Mt Martha Village Clinic

22/07/2025

The National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) commenced 1 July 2025 and is an Australian Government initiative aimed at detecting lung cancer early in high-risk individuals:

- who are aged between 50 and 70 years,
- smoke to***co ci******es or have a history of cigarette smoking (having quit within 10 years),
- with no signs or symptoms of lung cancer, and
- have a history of smoking the equivalent of a pack a day – around 20 ci******es or more – for at least 30 years.

The program uses low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans to help identify lung cancer at an earlier stage when treatment is more effective, with the goal of saving lives and improved outcomes for patients.

Check with your GP to see if you qualify for the screening program and to arrange enrolment. The program is free.

Please call our friendly receptionists on 5974 3500 Langrigg and 5975 6211 Dunns
Alternatively, you can book via out website on https://www.mmvc.com.au/book-an-appointment/

13/05/2025

Protect yourself - get yourself vaccinated
There is currently an increased risk of measles in greater Melbourne due to recent outbreak of cases.
Measles is a highly infectious disease - the most easily transmitted virus we know, and it can cause serious illness including pneumonia and encephalitis (brain infection).
Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others.
Two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine are required for immunity. This has been part of our childhood national immunisation program for some years.
If you were born during or after 1966 and haven’t had two doses, or you don’t know, get vaccinated.
The MMR vaccine is widely available at GPs and pharmacies and is government funded.
Anyone planning to go overseas should make sure their routine vaccinations are up to date, including the MMR vaccine. Any overseas travel could lead to exposure to measles.
The symptoms of measles start like "the flu" with very high fever, runny nose, cough but also red runny eyes (viral conjunctivitis) is common. Then 2-3 days later the rash appears, starting on the head. If you suspect someone has measles, seek medical advice immediately - by calling ahead to ensure good infection control precautions can be made when the patient is seen. There are no anti-viral drugs for measles, so prevention is ideal. Most children do recover in a week or so, so no need to panic, just get the right check-up and advice.
If you have been to an exposure site and you are not vaccinated, phone for advice as soon as possible. High risk people might be eligible for Immunoglobulin injection.
Contact our friendly medical reception team to make an appointment with our nurse on 59743500 or 59756211.
Exposure sight list https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health-alerts/new-measles-case-in-victoria-4

28/03/2025

MMVC is happy to announce new GP - Dr Emma Little. She is an independent GP who completed her medical training in the UK in 2017 then moved to Australia to complete her GP training and decided to stay! Emma prides herself on building strong and collaborative relationships with her patients to tailor their care. She has a passion for women's health and menopause care, paediatrics, dermatology and ENT (ear/nose/throat). If you are interested in booking a women's health consultation, please call the clinic and speak to one of our friendly receptionists. They will find a long consultation time that suits you between Tuesday to Friday at Lanrgigg ave. 5974 3500 or you can book online via https://www.mmvc.com.au/book-an-appointment/

https://www.mmvc.com.au/

26/03/2025

Concussion in junior sport
Now the AFL season is underway it is timely to remember the guidelines around concussion in sport. This is especially important in junior sport, as children's symptoms can be missed, and they are more susceptible to the effects of concussion on their brain.
Concussion is a brain injury, and the brain must be given time to rest and heal before it is put at risk of a further injury, or the damage can be compounded.
https://www.concussioninsport.gov.au/
This is a good site to study. It describes the symptoms and signs of concussion in children and what to do if noted. The catch phrase " if in doubt, sit them out" is for parents, teachers and trainers to remember.
If your child is playing sport, or you are a teacher, or trainer / assistant at a sports club please make sure you know these guidelines and have them handy to refer to. Each school or sports club should have a "concussion officer" to make sure guidelines are followed.
If you have any concerns, please call and speak to one of our friendly receptionists
Langrigg 5974 3500 Dunns 5975 6211 Our receptionists are trained in triage and always here to help.

25/03/2025

It is getting close to time to plan your annual influenza vaccine. This is especially important for the protection of people at higher risk of serious illness and complications of influenza infection including:
Adults 65 years and over
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Babies and children 6 months to under 5 years
Women in pregnancy (every pregnancy, at any time of the pregnancy)
Other individuals with chronic conditions which increase your risk of flu complications (ask your GP if you are in this category – it includes people with diabetes, heart disease, moderate asthma.
The vaccine is provided free by the government for these groups, and for others there is a small cost.
There are several different vaccines, recommended for people of different age to provide to best possible effectiveness for everyone as our immune systems change over our lifetime. In children under 9 years of age, the first year they are given a flu vaccine they are given 2 shots, 4 weeks apart.
If you have any questions about the influenza vaccine, please speak to your doctor.
The only reason to absolutely avoid a vaccination is anaphylaxis after a previous dose of the vaccine, and influenza vaccination is generally not recommended for people with a history of Guillain -Barre Syndrome whose first episode occurred within 6 weeks of receiving an influenza vaccine in the past.
Please call the clinic and speak to one of our friendly receptionists to book in for your flu shot!
Langrigg 5974 3500 Dunns 5975 6211

30/01/2025

MMVC is delighted to announce new GP Registrar Dr Jasmine Yeh (Pronounced: "Yeah!") is starting in February. She moved from New Zealand in 2015 and graduated from Monash University then underwent training in internal medicine at Peninsula Health before embarking on her journey in General Practice. She likes all aspects of general practice and can speak English and Mandarin. Her special interest in life would be basketball, and she's also been trying out new hobbies including bouldering, cycling and yoga. (I am curious to find out what bouldering is. I will soon find out.)

28/01/2025

Understanding IBS and the Low-FODMAP Diet with Dr Tanovic
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal condition characterized by symptoms
such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. While the exact cause of IBS is not
fully understood, diet plays a significant role in managing symptoms. One effective dietary
approach is the Low-FODMAP diet.
FODMAPs (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols) are
short-chain carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed in the gut. For individuals with IBS, consuming
high-FODMAP foods can trigger or worsen symptoms due to fermentation and water retention in
the intestines.
The Low-FODMAP diet is implemented in three phases:
1. Elimination: High-FODMAP foods are removed temporarily to reduce symptoms.
2. Reintroduction: Foods are gradually reintroduced to identify individual triggers.
3. Personalization: A long-term, tailored plan is developed based on tolerated foods.
Low-FODMAP Food Examples
• Proteins: Chicken, fish, eggs, and firm tofu.
• Vegetables: Carrots, zucchini, spinach, bell peppers, and cucumbers.
• Fruits: Bananas (firm), oranges, strawberries, and kiwi.
• Grains: Gluten-free options like rice, quinoa, and oats.
• Dairy Alternatives: Lactose-free milk, almond milk (unsweetened), and coconut milk.
High-FODMAP Foods to Avoid
• Garlic, onions, cauliflower, and mushrooms.
• Apples, pears, watermelon, and cherries.
• Wheat, rye, and products containing lactose.
This diet should be followed under the guidance of your GP or dietitian to ensure nutritional
adequacy and symptom management. By identifying personal triggers, individuals can achieve a
better quality of life with minimal IBS symptoms.

15/01/2025

Respiratory Synctial Virus (RSV) vaccine is coming

Respiratory Synctial Virus (RSV) is a serious disease for newborn babies, and it infects their nose, throat, and lungs. It is a leading cause of children going to hospital. Getting a vaccine in pregnancy reduces the risk of severe RSV disease in infants less than 6 months of age by about 70%.
Under the National Immunisation Program, the RSV vaccine will be funded and recommended for women at 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy.
This program is anticipated to begin early February 2025. For further information https://www.health.gov.au/news/national-immunisation-program-update-rsv-vaccine.
If you are a patient of our clinic, you can book an appointment with the nurse for this immunisation or speak to your GP at your next appointment.
Langrigg 5974 3500 Dunns 5975 6211

14/01/2025

Did you know we are a travel clinic?
Mount Martha Village Clinic offers travel medicine services to the local community to help guide our patients regarding how to ensure that they stay safe overseas. In addition to travel vaccines and malaria advice, we also give targeted advice aimed at minimising the risk of illness from parasites, bacteria, and viruses the patient may encounter on their specific itinerary. We try to be comprehensive and cover everything from STD risk to altitude sickness. In order to make sure we have enough time to cover the content and administer any required vaccines, we require a double appointment with some nurse time blocked out but some more complex trips may require more time. Some vaccines such as the typhoid vaccine are only effective for 3 years so even if you have been to the destination in the past an updated travel appointment may prove useful. In addition, malaria zones are constantly changing and it is important to have up to date epidemiological data to guide selection and duration of antimalarial medication. We would suggest a travel appointment 2-3 months PRIOR to your departure date to ensure you have enough time to implement the advice as some vaccines require up to a month to have the full course. Please notify reception via phone if you a booking a travel appointment to ensure the appointment is booked correctly.
Langrigg 5974 3500 Dunns 5975 6211

17/12/2024

The team at Mt Martha Village Clinic would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
Thank you for all your support throughout 2024! :)

Please see below the festive working hours.
Christmas Eve, we close at 4pm. please ensure you have all scripts up to date. And call the clinic early as possible if you are needing an appointment.
Langrigg Ave- Closed 25th - 27th December & Closed 1st January
Dunn’s Road – Closed from 25th December re open on the 2nd of January

https://www.mmvc.com.au/book-an-appointment/
Or to speak to a friendly receptionist Langrigg 5974 3500 Dunns 5975 6211 :)

19/11/2024

New RSV vaccine: You may have heard in the news that we have a new vaccine to protect against RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) – it has been available for some time, but the news is that it will be funded by the PBS in 2025 (before the winter) for women during pregnancy, meaning you won’t have to pay the cost.
The announcement comes as cases of RSV in Australia have skyrocketed in 2024, with 159,328 reported for the year to date, and 12,600 babies hospitalized.
There are different types of RSV vaccine, and the government will be funding Abrysvo to be given to women during pregnancy. This is in the same way we give whooping cough vaccine in latter pregnancy so antibodies will cross to the baby before birth and protect the baby in those first few months when the risk is highest.
There is also a vaccination option for newborn babies if the mother does not have the vaccine. This is a monoclonal antibody and will be available for babies at higher risk.
RSV is a virus that causes nasty lung infection, and because little babies have such tiny breathing tubes it can cause severe shortness of breath and poor feeding meaning they have to be treated in hospital with oxygen and feeling tubes.
Please talk to your GP or obstetrician about this in the new year. We have not been given a release date as yet- keep an eye on or website for further information.
There is RSV vaccine for older adults recommended for people at higher risk of lung disease, but it is not funded and costs about $300. Please ask your GP about this.
https://www.mmvc.com.au/book-an-appointment/
Useful links- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4msCpV44HA
https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/contents/vaccine-preventable-diseases/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv

23/10/2024

Dr Alex Tanovic speaks on Mental Health

World Mental Health month - observed annually on October 10th and it aims to raise awareness about mental health issues and promote efforts to support those affected. This year’s theme focuses on the importance of "mental health at work." A safe and healthy work environment can be a protective factor for mental health, while unhealthy conditions, such as stigma, discrimination and risks like harassment —can have a negative impact. Beyond the personal and familial tolls, poor mental health in the workplace can result in lower performance, absenteeism and higher staff turnover. Although we spend about a third of our lives at work, the significance of mental health in the workplace is often overlooked. For many, work can be a major source of stress and pressure, but because we spend so much time there, positive changes in the workplace can have a profound impact on our overall wellbeing. This World Mental Health Day emphasises the importance of fostering meaningful connections.

While communities can often be close-knit and supportive, factors such as isolation and limited access to services can severely affect mental health, highlighting the need for specialised care in certain areas. GPs are often the first, and sometimes the only, point of contact for people experiencing mental health challenges. It is crucial that GPs receive the necessary training, support, and resources to address the mental health needs of their communities. This includes access to professional development and programs to care for their own wellbeing.

On this World Mental Health Day and every other day, I encourage everyone to take time to reflect on your mental health. For our Patients, GPs, GP Registrars, Nurses, Practice Admin Support staff and our communities, it’s important to ensure you're not only staying connected with patients, friends, family and colleagues — but also with yourselves.