General Clinical Services
Our Clinic provides comprehensive medical services for all ages. These include (please click on item for more information):
Women’s Health, Family Planning and Pregnancy Care
We provide comprehensive Women’s Health care for all life stages. This includes:
▪ Family planning advice. Our doctors are able to insert and remove Implanons. Dr Yin Lee is also trained to insert Mirenas at Sapphire Clinic.
▪ Pregnancy care. Our doctors provide shared antenatal care with South East Regional Hospital’s Maternity Unit. We recognise the importance of continuity of care, and will follow up with postnatal care for you and your newborn, including lactation support.
▪ Cervical screening and pap smears. Management of menopause, urinary incontinence and vaginal prolapse issues. We will fit and change vaginal ring or shelf pessaries.
Skin Checks And Skin Cancer Medicine
Given our coastal location, we have a higher than average prevalence of precancerous and skin cancers amongst our patients. Our doctors are trained in providing skin checks, and Sapphire Clinic is equipped to undertake minor surgical procedures such as punch biopsies and excisional biopsies to remove any concerning moles or lesions.
Aviation Medicals
Dr Geoffrey Thomas is a designated aviation medical practitioner, approved to perform medical examinations to meet the provisions of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 and the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.
Please let reception know if you are booking in specifically for an Aviation Medical, so appropriate time is alloted.
Travel Advice And Vaccinations
Our doctors are trained to advise you on travel health such as precautions you can take to stay safe, which include any vaccines you may require. This information will depend on where you plan to travel, how long you go for and the activities planned while there. Some of these vaccinations will prevent you from getting ill, while others are a condition of entry into some countries.
Please note travel consultations, vaccines and vaccinations are not covered by Medicare. Prescribed vaccines need to be purchased from the Chemist.
Please see your doctor at least 6 weeks before your departure date.
Preventative Medicine
Through early consultation, investigation and detection we aim to prevent serious illness.
We encourage all patients to participate in health screening programmes such as cervical screening, breast screening and bowel screening according to guidelines
Please see your doctor to discuss health prevention strategies.
Health Assessments
Health assessments are crucial in helping doctors identify through early detection of any preventable serious illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, lung disease, osteoporosis or cancer.
We bulk bill health assessments for the following groups if eligible:
▪ If you are aged between 45 to 49 years old and at risk of developing a chronic disease
▪ If you are aged 75 years and older
▪ If you are an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
▪ If you are a resident of an Aged Care Facility
▪ If you have an intellectual disability
Care Plans
Care plans are for our patients who have complex medical issues for the purpose of chronic disease management. Our doctors and nurses help coordinate your care with various health professionals to ensure that you are receiving appropriate medical care on a timely basis. This may include checking that your specialist appointments and referrals are up to date, issuing scripts, health screening or helping you arrange for allied health services (podiatry, optometrist, physiotherapy).
Conditions eligible include patients with diabetes, cancer, heart disease, chronic lung disease, osteoarthritis and chronic pain.
We bulk bill all care plan and care plan review appointments.
Palliative Care
Our doctors can provide home based palliative care on request, in conjunction with the Palliative Care Team, through South East Regional Hospital.
Pre-employment Medicals
We have experience in providing comprehensive pre-employment medicals. We are able to arrange for pathology, drug screening, audiometry and spirometry as requested.
Spirometry
Spirometry is a test which is recommended annually for those with lung conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD/ emphysema) or restrictive lung disease. It is a non invasive test done at our clinic through a process of inhalation and exhalation to help us determine how well your lungs are functioning.
ECG
An electrocardiogram (ECG) measures and records electrical activity in the heart. If the electrical activity is abnormal, this may mean an underlying heart problem. We perform this test if you have chest pain, for preoperative purposes or as part of preventive care. Electrodes are placed across your chest wall to measure the electrical activity.
Compression Stocking Fittings
Our nurses will measure customised graded compression stockings for patients with lymphedema or venous insufficiency (varicose veins).
Wound Care
Our nurses are experts at wound care management looking after slow healing ulcers, wound infections, and post operative wounds. They will remove sutures, back slabs, staples and provide advice on various dressings.
Venesection
For our patients with haemochromatosis, we are able to perform timely venesections as part of managing your condition.
Iron Transfusions
Childhood Immunisations
Immunisation is a simple and effective way of protecting children from serious diseases. It helps protect individuals, and the broader community by minimising the spread of disease.
At Sapphire Clinic, we follow the The National Immunisation Program for all children which recommends vaccinations based on age schedule. These vaccines are available free of charge for all Australian children.
Adult Vaccinations
The National Immunisation Program provides guidelines for recommended free adult vaccinations depending on individual risk factors. These risk factors may include age, being Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, pregnancy status and those with underlying medical conditions.
Please see your doctor to discuss whether vaccination is recommended for you.