Sapphire Family Medical Practice

26/03/2026

Private influenza vaccines have arrived if you would like to get ahead of flu season book your appointment with us next week.
Public flu vaccines have not yet arrived and expected after easter.

We expect Public health vaccines will arrive early next week at this stage we will plan to run our first flu clinic on Wednesday the 1st or April .

Book ahead as it will fill out fast .

This year in addition to normal influenza vaccines we are offering Flumist which is needle free vaccine for children 2-4 years of age.
For more detail book your appointment today

🦠💉

17/03/2026

JE is a rare but serious illness spread by infected mosquitoes. While many people experience mild illness, it can cause severe neurological illness with headache, convulsions and reduced consciousness and in rare cases can be fatal.

The virus was most recently detected by NSW Health in sentinel chicken surveillance testing at Hay on 25 February 2026.

“There is no specific treatment for JE virus so prevention through vaccination is essential," Ms Glasgow said.

“People planning to travel to the high-risk regions in the school holidays should have a discussion with their vaccination provider as soon as possible, as protection from the vaccine can take up to two weeks to develop."

JE vaccine is available through local general practitioners (GPs), Aboriginal health services and pharmacists.

People living, working or planning an outdoor trip to high-risk LGAs should make an appointment and let healthcare provider know it is for the JE vaccine ahead of time, as the vaccine may need to be ordered.

A booster dose may be recommended for some people with ongoing risk of exposure one to two years after completing their primary course.

Information on eligibility for a free JE vaccine is available here: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/jev/Pages/vaccination.aspx

For more information on protecting yourself from mosquito bites visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mosquitoes

14/03/2026

It has been a while since I had a second to write a blog .
One of my many passions is Paediatrics and we all know how important nutrition is for our babies health and development .
At Sapphire we spend time during many checks providing parents with advice and support .
Here is my blog on starting solids .

A complete guide to starting solids with your baby — readiness signs, best first foods, tips, and a sample schedule.

08/03/2026

🌸 Happy International Women’s Day 🌸
Today we celebrate the incredible women in our community, our families, and our team.
Women who lead with courage.
Women who nurture with love.
Women who show strength in difficult moments.
Women who carry responsibility with humility.
Women who give kindness so freely.
We admire women as leaders, mothers, carers, professionals, daughters, partners, and friends — often balancing so many roles at once, many of them unseen.
We see the dedication of women who work, care for families, support their communities, and still find ways to lift others up.
Today is a moment to recognise the resilience, compassion, wisdom, and determination that women bring to the world every day.
To all the women in our community — thank you for the many ways you contribute, inspire, and care.
💜 Today we celebrate you. Happy International Women’s Day.

Dr Fielder

01/03/2026

At our practice, it is our policy that all patients must return to discuss their test results with the doctor.

Having your test done is only the first step. Results often need proper explanation, and sometimes further treatment, monitoring, or medication adjustments — even when they appear normal.

Meeting with your doctor ensures:
You understand your results
Any necessary action is taken promptly
Your care is safe and complete

Your health matters to us.
Please make sure you attend your follow-up appointment to review your results.

Dr Fielder

01/03/2026

The Australian Government is enhancing support for young Australians by expanding Medicare funding for speech pathology services.

This significant change moves beyond the current EPC (Chronic Disease Management) plan structure.

Key details include: Increased access to sessions from 5 to 8 assessments and 20 treatments per year for eligible patients under 25.

The new Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) M10 group covers a range of conditions including stuttering, speech sound disorders, and cleft lip and/or palate.

This initiative targets children and young people under 25.

To access these services, patients need a care plan from their GP, which requires a face-to-face long appointment. Book your appointment today 81882568

Dr Fielder

27/02/2026

We’re currently seeing an increase in cases of chlamydia pneumonia, also known as walking pneumonia. This is a respiratory infection caused by Chlamydia pneumoniae bacteria and is a common cause of ongoing cough, especially during this time of year.

Unlike typical pneumonia, symptoms can be mild at first — which is why many people continue their usual activities without realizing they may need treatment.

🤧 Common Symptoms Include:
Persistent dry cough
Sneezing
Runny or blocked nose
Sore throat
Mild fever
Fatigue
Chest discomfort

Symptoms often begin like a simple cold or upper respiratory infection but can linger or worsen over time.

⚠️ Why Testing Matters
Chlamydia pneumonia is treated with specific antibiotics. If left untreated, symptoms can last for weeks and may lead to complications, particularly in older adults or those with underlying health conditions.

📞 When to Book an Appointment
Please contact us to arrange testing if you are experiencing:
A cough lasting more than a few days
Upper respiratory symptoms such as sneezing or congestion that are not improving
Worsening chest symptoms
Ongoing fatigue with cough
Early diagnosis helps ensure faster recovery and prevents spread to others.
If you are unsure whether your symptoms need review, our team is happy to advise you.
📅 Call today to make an appointment for assessment and testing.

81882568

09/02/2026

We have received notification from public health unit of increased whooping cough activity in eastern suburbs

Have you received your booster?

According to the latest Report on Government Services (RoGS), the proportion of children fully immunised under the National Immunisation Program in 2024-25 was among the lowest since 2015-16. In that year, immunisation rates were 91.6% for one-year-olds, 89.8% for two-year-olds, and 93.3% for five-year-olds.

Notifications for whooping cough (pertussis) reached 792.1 per 100,000 children in 2024-25, the highest since monitoring began in 1991.

Book your booster today. 💉

05/02/2026

New Clinician-Initiated Blood Test Available (from 1 Feb)

A new blood test is now available to support clinical assessment of selected individuals at increased risk of pancreatic cancer.

This test is not a screening test for the general population and must be initiated by a clinician following assessment of strict eligibility criteria. It is not available through mainstream pathology laboratories.

Cost: $1,495 (private, no Medicare rebate).
If you have recognised risk factors and would like to discuss whether this test may be suitable for you, please book an appointment with our clinicians.

01/02/2026

We are excited to welcome RN Molly to our sapphire team .

Molly is a UK-trained Paediatric Nurse with over six years of experience and is joining the practice as a Practice and Paediatric Nurse. She has a strong background in paediatric care, including specialist experience in paediatric neurology, and is passionate about providing safe, compassionate, and family-centred care within general practice.
She has a particular interest in children’s mental health and early support for families, and is committed to helping parents and children feel supported, informed, and confident in their care.

23/01/2026

We are delighted to announce our accreditation. Please take a moment to review the accompanying media release.

Achieving accreditation is a rigorous process that requires approximately one year of preparation and a six-hour audit to ensure compliance with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners' standards.

I would like to extend my gratitude to our committed team of staff and clinicians for their tireless efforts in providing exceptional care to our community, successfully meeting 100 percent of all standards.

This accomplishment is a notable achievement and marks our fourth successful accreditation. Dr Fielder

18/01/2026

Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of mortality in the Western world? This alarming statistic affects both men and women, but the great news is that a significant portion of heart disease is **preventable**!

At Sapphire Family Medical Practice, we're dedicated to empowering you with knowledge and tools for a healthier life. Our focus on preventative health means we take your well-being seriously. We offer comprehensive pathology and radiology screening that goes beyond the basics.

What We Offer:

- Thorough Vital Signs and comprehensive physical examination

- Extensive Pathology Testing
Our screenings include more than just cholesterol and sugar levels. We analyse:
- Inflammatory Markers
- Specialised Cardiac Marker
- Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)):A genetic type of LDL ("bad") cholesterol that significantly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke by promoting plaque buildup and blood clotting.
- Apolipoprotein B (ApoB): A key protein indicating cardiovascular risk; high levels can signify an increased risk for heart disease.

- Advanced Cardiovascular Investigations - not just calcium score. We look for plaque in your blood vessels to assess your heart health comprehensively.

In addition to cardiovascular health, we provide a full spectrum of screenings for other preventable diseases, including:

- Colorectal Cancer:Early detection through screening colonoscopy.

- Prostate Cancer:Monitoring prostate-specific antigen (PSA) markers for early detection.
- Lung Cancer:Low radiation CT scans for those at risk.
- Osteoporosis Prevention: Early bone density screenings for all our patients.
- Breast Cancer: Comprehensive assessments, including examination , mammograms and ultrasound scans.

At Sapphire Family Medical Practice, we tailor our approach to meet your specific needs. Our experienced team will choose the most optimal tests for you, ensuring you receive the best care possible.

Please note that most of these services are not covered by Medicare.

Prevention is always better than cure.

Take the first step towards a healthier future by booking your appointment with us today. Together, we can work towards a longer, healthier life!

📞 **Call us now or visit our website to schedule your appointment!**

Your health deserves the best !