersonal communication.
Thus, on 24 May 2017, the General Assembly adopted resolution 71/288 on the role of language professionals in connecting nations and fostering peace, understanding and development, and declared 30 September as International Translation Day.