MBS Item Flip Chart

The Victorian Department of Health has just released an updated version of the resource, 'Summary of new Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item numbers: general practice and allied health', also known as the MBS flipchart.

The MBS flipchart provides summary information about MBS items and their applicability in a useful, easy-to-read format. It includes new MBS items, changes to existing items and revised rebate amounts, current as at December 2011.

Download: MBS flipchart (PDF)

Mental Health Update

As from 1st of November 2011 there have been changes to all the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Item numbers for Mental Health mangement.

Please click HERE to view MBS Item Number changes

In addition, the Department of Health & Ageing has published fact sheets outlining recent changes:

Rebate for GP Mental Health Treatment Plan                   Allied Mental Health Services

Men's Sheds are a current flavour and St George Division of General Practice has a Men's Shed up and running for men in the St George community to consider joining. We were advised in the set up primarily by the Australian Men's Shed Association (www.mensshed.org), the Pole Depot and a group of enthusiastic volunteers. Despite there being over 500 Men's Sheds across Australia and three in the Sutherland Shire - St George has up to now had none!

We are located in the middle of Hurstville at 32 The Avenue are are able to conduct "low noise, low impact" activities at the current site.

Drop in on Wednesdays and Fridays between 10am - 11am to "check out" the Shed

A bone densitometer has been installed at Ferndale Gardens. This machine has the advantage of being able to perform a lateral view of the spine concurrently with the BMD and hence will pick up compression fractures which are eligible for treatment with or without BMD evidence of established osteoporosis.

If patients fit any of the referral criteria they will be bulk billed for the service.

Ground floor access to the facility and limited to Wednesdays with referrals from GPs welcomed. Reports by endocrinologists Drs Soji Swaraj and Terry Diamond will contain advice for treatment options.

Screening Tools

Quick Screen Falls Risk Assessment                     WHO Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX)