NAVIGATION

Our Services

Management of general medical conditions
Preventative health care
Skin cancer checks and skin lesion biopsies

In addition to all General Practice (GP) services our doctors offer:

  • Children’s Health
  • Women’s Health
  • Men’s Health
  • Family Planning and Fertility Advice
  • Pregnancy Care: Antenatal Shared Care with Royal Hospital for Women
  • Management of Chronic and Complex Disease
  • Mental Health consultations, assessments, preparation of care plans and psychological therapy
  • Immunisation Clinics
  • Liquid Nitrogen treatment/Cryotherapy
  • General and Corporate Health Checks
  • Travel Advice and Immunisations
  • Minor Surgical Procedures including skin excision
  • Insurance Medical Reports
  • Work Cover Certificates
  • Implanon Insertion/Removal
  • Mirena Insertion/Removal
  • Suturing of lacerations

Contraception

Contraception Information

Mirena

(Hormonal IUD Insertion)

The hormonal IUD is a small T-shaped device that is fitted inside the uterus (womb). Over a 5 year timeframe, it slowly releases a very low dose of progestogen hormone into the uterus.

Periods usually become lighter or may stop when using a hormonal IUD.

This is a common adjunct used with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for perimenopausal symptoms.

The hormonal IUD is 99.8% effective as a form of contraception.

Contraceptive IUD Insertion:

  1. A pre-insertion consultation (15 minutes) is required to determine your suitability for the Mirena.
  2. Insertion (15-30 minutes)

Dr May Lin Tan is available for a consultation on Tuesday and Friday.

For an appointment please call Bronte Family Doctors on 93872000 or book online.

 

Implanon

(Contraceptive Implant)

The contraceptive implant is inserted directly under the skin, on the inner arm above the elbow, where it continuously releases a low dose of a progestogen hormone into the bloodstream over a 3 year timeframe. The implant works by preventing ovulation (egg release from the ovary). Devices need to be replaced every 3 years or can be removed earlier if required. Using an implant will change a woman’s usual bleeding pattern – for some women this will mean little or no bleeding at all but about 1 in 5 women have irregular or persistent bleeding. Implants are 99.9% effective.

Contraceptive Implant Insertion:

  1. A pre-insertion consultation (15 minutes) is required to determine your suitability for the Implanon.
  2. Insertion (15-30 minutes)

Dr May Lin Tan is available for a consultation on Tuesday and Friday and Dr Sarah Brewster is available for a consultation on Wednesday and Thursday.

For an appointment please call Bronte Family Doctors on 93872000 or book online.

Injectables

Injectables

Anti-wrinkle treatments

Administered by Dr Caroline Hardy with over 5 years experience,  Dr Hardy will discuss with you your options to achieve the best possible outcome for you. Dr Hardy believes in the ‘fresh not frozen’ approach, ensuring a natural more youthful appearance.

What is anti-wrinkle treatment?

Using a natural purified protein, anti-wrinkle treatments relax dynamic wrinkles. These wrinkles are formed during facial expressions, overtime causing the appearance of fine lines. For example , when we smile our eye wrinkles become more prominent. Once the muscles are relaxed, you are unable to contract them and continue to make undesirable facial expressions. As a result, lines gradually smooth and new lines are prevented from forming.

What can be treated?

  • Frown or worry lines
  • Crows feet or laughter lines
  • Forehead (surprise lines)

When will I see results?

Generally people start to see results with 1-2 days of their treatment and it can take from 10-14 days for full results to be visible.

How long does treatment last?

Treatment takes less than 20 minutes and lasts up to 4 months.

Skin Cancer Checks

Skin Cancer Checks

Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Current statistics show that about two out of three Australians will develop some form of skin cancer before the age of 70. Melanoma is the most common cancer in males aged 25-54 and females aged 15-24. Approximately 1200 Australians of all ages die each year from skin cancer, however most of these deaths from skin cancer are preventable.

Prevention, early detection and treatment of skin cancers is essential. You should check your own skin at least every 2-3 months for any changes, but it is strongly recommended that you have a full body skin check with your doctor every 12-24 months.

When should I have my skin spots checked?

When you have a:

  • new spot that is different from other spots around it
  • spot, mole or unusual freckle that has changed in shape, size, or color
  • sore that doesn’t heal
  • skin spot that you are worried about

What to expect from a skin check with your doctor

  • You will be asked about your personal history and family history with skin cancers, your occupational history, any previous excisions, history of sun exposure and frequency of sun protection
  • In order to examine you carefully, we will need to expose as much skin as possible. The rooms are set to allow for maximal privacy, so please wear underwear you are comfortable in. You will be provided with a sheet as needed to allow us to inspect different areas at a time
  • You should let the doctor know which lesions you are most concerned about
  • If you are concerned about a skin lesion on your scalp, or that is covered by underwear, please let the doctor know so we can examine these areas with your consent

Skin Procedures

If you require a procedure to remove any suspected or confirmed skin cancer lesions, or other lesions such as warts, cysts, lipomas, scars or moles, rest assured that you’ll be looked after at Bronte Family Doctors.

All skin procedures require a consult prior to:

  • discuss and plan the procedure
  • determine the length of time required
  • the aftercare needed
  • the risks and costs

If you’ve been referred from elsewhere, we will still need to see you for a consultation to confirm those details before proceeding.

Most excisions are Medicare rebateable but the amount often depends on what the histopathology reveals.

The skin cancer doctors at Bronte Family Doctors are able to provide a wide variety of procedures to remove any suspicious lesions which include:

  • Cryotherapy:  where we use liquid nitrogen to freeze the lesion and the healthy skin under it. This starves it of blood supply, and a blister will push the lesion off. This is great for spots such as seborrheic keratosis, and actinic keratosis
  • Punch biopsy:  where we capture the lesion with a single 3mm, 4mm, or 6mm punch and close the wound with 1-2 sutures
  • Shave biopsy:  some larger or irregular lesions that are very superficial and flat can be removed by shaving the lesion off then sent for examination and diagnosis
  • Excisional biopsy:  if appropriate, we will excise the lesion whole and send for diagnosis
  • Surgical excision:  if the laboratory report returns as specific types of cancer, these may need wider excisions to ensure the cancer is completely removed and reduce the risk of spread or recurrence

If you are concerned at all about a lesion, or would like some peace of mind, book in for a skin check today!