According to an ABC report at the end of July, there has been a significant decline in flu deaths nationally, and Old Linton Medical Centre Doctor Ray Burn said it’s a merit for people’s effort in complying during this pandemic.
From January to June last year, 430 people died from the flu, whilst this year during the same period, only 36 deaths incurred.
And just like the Spanish Flu, Swine Flu, Ebola and the many other previous plaques, Dr Burn said COVID-19 would be just another epidemic that we will get through.
“We are more conscious of our hygiene now, and we’re washing our hands more too,” Dr Burn said.
“This bottle of hand sanitiser, it has been a product of symbolism in many places now.”
With 2020 almost coming to an end, having interrupted businesses and livelihoods, Ray said we have been too impatient in waiting for things to get better.
“We’re in a hurry these days, and we expect instant results,” he said.
“I was brought up during the war, and everyone loses someone, it’s tough. [But] we have to minimise it, and if we can do something to reduce it, that’s sensible.”
“There’ll be another outbreak in the future; we’ll learn about it and go through the whole ordeal again. [However] public health has improved, and we have become more clever and efficient.”
Since the beginning of the year, Old Linton Medical Centre has been kept busy as an essential service, but also with walk-in patients and repeat clients.
On-site doctors include Ray Burn, his granddaughter Hannah Burn-Petersen, Shyama Gonakumbura and receptionist Karen Dawes.
Ray said this year has been busy because of the continuity in patients, in ensuring they stay healthy with the importance of regular consultation, for a wide range of issues.
Recently, there were two clients who visited the centre, complaining to Ray about being in constant fatigue, being more puffed out than usual, thinking it’s due to old age.
Ray found out heart block was the issue and their heart was only operating at half the rate of regular beating, a pacemaker was then put in to address the problem, and overnight, they instantly felt better.
It is the continuity of treatment from the same familiar faces of doctors at Old Linton Medical Centre, which keeps many patients alive and well.
One client of Ray’s dates back to the 80s from another centre he worked at, and 40 years later, that same client has begun revisiting Ray, after moving into the Yass area just last year.
Ray said being a doctor is more than just prescribing medications and providing health services, it’s about trust, relationships and providing customers with the best outcome.
Besides general medical enquiry and services like immunisation, the centre also operates a foot clinic for toenail maintenance and other assistance for those who cannot reach their toes.
There is also a dedicated audio clinic for patients in need of hearing assistance.
“Hearing aids these days are designed so well and small, you would not even be able to realise someone has one,” Dr Burn remarked.
And with Mental Health Month in October, a reminder that doctors at the centre are qualified to hear clients talk about their issues and mental health.
Dr Burn said depression is a normal thing and a medical condition that can be treated.
“Sheep don’t get depression but they would if they knew what was going to happen to them,” he said.
“Depression is certainly a medical condition because it affects a person’s well-being, a disease that puts someone into an unfavourable outcome they did not wish for.”
When the Times asked Ray what he is predicting the future will be like once the pandemic is over, he said there would be a state of complacency.
“We will relax and forget again, we will get back on buses and pubs, and we will no longer be 1.5m away from each other,” he said.
“Personal hygiene will deteriorate, and it’ll take another pandemic for us to be reminded again, to pay more attention.”
And if there is one thing Ray would like the community to be wary of, it is to regularly check in with your medical centre, especially with growing issues like high cholesterol.
“We are designed to die at 45, but the average age now is into the 80s,” he said.
“As with motor cars, a 1986 vehicle might be well looked after, but it will eventually show signs of wear and tear.
“Those things can lead to a string of bad luck, and unless you take care of them now, you might get a heart attack or some bad news, and it might be difficult to fix it then.”
The Yass Valley Times thanks our advertisers for their continued support including Murrumbateman Medical Practice and Old Linton Medical Practice, Yass.
By Christopher Tan
