Now live! SEMPHN's 2019-20 Annual Report 

We're pleased to present our 2019-20 Annual Report - a wonderful opportunity to showcase our achievements and share success stories across all facets of our organisation.

This year we acknowledge the challenges of the global pandemic and the significant changes we all made to ensure our community continued to have access to the care they needed, when they needed it.

Thank you to all our partners, especially general practices, for working with us during this time.

To view the Annual Report visit annualreport2020.semphn.org.au

Improved access to mental health services

HeadtoHelp provides advice and a welcoming place for everyone who needs mental health and wellbeing support. It is available to all Victorians of all ages, whether their mental health issues are pre-existing or have emerged during the coronavirus pandemic.

HeadtoHelp is that extra help GPs may need right now to manage the increased number of people who are needing mental health support.

It provides care navigation, access to a multidisciplinary mental health team at the hubs and a team-care approach, to complement and supplement GP care.

The HeadtoHelp hubs are now open at 15 locations across Victoria. Services are also available via telehealth.

For more information visit www.headtohelp.org.au or call 1800 595 212. You can also check out our updated GP FAQs.

Temporary change to BreastScreen Victoria screening criteria

During COVID-19, BreastScreen Victoria (BSV) has reduced the number of appointments available to clients in order to carry out breast screening safely. The program is currently experiencing high demand for its service, and high wait times for an appointment at some clinics.

To ensure that BreastScreen Victoria can continue to deliver a safe and sustainable service, they have introduced a temporary measure to screen those most at risk of developing cancer first.

BreastScreen Victoria’s program is still available to all eligible Victorian women and some transgender and gender diverse people. As breast cancer affects more Victorian women aged 50-74 who are at a higher risk of developing the disease, BreastScreen Victoria is prioritising appointments for clients in this target age group. Clients who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander in any age group will also be prioritised for an appointment.

Anyone aged 40-49 or 75+ who wants to commence breast screening for the first time or is not recommended to screen annually by BreastScreen Victoria will go on a waiting list. These clients will be invited to screen as soon as there are appointments available at their preferred location.

BreastScreen Victoria estimates the average waiting time for an appointment could be six months or more for impacted clients.

Given the increased waiting times, please recommend an alternative imaging provider or pathway if clinically indicated. GP’s should perform a risk assessment for these patients and arrange alternative imaging through a private facility or through the public hospital breast clinics or diagnostic imaging services where appropriate.

Please note, BreastScreen Victoria is a population-screening program for eligible Victorians with no breast symptoms.

BreastScreen Victoria is advising clients to stay breast aware, and to consult a GP if they have any symptoms now or notice any breast changes or new symptoms.

For more information and advice on how you can support your patients, please refer to the FAQs here.

PPE and physical distancing in health services

The Victorian DHHS COVID-19 website has recently updated the following two resources to reflect the current state of COVID-19 in Victoria:

Guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers

• Eye protection is no longer required for Tier 1 PPE. This applies to patient-facing healthcare workers who are providing care and/or treatment to patients assessed as low risk or no risk for coronavirus, against the clinical criteria for coronavirus.  
• This advice replaces the advice in Guide to the conventional use of PPE published on 21 October 2020.  
• The Guide to the conventional use of PPE document is currently being updated. 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance physical distancing in health services - November 2020 (Word)

• This document provides advice to all health service staff (clinical and non-clinical) on physical distancing measures to protect their own health and that of patients, carers and visitors. It applies to any clinical and non-clinical setting in a health service

Please check the Victorian DHHS COVID-19 website for clinical guidance and coronavirus resource updates.

General Practices, are you prepared for potential COVID-19 outbreaks over summer? 

Coming into the holiday period, it's important for your staff to know what to do in case of an outbreak of COVID-19 - especially if you have less staff, or different staff rostered over summer.

We're here to help! Please register for this special 45min webinar over lunchtime to help you prepare.

Webinar: Planning for the potential of a COVID outbreak over summer
Date: 9 December
Time: 12.30pm-1.15pm
Online webinar. A link to the webinar will be emailed to registrants the day prior. Register now

Representatives from SEMPHN, the Alfred and Monash will give an overview on the newly formed Local Public Health Unit at Monash and its role in COVID. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions.

16 December: First steps to planning for the COVID vaccine

It's time to prepare for the rollout of the COVID vaccine (whenever that may be). This means reviewing and updating current immunisation systems, policies and procedures within your practice.

Topics to covered

• Australian Government COVID vaccine policy - at this point in time
• Vaccine Management - cold chain  
• Notifying the Australian Immunisation Register

This webinar is suitable for anyone involved in immunisation.

When: 16 December, 7 pm - 8 pm
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Register here.

Free psychiatrist secondary consultations

To support you in addressing the mental health of your patients, SEMPHN has partnered with Alfred Health to provide general practitioners in the Alfred Health catchment with free access to secondary consultations with an experienced psychiatrist.

Read the full article for more information. 

If you have any questions about this initiative, please contact our Access & Referral team Ph: 1800 862 363, 8.30am-4.30pm weekdays.

Important step towards a safe and effective digital mental health system

Australia's first National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health Standards (NSQDMH) were released last week.

The standards provide a framework for delivering high-quality mental health care using digital platforms such as telephone, videoconferencing, websites, SMS, webchat and mobile apps. They describe the level of care and safeguards that a digital mental health service should provide. 

Access the NSQDMH Standards and supporting resources.

Let's keep working together to ensure safe and high-quality digital mental health care for all Australians.

Frankston Mornington Peninsula Social Prescribing Program

Would you like to refer people who are lonely or socially isolated to a range of local social support programs, activities and events? 

Frankston Mornington Peninsula Primary Care Partnership under the auspice of Peninsula Health is introducing a pilot Social Prescribing Program for the Frankston Mornington Peninsula.

Social prescribing can be an essential component in supporting community recovery from the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. It will support local communities to access social support services that may have been, or currently are, under-used. 

• More information including referral form or Fax: 9784 2309.
• Online referrals can be made here
• Please contact the Social Prescribing Program at fmpsocialprescribing@phcn.vic.gov.au or 03 9788 4960 for any general queries about the Program.

You can also attend a webinar about the program this morning (Monday 7 December) at 10am. Register here.