Latest News
Accreditation October 2024
Moruya Medical Centre underwent accreditation in October and we would like to share some feedback we received from the Lead Surveyor.
"Moruya Medical Centre is a wonderful practice providing exceptional care to the local community. Standards of excellence, compassion for staff and patients, quality improvemnt embedded in the ethos of the practice and sustainability are among the many outstanding qualities. The GP assessor has recommended the practice consider nomination for GP practice of the year".
We would like to thank our lovely patients for working with us to provide quality health care.
If you would like to read the full report please click on the link below
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.
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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
November
1 November to 30 November – Workout 4 Women Challenge
Workout 4 Women is a free fitness challenge anyone can take part in. Register to move 4km each day throughout November and ask your friends and family to sponsor you. Every kilometer you cover and dollar you raise, will be for a woman who has received the life-changing news of an ovarian cancer diagnosis. Visit the event website
1 November to 30 November – Movember
Movember fundraisers are a global community of fired up Mo Bros and Mo Sisters – aka rock stars making a difference in mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer. Your donation could help save a father, a brother, a son, a friend, a partner, a man’s life.
1 November to 30 November – Epilepsy Awareness Month
November is Epilepsy Awareness Month. To celebrate this significant month, we are inviting you to gather with your family, friends, community group or workplace and enjoy an outdoor picnic filled with delicious treats, laughter, and fun! Simply choose what you’d like to do on a day in November and at a time that best suits you! People can develop epilepsy at any stage of their lives but a large number have their first seizures during childhood or adolescence, or alternatively much later in life.
1 November to 30 November – Lung Cancer Awareness Month
It’s important to know the symptoms of lung cancer as although lung cancer occurs mostly in people aged 60 and over, it can affect people of any age.
New and constantly evolving treatments such as immunotherapy are likely to continue to improve outcomes for people affected by lung cancer.
1 November to 30 November – Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
November is recognised globally as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and is an important time of year for communities to raise awareness of the disease, celebrate survivors and honour loved ones.
We are proud to stand alongside global like-minded organisations as part of The World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition, which consists of more than 95 organisations from over 35 countries and six continents who elevate global awareness, inspire action, and bring greater attention to the disease to ultimately improve outcomes.
On a local level, PanKind are committed to increasing awareness and raising funds to channel into cutting-edge medical research at the top institutions around the country. Our supporters can all play a key role in this process by helping raise critical funds and sharing key messages during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
1 November to 30 November – Rural Health Month
Rural Health Month is an annual celebration held every November, dedicated to rural health professionals. This month-long program features key events such as the National Rural and Remote Health Awards, and the Rural GPs Conference, along with many other educational and networking opportunities designed for rural health professionals.
5 November – World Tsunami Awareness Day
Tsunamis can be deadly, but they needn’t be. Early warning and early action are effective tools to protect people, saving lives, and preventing the hazard from becoming a disaster. To be effective, tsunami early-warning systems must cover every at-risk person, they must be multi-hazard, and communities must be prepared so they can act quickly.
In December 2015, the UN General Assembly designated 5 November as World Tsunami Awareness Day, calling on countries, international bodies and civil society to raise tsunami awareness and share innovative approaches to risk reduction.
6 November – International Pathology Day
8 November – International Day of Radiology
The International Day of Radiology will take place on November 8 with the aim of building greater awareness of the value that radiology contributes to safe patient care and improving public understanding of the vital role radiologists and radiographers play in the healthcare continuum.
9 November – Genetic Counsellor Awareness Day
Genetic Counsellors play an indispensable role: helping individuals and families understand genetic conditions, the implications of genomic testing, and to make informed choices about their healthcare.
On this day we recognise all Genetic Counsellors, particularly those within the Australian Genomics research network, who make a significant difference in the lives of patients undergoing genomic testing.
9 November to 17 November – Australian Pollinator Week
Australian Pollinator Week acknowledges our important and unique insect pollinators during our southern spring (November). It is a designated week when communities, businesses and organisations can come together to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators and support their needs.
10 November to 16 November – Perinatal Mental Health Week
PANDA created Perinatal Mental Health Week in 2005 to help the community and health professionals to better understand perinatal mental health.
We are proud of the work PANDA’s Community Champions, Clinical Champions, staff, volunteers and online community do to raise awareness.
Each year the community shares their stories to help achieve our vision of a society where perinatal mental health is valued and understood and where stigma and systemic barriers to seeking help no longer exist.
11 November to 17 November – National Recycling Week
Back since recycling bins were just a small black tub, Planet Ark has been helping Australians recycle right. National Recycling Week (NRW) is one of Planet Ark’s flagship campaigns and every year aims to educate and empower people to do the right thing when they’re at the bin.
13 November – World Kindness Day
World Kindness Day is a global day that promotes the importance of being kind to each other, to yourself, and to the world.
If every Australian performed an act of kindness on World Kindness Day, we would have 25 million acts of kindness in
a single day.
The possibilities are endless – together let’s make Australia kinder.
14 November – World Diabetes Day
Globally, an estimated 422 million adults were living with diabetes in 2014, compared to 108 million in 1980. The global prevalence of diabetes has nearly doubled since 1980, rising from 4.7% to 8.5% in the adult population. This reflects an increase in associated risk factors such as being overweight or obese. Over the past decade, diabetes prevalence has risen faster in low and middle-income countries than in high-income countries.
Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and lower limb amputation. Healthy diet, physical activity and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. In addition diabetes can be treated and its consequences avoided or delayed with medication, regular screening and treatment for complications.
In 2007 General Assembly adopted resolution 61/225 designating 14 November as World Diabetes Day. The document recognized “the urgent need to pursue multilateral efforts to promote and improve human health, and provide access to treatment and health-care education.”
16 November – International Day of Tolerance
In 1996, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 51/95 proclaiming 16 November as International Day for Tolerance.
This action followed the adoption of a Declaration of Principles on Tolerance by UNESCO’s Member States on 16 November 1995. Among other things, the Declaration affirms that tolerance is neither indulgence nor indifference. It is respect and appreciation of the rich variety of our world’s cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human.
Tolerance recognizes the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of others. People are naturally diverse; only tolerance can ensure the survival of mixed communities in every region of the globe.
17 November – Cervical Cancer Elimination Day
Each year the World Health Organisation joins advocates around the world to commemorate a landmark Day of Action for Cervical Cancer Elimination and welcome groundbreaking new initiatives to end this devastating disease. The global movement to eliminate cervical cancer is driven by the energy, passion and momentum of communities, partners and individuals working towards catalyzing change.
17 November – World Prematurity Day
World Prematurity Day on 17 November is one of the most important days in the year to raise awareness of the challenges and burden of preterm birth globally. The day was initiated by EFCNI and partnering European parent organisations in 2008. Meanwhile, countless individuals and organisations from more than 100 countries join forces with activities, special events and commit to action to help address preterm birth and improve the situation of preterm babies and their families.
Worldwide, one in ten babies are born too early – more than 27,000 each year in Australia alone. Giving birth to a child is one of the paramount, most positive experiences in life. Having a baby born too soon is a significant trauma for families. Preterm birth also represents a severe financial burden for many families and our often struggling healthcare systems.
Raising awareness of preterm birth is the first step to defeating it: Preterm birth rates could be significantly reduced and lowered through overall information and improved treatment and care.
18 November to 24 November – World Antimicrobial Awareness Week
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective and infections become increasingly difficult or impossible to treat.
A global action plan to tackle the growing problem of resistance to antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines was endorsed at the Sixty-eighth World Health Assembly in May 2015. One of the key objectives of the plan is to improve awareness and understanding of AMR through effective communication, education and training.
World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) is a global campaign that is celebrated annually to improve awareness and understanding of AMR and encourage best practices among the public, One Health stakeholders and policymakers, who all play a critical role in reducing the further emergence and spread of AMR.
18 November to 24 November – National Skin Cancer Action Week
Often called our ‘national cancer’, Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, with approximately two in three Australians diagnosed with skin cancer during their lifetime. Sadly, around 2000 Australians will die from this disease this year, and it is estimated that almost twice as many men as women will die from melanoma this year alone.
Yet research shows that many Australians, particularly men, aren’t regularly using all five forms of sun protection. This year, Cancer Council Australia is urging all Australians, especially men aged over 40, to be SunSmart and reduce their risk of developing skin cancer.
19 November – International Men’s Day
International Men’s Day (IMD) is celebrated on 19 November every year and is marked in around 80 countries worldwide.
Some people ask why we need an International Men’s Day? In Australia, IMD is a great opportunity to take part in a global conversation about manhood, masculinity and men’s issues by:
– Highlighting some of the social issues that men and boys face
– Making a difference for the men and boys in your community
– Celebrating men and boys in all their diversity
– Having some serious fun in the process
19 November – World Toilet Day
Toilets are a foundation stone of public health and play a critical role in protecting the environment.
To leave so many people behind without safe toilets puts in jeopardy the entire 2030 Agenda, with the poorest people, particularly women and girls, paying the highest price in terms of poor health, missed education, loss of productivity and general insecurity.
20 November – World Children’s Day
World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare.
November 20th is an important date as it is the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Since 1990, World Children’s Day also marks the anniversary of the date that the UN General Assembly adopted both the Declaration and the Convention on children’s rights.
Mothers and fathers, teachers, nurses and doctors, government leaders and civil society activists, religious and community elders, corporate moguls and media professionals, as well as young people and children themselves, can play an important part in making World Children’s Day relevant for their societies, communities and nations.
World Children’s Day offers each of us an inspirational entry-point to advocate, promote and celebrate children’s rights, translating into dialogues and actions that will build a better world for children.
Visit the event website
25 November – International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it.
In general terms, it manifests itself in physical, sexual and psychological forms, encompassing:
– intimate partner violence (battering, psychological abuse, marital rape, femicide);
– sexual violence and harassment (rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual advances, child sexual abuse, forced – marriage, street harassment, stalking, cyber- harassment);
– human trafficking (slavery, sexual exploitation);
– female genital mutilation; and
– child marriage.
To further clarify, the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women issued by the UN General Assembly in 1993, defines violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”
29 November – World Movement Disorders Day
Movement disorders are neurologic conditions that can be especially difficult to diagnose, treat, and understand.
That is why we are promoting #MoveDisorder awareness.
Visit the event website