Practice Manager

May is Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month, and if there’s anything we’ve learned from the community over this past year, it’s that sometimes, MS just really SUCKS. That’s why we’ve made it this year’s theme. From chronic pain and debilitating fatigue to mobility challenges and vision issues, the symptoms of MS are wide-ranging and deeply impact all aspects of life.

We want to help others understand these symptoms, aka monsters, that our community faces regularly. Click here to discover ways you can join us this month in spreading MS awareness.

Diagnosis of a thyroid disorder depends on thorough testing.  As a patient, knowing which tests are available and how to interpret results will help you when discussing with your doctor.

Be Thyroid Aware and Get Tested  –  Over 1 million Australian have an undiagnosed thyroid disorder!

What You Need To Know

Knowing how to interpret Thyroid Pathology Tests and if necessary a Thyroid Ultrasound will determine or eliminate a thyroid disorder.

Thyroid Function Tests include – TSH, T4 and T3. Thyroid Antibodies determine if a patient has a Thyroid Auto-Immune Disease, either Hashimoto’s or Graves’ Disease. A Thyroid Ultrasound shows the physical health of the thyroid gland – the size, shape and texture of the gland if nodules are present.

Reducing the time in reaching a correct diagnosis will help improve your quality of life or eliminate the possibility of a thyroid disorder.

Thyroid Disorders affect patients in many ways and are individual. Usually caused by a thyroid auto-immune disease – Hashimoto’s Disease or Graves’ Disease.

Treatments and test results for thyroid disorders are individual, the best results and outcome for you depends on what’s right for you.

Thyroid Disorders affect women more than men and Australians of all life stages need to be aware.

It is essential for women of child bearing years to have their thyroid function and the possibility of a thyroid auto-immune disease determined before conception.

Thyroid disorders and thyroid function during pregnancy can affect the foetal brain development and pregnancy outcomes.

Maintaining a good relationship with your doctor to ensure your treatment management is a joint partnership is important for long term treatment.

For more information check out the Australian Thyroid Foundation’s website here.

ANZAC Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, originally commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. It now more broadly commemorates all those who served and died in military operations for their countries.

ANZAC Day is the day we remember all Australians who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. The spirit of ANZAC, with its human qualities of courage, mateship, and sacrifice, continues to have meaning and relevance for our sense of national identity.

This Anzac Day we’ll come together, in person and in spirit, to commemorate the men and women who have served our nation in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.

Cairns Dawn Service
The Dawn Service will commence at the Cenotaph on the Cairns Esplanade at 5.30 am.

Services Parade

The Parade will commence at 7:30am from the corner Aplin and Lake Streets, heading to the Esplanade past the RSL.

Commemorative Service

The Commemoration Service will begin after the passing of the March (approximately 7:45am) at the Cenotaph, the Esplanade.

Road Closures – 3am to 9am

Aplin St from Lake St to the Esplanade
Esplanade from Aplin St to Minnie St
Florence St from Abbott St to Esplanade

For more information, please contact Ann Le Comte Ph. 4044 3020.

Find out more about the other Dawn Services in and around Cairns on the Cairns Regional Council Website.

Go Blue from April 2 to increase greater understanding, acceptance and inclusion of people on the autism spectrum.

Autism is a complex, lifelong developmental disability that affects a person’s ability to communicate, interact with others and cope in everyday situations. The cause of autism is not fully understood, but structured early intervention, therapy and education delivered by professionals with expertise in autism can make a significant difference.

We acknowledge that Australia has come a long way in raising awareness about autism but there’s still more to be done. During April, Autism Queensland asks our supporters to raise funds to help us support people living with autism.

You can read more about Autism and how to identify it on the Go Blue for Autism information sheet shown on the right or visit the official Go Blue for Autism website.

April No Falls, is a national and international campaign to educate and raise awareness of falls prevention and help those at risk of falling to stay on their feet.  The overall campaign aim is to reduce falls and harm from falls.

Each year during the month of April, Queensland Health will promote electronic campaign materials such as posters, brochures, screensavers, videos which are available for download for clinicians, community and anyone who would like to get involved and promote the April No Falls campaign.

The MOVES posters provided by QLD Health will help people living at home, carers and health professionals to create a safe environment and to safely assist a person to the toilet reducing the risk of falls and injuries associated with a fall in the bathroom.

Read more about April No Falls on the QLD Health website.

COVID vaccinations are now available to be booked at Edmonton Family Medical Centre! The vaccines will be offered based on priority groups as defined by the Government. You can find the priority groups listed here: When will I get a COVID-19 vaccine? | Australian Government Department of Health

We will be giving the vaccines as quick and efficiently as we can. That means we will give the vaccines in a group setting. It will be a fast moving, after hours clinic. If you are part of the priority group in Phase 1a or Phase 1b, you can make an appointment by clicking here and selecting the “COVID-19 Vaccination” appointment type.

Below is a graphic outline of the COVID-19 vaccination process:

You can learn more about the the COVID-19 vaccine and have your questions answered at the Government website or the QLD Government website.

What is Make March Purple for epilepsy?

Each March the world turns purple in support of the 50 million people living with epilepsy. In 2021 Epilepsy Queensland invites you to join the movement happening in over 130 countries around the world and make March purple for epilepsy!

Make March Purple is an Australia wide campaign supported by epilepsy organizations across the country and the national peak body – Epilepsy Australia.

World Purple Day, held on March 26 is an international day of awareness for people impacted by epilepsy.

How can you Make March Purple for epilepsy?

During the month of March, Epilepsy Queensland invites you to get involved. On this page, you will find the many ways you can raise funds and awareness in support of the 280 Australians diagnosed with epilepsy every week.

You can choose to host your own event at home or work, set yourself a personal challenge OR join our ULTIMATE challenge and agree to climb the Story Bridge on March 26th just as it lights up PURPLE.

During March you will see iconic landmarks around the world light up PURPLE. Check out who and what will be going PURPLE by clicking the illuminations button below. If you have a tree, a building, or even a windmill you can light up Purple, let us know.

Remember to share your purple and share your story with Epilepsy Australia and, with the world this March. Find out how below.

Everybody LOVES Doughnuts – Right?  Well, now you have the perfect excuse. Epilepsy Queensland is teaming up with Doughnut Time this March. They will turn their crowd favourite the OG doughnut PURPLE for the month of March and donate $1 from every one sold to support people living with Epilepsy. You can view and pre-order your box of deliciousness from 15 February. Click here to see the PURPLE doughnuts they have dreamed up… you can even order a gift box that includes the Epilepsy Australia PURPLE plush toy!

Find out more about Making March Purple on the Epilepsy Australia website.

The first shipment of a long-awaited coronavirus vaccine is due to arrive in Australia this week.

About 80,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine are being exported and vaccine roll-out is on track to begin in late February.

To learn more about the Covid-19 vaccine check out the Qld Health site:

https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/protect-yourself-others/covid-19-vaccine