Special clinic at Southern Health as …

By Melissa Meehan
THREE Swine Flu cases have been confirmed in Greater Dandenong and many more are expected, says a local doctor.
Keysborough GP, Doctor Nic Demediuk said while the H1N1 influenza virus was at a contained stage it was inevitable that more residents in the south-east would become ill.
“But every week that goes by is closer to getting the vaccine,” Dr Demediuk said.
He said he had already had three people who were on the Pacific Dawn with flu-like symptoms through his Keysborough practice.
“We rang the Department of Human Services and took swabs and sent them out for testing,” he said. “But they came back negative.”
He said news of the virus had meant a heavy influx of people wanting to see a doctor.
“People who would normally stay home with the flu are coming into the doctors,” he said. “It is standing room only at the moment.”
Dr Demediuk said that there had also been a increase in the number of people going to the doctors to have their annual flu injection. “The normal flu vaccine is not specific to the virus that everyone is worried about,” he said.“But it might add a little to the immunity against it.”
Thorough hand washing and putting tissues into the bin are all tips to limit the chances of getting the virus, Dr Demediuk said.
In other news, Dandenong Hospital has one of seven dedicated flu clinics across Melbourne.
Health Minister Daniel Andrews said the number of Swine Flu cases was expected to grow and the dedicated clinics would allow hospital emergency departments to focus on emergencies.
A spokeswoman for Southern Health confirmed that Dandenong Hospital and Monash Medical Centre Clayton would open dedicated clinics.
These clinics will provide services to those living in the south-east.
“We remind that the two influenza diversion clinics are only for people who have been referred by their medical practitioner or Nurse-on-Call adviser after being medically assessed as at risk or in a serious condition,” she said.
The referral only clinics are to help the hospitals efficiently handle an increase in volume of people referred by doctors with symptoms.