The Elms Family Medical Centre

22/01/2026

Heatwave- protect yourself from the heat and stay well hydrated. Did you know more people die from hot weather complications than cold?
We are closed on Monday 26th January (Australia Day Public Holiday) but otherwise open usual hours Saturday and Tuesday.
If you need help over the long weekend consider the Victorian Virtual ED (see previous post) or the national nurse and GP on call via 1800Medicare (1800 633 422).

24/12/2025

We are closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

If you need urgent attention on these days contact
- Nurse on Call 1300 60 60 24, or
- Victorian Virtual ED https://www.vved.org.au/ or
- attend Bacchus Marsh Hospital Urgent Care Service.

PLEASE NOTE: The VVED is a free, state-wide service. If you are contacted for payment, please do not disclose your personal details and refer the matter to vved@nh.org.au

15/12/2025

Please consider measles vaccination for adults born between 1966 and 1992. There is an increase in cases around the world and more people contracting it overseas and spreading it in Australia. It is one of the most infectious diseases known and the vaccine is one of the most effective. Two doses of MMR vaccination are required. Having an extra one doesn’t do harm if you can’t remember if you have had them.

12/12/2025

Christmas celebration at lunch today. Great socialising and relaxed fun with the “stealing Santa” gift exchange.

06/12/2025

Do you have kids with mental health problems (anxiety, depression or just general wellbeing concerns)? Do you want to know if they need more help or could they use tools like this quality one developed by a number of professionals and universities? This is for kids and teens ages 7-17 years. If in doubt, please bring your child in to see one of our doctors (mental health consultations usually need a longer appointment).

Momentum Platform

30/11/2025

Bulk Billing Implanon insertions or removals.
Further to our recent post about Bulk Billing for IUD insertions, we are also extending this to the contraceptive Implanon (the “rod”) insertions and removals. This is due to increased Medicare funding under the Women’s Health Initiative by the Federal Government.
New patients welcome.
All of our GPs do these procedures (but not all do IUD insertions-see previous post).

22/11/2025

Bulk Billed IUD insertion. Due to recent government incentives we are able to offer this service at no out of pocket cost.
Please note that we have 3 doctors who insert IUDs (Intrauterine Devices): Dr Tahmina Sultana, Dr Ummu Rauf and Dr Rob Hosking.
An suitability assessment and planning appointment is required prior and this will be at our standard non-bulk billed rates. Please call reception to book an appointment.
If required, we have access to pain relief for the procedure (including the "Green Whistle").

10/11/2025

Do you, or someone you care for, have heart disease? This free program from the Heart Foundation is designed to support people with heart disease with information on medication support as well as diet and lifestyle advice.

Heart Foundation’s free support program for people living with heart disease and those who care for them.

06/10/2025

Be aware of thuderstorm asthma. This can suddenly affect people with mild or severe asthma or even people not diagnosed with asthma.
Please contact your GP for a plan on how to manage this risk.

This material was developed prior to COVID-19. Follow current COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines.For more information about thunderstorm asthma, who is at ...

14/08/2025

Home blood pressure (BP) testing can be a very useful tool for managing your health. Your BP will vary during the day depending on what you’re doing.

Speak to your GP about what target you should be aiming for as it depends partly on your risk of cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke) and other medical conditions you may have
Home BP testing is particularly useful for people whose BP rises when they attend a doctor. If you record your BP readings over a few weeks at different times of day this can be particularly useful for the doctor to consider if you need treatment or adjustment of existing treatment for elevated BP (hypertension).

Many places sell good quality machines, including local pharmacies and even Aldi (sometimes-like this coming Saturday for $35). Currently wrist and finger based machines are not considered as accurate.
If in doubt, we can also request a 24 hour test througha testing centre.

12/08/2025

Free Shingles vaccination.
We are running a number of shingles vaccination clinics over the next few weeks and we have adequate stock of vaccines.
If you qualify, and have not had your 2 doses of Shingles vaccine, then book with reception for one of these nurse and doctor clinics.
To qualify you must be over 65, or indigenous and over 50, or over 18 and immunocompromised (putting you at higher risk of more severe complications of shingles).

06/08/2025

We would like to announce the very welcome return of Dr Laura Machan from maternity leave. Laura will be working every Wednesday and Thursday and every alternate Monday and Friday (ie. 3 days per week) as well as the occasional Saturday morning.