Medical Services

24 Hour BP Monitoring

The purpose of our 24-hour blood pressure monitoring is to keep a close watch on your blood pressure as you go about your daily activities.
We achieve this through the help of a small digital blood pressure machine that is connected to a belt around your body, which is attached to a cuff around the upper part of your arm.
The need to monitor your blood pressure is to check for hypertension, and to also have an idea of what your blood pressure is like throughout the night and day.
We may require a patient to be placed under 24-hour blood pressure monitoring for the following reasons;

  • To know if your blood pressure stays high at night. If we discover that it is high at night, then we may have to change, adjust, or review your medication.
  • To monitor how well your medicines are working and to ascertain if your blood pressure is well controlled both during the day and at night.
  • To know if your blood pressure readings in the clinic differ from what they are at home or away from the clinic.

These are some of the reasons why we may want to put our patients under 24-hour blood pressure monitoring.
For patients with high BP; if you would like to have good control and monitoring of your blood pressure, our practice is the right place to be. We do not take the well-being of our patients lightly, as we understand that medical issues relating to blood pressure, should be well managed and monitored.

How does our 24-Hour Blood Pressure Monitoring work?

Our 24-hour blood pressure monitoring works in the same way as going to the clinic to have your BP checked, although for the monitoring, a digital device that measures your blood pressure throughout the day is worn on your belt or waist, while the cuff is connected to your upper arm. This digital device takes your blood pressure reading at regular intervals throughout the day; normally every 30 minutes during the day and 60 minutes at night.

How do I prepare for 24-Hour Blood Pressure Monitoring?

This is a question that most of our patients ask; the answer here is that you do not need to do anything to prepare for your 24-hour blood pressure monitoring. However, it is good to wear loose-fitting clothing to your appointment, so that we can fit the blood pressure monitor properly.

We recommend that our patients should go about their regular daily routine the period of 24hr monitoring.
After the 24 hours, we will remove the device and then access the readings to analyze what it implies and make necessary recommendations to our patients. You can always count on our expertise to deliver the best medical services to our clients, at all times.

24 Hour ECG Holter Monitoring

24-hour ECG Holter monitoring involves continuously recording a person’s heart activity over a 24-hour period using a portable device called a Holter monitor. This allows for the continuous monitoring of electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) signals outside of a clinical setting, capturing any irregularities or abnormalities in heart rhythm that may occur during daily activities and sleep. It provides valuable information for diagnosing various heart conditions such as arrhythmias, palpitations, and other cardiac abnormalities.

Iron Infusions

Why is Iron important?
Our bodies need iron. Iron is used to make haemoglobin – the part of our red blood cells that carries oxygen around our body. It is also important for muscle strength, energy and good mental function. If your iron levels are low this may make you feel tired and not able to do normal daily activities. As the amount of iron in the body falls even lower, the haemoglobin level drops below normal. This is known as iron deficiency anaemia.

Why might I need an Iron Infusion?
The most common way to treat iron deficiency is to take iron by mouth as a tablet or liquid. This works well for most people and is usually tried first. Some people may need iron to be given straight into the body through a vein. This is called an Intravenous (IV) iron infusion. Sometimes 2 iron infusions (given at least 1 week apart) are needed to fully top up iron stores. The infusion is made up of iron, not blood. IV iron might be needed if you:

  • Are not able to take iron tablets / liquid
  • Are not responding to iron tablets / liquid or not absorbing them
  • Need to get your iron levels up quickly (eg. before major surgery, late in pregnancy or to avoid blood transfusion)
  • If you have chronic kidney disease or chronic heart failure Your doctor should explain why you need IV iron and the other options

How do I make an appointment for an Iron Infusion?
You will first need to make a standard consultation appointment with your GP to discuss your current health, medical history, review of medications and any prior treatment if any.  You will also need to have a blood test to determine your current iron levels and your GP will then discuss the next steps. If an Iron Infusion will be beneficial to you, and treatment is deemed appropriate by your GP, an appointment will be scheduled.

Ref: www2.health.vic.gov.au

Travel Medicine

Travel Medicine Advice for Australians Travelling Overseas

Australians travelling overseas, especially to developing countries, need to be vaccinated against a range of diseases. Illnesses may be caused by contaminated food or water, poor hygiene or infected insects. This is why we provide certain Australian travel medicine advice regarding a number of the common illnesses that you may encounter on your trips.

Things to remember while planning a trip overseas:

  • Ask your doctor if you need to be vaccinated
  • Make an appointment to discuss your travel plans several week before you leave
  • Most illness can be prevented by vaccinations and a little caution.
  • Vaccination for specific diseases.

Hepatitis A

  • This is the most common vaccine-preventable disease in travelers.
  • It is spread by contaminated food or water.
  • Symptoms include fever, lack of energy and jaundice.
  • Vaccination is safe and extremely effective.

Hepatitis B

  • This is spread by body fluid
  • Symptoms include fever, lack of energy (malaise) and jaundice (yellow skin colour).
  • Around half of all cases worldwide result in death.
  • Vaccination is safe and extremely effective.

Typhoid

  • This is common in developing countries.
  • Symptoms include fever, weakness, headache and sometimes a rash.
  • Vaccinations must be completed at least one week before travelling.

Rabies

  • This is common to North, Central and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.
  • The cause is a virus passed on by a bite or scratch from an infected dog or any mammal that carries the virus.
  • Symptoms include headache and fever, then convulsions and death.
  • A three-dose vaccination is given over 3–4 weeks prior to travel.
  • All animal bites and scratches should be immediately and thoroughly washed with soap and water for at least 10 minutes.
  • Treatment after a bite from a possibly rabid animal involves a course of five vaccines and, if previously unvaccinated, an injection of immunoglobulin.

Meningococcal Meningitis

  • This is common in Africa.
  • The cause is a virus spread by aerosol droplets.
  • Symptoms include headache, fever, confusion and neurological damage.
  • Vaccination is a legal requirement for some countries.

Japanese Encephalitis

  • Common to China, Korea, the Indian subcontinent and South East Asia.
  • The cause is a virus spread by infected mosquitoes.
  • Symptoms include headache, fever, confusion and neurological damage.
  • Treatment can only ease the symptoms.
  • Three doses of vaccine are required well before you travel.

Yellow Fever

  • This is present in tropical South America and sub-Saharan Africa.
  • The cause is a virus spread by infected mosquitoes.
  • Symptoms include fever, headache, bloody vomiting, jaundice and death.
  • The vaccination gives immunity for around 10 years.
  • Vaccination is a legal requirement for some countries and certification can only be given by an authorised travel health clinic.
  • Alphington Medical Centre will be able to direct you to the nearest authorised travel health clinic for this vaccination.

Ways to protect yourself from illness caused by contaminated food and water, or from mosquito or animal bites:

  • Don’t drink tap water (or have ice in drinks)
  • Don’t buy food from vendors on the street
  • Wear long sleeved shirts and long pants
  • Wear insect repellent
  • Stay away from animals

Alphington Medical Centre
29-31 Station Street, Fairfield
Ph: (03) 9485 5100

Fax: (03) 9102 5388

Allied Health Specialists


Allied Health Specialists typically refer to professionals within the allied health field who have advanced training and expertise in specific areas. These specialists often focus on particular aspects of healthcare or provide specialized services within their respective disciplines. Examples may include:

  1. Physical Therapists specializing in sports medicine or orthopedics.
  2. Speech-Language Pathologists focusing on pediatric speech disorders or adult neurological conditions.

Circulation Testing


Circulation testing typically refers to a series of diagnostic procedures aimed at assessing the blood flow through various parts of the body, especially the extremities. These tests are often performed to evaluate the health of the cardiovascular system, identify potential circulatory problems, and diagnose conditions such as peripheral artery disease (PAD) or venous insufficiency. Common circulation testing methods include:

  1. Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI): A non-invasive test that compares blood pressure measurements in the arms and ankles to assess peripheral arterial circulation.
  2. Doppler Ultrasound: Uses sound waves to measure blood flow and detect blockages or abnormalities in blood vessels.

Bulk Billed Appoinment

A bulk-billed appointment refers to a medical consultation or healthcare service where the entire cost is covered by the healthcare system, typically Medicare in Australia. In a bulk-billed appointment, patients do not have to pay any out-of-pocket expenses for the consultation or service, as the healthcare provider directly bills Medicare for the full cost. This system aims to ensure accessible healthcare for all Australians, particularly those with financial constraints, by eliminating upfront costs at the point of care.

Scarless Mole Removal

Scarless mole removal techniques aim to remove moles with minimal scarring, utilizing methods such as laser removal, shave excision, or cryotherapy. These techniques are designed to remove moles while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue, resulting in less noticeable scarring compared to traditional excision methods. However, complete scarlessness cannot always be guaranteed, and outcomes may vary depending on factors such as mole size, location, and individual healing characteristics.