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Frankston Hospital Outbreak Town Hall meetingsPeninsula Health has set up a number of virtual sector-specific Town Hall meetings. These meetings, hosted by the Peninsula Health Executive, will be an opportunity for local GPs to hear the latest updates from Frankston Hospital and ask any questions. Please see for details below.
To RSVP for any of these sessions and receive the meeting link, please email Vicki James (VJames@phcn.vic.gov.au) For more information read the Peninsula Health service update. Notify the Department onlineYou can now notify the Department of a confirmed diagnosis of coronavirus (COVID-19) online. You can submit an online form to the public health team, rather than calling the Department, saving you time and resolving your caseload more efficiently. The online form is available on the DHHS website as well as the Health.vic website. Delays in processing referrals through SEMPHN Access & ReferralDue to increased call volume and referral complexity during the COVID-19 pandemic, the SEMPHN Access & Referral team is currently experiencing delays of up to 7 business days in responding to Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug referrals and enquiries. If you have not heard from us within 7 business days of sending a referral, or sooner if you have left a telephone message, please call us on 1800 862 363 so we can follow up your enquiry. Thank you for your patience at this time. If you are unable to fax a referral, please click here to securely upload the referral document instead. SEMPHN Board applications close this Sunday!Applications are invited for three Board positions, two generalist non-executive board directors and one General Practitioner non-executive board director. Interested parties must complete the Board Application form (downloads as a Word doc), Board Skills Matrix (downloads as a spreadsheet) and supply a resume of no longer than four pages by 6 September via Ethical Jobs. For more information, visit our Board applications page. Automated SMS service to help people manage their wellbeing during COVID-19A new series of text messages is now readily available to support individuals' mental wellbeing during the pandemic. When people subscribe to Nellie, they will receive daily, friendly text messages checking in on their wellbeing. This includes information and supportive tips, particularly focused on mental wellbeing during COVID-19. The messages are written by doctors, nurses, and allied health clinicians, using current government guidelines. Anyone can subscribe for free by texting the word support to 0427 741 876. A GP referral is no longer required. Waiting room posters and flyers are available, you can download the PDFs for printing: If you would like to know more, get in touch with the team at nellie@semphn.org.au or 03 8514 4460. For more information, visit the Nellie COVID-19 information page TGA advises shortage of oral contraceptive pillsThe Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) is advising consumers and health professionals that there is a shortage of the following oral contraceptive pills:
These pills contain the combination ethinylestradiol and norethisterone. If your patients have been prescribed any of these products, they may be in touch for advice on alternative products
that may be suitable for them. Being MedicineWise during COVID-19NPS MedicineWise has information and resources to promote being medicinewise, as well as regularly updated evidence-based information on COVID-19 topics. You can share and use these resources with your patients and communities.
Patients urged to continue regular (tele)health check upsDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, SEMPHN wants to encourage community members, particularly those with chronic diseases, to continue visiting their doctors to manage their health needs. We have developed a series of printable posters and shareable social media tiles for general practice to share the messages. Visit our 'Continue to take care of your health' campaign page to download all the resources for free! ImmunisationParents/carers are delaying child immunisations
A large number of parents/carers are forgoing or delaying National Immunisation Program Schedule vaccines due for their child as a consequence of the pandemic, according to recent data from the Royal Children’s Hospital Poll Report: Routine childhood vaccination: Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Summary:
Risks:
It's critical that children due for their vaccinations attend their appointment with their GP or council services. General practices, please:
ResourcesDo your patients need help finding mental health support?During the pandemic, several free mental health supports are available for patients who are worried, stressed, and need mental health support. Below is a list of free available resources and services for anyone in south eastern Melbourne:
Youth focused mental health and support services
GPs, have you seen RACGP's alcohol and other drug training programs?The RACGP AOD GP Education Program is a Commonwealth government-funded program that aims to strengthen the capacity of GPs to address alcohol and other drug use in their communities. The Program includes diverse modes of delivery including face-to-face virtual environments, online learning modules and small group online webinars and mentoring series. Members can select and apply for the mode of training that best suits them. Available trainingAOD Connect: Project ECHO is a weekly AOD case-based discussion forum held every Thursday evening at 7.30 pm AEST. Discuss patient cases and seek support and advice from your peers and AOD experts. AOD Connect is freely available to all RACGP members. No incentive payment applies. Essential Skills training is now available as an online learning module for RACGP members on the RACGP Learning Management System, gplearning. Essential Skills Training is free for all RACGP members and provides GPs with an overview of core AOD skills. Applications open for training with incentive payments:
Information about all the training opportunities is available on the RACGP website. ResourcesTEN - The Essential Network for health professionals‘TEN’ is a mobile app that connects and provides fast, easy, anytime access to evidence-based tools, resources, programs and specialists. Developed by health professionals for health professionals, it’s a one-stop resource and help centre, providing self-assessment, self-management and treatment for stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression. You can download the app for Apple or Android phones. For more information, click here. Professional development and events
For an overview of all events, visit SEMPHN's event calendar. |