It's easy to book your appointment online

Sometimes during busy times there can be a short wait to get through to us by phone. We answer calls as soon as possible, but to save you time, our online system is the most convenient way to book your appointment.

With our booking form, you can browse, select and book the time that suits you best.

“Booking online is easy and convenient”

To book:

1. Visit www.GAALS.com.au

2. Click “Book Now” to open our booking page

3. Select “Initial Consultation” if this is your first appointment at GAALS, or “Follow Up Consultation” if we’ve seen you before

4. Select your preferred date and time

5. Fill in your details, and click “Book”

6. We’ll contact you to confirm your appointment.

COVID-19 — screening before appointments

Prior to all appointments in our consulting rooms, our staff will call patients to ask a few questions before their appointment is confirmed.

You should not visit our consulting rooms if:

• you are currently unwell (irrespective of the origin of the illness), or

• you have been issued a self-quarantine notice because:

  • you have been overseas

  • you are an exempt person and have arrived in Queensland from a COVID-19 hotspot

  • you are an exempt person and have moved to Queensland from interstate

  • you have been in close contact with someone who already has COVID-19.

Please contact us to:

• check whether your appointment can proceed through telehealth, or

• reschedule your appointment.

COVID-19 — appointments

Recently we posted information about the measures we are taking to promote the health of our patients and practice staff.

“We are continuing to make appointments with some additional options, precautions and recommendations”

Telehealth

The government recently expanded telehealth (video conferencing and phone consultations) to all Australians, where treatment can be safely delivered by phone or video conferencing.

Generally, when an appointment does not require a physical examination, we are pleased to offer telehealth services to patients. Please contact us to check whether your appointment can be offered through telehealth.

Social distancing

In addition to the measures we have already implemented to promote social distancing, we ask that patients attend their appointment at our consulting rooms without any additional visitors. We do understand that some patients prefer to bring another person (for example, a partner or parent) to their appointment for support, and we are happy to accommodate individual patients’ needs.

We also ask that parents DO NOT bring any children under the age of 18 to our consulting rooms, unless the child is the patient.

Please contact us if you need to reschedule your appointment, or to ask whether your appointment can proceed through telehealth.

COVID-19 — changes to elective surgery

Recently the government made a decision to suspend all non-urgent elective surgery in public and private hospitals.

“Only elective surgery categorised as ‘Category 1’ and some ‘Category 2’ procedures will be allowed to continue”

• Category 1 procedures are for patients needing treatment within 30 days.

• Category 2 procedures are for patients needing treatment within 90 days; this includes treatment for conditions that cause pain, dysfunction or disability.

• Category 3 procedures are for patients needing treatment at some point in the next year. All Category 3 procedures will be temporarily suspended.

We will be in touch with patients who are currently booked for surgery to let them know whether their procedure can go ahead. There may be delays for patients who have not yet been booked for surgery.

Please contact us by email or phone 07 3067 7086 with any questions.

-Amy

COVID-19 — what we are doing

Recently we have implemented changes due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) to promote the health of our patients and practice staff. While we expect COVID-19 will have some impact on our services, we are continuing to book appointments and operations in line with current advice from the government and Greenslopes Private Hospital.

We regularly review the recommended advice and are monitoring the health of our practice staff and have plans in place should they become unwell.

Before appointments

Prior to all appointments in our consulting rooms, our staff will call patients to ask a few questions before their appointment is confirmed.

At appointments

We ask that every patient uses the hand sanitiser we provide when they arrive for their appointment. We are wiping down door handles and bench surfaces as a precaution after every patient. As an additional precaution, we have arranged our waiting room to allow sufficient 'social distancing' between chairs. 

Operating

Greenslopes Private Hospital advise that operating will continue with some additional measures to minimise risk to hospital patients, visitors and staff. This may include screening every person prior to entry, and limitations on the number of visitors that patients may have.

Prior to all operations, our staff AND Greenslopes Private Hospital will call patients to check their operation can go ahead as planned.

I appreciate your patience during this difficult time. I would like to assure you that the health and safety of our patients and practice staff is a very high priority.

Please call us on 07 3067 7086 or contact us by email if you have any questions.

- Amy

Why I soon won’t be performing pap smears

Pap smears are the current recommended screening test for cervical cancer. In Australia, the guidelines recommend all sexually active women have a pap smear every 2 years, from the age of 18.

“From 1 December 2017, the National Cervical Screening Program will change from the two-yearly pap smear test to a five-yearly human papillomavirus (HPV) test.
”

Pap smears will soon be replaced by a new cervical screening test, which looks for the presence of high risk strains of HPV DNA. Cervical screening will occur every 5 years (if your HPV DNA test is negative), with screening starting at age 25.

Why is the new test better than a pap smear?

HPV DNA is a very good method of cervical screening, as the majority of cervical cancers are caused by high risk strains of HPV. If a woman tests negative for high risk strains of HPV, she is statistically very unlikely to develop cervical cancer within the 5 years following the test. The HPV test is more sensitive than pap smears, and will detect high grade lesions earlier, thus helping to prevent cervical cancer developing.

What does this mean for me?

Up until 1 December 2017, you should continue to have your pap smear when it is due. After this time, instead of a pap smear, you will have a cervical screening test for HPV DNA. This test is collected in the same way as a pap smear.

If you test negative for HPV DNA, then you will have a repeat test in 5 years. If you test positive for HPV DNA, then you may require further investigation. 

Keeping up-to-date - education and conferences

AGES Conference

AGES Conference

Greenslopes Private Hospital GP Education Event

Greenslopes Private Hospital GP Education Event

The last couple of weeks have been busy with educational activities and I have thoroughly enjoyed participating in these events.

Recently, I was privileged to present at a fantastic GP education evening organised by Greenslopes Private Hospital.  About 50 local GPs attended this evening, and I, along with 2 other presenters, talked about the management of common gynaecological conditions, such as fibroids, endometriosis and ovarian cysts.  It was great to meet some of my referring practitioners and be involved in an interesting and interactive educational evening.  Prior to the event, with the support of Greenslopes Private Hospital, I also recorded a short introductory video that was posted to youtube.  A link to the video is at the bottom of this post.

Last week I attended the AGES conference (Australasian Gynaecological Endoscopy and Surgery Society) of which the focus topic was ‘The Modern Woman’.  There were many fantastic local and international speakers talking about the expectations of and challenges facing women today, and how practitioners can help women with their concerns. 

At the conference, Professor Judith Goh helped me to realise the importance of retaining perspective, with her lecture about her work in Africa helping women with genito-urinary fistulas.  For these women, without reliable access to healthcare or the basics, such as running water and electricity, simply surviving pregnancy and childbirth is a major challenge.  This certainly made me grateful for the services and healthcare we often take for granted in Australia.  Professor Goh’s work to help these women is inspirational.

At the AGES conference, I had the opportunity to present research I had completed in Sydney on use of the MyoSure device for removal of endometrial pathology such as fibroids and polyps.  I was both surprised and delighted when I won the award for best oral communication.

Maintaining current and relevant knowledge to help guide patient care is essential for all practitioners, and these 2 events were an enjoyable way to keep myself up to date, and also help my local GPs manage the gynaecological questions and issues posed by their patients.

At GAALS we are focused on providing high quality, evidence based care for women of all ages.  If you have a gynaecological concern and would like to see us, please call 1300 242 257 or click Contact on our website for further information.

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.  In Australia, each year about 1300 women will be diagnosed with this disease.  The cause is unknown.  A small percentage of women (5-10%) will have a genetic predisposition to develop ovarian cancer.  Genetic testing may be helpful if you have a strong family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, endometrial or colon cancer.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer are often vague and may include bloating, lower abdominal discomfort, weight loss, decreased appetite or urinary frequency.  These symptoms can also often be present in many other less serious conditions, and that is why diagnosis of ovarian cancer may be difficult or delayed.

Unfortunately there is no screening test available that can detect early ovarian cancer or prevent it from occurring.   We encourage women to be aware of any changes within their bodies and to seek medical attention and advice if they have concerns.

More information is available at:

ovariancancer.net.au

ovarian-cancer.canceraustralia.gov.au

Although at GAALS we do not offer treatment for women with confirmed ovarian cancer*, we do see women for ovarian cysts and other gynaecological concerns.  If you have a gynaecological concern and would like to see us, please call 1300 242 257 or click Contact on our website for further information.

*If you have diagnosed ovarian cancer you should be under the care of a gynaecological oncologist.