Delays in processing referrals through SEMPHN Access & Referral

Due 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-19

A 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:

• Colour version
• Black and white version

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 pills

The Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) is advising consumers and health professionals that there is a shortage of the following oral contraceptive pills:

• Brevinor
• Brevinor-1
• Norimin
• Norimin-1

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.

Find out more here.

Being MedicineWise during COVID-19

NPS 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.

• Medicines Lists: Download in English and ten other languages.
• Choosing Wisely 5 Questions: Download in a handy format – five questions patients can ask their doctors.
• Medicines Line: Consumers can dial 1300 MEDICINE to ask questions about medicines.
• MedicineWise app: Patients can download this app to keep track of their medicines.
• COVID-19 hub: Regularly updated pandemic info for health professionals and consumers.

Patients urged to continue regular (tele)health check ups

During 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!

Parents/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.

Do 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:

• Beyond Blue's coronavirus support
• Head to Health - search directory for mental health services and supports 
• Mindspot, a free telephone and online service for people with stress, worry, anxiety, low mood or depression (1800 61 44 34)

Youth focused mental health and support services 

• Headspace - Call eheadspace on 1800 650 890 
• Kids Helpline - Call 1800 55 1800
• ReachOut 
• SANE Australia - Call 1800 187 263
• Orygen Digital - Call 1800 888 320 

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 training

AOD 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:

• Treatment Skills Training (applications close 31 December). Limited to 1800 places, GPs who
  complete this training receive a $1,200 reimbursement payment.
• Advanced Skills Training (applications close 6 September). Limited to 300 places, GPs who complete this training receive a $2,500 reimbursement payment.
• Advanced Skills Mentoring Program (EOI close 31 October). Mentors receive a one-off
  reimbursement payment of $1,500 to provide 6-8 hours of mentor support to a local GP around alcohol and drug use in their community.

Information about all the training opportunities is available on the RACGP website. 

TEN - 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.