Hiccups are sudden, involuntary movements of the diaphragm, the muscle just below your lungs that helps you breathe. When this muscle spasms, it causes your vocal cords to close quickly, creating the familiar “hic” sound. Most hiccups are brief and harmless, often resolving on their own.
In 2025, COVID-19 remains a significant health concern in Australia, particularly for older adults and people with weakened immune systems. The Omicron subvariant NB.1.8.1 has caused a resurgence in case numbers across the country, with health authorities urging Australians to stay protected through timely booster doses.
Ensuring your child's health and development is a top priority. In Australia, both General Practitioners (GPs) and paediatricians play crucial roles in children's healthcare. Understanding their distinct functions can help you make informed decisions about your child's routine health checks.
Getting the influenza (flu) vaccine each year is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and others from seasonal influenza and its complications. While the vaccine is safe and well-tolerated by most people, some may experience mild, short-lived symptoms afterward—often described as “flu-like.” These side effects can raise questions or cause concern, particularly for those receiving the vaccine for the first time.
In 2025, COVID-19 remains a significant health concern in Australia, particularly for older adults and people with weakened immune systems. The Omicron subvariant NB.1.8.1 has caused a resurgence in case numbers across the country, with health authorities urging Australians to stay protected through timely booster doses.
Getting the influenza (flu) vaccine each year is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and others from seasonal influenza and its complications. While the vaccine is safe and well-tolerated by most people, some may experience mild, short-lived symptoms afterward—often described as “flu-like.” These side effects can raise questions or cause concern, particularly for those receiving the vaccine for the first time.
Unlike obvious signs such as pain or discomfort, some sexual health problems develop gradually and can go unnoticed for months or even years. Ignoring these symptoms can lead to more serious health concerns, including infertility, chronic conditions, and mental health issues. In this article, we explore the most commonly ignored sexual health symptoms, their possible causes, and when to seek medical attention.
Children are more vulnerable to infections, and many diseases that are rare in Australia remain common in other parts of the world. Travel vaccinations protect against serious illnesses such as hepatitis, typhoid, and yellow fever, reducing the risk of infection during your trip. Vaccines also help prevent the spread of diseases when returning home, safeguarding both your child and the wider community.
In Australia, childhood immunisations are guided by the National Immunisation Program (NIP), ensuring children receive vaccines at key developmental stages. While vaccination is not legally mandatory, policies such as No Jab, No Play and No Jab, No Pay encourage high immunisation rates by linking vaccination status to childcare enrolment and government benefits.
North Brighton Medical has officially endorsed the YES campaign in the 2023 referendum for the establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament in the Australian Constitution.
We're excited to announce that the doctors at our practice now use BetterConsult to help you get the most out of your appointment.
BetterConsult is a "smart" pre-consultation questionnaire that asks the questions your doctor usually asks about the reason for your visit. It then prepares a summary for your doctor.
We advise that from 8 March 2021, we will no longer routinely bulk bill children and pensioners, as we move to being a fully private billing clinic.
We will introduce a discounted fee, with the out-of-pocket cost for a standard consult being $22 (up-front cost of $60.75 with Medicare rebate of $38.75).
Children and aged pensioners will continue to be bulk billed for scheduled immunisations and simple follow-up appointments.
Discounted fees will not be available on weekends and public holidays.
In addition, our standard fees will increase slightly for the first time since we opened the clinic more than 3 years ago. The out-of-pocket cost for a standard consult will be $44 (up-front cost of $82.75 with Medicare rebate of $38.75).
