Get your SEMPHN news where it suits you best

SEMPHN's Facebook page was recently affected by the media bargaining code but is now back in action! 

There are other ways for you to stay up to date on SEMPHN news.

We are continuing to put the latest updates on:

• our website www.semphn.org.au
• our COVID-19 information for health professionals page
• our new COVID-19 vaccine webpage.

If you'd like information delivered straight to your email inbox, you can subscribe to:

• our COVID-19 newsletter for health professionals
• our Network News (this newsletter!)
• our commissioning newsletter, SEMaphore

Continue to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for everything else!

Do you know another health professional who would benefit from reading SEMPHN news? Forward this email to them to let them know where they can stay up to date!

Join us on 25 Feb for a webinar on aged care vaccine rollout

Work in aged care and want to know more about the vaccine rollout? 

SEMPHN is conducting a webinar for aged care facilities and GPs to share the latest information about the rollout approach. Come along!

When: Thursday 25 February, 11am – 12pm. 
Who: GPs and aged care workers
Register here.

Additionally, you can prepare your team and your site in advance of the vaccinations occurring – check out the checklists and consent process here. 

Information for COVID-19
Vaccination Providers

A collection of resources for health professionals containing advice and guidance on delivering COVID-19 vaccinations is now available on the Australian Department of Health's website.

This information is relevant for general practices, GP-led respiratory clinics, community pharmacies and Aboriginal and community controlled health services.  

 Information Topics Include:

• Becoming a COVID-19 vaccination provider
• COVID-19 vaccination training
• Clinical guidance and information for COVID-19 vaccination providers
• Consent information
• Reporting suspected side effects associated with a COVID-19 vaccine
• Stay up to date
• More information

For information specific to aged care workers click here or access the aged care facilities readiness toolkit. 

Have you seen SEMPHN's COVID-19 vaccination page? It will be updated regularly with information and resources for health professionals.

Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) course

This eLearning course, approximately 30 minutes long, is designed to allow immunisation providers to consolidate and evaluate their technical skills.

The aims of the course:

• Identify what SIRVA is and how to prevent it with correct vaccine administration
• Identify how SIRVA is diagnosed and treated
• Recognise anatomical landmarks used to identify correct injection sites
• Identify how to report SIRVA.

Access the training via the Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre’s eLearning portal here.

Planning for flu vax season with POLAR

Last day: GPs, express interest to discuss improved referrals and consults

Alfred, Monash and Peninsula Health are working together to improve care across the continuum, led by their CEOs and SEMPHN’s CEO.  

We are looking for GPs who can take part in one of three different discussions. These meetings will be virtual and held within the next couple of months. You will be remunerated for your time.

The three discussion group topics are:

1. Improving the specialist clinics referral process for GPs
2. Implementing secondary consults for GPs.
3. Addressing high rates of referrals not meeting the Statewide specialist clinic referral criteria.

If you are interested in taking part, please email providersupport@semphn.org.au by close of business, today, Monday 22 February.

New online bowel cancer screening module: Free for SEMPHN GPs

General Practices in the SEMPHN area can now access a new, free online learning module developed by Cancer Council Victoria in conjunction with Professor Jon Emery from the University of Melbourne to increase bowel cancer screening participation rates.

The ‘Increasing Bowel Cancer Screening in General Practice’ module takes 30 minutes to complete and can be accessed at any time.

Key topics covered in the module include:

• The new National Bowel Cancer Screening Program online portal
• Current best practice for bowel cancer screening and key statistics
• Frequently asked questions
• Intervention checklist for increasing bowel cancer screening participation in general practice
• Recommendations for patients with genetic risk factors for bowel cancer

The SEMPHN area has the second-lowest bowel screening participation rate in Victoria, only 44% of eligible people did the test in 2018-2019. Increasing bowel cancer screening rates in this area means we can find bowel cancer early and save lives in our community.

Evidence shows that people are more likely to do the bowel test after being recommended by their GP or health professional. 

The module can be accessed here. 

Practice Networks 2021:
Save the date!

Practice managers and practice nurses are invited to bi-monthly education sessions with SEMPHN and expert speakers.

Get your hands on the 2021 flyer to save the dates of all events coming up this year!

For those who have yet to attend a Practice Network, here are some reasons for you to get excited:

• Free education with experts
• Education topics relevant to your work
• Opportunities to network with other professionals in your role
• All attendees receive a certificate of attendance 
• If you can't attend an event, you can still join discussions through our online forum on Basecamp.

So, what can you do today?

• Connect with us on Basecamp by emailing SEMPHN's Provider Support team via providersupport@semphn.org.au or call 1300 331 981 (option 3). 
• Forward the flyer to a colleague so you clear your diaries and attend the meetings together
• Keep an eye on our events calendar for the next registration date in April!

Need advice on your patient's mental health treatment plan?

GPs, have you ever wondered who you can call on for a secondary consultation relating to mental health?

Alfred Health and SEMPHN have made it easier for GPs to get in touch with an experienced psychiatrist to acquire a secondary mental health consultation.

By prior appointment, you can discuss a patient's mental health treatment plan with someone who has the expertise to offer further advice.

For example, during the free, 45-minute consultation you can discuss:

• reviewing your patient’s management plan
• medication management advice
• referral and linkage information/recommendations.

You now only need the following information to book a consultation:

1. Confirmation of patient consent for the consultation to occur
2. Patient details/demographics
3. Diagnosis.

For more information, call SEMPHN’s Access & Referral Ph: 1800 862 363, 8.30am-4.30pm weekdays (no faxes).

This is a non-urgent service, and clinical responsibility for the patient remains with the treating GP.

Timely mental health support
for your patients

HeadtoHelp 

• A helpful navigator: HeadtoHelp can help you and your patients find the right mental health service for their needs.
• Complement, not replace, your work with patients: HeadtoHelp will work with you and your patient, with everything from care planning, linking with existing services, referring to more intensive care or social supports if needed, all while keeping your patient connected to you - their usual general practice and GP.
• A mental health treatment provider: HeadtoHelp provides onsite and telehealth services from a multidisciplinary team including psychologists, mental health nurses, social workers and AOD workers.
• No long wait lists: HeadtoHelp responds quickly, with no or short wait for your patients to receive care.
• Accessible: Services are free of charge; Medicare card and ID are not required.

Call 1800 595 212, Monday - Friday, 8.30am- 5pm. Hub locations are in Frankston, Berwick and Officer or via telehealth.

Access and Referral

SEMPHN commissions services to support people with at-risk, mild, moderate and severe mental health needs. These services range from peer-support, to brief psychological interventions, to individual packages of care. 

Contact our Access & Referral team to make a referral, discuss eligibility or to find services for your patient within an area.

Telephone: 1800 862 363 (8.30am-4.30pm weekdays)
Fax: 1300 354 053
Securely upload a referral form: click here

Shaping Optimal Care Pathways around Australia

The Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group (PC4) are a non-profit organisation, funded by Cancer Australia, comprised of researchers working in primary care with a focus on cancer.

The PC4 Scientific Symposium is a multidisciplinary meeting that not only showcases PC4 supported research but the best primary care and cancer research from around Australia.

This year’s symposium will be held on 24 May at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The theme of the symposium is "Shaping Optimal Care Pathways around Australia", and will highlight new initiatives and research across cancer prevention, early detection, survivorship and palliative care.

Abstract submissions are now open to all with new cancer in primary care research.

When: Monday, 24 May
Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Cost: $70 - $250
Register here.

View SEMPHN's Optimal Care (Cancer) Pathways.