Thornton Medical Centre

07/10/2025

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🌸 World Menopause Month – October 🌸

This October is World Menopause Month, a time to raise awareness about menopause and support the millions of Australian women experiencing this stage of life.

Menopause is a natural transition – and for many, it can be a long journey with symptoms that vary over time. It’s not a one-fix-for-all approach. Talking openly about it helps reduce stigma, improve understanding, and ensure women get the support they need at work, at home, and in healthcare.

💜 A chat with your GP can make a big difference – from symptom management to lifestyle advice and personalised care.
💜 Menopause health assessments are now available, offering a dedicated opportunity to discuss your symptoms and wellbeing with your doctor.

Together, we can make menopause less isolating and more understood.

02/10/2025

Really important info and tips for the upcoming months of spring and summer ☀️

As the weather continues to warm up, NSW Health is warning residents of the risk of asthma related to thunderstorms, particularly for people already prone to hay fever and asthma.

Thunderstorm asthma refers to episodes of asthma symptoms which occur when high pollen levels are combined with a thunderstorm.

In NSW, the peak period for a higher risk of thunderstorm asthma is between October and December, when pollen levels are higher and thunderstorms become more common with warmer weather.

Senior Staff Specialist in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Professor Connie Katelaris, explained that thunderstorm asthma requires very specific conditions to occur together.

“We do know that specific thunderstorm conditions related to moisture and airflow can increase people’s exposure to high concentrations of very small fragments of pollen,” Professor Katelaris said.

“This exposure can trigger symptoms wheeze, chest tightness, breathing difficulty and cough. Symptoms can escalate very quickly and may become life threatening”
In NSW, high levels of rye grass pollen appear to be associated with thunderstorm asthma in some areas.

“Anyone with diagnosed asthma should continue to use their preventor and have access to their reliever medication during this high-risk period,” Professor Katelaris said.

“Even if you don't have asthma, pollen is at its highest throughout spring and may spark problems in people with allergies like hay fever or those who have undiagnosed asthma."

Thunderstorm asthma events can occur anywhere where there are both high pollen levels and thunderstorms. The greatest risk of thunderstorm asthma is in areas across southern NSW and the Riverina but events have been recorded west of the dividing range from Tamworth to Albury.

Residents in the Riverina area can register for an automated notification system which notifies registered residents by SMS or email of high thunderstorm asthma risk in the area.

There are some simple steps people can take now to prepare. These include:
- If you have ever been diagnosed with asthma or have hay fever, make sure you have an up-to-date action plan in place, including how you should manage your symptoms if they flare-up.

- If your child has asthma, provide any updated asthma action plans to their preschool, childcare centre or school

- check that you or your child's asthma reliever medication and spacer is up-to-date and stored in an easy spot for you to get quickly

- know the warning signs of asthma like wheezing, breathlessness, feeling tight in the chest or persistent cough and when to seek advice from your doctor or urgent emergency care

- when there is high pollen and a thunderstorm, where possible remain inside and keep windows and doors closed.

The symptoms of thunderstorm asthma can escalate very quickly and may become life threatening. These include:

- difficulty breathing
- laboured breathing making it difficult to speak in full sentences or lips turning blue
- asthma reliever medication providing little relief.

In an emergency dial 000 to call an ambulance.

For more information on thunderstorm asthma, visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/factsheets/Pages/thunderstorm-asthma.aspx

02/10/2025

Our practice will be closed Monday 6th October to let our team enjoy the Long weekend.

If you need urgent care during this time please contact:
📞 GP Access After Hours: (02) 4926 0500
📞 Healthdirect: 1800 022 222
🚨 Emergency: Call 000

We’ll reopen as normal on Tuesday.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy long weekend!

23/09/2025

Protect your baby from birth — get your free flu, whooping cough and RSV vaccines during pregnancy.

Speak to your doctor about what is best for you and your baby.

11/09/2025

Skin Cancer Checks at Thornton Medical

Dr Retaish (Ricky) Karwal is available for skin cancer checks and procedures right here at Thornton Medical Centre. With over 12 years’ experience in skin cancer management, Ricky provides expert care with a patient-focused approach.

📞 Call 4040 3070 or speak to your GP to book your appointment.

10/09/2025

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💛 September 11 is R U OK? Day, but remember — every day is a good day to ask the question, R U OK ?
Life happens, challenges don’t follow a calendar, and support is needed all year round. Taking a moment to check in on others — and on ourselves — can make a real difference.

A simple, caring conversation could be what changes a life.

04/09/2025

We are back up and running again, however our reception team is being inundated with calls, emails and patients coming in about not being able to contact us.

Please be respectful and kind as we are doing our best to work through the back flow. This is something that was widespread in the centre and beyond our control.

Thank you for understanding 😊

03/09/2025

🚨Latest update 🚨 Ausgrid is here with generator being put into place, hoping to have some power given to centre by midday, fingers crossed. Not sure if that means we will be running at full capacity until it starts up.

As we get back on board please be mindful our phones may or may not be working properly.

We kindly ask for patients to be understanding and respectful with us as we try to reorganise all the appointments missed etc.

Thank you 🙏

Important notice

Unfortunately we will be closed today until further notice due to power outage in the shopping centre and Thornton suburb.

Apologies for this huge inconvenience but this is out of our hands.

As we know more we will update this post.

19/08/2025

National Bowel Cancer Screening Program

From 1 July 2024, Australians aged 45 to 49 can now take part in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program – at no cost.

✅ If you’re between 45–74 years, you can request your free kit:

Fill out the online webform https://ncsr.gov.au/boweltest

Or call 1800 627 701

You can also speak with your GP

Early detection is key – Don’t wait, get screened today.

11/08/2025

GP Access Phone number change 📱📢

From September 2025, the contact number for GP Access After Hours will change from 1300 130 147 to a new local number: 02 4926 0500

The new number is already active and ready to use.

To support a smooth transition, calls to the 1300 number will be diverted to the new number for a short time, with a recorded message informing callers of the change. After September, the 1300 number will be deactivated

Our GP Access After Hours public phone number is changing.
From September, you can reach GP Access After Hours on 📞 (02) 4926 0500.
The new number is already active and can be used now. For a short period of time, calls to the current 1300 number will be diverted.
We’re open and available when your regular GP is closed:
✅ Weeknights
✅ Weekends
✅ Public Holidays
🔗Visit www.gpaccess.com.au for more information.

08/08/2025

Lung cancer is the fifth most common cancer in Australia with around 15,000 Australians diagnosed last year alone. When found early, over 65% of lung cancers can be successfully treated.

The National Lung Cancer Screening Program launched in July can find lung cancers earlier and is expected to save hundreds of lives every year.

If you're aged 50-70, with no signs or symptoms of lung cancer and are currently smoking or have recently quit, you may be eligible for the free scan.

Book an appointment to speak with your GP to see if you are eligible for the program.

Find out more: health.gov.au/nlcsp

06/08/2025

👂🔊🦻 Hearing Checks Now Available!
With Hunter Audiology at Thornton Medical Centre

Struggling to hear conversations? Asking people to repeat themselves? It might be time for a hearing check.

🗓 Hunter Audiology
📍 Thornton Medical Centre
📞 Call us on 4040 3070 to book your hearing check today