ARCHIVED INFORMATION
(for reference)

DR GILBERT CHAPMAN - VALE

On 17th September 2006 Dr Gilbert Chapman passed away following a gradual deterioration in his health. Dr Chapman was a partner at St Agnes for more than 30 years and worked tirelessly caring for thousands of people in the area during that time.
Before coming to St Agnes he had spent time as a missionary doctor in Hong Kong.
As well as being dedicated to his patients, Gilbert was devoted to his family and church.
Dr Chapman will be sadly missed by all who knew him - our thoughts are with his family.

DR VEITCH RETURNS

We are very pleased to announce that Dr Paul Veitch will be commencing full time practice with St Agnes from early July 2006. Many patients may remember Paul completing his general practice training at St Agnes several years ago, after which he was in general practice at Angaston.

IMMUNISATION SCHEDULE CHANGE

From November 2005 there have been several changes made to the Immunisation Schedule for South Australian children including the inclusion of polio with the Infanrix (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), universal pneumococcal immunisation and free chicken pox vaccine at 18 months. Hepatitis A is provided for all indigenous children. 
Detailed information can be found by clicking here.

We are pleased to advise that Dr Hamad HARB commenced full time practice at St Agnes in August 2005. Dr Harb, who had worked in obstetrics overseas, moved to Australia in the early 1990s and has since completed his Fellowship of the Australian College of General Practitioners. He recently moved to Adelaide with his family, having been practicing in Queensland. Dr Harb has special interests in women's health and mental health.

FREE MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINATION IS NOW AVAILABLE

From January 2003 MENINGOCOCCAL vaccine will be provided free for children and adolescents between 1 and 19 years of age.
Babies turning 1 after 1st January 2003 will receive the injection as part of their 12 month vaccines.
Children between 1 year and 5 years (on 1/1/03) can receive free vaccine from their general practice - vaccination is by appointment with your doctor. 
Children turning 5 on or after 1st January 2003 - up to age 14 years, will receive free vaccine in a school based program during year 2004-5.
15 to 19 year olds (turning 19 after 1/1/03) will be vaccinated as part of the schools program or via their general practitioner.
note - at this stage free vaccine is only available to children under 5 years
There is much more detail about meningococcal disease and the vaccine on our Immunisation Page - including a detailed printout which you can download.
more detail

SAFETY of HORMONE REPLACEMENT

A large study in the United States looking at the outcomes for combined hormone replacement therapy (oestrogen and progesterone) in post menopausal women has shown that there are small but significant increased risks of breast cancer, heart attack, stroke and blood clots in those taking the replacement therapy compared to those on no treatment. Hormone replacement had beneficial effects in reducing hip fractures and bowel cancer. The trial concluded that the risks were greater than the benefits.

Another large trial published in 2003 suggests that women over 65 taking combined HRT have an increased risk of developing dementia.

All women on hormone replacement should discuss the treatment with their doctor.
Click here to see a more detailed analysis of the study.

POINT of CARE TESTING TRIAL

St Agnes Surgery is pleased to be part of a national study to investigate the benefits (and problems) associated with being able to perform certain blood tests and have the results available at the time of consultation. The study is overseen by the University of Adelaide and funded by the Commonwealth government. Testing will be available for INR, cholesterol and diabetes control and will be conducted at the St Agnes Surgery. The trial will last 18 months to 2 years. A number of patients have been invited to participate.  (note : the trial was completed at the end of February 2007)

NEW CLOSING TIME for Tea Tree Surgery

From December 1st 2003, Tea Tree Surgery will close at 7 pm on week days. St Agnes Surgery will remain open until 6 pm on weekdays. Out of Hours times have not changed - with Tea Tree Surgery open until 5 pm on weekends and public holidays.

**These changes will alter the location and timing of some consulting sessions for doctors - it will be important to make sure patients check where their appointment is when they make their booking. An up to date roster can be seen by clicking here.

DR THORPE LEAVES ST AGNES SURGERY

After more than 25 years service to the St Agnes Surgery 'community', Dr Peter Thorpe is leaving St Agnes Surgery - effective from 18th September 2004 - to work at a practice in the western suburbs. His loss will be felt by the practice and his patients. Every effort is being made to find new doctors for our practice - in an environment of severe state-wide doctor workforce shortage.

GST and HEALTH

July the 1st 2000 saw the introduction of the GST. In general there is NO GST on health services. There is no GST on consultations where a Medicare item is applicable, nor any GST on medicines, dressings, bandages or other items essential to your treatment.

However GST does apply to a few items - these include :

Accounts show where GST has been added.

DR CHAPMAN RETIRES

Dr Gilbert Chapman retired from general practice on 16th December 2000 after 30 years at St Agnes Surgery. We are sure all of his patients will miss him as much as we at the surgery will.

We wish him well in retirement and expect that many hours will be spent with his family, in the garden and pursuing his many interests.

Dr James Robertson purchased Dr Chapman's share of the St Agnes practice, and became a partner in the practice as from 1st January 2001.

VEDASCOPE - vaginal speculum.

St Agnes trialled the use of the Vedascope speculum - in our assessment there were features which we found to be unsatisfactory and we have subsequently withdrawn this service.

ST AGNES  SURGERY  HAS  MOVED!!

St Agnes Surgery and the St Agnes Medical Centre have moved across the road to a new purpose built medical facility. The new surgery commenced operation on 3rd July 2000. The centre being officially opened by the Honourable Trish Draper MP on the 8th of July. The phone numbers and postal address remain unchanged. Click here to visit the new surgery!.[ NEW MEDICAL CENTRE]

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