This week “CityNews” gets to know some of the health experts of the Canberra region.

Everyone benefits from a healthy lifestyle, whether it’s improving strength from home, attending small-group personal training sessions or managing pain.

There are many ways to improve someone’s health, and this week “CityNews” gets to know some of the health experts of the Canberra region.

New clinic, same team of trusted doctors

Wakefield Garden Surgery in Ainslie has been providing primary care needs to the community for more than 50 years, and has recently expanded to a new general practice surgery in Manuka. 

“What we were finding was, where we are currently located, there’s only so much room,” says practice manager, Kristy Stanford.

“We’ve got such a good team of doctors and people wanting to do more hours that it was either try and rearrange where we are or start a second site. 

“So it’s to help the need in the community for health care.”

Kristy says that for the first six months they will have two general practitioners with a special interest in skin working out of their rooms as well. 

Kristy herself has had a long history in healthcare, working in a general practice clinic in Cooma for 15 years before starting her role as the practice manager for Wakefield Gardens Surgery three years ago. She is now the practice manager for Ainslie and the new Manuka centre. 

“It’s a great, same service; same doctors, just on a wider scale,” she says.

The Surgery in Manuka Terrace. Shop 21-23 Manuka Terrace, 18 Flinders Way, Manuka. Call 6196 6700 or visit surgerymanukaterrace.com.au

Pain support with a personal touch

Arthritis ACT offers a wide range of allied health services, including an occupational therapist, physiotherapist and exercise physiologist working out of both Pearce and Bruce, says CEO, Rebecca Davey.

“We also have a couple of registered nurses that have years of experience in working with people with chronic conditions of all description, and also have experience of the conditions,” she says. 

“We also do a lot of education sessions, so we do talks that we mostly hold via Zoom so that people can join in whenever they can or from where they are, and they’re usually recorded.”

Alongside the education sessions, Rebecca says they have lots of written pamphlets and fact sheets so that patients can easily access reliable and thorough information on a number of conditions. 

“We’re absolute experts in chronic pain, arthritis conditions and debilitating fatigue, things like ME/CFS and long covid. We intimately understand those conditions, not just because that’s what we work with every day, but because a very large chunk of our staff have lived experience with all the conditions,” says Rebecca.

“Especially if what you’re coming for is information, there is always time and space for you. 

“If you’re looking just for some support, who to go to, what other services there are, that’s all the sorts of stuff that we can help provide people with.” 

Arthritis ACT, Pain Support & ME/CFS ACT. Building 18, 170 Haydon Drive, Bruce and Building 1, Collett Place, Pearce. Call 1800 011041 or visit arthritisact.org.au

A culturally safe service for indigenous women

Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services is a culturally safe service that provides holistic care to indigenous women throughout Canberra and the surrounding region, says CEO Julie Tongs.

“It is well documented that Aboriginal women die eight to 10 years younger than non-Aboriginal women and carry a higher burden of chronic disease at very young ages,” says Julie.

“It is important for women who are struggling to reach out to the Winnunga social health team or a Winnunga staff member to seek assistance. They should never feel ashamed as there is assistance available.”

Poverty, racism, trauma, addiction, mental health issues, domestic violence, homelessness and incarceration are just some of the issues that Julie says are affecting indigenous women every day.

On top of providing assistance with all of those issues, she says Winnunga can help secure access to covid testing and vaccination, child protection, court and Centrelink support and assist with the filling out of paperwork.

“Winnunga provides GPs, nurses, midwives, a drug and alcohol nurse, and a mental health nurse who are also able to be accessed in the Alexander Maconochie Centre,” she says. 

“We also have allied health professionals in our clinic who the GPs can do internal referrals to. They include the social health team psychiatrist, psychologists, sessional dietitians, an audiologist, optometrist, physiotherapist and a podiatrist.”

Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services, 63 Boolimba Crescent, Narrabundah.
Call 6284 6222 or visit winnunga.org.au

Denture experts embrace new technology

Fringe Dentures is a direct-to-the-public denture clinic that helps with dentures plus mouthguards and other services such as denture cleaning. 

“We’re embracing new technology to make sure we get the best service and quality of work, and a better customer experience,” says owner Terry McHugh.

“We’ve transitioned to digital denture and mouthguard manufacturing, which has revolutionised our processes. 

“We were doing high-quality work before, and we’re doing even higher quality work now because of the new technology that we’re using.”

Terry says that the business has expanded to include another clinic in Hawker, as well as expanding to other regional locations such as Jindabyne and Gundagai.

“We’re still servicing the industry through a lot of partner dentists,” says Terry. “And you can claim through your health funds.”

“The most important thing, and the most enjoyable thing is seeing happy customers walking out with their new dentures. 

“Customer satisfaction is our reward.”

Fringe Dentures, 3/24 Iron Knob Street, Fyshwick, 6/108 Hawker Place, Hawker. Call 6239 2534 or visit
fringedentures.com.au 

Expert Emma’s a podiatrist with passion

UK trained podiatrist Emma Readhead has been working in the podiatry field for close to 10 years and has recently joined the Orthopaedics ACT team. 

“I have a special interest in biomechanics, particularly pre and post surgical cases, so people who are maybe trying to avoid surgery, or that need aftercare post-surgery,” she says  

Emma says she is available for general care, such as nail care, corns and calluses and surgeries for things such as ingrown toe-nails, but also has a special interest in high-risk foot treatments for those with diabetes or other chronic conditions. 

“I also do wound care, which not all podiatrists do,” says Emma.

Emma says patients do not need a referral to book an appointment with her, however for the specialists it is required.

She says her addition to the team creates a holistic in-house experience, as she is available to see clients for general care but will also be working directly with Dr Saqib Zafar, one of the Orthopaedics ACT specialists, to create personalised treatment plans for patients.

“From once you start walking to the last day you stop walking, or even beyond, if you’re in a wheelchair, you still see a podiatrist,” says Emma.

“No two feet are the same.”

Orthopaedics ACT, Woden Specialist Medical Centre, 90 Corinna Street, Phillip. Call 6221 9320 or visit orthoact.com.au

Sleep apnea and snoring solutions

Orofacial myology is a non-invasive, cost effective treatment option for people with snoring and sleep apnea who may not be able to tolerate an oral appliance or CPAP machine, says Happy Faces Orofacial Myology owner, Jaimee Stakelum. 

“Basically what we do is we aim to establish correct oral resting posture, to minimise vibrations of the soft tissues that cause so much noise when people snore, as well as to strengthen and sort of tone up all of those muscles as well,” she says.

“It’s available for anyone who has concerns about it.” 

In particular, Jaimee says it can be a good solution for those who suffer from mild sleep apnea and are not recommended a machine. 

“It’s also a good option for children who’ve had their tonsils and adenoids removed, but they still breathe through their mouth and snore when they go to sleep,” says Jaimee. 

“Research has shown that it also can improve outcomes from CPAP therapy and increase compliance to wearing a CPAP machine, so it’s even a sort of a complementary option for people who want to maximise their therapy.”

Jaimee says referrals are not necessary, with online bookings available.

“Or the old-fashioned way, and give me a call,” she says.

Happy Faces Orofacial Myology. Call 0472 775058 or visit happyfacesom.com.au

Help with managing hearing loss

For more than 35 years, the ACT Deafness Resource Centre has been advising Canberrans on how best to manage their hearing loss, says executive officer Joe Symons.

“I’ve been working at the centre for three years now,” he says.

“I have had moderate/severe hearing loss since birth, which allows me to bring lived experience to the centre. There’s no course you can do that will teach you that.”

Joe says the centre offers important education, information, guidance and referrals.

“We’re a not-for-profit so our services are free,” he says.

“One in six Australians has some form of hearing loss, and for people aged over 65 it’s one in four, so it’s important to have the necessary information.”

Joe says the ACT Deafness Resource Centre can help with alert systems in the house, such as fire alarms or notifications when someone is at the door.

“We also offer free talks to retirement homes or independent living villages,” he says.

“My top tip when it comes to communication is get the person to face you, and to speak clearly and concisely, that can make a world of difference to a person with a hearing loss.”

He says the centre is also expanding to Queanbeyan and the regional NSW coast, offering hearing support groups.

ACT Deafness Resource Centre, 1b/27 Mulley Street, Holder. Call 6287 4393, or visit actdrc.org.au

Physiotherapy to absolve aches and pains

Director Roy Daniell says Belconnen Physiotherapy Clinic was founded by his mother, Yvonne Daniell. 

“We have provided physical health care to the people of North Canberra and Belconnen for over 50 years,” the senior clinician says. 

“We have always been involved in looking after local athletes at all levels, but our main theme has been caring for the aches and pains, injuries, sprains and strains of the general population.

“We understand that at the beginning of a year, many people are keen to reclaim control of their health.

“To help people get started, we are happy to offer a $20 discount on initial consultations from now until Easter.”

There are also three new additions to the Belconnen Physiotherapy Clinic team, says Roy.

“Zoe Zeuschner joined us late in 2023, Zoe has a long history of exercise prescription for health and injury recovery, as well as working in team sports,” says Roy.

“She came to Canberra to complete her Master of Physiotherapy, and we are very grateful that she has chosen to stay.

“Lara Rankin is a lifelong Belconnen resident. Her clinical interests are in helping people at all levels return to sport and improve their performance. She has particular interests in soccer and AFL.

“Matt Chan just joined our team. He has extensive experience helping people manage injuries from workplace trauma and strains, to sporting injuries at all levels. 

“He prides himself on empowering people to look after themselves better.”

Belconnen Physiotherapy Clinic, 1/20 Purdue Street Belconnen. Call 6251 3487 or visit belconnen.physio