Medical Services
Men’s Health
Common health concerns for Men who present at Cowes Medical Centre include: Prostate health, Penis problems, Sexual health, Male Pattern-Baldness, High Cholesterol & Depression.
It is recommended that Men see their GP on an annual basis. Men have specific health needs that require attention at various points throughout their lifetime.
Men’s Health checks involve the prevention and early detection of common medical conditions
Women’s Health
We offer a range of services for women related to the following: Family Planning, Pregnancy and Maternity Care, Counselling, Osteoporosis, Menopause, cervical screening, Breast Checks & Mirena removal.
Implanon insertion and removal, Mirena
We provide Implanon insertion and removal. It is a highly effective, long-acting reversible contraceptive method, which is suitable for most women. Implanon appointments require an initial standard 15 minute consultation to discuss the procedure with your GP and a subsequent procedure appointment on an alternative day.
Kid’s Health
Our GP’s are have extensive knowledge in children’s health. Some of the services you may want to consider for your child includes the following:
- Newborn and toddler health
- General health checks
- 4-5 year old “healthy kid’s check” assessing school readiness
- Vaccinations and immunization
- Monitoring development
- Childhood Milestones
- Immunisation and Health Promotion
- Healthy Kid checks 3-4 yrs
- Access readiness for school provide opportunities for early screening for visual acuity, hearing, coordination
Geriatric Medicine
Cowes Medical Centre
ECG
Our friendly nursing staff are able to perform ECG’s on site for your convenience.
Mental Health
Mental health care plans are available to Medicare eligible patients who are experiencing emotional health problems. This entails a 30 minute appointment with your GP who will refer you to a psychologist of your choice. Within your mental health care plan you will receive 6 subsidized psychology consultations. If you require further sessions you will be able to come back to your GP for a review of your Mental Health Care Plan and receive a further 4 psychology visits. The total of subsidized visits a patient is eligible for per calendar year is 10.
Onsite Pathology
Clinical Labs is open from 8am – 4:30pm Monday- Friday at Cowes Medical Centre.
You do not require an appointment for pathology.
If you have enquires regarding Clinical Labs, please contact: (03) 9525 2314
Preventative Health
We are an accredited Yellow Fever vaccine provider. You will need to see our accredited doctor Dr Karen Langston for administration of this vaccine. The yellow fever vaccine will attract an out of pocket cost of $105 to cover the cost of the vaccine.
Travel Health
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
We are an accredited Yellow Fever vaccine provider. You will need to see our accredited doctor Dr Karen Langston for administration of this vaccine. The yellow fever vaccine will attract an out of pocket cost of $105 to cover the cost of the vaccine.
- 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
Mixed Billing
Mixed billing is a healthcare payment model used in countries like Australia, where both public and private healthcare systems coexist. In a mixed billing system, healthcare providers have the option to charge patients either privately (fee-for-service) or through the public healthcare system (bulk-billing), depending on various factors such as the patient’s eligibility, the type of service provided, and the provider’s preferences.
Minor Surgery
Early detection of skin cancer can save lives!
At Parkdale Medical Surgery we strive for patient well-being and are committed to early detection and prevention of all skin cancers & melanomas. Through the use of our brand new Mole Max system, early detection and prevention has never been easier.
What is Mole Max?
Mole Max is a highly effective surveillance program allowing us to mole map your entire body from top to toe.
Mole mapping is a crucial role in early detection of most skin cancers, especially melanoma.
Mole Max uses many dermoscopic features specific to detection of melanoma and other skin cancers not visible to the naked eye.
Using Mole Max is a comfortable non-invasive way for our doctors to address your skin concerns.
What is Mole Mapping?
Mole mapping is when a set of total body photographs is used to establish a base-line of all moles and skin spots present on your body. These photographs are used in follow up consults to continually check for new or changing moles, most melanomas appear as a new mole. Through the use of our Mole Max surveillance program we can create carefully selected microscopic images of the skins current presentation and marks, these are later stored for diagnosis and future digital comparison.
What are the benefits to Skin Checks?
Early detection and treatment is vital in prevention and management of skin cancers. With early detection most skin cancers can be cured.
Skin Cancer Screening
We are an accredited Yellow Fever vaccine provider. You will need to see our accredited doctor Dr Karen Langston for administration of this vaccine. The yellow fever vaccine will attract an out of pocket cost of $105 to cover the cost of the vaccine.
Chronic Disease Management
If you have an ongoing medical condition you may be eligible for a Care Plan through Medicare. This provides you with 5 subsidized visits (Annually) to allied health practitioners i.e. dieticians, diabetes educators, podiatrists, chiropractors, osteopaths etc.
Care Plan Appointments:
Nurse – 45 Mins- The nursing staff will take an initial set of observations and draw up the care plan ready for the doctor to sign off.
Doctor – 15mins – Afterwards you will be required to see the doctor to read and sign off on the care plan for 15 mins
Immunisations
Childhood Immunisations
Having your child immunised helps protect them against serious childhood diseases. The Victorian childhood immunisation schedule states which vaccines are due and at what age, and are routinely free of charge for all Victorian children under the national immunisation program.
Adult Immunisations
Cowes Medical Centre provides a number of adult vaccines. Vaccines can lower your chance of contracting certain diseases. They work with the body’s natural defences to safely develop immunity. You have a busy life and too much responsibility to risk getting sick. Vaccines can help you stay healthy so you don’t miss work and you have time for your family, friends and hobbies.
Travel Immunisations
Cowes Medical Centre provides detailed travel advice and have an extensive range of vaccinations including yellow fever. Yellow fever should be given 10 days prior to entering a country that requires the yellow fever certificate. Travel vaccine appointments should be made 4-6 weeks before departure as some vaccines require a number of doses that must be spaced out and given over time. Call ahead if you have any queries as to our stock of particular vaccines.
Audiometry
CMC has a visiting specialist for Audiology. Book your appointment today.
Doctors At This Practice Offering This Service
Dr Fernando Telles
Dr Fernando Telles
Dr Fernando Telles
(Cowes Medical Centre)
Dr Hasindu Gamage
Dr Hasindu Gamage
Dr Hasindu Gamage
(Cowes Medical Centre)
Dr Lian Gene Victor Tee
Dr Lian Gene Victor Tee
Dr Lian Gene Victor Tee
(Cowes Medical Centre)
Dr Micah McDonald
Dr Micah McDonald
Dr Micah McDonald
(Cowes Medical Centre)
Dr Sukitha Mahanama
Dr Sukitha Mahanama
Dr Sukitha Mahanama
(Cowes Medical Centre)
Dr Syed Shahid Zafar
Dr Syed Shahid Zafar
Dr Syed Shahid Zafar
(Cowes Medical Centre)
Flu Vaccination - Government
Flu Vaccination - Government
Flu Vaccination - Government
(Cowes Medical Centre)
Flu Vaccination - Private
Flu Vaccination - Private
Flu Vaccination - Private
(Cowes Medical Centre)
Dr Asanka Gunawardana
Dr Asanka Gunawardana
Dr Asanka Gunawardana
(Cowes Medical Centre)
General Practitioner, Male, ACRRM Registrar, MBBS, Skin Cancer Certificate, Mental Health Care Certificate, Emergency Medicine Certificate
Speaks English, and Sinhalese
Dr Gunawardana has over 10 years of medical experience in Emergency Medicine, Anaesthesia, Rehabilitation and Addiction medicine, Cardiology and General Surgery.
Dr Gunawardana is proficient in all acute emergencies and all aspects of general practice. As well as complex patient care, complex pain management, skin checks, men's health, mental health and chronic wound care.
Dr Gunawardana likes travelling, the cricket and flying.
Dr Gunawardana is a private billing doctor, however bulk billing for Pensioners, Health Care Card Holders and Children under 16 years of age.
Areas of interest:
- General practice
- Emergency medicine
- Anaesthetics
- Cardiology
- Skin checks
- Chronic disease management
- Pain Management
- Mental health
- Mens health
Dr Sajini Ambepitiya
Dr Sajini Ambepitiya
Dr Sajini Ambepitiya
(Cowes Medical Centre)
Dr.Sajini has worked in a wide range of specialties including emergency medicine, paediatrics, women’s health including tenures at Shepperton, Frankston and Rosebud hospitals. She is passionate about working as a GP and contributing to the health and well being of the community.
Dr Sajini is a private billing doctor, however bulk billing for Pensioners, Health Care Card Holders and Children under 16 years of age.
Areas of interest:
- Woman's health
- Paediatric Care
- Emergency medicine
Dr Alexander Olaussen
Dr Alexander Olaussen
Dr Alexander Olaussen
(Cowes Medical Centre)
Speaks English and Norwegian.
Graduating medical school in 2015, Alex has over five years’ experience in Emergency Departments across Victoria including Alfred in Melbourne, Wangaratta, Wonthaggi and in particular over three years at our own Cowes Urgent Care Centre. Alex also attends Victorian Racing Events as Race Day Doctor and is a Senior Lecturer at Monash University, Department of Paramedicine.
Alex has a passion for regional medicine and is looking forward to gaining experience in a rural GP practice as part of his rural generalist fellowship program. He is interested in treating patients from all backgrounds with all conditions with a special interest in emergency, trauma and injury as well as low carb diets!
Dr Olaussen is a mixed billing doctor. Bulk bills healthcare card and concession card holders and children 16 and under.
Dr Charles Ekwebelam
Dr Charles Ekwebelam
Dr Charles Ekwebelam
(Cowes Medical Centre)
Dr Ekwebelam will bulk bill all patients with a medicare card.
Areas of interest:
- All aspects of general practice
- No Obstetrics
Dr Henryk Struk
Dr Henryk Struk
Dr Henryk Struk
(Cowes Medical Centre)
Dr Azad Kadom
Dr Azad Kadom
Dr Azad Kadom
(Cowes Medical Centre)
Speaks Arabic, English, and Russian
Dr Kadom owned her own clinic in Phillip Island for 6 years. Dr Kadom has come back to the island to look after her patients again, since 2015. Dr Kadom has extensive experience in GP rural health.
Dr Kadom is a private billing doctor, however bulk billing for Pensioners, Health Care Card Holders and Children under 16 years of age.
Areas of interest:
- Women and Children's health
- Obstetrics
- Geriatric Health
- Chronic disease management
- Weight management
Dr Natalia Chatsionok
Dr Natalia Chatsionok
Dr Natalia Chatsionok
(Cowes Medical Centre)
Speaks English, Russian, and Ukrainian
Dr Chatsionok is an experienced general practitioner who has been with the Cowes Medical Centre for over 8 years.
Dr Chatsionok is interested in all aspects of children's care, maternity care, pediatrics and, palliative care.
Dr Chatsionok is a private billing doctor and is not taking new patients at this time unless you are in need of Palliative Care or Maternity Care.
Areas of interest:
- Women and Children's health
- Aged care
- Maternity Care
- Palliative care