Chittering Health Service

🌟 Are You Ready for Dry July? 🌟

Dry July is just around the corner! Whether you're participating to support a great cause, improve your health, or simply challenge yourself, now is the perfect time to start preparing.

💧 Set your goals – Think about why you want to take part and what you hope to achieve.
🍹 Plan alcohol-free alternatives – Stock up on sparkling water, herbal teas, mocktails, and other favourite non-alcoholic drinks.
🤝 Let family and friends know – Sharing your plans can help you stay motivated and supported.
🥗 Focus on healthy habits – Pair Dry July with nutritious eating, regular exercise, and good sleep for even greater wellbeing benefits.
📅 Prepare for social events – Have a plan for gatherings where alcohol may be available.

Many people notice benefits such as improved sleep, increased energy, better concentration, and savings in their budget after taking a break from alcohol.

No matter your reason for participating, Dry July is a great opportunity to reflect on your relationship with alcohol and support your overall health and wellbeing.

Who's taking on the Dry July challenge this year? Let us know in the comments! 👇

⏰ Last Weeks for FREE Flu Vaccinations! 💉

Don't miss your opportunity to protect yourself and your loved ones this flu season with a FREE flu vaccine if you're eligible.

Influenza can be a serious illness, leading to complications such as pneumonia, hospitalisation, and missed work or school. Vaccination remains the best way to reduce your risk of becoming seriously unwell and helps protect vulnerable members of our community.

If you have been putting it off, now is the time to book your appointment. Flu season is still underway, and it's not too late to gain protection.

Free flu vaccines are available for eligible groups, including:
✅ Children aged 6 months to under 5 years
✅ Adults aged 65 years and over
✅ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
✅ Pregnant women
✅ People with certain medical conditions

Appointments are quick and easy. Contact our clinic or book online today.

Protect yourself. Protect your family. Get your flu shot before the free vaccination program ends.

🦴 Osteoporosis: The Silent Disease You Can’t Afford to Ignore
Did you know osteoporosis is often called a silent disease? It can develop over many years without any symptoms, only becoming apparent after a painful fracture caused by a minor fall or bump.
Osteoporosis weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. It affects millions of people worldwide, including 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50.
The good news? Osteoporosis is often preventable and manageable with the right lifestyle choices.
✅ Stay active – Weight-bearing and resistance exercises help strengthen bones and maintain bone density.
🥛 Nourish your bones – Make sure you're getting enough Calcium and Vitamin D each day.
🩺 Know your risk – Talk to your doctor about your family history and whether a bone density (DEXA) scan is right for you.
🏡 Prevent falls – Reduce tripping hazards around your home to help lower your risk of fractures.
Taking steps today can help protect your bones for years to come.

We’re now a bulk billing practice! ✨
From 1 December 2025, our practice will be bulk billing:
✅ Eligible Medicare card holders
✅ Eligible Medicare services only
Please be aware that some appointments are NOT bulk billed and will incur private fees, including:
• Private Vaccinations
• Pre-employment Medicals
• Driver’s Medicals
• Surgical Procedures
• Firearm medicals
• Insurance / work-related medicals
• Any non-Medicare services
If you are unsure whether your appointment is bulk billed, please check with our reception team prior to your visit.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support!

📅 We understand that circumstances can change, making it difficult or no longer necessary to attend your appointment.

If you are unable to come in, please help us support our community by:
✔️ Changing your appointment to Telehealth where appropriate
✔️ Rescheduling if you need another time
✔️ Cancelling appointments that are no longer needed

This allows us to offer appointments to other patients who may need care sooner.

Please note that appointments not attended without notice may incur a No Show fee. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 🙂

🩺 Choosing the right appointment helps us give you the best care possible.

✔️ Standard appointments (10 mins) are suitable for simple, routine issues.
✔️ Long appointments (20 mins) are recommended for multiple concerns or more complex health matters.

Please speak with our reception team when booking for other appointment types, including ear syringes, driver’s medicals, and health care plans. 🙂

🦠 Be Flu-Season Ready Before Symptoms Strike 🤧

Preparing a simple Flu Care Kit now can make a big difference when illness hits — helping you recover comfortably while protecting those around you. 💙

✅ Why stock up early?
• Manage symptoms quickly with essentials ready to go
• Help prevent the spread of germs at home
• Avoid pharmacy shortages during peak flu season
• Reduce stress and focus on rest and recovery
• Stay hydrated with easy access to fluids and electrolytes

🩺 Helpful items to keep on hand:
💊 Paracetamol, ibuprofen, cold & flu relief, throat lozenges
🌡️ Digital thermometer & Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs)
🧴 Hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes & tissues
💧 Water, electrolyte drinks & herbal teas
🍯 Honey, ginger, soup, porridge & other nourishing soft foods
🌬️ A humidifier to help ease dry airways

A little preparation now can make sick days much easier for you and your family this winter. Stay well, stay prepared. ❄️🙂