Childhood immunisation is a safe, free and effective way to protect children from serious vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccinating on time gives your child the best protection when they need it most.

Under Australia’s National Immunisation Program, routine vaccines are available free for eligible children from birth to 4 years of age. The schedule includes vaccinations at key age points from birth through to 4 years, with annual influenza vaccination recommended from 6 months to under 5 years.

Are your child’s vaccinations up to date?
Talk to your nurse or GP to check their immunisation history and discuss any vaccines that are due. To book an appointment, call Ruby Medical Centre on (08) 9786 6000, or visit Childhood immunisation.

• Routine childhood immunisations protect against serious diseases.
• Vaccination is most effective when doses are given on time.
• Free routine vaccinations are available to eligible children under the National Immunisation Program.
• If a vaccination has been delayed or missed, ask your nurse or GP about a catch-up plan.

Your nurse or GP can explain what to expect at the appointment, answer your questions and check whether your child needs any additional vaccines because of a medical condition or other eligibility factors.

Take action today: Check your child’s immunisation history and book any vaccinations that are due. Call Ruby Medical Centre on (08) 9786 6000 to make an appointment with a nurse or GP.

Reference: Australian Government childhood immunisation information

It’s free, it’s easy, and it could save your life. The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program helps eligible Australians aged 45 to 74 check for early signs of bowel cancer from home. 

Bowel cancer screening matters because bowel cancer can develop without obvious symptoms. Finding it early gives people the best chance of successful treatment, so completing the free screening test when eligible is an important step for your health.

Aged 45 to 74?
Ask your doctor about the free bowel screening test today, call Ruby Medical Centre on (08) 9786 6000, or visit National Bowel Cancer Screening Program website

• People aged 45 to 49 can request their first free kit online or by calling 1800 627 701.
• People aged 50 to 74 are mailed a free kit every 2 years.
• All people aged 45 to 74 can also ask their doctor about getting a kit.
• Find out how the home test works and what to do next at National Bowel Cancer Screening Program website

The test is free, simple and private. If a kit arrives in the mail, don’t leave it sitting around — take a few minutes to complete it and send it back. If you are unsure whether screening is right for you, or you have symptoms or a relevant medical history, speak with your doctor first.

At Ruby Medical Centre, we are committed to helping our community stay healthy through preventative healthcare.

If you are between 45 and 49 years of age, you may be eligible for a Medicare-funded Health Check designed to identify risk factors for chronic diseases before they develop or become more serious.

Many chronic conditions, including diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis, can develop without obvious symptoms. Early detection provides an opportunity to make positive lifestyle changes and begin treatment early, helping to improve long-term health outcomes.

During your appointment, our healthcare team will review your general health and discuss any concerns you may have.

Your health assessment may include:

• A review of your medical and family history.
• Discussion of lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol intake and stress.
• Checks that may help identify early risk factors for chronic disease.
• Personalised advice to help reduce health risks and support long-term wellbeing.
• A plan for follow-up care or referrals if needed.

Your appointment consists of:

• 30 minutes with our Practice Nurse
• 15 minutes with your Doctor

This health assessment is Bulk Billed through Medicare for eligible patients, with no out-of-pocket costs.

Book your appointment today.

If you are aged between 45 and 49 years and would like to arrange your health check, please contact Ruby Medical Centre

At Ruby Medical Centre, we understand that living with a chronic health condition can feel overwhelming at times. A General Practitioner (GP) Management Plan can help make your care clearer, more coordinated and focused on what matters most to you.

A GP Management Plan is a structured health plan created with your GP. It is designed to support patients with chronic health conditions by identifying your health needs, setting personal goals and outlining the care and services that may help you improve your overall wellbeing.

How a GP Management Plan may help you

• Access eligible allied health services, such as audiology, chiropractic care, diabetes education, podiatry, exercise physiology, mental health support, occupational therapy, osteopathy, physiotherapy, dietetics, psychology and speech pathology.
• Create clear and achievable personal health goals with your GP.
• Receive a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to managing your health.
• Better understand your condition and the supports available to you.
• Work towards improving your quality of life and overall wellbeing.

If you have a chronic health condition, you may be eligible for a GP Management Plan. This plan can give you and your healthcare team a shared roadmap, helping ensure your care is tailored to your needs and reviewed as your health changes.

To discuss whether a GP Management Plan is right for you or to arrange an appointment, please contact the friendly reception team at Ruby Medical Centre on (08) 9786 6000. We look forward to supporting your health and wellbeing.

A helpful online toolkit is now available to support conversations about the National Lung Cancer Screening Program. The toolkit brings together clear information, education materials and practical resources for healthcare providers and the health support workforce.

It is designed to help clinics, GPs, nurses, nurse practitioners, radiologists, radiographers and support staff prepare for and deliver lung cancer screening, while encouraging eligible people to ask questions and take part in screening when appropriate.

Are you aged between 50 to 70 and have a history of smoking?
Talk to your healthcare provider today.

• The toolkit includes printable materials and resources that can be saved, bookmarked or added to favourites.
• It includes social media assets, email banners, posters, communication materials and education resources.
• Healthcare providers can use the toolkit to support patient conversations about eligibility, screening pathways and participation.
• Community members can speak with their GP or healthcare provider if they have questions about lung cancer screening.

This is a useful place to find trusted information and ready-to-use resources for sharing important messages about lung cancer screening. If you or someone you care for may be eligible, use the toolkit as a starting point, speak with your GP, or call Ruby Medical Centre on (08) 9786 6000 to book an appointment.

At Ruby Medical Centre, we care about your health and wellbeing. If you are living with diabetes, you may be eligible for an annual diabetic review to help monitor your condition and support your ongoing care.

Regular diabetes reviews are an important part of preventative healthcare. They can help prevent or delay diabetes-related complications, slow their progression, and give you the opportunity to discuss lifestyle, symptoms, and condition management with our care team.

Your review may include:

• Blood sugar test
• Full bloods
• Vital measurements such as blood pressure, BMI and pulse
• ABI assessment

The annual diabetic review is bulk billed through Medicare, with no out-of-pocket cost to you.

To arrange your annual diabetic review assessment or to find out more, please call Ruby Medical Centre on (08) 9786 6000. Your appointment will include 30 minutes with the Practice Nurse followed by 15 minutes with the doctor.

If you are feeling unwell, caring for someone, or unsure whether you need medical care, 1800MEDICARE can help you take the next step with confidence.

1800MEDICARE is a free, 24/7 service where anyone in Australia can speak with a registered nurse about a non-emergency health concern. The nurse will ask about your symptoms, listen to your concerns, and provide guidance about the most appropriate care option for your situation.

Depending on your symptoms, this may include advice for safely managing your care at home, seeing a GP or pharmacist, attending a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, or going to an emergency department. If you call after hours and the nurse recommends that you speak with a GP, they may arrange a 1800MEDICARE GP telehealth consultation.

You can also use the 1800MEDICARE website and app to access trusted health information, check symptoms, find nearby health services, and manage electronic prescriptions.

How to access 1800MEDICARE

• Call 1800 633 422 for free health advice from a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Visit medicare.gov.au/1800 for online health information and tools.
• Use the 1800MEDICARE app for health information, electronic prescriptions, and other digital features.

Important: 1800MEDICARE is not an emergency service. For life-threatening or urgent emergencies, call Triple Zero 000 immediately.

Need health advice now? Call 1800MEDICARE on 1800 633 422 or visit www.medicare.gov.au/1800.

Assignment of Benefits

An Assignment of Benefits is an agreement that allows benefits or payments from an insurer or responsible party to be directed to the provider or organisation delivering the service. It can help simplify billing, reduce delays, and make the process clearer for everyone involved.

Consultations and Procedures

For all consultations and procedures, Assignment of Benefits consent must be obtained and recorded clearly. Consent can be completed using either a printed form or SMS, depending on the patient’s preference.

Ways to get your consent

• • Printed form: Provide the patient with the Assignment of Benefits form and ensure it is completed and signed where required.
  • SMS consent: Send the approved SMS consent request and confirm the patient response is received and recorded.

Sample Printed Form

This is a sample Printed Form that will be used during the time of your visit to the Practice. This is subject for improvement and we will update you regularly on the changes.

Important Reminder

Improvements to the Assignment of Benefits process are currently underway. From 1 July 2026, updated Assignment of Benefits consent requirements will apply to Medicare bulk billed services, with consent able to be recorded digitally or on paper before a claim is submitted.

For further information, visit the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing page: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/improving-the-assignment-of-benefit-process

Why It Matters

Using an Assignment of Benefits can make payment arrangements more straightforward, but it should always be completed carefully. Clear information helps avoid confusion and ensures everyone understands how benefits will be handled.

Heart disease causes around 48 deaths in Australia every day. The good news is that many heart attacks and strokes can be prevented, especially when risk factors are detected and managed early.

Understand Your Risk

The first step to lowering your chances of developing heart disease is understanding your personal risk. Our records show that you may have some heart disease risk factors, so we would like to invite you to book a Free Heart Health Check.

What Is a Heart Health Check?

A Free Heart Health Check is a simple 30-minute check-up covered by Medicare.

What the Check Involves

• Reviewing and updating your medical and family history
• Checking your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels
• Discussing lifestyle choices, including diet and exercise
• Calculating your risk score and developing a plan to lower your risk of heart disease
• Performing an ECG

Already Had a Heart Health Check?

If you have had a Heart Health Check within the last 12 months, please contact us so we can update our records.

Book Your Appointment Today

Don’t ignore your heart health. Phone us on 08 9786 6000 to book your annual Heart Health Check today.

Needle-free flu protection for kids is now available at Ruby Medical Centre. FluMist is a nasal flu vaccine designed for children aged 2–12, making flu vaccination easier and more comfortable.

Call our clinic to register your interest and help protect your child this flu season.