Professional development opportunities and events read more

EOI open! Intensive Outpatient AOD Treatment for Adults
Here's an exciting opportunity for AOD providers read more

Cervical screening self-sampling now available to under-screened women
Learn where it's available read more

Come to our first Practice Networks for 2018
Practice managers and nurses, hear an A-Z of using the new Mental Health Intake service read more

Treating HIV and Hepatitis B in general practice
Many patients don't need a referral to a specialist read more

Who can support my patients with severe mental illness and complex needs?
How much do you know about the new, free services? read more

My Health Record webinar series for healthcare providers 
Learn how to use My Health Record confidently read more

Managing codeine dependence in general practice
Do you know enough about codeine rescheduling? read more

Codeine rescheduling: TGA video sessions now available
Watch experts' presentations from the recent workshops read more

Free pharmacotherapy training for pharmacists
Come to the training on 11 February in Cranbourne read more

Think you know about exercise? Think again!
Learn how exercise can really prevent and manage chronic conditions read more

Do you know someone with a lived experience of suicide in the Frankston Mornington Peninsula area?
There's an opportunity to be involved in local suicide prevention activities read more

SEMPHN is seeking one or more organisations to deliver the Matrix Model: Intensive Outpatient Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Treatment for Adults in the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Port Phillip, Dandenong and Frankston.

The Matrix Model is a highly structured, integrated and evidence-based approach to AOD treatment.

Individual therapy sessions are combined with specific structured group sessions including:

• early recovery skills groups
• relapse prevention groups
• family education groups
• continuing care social support groups.

Sixteen weeks of intensive structured treatment is followed by 36 weeks of continuing care in the year-long program. During the first intensive phase, clients attend formal treatment three days per week and informal treatment (12-Step/SMART recovery groups) the other days.

All applicants must attend an information session about the tender 9.30am-12.30pm on 5 February in Dandenong. Register here.

Register your interest and apply for this EOI on SEMPHN's Tenderlink page. All questions must be asked via the online forum on SEMPHN’s Tenderlink page.

Expressions of interest close 3pm 16 February.

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The first pathology service in Australia has commenced testing of self-collected samples from eligible women under the renewed National Cervical Screening Program.

The initiative will enable women who avoid Pap smears to take the sample themselves and have access to lifesaving cervical screening tests.

A Victorian pilot project of self-sampling demonstrated high acceptability of self-sampling among under-screened Aboriginal, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) and disadvantaged women, with 86% of women who refused a practitioner collected sample accepting the invitation to self-sample.

Self-sampling (collection of a vaginal swab for HPV testing) is available to women who are at least 30 years old and who are under screened (four years or more since last Pap test) or have never been screened and who decline a practitioner collected specimen.

VCS Pathology is the first laboratory in Australia approved to test self-samples as part of the program.

• Screening samples from Victorian women are processed without charge
• Screening samples from eligible women in other jurisdictions (Medicare enrolled and under or never screened according to the National Guidelines) will be bulk billed.
• VCS Pathology can receive specimen referrals from other laboratories around Australia or directly from practitioners.

For more information:

• Self sampling pilot study: see ‘Self collection Pilot Project improving access to cervical screening for under screened women’
• Practical information on self-sampling
• National Cervical Screening Program Practitioner Resources
• National Guidelines on self-sampling

Tip: In POLAR GP you can generate a list for recalling patients. It can exclude patients based on cervical screening eligibility, hysterectomies, etc.

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Practice managers and practice nurses, we’re kicking off this year's Practice Networks with a very practical topic:

A-Z of using the new Mental Health Intake Service.

St Kilda: 15 February - St Kilda Town Hall, 6-7.30pm
Dandenong: 21 February - Greater Dandenong City Council, 6pm-7.30pm
Frankston: 22 February - Cube 37, Frankston 6pm-7.30pm

If you want to know more about local mental health service options for your patients, don’t miss it!

You will:

• Hear key statistics about mental health in Port Phillip, Dandenong and Frankston LGAs
• Get a basic run-down of the Stepped Care Model for Mental Health
• Learn about eligibility and referral processes for the new SEMPHN mental health services
• Meet local mental health providers and explore relevant cases, covering mild-moderate and severe/complex mental illness

Cost: Free. Sandwiches and coffee provided.

See this flyer to register.

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Did you know that HIV and Hepatitis B can be safely treated and effectively managed in general practice?

Many patients don't need a referral to a specialist and can be cared for by a local GP. This can get around potential long trips and waits at hospital clinics.

To find out if there is a s100 accredited GP close to you, see Hepatitis B community prescribers or HIV community prescribers.

If you would like to know more about the program, or if you are a GP interested in becoming a s100 prescriber, please visit here or contact Julie Brock via email Julie.brock@nwmphn.org.au or phone (ph) 8578 0536.

Tip: You could use the Diagnoses sheet in POLAR GP to generate a recall list of those with an Active Past History of Hep B or HIV.

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Have you heard about the new, funded mental health services for people in South Eastern Melbourne?

Mental Health Integrated Complex Care (MHICC) offers support for people with severe mental illness and complex needs.

This includes long-term assistance with your patients’ physical health care and medication management, as well as support for patients and their loved ones, and help to access psychiatry and psychology.

Mental health nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health workers, social workers and/or occupational therapists might be involved.

MHICC is for people who:

• have a mental illness, and complex needs, that are affecting their social, personal or work life
• have a GP, psychiatrist or other health professional who is looking after their mental health care in the community.
• have a health care card or can’t afford similar services
• aren’t eligible for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Partners in Recovery (PiR).

MHICC is not a crisis response service and does not provide emergency mental health advice or support. 

How can I refer to MHICC?

Fax a referral and GP Mental Health Treatment Plan to fax: 9793 9052 or call SEMPHN Mental Health Intake on ph:1800 862 363 (business hours) for priority assistance.

Find referral forms here.

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Want to know how to use My Health Record confidently?

The Australian Digital Health Agency (the Agency) is hosting a series of webinars to support you.

Consumer privacy, consent, control and security (Webinar 4)
This webinar will outline the security features of the My Health Record system, the legislation which underpins healthcare providers' use, and providers' obligations relating to consumer consent. It will also help you to establish policies and procedures which support the My Health Record privacy, security and patient consent requirements.

When: 1 February, 5-6pm
Register here. 

Change management and communicating with consumers (Webinar 5)
This webinar will outline how and what to communicate with consumers about My Health Record and the materials on offer to support this, as well as how to register a consumer through clinical software. It will also help you to support consumers to understand what the system is and how to manage their records.

When: 8 February, 5-6pm
Register here.
 

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GPs, how prepared are you for codeine rescheduling after 1 February? Did you know:

• All GPs can prescribe buprenorphine/naloxone for up to five patients without doing training. The RACGP has a 16 minute instructional video on prescribing buprenorphine/naloxone. GPs who wish to complete the formal training can register here.
• Continuing professional development and training is available. RACGP has put together information for Victorian GPs to help prepare for the codeine changes: case studies, links and resources are available here.

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The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recently hosted a national series of workshops on the up-scheduling of codeine.

The Melbourne presentation (28 November) is available here with video links for the following sessions:

• Delivering pain management in a rural setting (Dr Malcolm Hogg)
• Over the counter, down the hatch: OTC codeine use (Dr Matthew Frei)
• Pain - rethinking our approach to pain and the role of opioid therapy (Dr Malcolm Hogg)
• Alternative options to codeine in the pharmacy (Pene Wood)
• Additional communication and education activities to support the transition of codeine from over-the-counter to prescription only (Avi Rebera)
• Changes to codeine product access (Adj Prof John Skerritt)
• Panel question and answer session (Dr Matthew Frei, Dr Malcolm Hogg, Adj Prof John Skerritt, Pene Wood)

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The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is holding the next pharmacotherapy training for pharmacists in Cranbourne on 11 February. 

Register your interest by contacting Marina Hanna, Professional Practice Pharmacist PSA on 9389 4000 or marina.hanna@psa.org.au.

Pharmacotherapy is a professionally rewarding service to deliver in your pharmacy, and is particularly relevant now with the upcoming codeine changes. Why?

• Retain patients who have attended your pharmacy for codeine and now require pharmacotherapy
• Build long-term relationships with your patients by actively engaging in their recovery
• Aid in clinical decisions through regular collaboration with prescribers
• Develop skills and knowledge specific to medication or substance misuse, including early identification of patients at risk of dependence.

The training is available to all pharmacists and pharmacy staff (members and non-members of PSA).  The training is free and attracts up to 7 Group 2 CPD credits.

The training is also available online via modules and webinar. Contact the Area 4 Pharmacotherapy Network for more information or support.

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Would you like to know:

• how exercise can be used to prevent and manage patient chronic conditions?
• how graded exercise therapy helps patient safety?
• key aspects of the Australian Physical Activity Guidelines?
• about behavior change strategies that work, when it comes to adopting physical activity?
• more about existing physical activity? assessment tools in your medical software?

If you answered yes to any of these, come along to a two-hour workshop on 20 February in Dandenong.

Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) and SEMPHN are hosting the event, which will be facilitated by local accredited exercise physiologist, Rebecca Hallam.

By treating physical activity as a vital sign, you'll learn about the role of physical activity in the prevention and management of chronic disease.

You'll also leave the sesson with a suite of resources to support you in your assessment, management and referral of patients with (and at risk of) chronic disease.

• RACGP: Allocated 4 Category 2 points (Activity 10931) in the RACGP QI&CPD Program for the 2017-2019 triennium
• APNA: 2 CPD hours
• ACCRM: 2 Core Points

Register now!

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People with a lived experience of suicide in the Frankston Mornington Peninsula region have an opportunity to be actively involved in suicide prevention activities.
 
Roses in the Ocean is offering a SEMPHN-funded workshop, called 'Our Voice', on February 15 and 16 in Mornington. It's free of charge for participants (spaces strictly limited).

Lived experience of suicide can be:

• being bereaved by suicide
• having experienced suicidal thoughts
• having survived a suicide attempt
• supporting someone who has been suicidal.

The workshop is designed to help people understand how their own lived experience can help to reduce the rates of suicide and its impact in a local community.

Interested participants need to read the document 'Am I ready' and then submit an Expression of Interest. They will receive a phone call from a member of Roses in the Ocean who will provide further workshop details.

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

31  Jan		Holmesglen Multi-disciplinary meetings (MDM) 2018 GPs Moorabbin Details and registration
1 Feb		Common vulval conditions: all that itches is not thrush GPs Webinar Details and registration
3 Feb		Wesley LifeForce Suicide Prevention Training Workshop GP, Practice Nurse Dandenong Details and registration
5 Feb		Matrix Intensive Outpatient AOD Treatment Service EOI Information Session Mandatory information session for stakeholders who are interested in submitting an EOI for the Matrix Model Doveton Details and registration
6 Feb		Wesley LifeForce Suicide Prevention training workshop Practice Administration, Practice Managers SEMPHN Dandenong Details and registration
6 Feb		Waitlist -Codeine Rescheduling - Practical Tips for GP, Pharmacy & Practice Readiness Allied Health Professional, GP, Practice Nurse, Pharmacist, Practice Manager Glen Waverley Details and registration
8 Feb		Cabrini GP Lecture Series - Lecture One: Therapeutics in Rheumatology GPs Malvern Details and registration
9-10 Feb		Contemporary Chronic Disease Management Workshop Nurse Melbourne Details and registration
11 Feb		Victorian Opioid Pharmacotherapy Program- Part 1 Pharmacist Cranbourne Details and registration
15 Feb		Practice Management Masterclass - Last Masterclass for this Financial Year Practice Managers Frankston Details and registration
15 Feb		St Kilda Practice Networks Practice Nurse, Practice Managers St Kilda Details and registration
15 Feb		Our Voice: Empowering lived experience to save lives Anyone with a lived experience of suicide who lives, works or studies in the Frankston/Mornington Peninsula region. Mornington Details and registration
15 Feb		The power of primary care in prostate cancer GP, Practice Nurse North Melbourne Details and registration
15 Feb		Cabrini GP Lecture Series - Lecture two: Dementia - an update GPs Malvern Details and registration
18 Feb		Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Dependence (MATOD) - Module 2 GPs East Melbourne Details and registration
20 Feb		Exercise is Medicine Workshop GPs, Allied Health Professionals, Nurses Dandenong Details and registration

For more information about events contact Stephenie Cook ph: (03) 8514 6609 or events@semphn.org.au

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