Good Morning Canberra!

I am an Australian trained GP in Canberra – practicing independently ‘Dr Christopher Harrison’ on level B at 2/5 Allawoona St Bruce in the Health Hub building 28 at the University of Canberra – I have 36 years General practice experience and have been in Canberra for the past 20 years. My qualifications are MBBS (UNSW); DRANZCOG (Diploma of Obstetrics & Gynaecology); FACRRM (Fellowship of Rural Medicine); I am a VRGP ( fully unrestricted vocationally registered GP). I am an accredited GP Supervisor with RACGP.

 IF YOU ARE UNWELL WITH ANY RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS (COUGH, SORE THROAT, FEVER, SHORT OF BREATH  ESPECIALLY) YOU MAY BOOK A “TELEHEALTH” APPOINTMENT ONLINE or PHONE AND BOOK A “TELEHEALTH CONSULTATION EITHER PHONE OR VIDEO” FIRST. MANY MATTERS CAN EASILY BE DEALT WITH VIA A TELEHEALTH/PHONE CONSULTATION / VIDEO CONSULTATION (HOT DOCS REQUIRES NO SPECIAL SOFTWARE OR APP – JUST A PHONE WITH A CAMERA AND MIC) via TELEHEALTH IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO ATTEND THE PRACTICE IN PERSON.

I NOW OFFER MOST VACCINES AVAILABLE IN CLINIC – INCLUDING OFFERING THE LATEST COVID  VACCINES ALL DAY MOST DAYS FREE: BOOK THROUGH our Ochre Bruce appointments, call reception to book a vaccine or search the  GOVERNMENT WEBSITE https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility

COVID ANTIVIRALS CAN BE PRESCRIBED FOR ALL OVER 70 YRS, 50- 69 yrs with  risk factors , over 18 yrs with severe immunocompromise & ATSI Patients over 30 yrs  BOOK AN URGENT APPOINTMENT WITH ME TO ACCESS THESE (ASAP ON POSITIVE COVID TEST) the sooner the better – reception will facilitate on the day URGENT APPOINTMENT via telehealth. 

INFLUENZA QUADRIVALENT VACCINES, SHINGLES, PNEUMOCOCCAL (PNEUMONIA), MENINGITIS (MENINGOCOCCAL), Q FEVER, YELLOW FEVER and many other vaccines AVAILABLE MOST DAYS – BOOK ONLINE OR BY PHONE . Government funded NIP free vaccines for those eligible are available.

 I have a broad interest in General Practice – I can assist with a broad range of  general health issues, family medicine (including men’s health, women’s health & shared antenatal care),  diabetes checks and annual reviews, chronic disease care planning, paediatrics, cryotherapy for small sunspots/sun damage, vaccinations  – both childhood immunisations (bulk billed) and adult or travel vaccinations privately billed long consult (most in stock in clinic including yellow fever, Q-fever, mpox). The standard private consultation fee for a booked 15 minute appointment is just $105. Longer appointments available (practice secret…gap is slightly smaller for the longer the consult!).  I am happy to do NEW work injuries as well as work health including pre-employment medicals (need to book longer appointment depending on medical requirements) and walk in injuries requiring suturing or urgent care & management.  

If the ACT Barr Government imposes a payroll tax on the practice significant fee increases will follow.

E-Health is now working and I can upload your health summary to each patients “my health record”. I can also access the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) for you if required & DOWNLOAD COVID VACCINATION CERTIFICATE AND IMMUNISATION LIST if needed.

Whooping cough vaccine (Brand – Boosterix/Adacel; content = killed inactive vaccine against whooping cough/pertussis, tetanus & diptheria) in pregnancy (> 20 weeks/third trimester now available) and strongly recommended. Others $45 (Grandparents/carers/husbands/partners – immediate service $45) Open normal business hours on usual days over holiday breaks but closed public holidays.

Those aged  65 are eligible for the free Shingles vaccine Shingrix (LISCENCED FOR ANYONE OVER 50 @ $300).  2 recommended – ONE NOW AND ONE IN 2 TO 6 MONTHS. New Pneumococcal Pneumonia vaccine FREE fFOR ALL OVER 70.

APPOINTMENTS FOR DR CHRISTOPHER HARRISON can be booked here https://ochrehealth.com.au/medical-centre-bruce/ is staffed by a friendly and the most amazingly professional team of skilled Nurses and receptionists working together with a great team of GP’s. GP consultations require an appointment and private fees apply. Walk-in appointments & triage of urgent care can be accommodated. ONLINE APPOINTMENTS NOW AVAILABLE. https://www.hotdoc.com.au search Harrison at 2617 Bruce

There are other Specialised doctors onsite eg Sports Physicians Dr Stephan Praet; Dr Sue Guirguis (skin cancer surgery/cosmetic procedures), Dr Chris McCue allergies assessment & Testing.

I can provide an extensive number of services on-site in conjunction with our very experienced health team. These include basic check-up services easily available such as blood pressure checks, blood sugar check and INR testing as well as more complex check-ups such as heart health assessments, ECG (heart tracing), Cervical Screening (Pap smears, CERVICAL SCREENING SELF -TEST WITH A SWAB now available), cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen),  instant urine drug screens, alcohol breath testing, plastering, spirometry (lung test) and asthma plans. Ear micro-suction now available 9private fee).

Appointments easily available in Bruce Ph 02 6180 8500 OR ONLINE https://www.hotdoc.com.au  7 am – 7.30 pm Monday to Friday and 9 am-5 pm Saturday !

After Hours:
If unavailable, you may contact CALMS (Canberra After Hours Locum Medical Service) on 1300 422 567 for an alternative arrangement. CALMS in an accredited deputising medical service run by Canberra GPs (including your doctor) to provide quality AH cover all over Canberra.

I do comprehensive travel consultations with most TRAVEL VACCINES AVAILABLE  – BOOK A LONG APPOINTMENT PLEASE followed by a long nurse appointment.

I am an accredited GP  Supervisor willing to take GP Registrars GPT2 and above. We have a great team of experienced GP Supervisors and staff for educational support and mentoring.

GOVERNMENT FUNDED BASIC CHILDHOOD VACCINATIONS UNDER 20 YEARS AGE ..IF YOU OR YOUR CHILD HAS MISSED ANY OR NOT HAD ANY BOOK NOW ..BOOK A LONG APPT TO CHECK YOUR CHILD’S STATUS OR YOUR OWN STATUS.

Dr Chris Harrison

Co-located with other businesses PARATUS Clinical Trials, CIG imaging (XR, USS, CT SCAN & MRI), Laverty pathology, private physiotherapy, diabetes educator, dietician, exercise physiology, psychologist, podiatrist, specialist hand-physiotherapist, audiology (Brindabella Hearing) and UC physio clinics upstairs on Level C. UC Optomotry Clinic, 2 psychologists in practice June Staunton & Preeti Gupta, Extended Hours, Pharmacy (Capital Chemist UC resident and compounding pharmacists), BIG CAR PARK!

Exercise but DONT give me 1.5m PLEASE give me 3 metres & a wide berth – because we can!!

Ode to lockdowns…

We are so privileged in the ACT with our open space and when it comes to exercise, I cannot emphasise to get out there and do something every day….but PLEASE DON’T GIVE ME 1.5 M GIVE ME 3 METRES – because we can.  In this era of COVID we are in for a marathon – it’s six months at least …(2 yrs and counting) – social distance is critical and a new way of life – TAKE IT SERIOUSLY – the same as exercising. Get out there, but give me the courtesy and space of at least 1.5 as you pass me but if you really respect me 3 metres is great!! Be imaginative  to avoid the crowds – go early ….6 am sunrise is spectacular, go late 10pm and its just you and the possums, go in the rain (when else this season can you use the cold weather gear), go “fix my street” spotting on the less well trodden paths. If you pass me on the walk give me space – walk on the edge, walk off the edge , walk on the grass, cut across the oval, walk the back way up the hills, walk off the path (sorry ACT Gov but I think that it is reasonable the we all have a pass till its over – no liability accepted as Canberrans do like their lawyers).  Challenge yourself not to touch anything on your outing, don’t be the person climbing on the trig or hanging off the rails. Exercise is one of the best boosters of immunity, no cost and has side effect of good mental and physical health. I would draw a hard blue line at it being taken away SO do it with planning and respect – if you pass me on my walk, pass me as if  I have a terrible disease, by at least 1.5m (Norman swan says heavy breathers need 8m but he is a bit prone to hyperbole), so if you give me 3 metres I understand that you  really respect me and I will be on my way with a slight nod of the head & hand wave with thanks.

Dr Chris Harrison

NSW/ACT RACGP GP of the Year winner 2022

ABN 24875031809

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