What the Medicate Rebate change means for your family

There’s been plenty of talk in the last couple of days about the budget and what it means to Australian families.

While some benefits are obvious, like tax cuts or rebates, what you might not know is that your choice of doctor could potentially save or cost you money.

Dr Sam explains all here on Kidspot >>

Whooping Cough vaccine really does save lives

Not a single child has died from whooping cough since the free whooping cough vaccination was introduced in 2015.

The vaccine for pregnant women has reduced the chance of newborns with the illness being hospitalised by 94%. If you’re expecting, chat to your doctor about getting the free vaccine.

Read more about the vaccine here >>

Meningococcal Vaccine Update

The Australian Government confirms funding for the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine for all kids. 

This is especially important as the rates of W strain are on the rise - a more potent strain associated with a higher fatality rate.

Australian children will be able to access a wider meningococcal vaccine with protection against more strains added to the National Immunisation Program.

Health Minister Greg Hunt on Friday announced the new vaccine would cover against A, C, W and Y strains of the disease.

The new vaccine would be available ahead of the next peak season, expected to be in the second half of the year.

Currently, children are vaccinated against meningococcal C for free at 12 months, with protection against strain B available at a cost.

Want to know more about Meningococcal disease and the vaccines? Read more here >>

Vaccines save lives! Talk to your GP today.

Molluscum Contagiosum: Everything you need to know

If I had to name the worst medical tongue twister for parents to repeat, it would hands down be Molluscum Contagiosum. No one ever remembers how to say it.

Molluscum Contagiosum (MC) is a common childhood skin infection, and every week I see desperate mums and dads horrified at the little crop of 'warts' that have appeared on their dear little one's body. The good news is, these little bumps aren't warts. MC is caused by a different type of virus, a poxvirus, that causes small clusters of skin bumps called mollusca. Kids get them most commonly, especially the little ones, but I’m sorry parents - you're not immune!

What exactly is Molluscum Contagiosum? Read more on Kidspot >>

Fertility Breakthrough: New Research provides much promise for infertile couples down the track.

In some great news for fertility treatment, human eggs have been grown in a laboratory for the first time. The medical breakthrough has shown it is possible to bring eggs to maturity outside the ovary. The breakthrough could help women who don't respond to IVF, including cancer patients, preserve fertility

Our resident practitioner Dr Sam Hay talked to the Today Show about how this provides much promise for infertile couples down the track.