What is compassionate communication?

Join us for the next Practice Nurse Network Meeting via zoom webinar on Thursday, 8 October at 7pm-8pm where we will be discussing the topic Compassionate Communication.

Guest speaker Kim Poyner will cover the following discussion points:

• How we communicate effectively with our patients as well as in our teams
• How we look after our psychological capital
• How we identify our triggers, change fatigue, thought traps
• What self-care strategies can you put into place for yourself
• What strategies can we cultivate to enable organisations to flourish.

You're encouraged to submit any questions you may have prior to the event by emailing events@semphn.org.au, and you can also ask questions on the night.  

Thinking outside the pill box (Webinar)

The Area 4 Pharmacotherapy Network (A4PN) is hosting a webinar for clinicians who would like to learn more about a whole-of-person approach to chronic pain. 

SafeScript has provided clinicians with a strong impetus to find alternative interventions that complement
existing treatments for patients who live with chronic pain.

Join the expert multidisciplinary panel as they
use the biopsychosocial model of pain to discuss pragmatic and evidence-based interventions aimed to
improve outcomes for people living with persistent pain.

Topics covered:

• The biopsychosocial model of chronic pain
• Physiotherapy for the management of relapse and flare-ups
• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
• Social prescribing
• The place of pharmacotherapy in addressing co-morbid substance dependence and chronic pain.

When: Tuesday, 13 October 2020, 7 pm - 9 pm
Where: Online via Zoom
CPD: 4 Points
Register here. 

Join the Integrated Care Community of Practice discussions

Dr Daniel Fineberg from Alfred Health will be moderating monthly lunchtime informal half-hour catch up and case discussions via Zoom on the first Tuesday of every month.

The sessions will cover client/patient case studies where you will be able to hear the perspectives of all disciplines and sectors with the first one focusing on a person’s health journey during lockdown in the region.

This will provide a great opportunity to share what is happening in the region across all sectors as well as connect with the broader healthcare and social care community.

Date: Tuesday, 6 October 2020
Time: 12.30 pm - 1pm
Where: Online via Zoom.
Register here

You are invited to join the newly created Integrated Care Community MS (Microsoft) Team.

This is a shared platform for all working in health and social care sectors in the region and includes:

• Resources and links from previous Community of Practice sessions
• Questions and answers and discussion boards
• Contact list of all Community of Practice attendees (where permission was provided).

For example, a current question on the MS Teams is:

Are there any services that can assist older people in our community with technology?

Join in to read some answers and if you know of other services please provide the information. 

To get involved please contact Kay at K.fiddes@alfred.org.au

Eating Disorders: Early Intervention and Community Treatment (Webinars)

General Practitioners (GPs) are the first point of call for people who feel they or a loved one may have an eating disorder.

However, eating disorders are extremely complex mental illnesses that require some level of specialist knowledge to ensure symptoms are not confused with other conditions. 

This RACGP accredited online training is activity-based and has been designed specifically for GPs, but is appropriate for other health professionals who work alongside or collaborate with GPs in supporting those with an eating disorder.

The workshop is held over two days and will include a panel of experts and people with a lived experience of an eating disorder.

The workshop is being provided free to GPs within the South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network, thanks to the Australian Communities Foundation.

Learning objectives: 

• Coordinate care for a person with an eating disorder with specialist services and community providers
• Evaluate the signs and symptoms of the different types of eating disorders
• Support patient engagement and disclosure for patients with an undiagnosed eating disorder
• Implement the use of HEADDS and SCOFF screening tools
• Assess the clinical risks associated with eating disorders.

When: 13 and 20 November, 9.30 am - 1 pm
CPD: 40 CPD points (Participants must attend both sessions to receive 40 CPD accredited activity points)
Register here.

 Management and Diagnostic Issues in Personality Disorders/BPD (webinar)

St John of God Richmond Hospital invites General Practitioners, Registrars, Nurse Practitioners, and Nurses to attend our upcoming Psychiatry Webinar with Dr Jaspreet Singh to discuss Management and Diagnostic Issues in Personality Disorders/Borderline Personality Disorder.

Dr Jaspreet Singh is a Consultant Psychiatrist with experience in treating diverse conditions primarily in adult psychiatry. 

When: Wednesday, 21 October, 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm
CPD: 4 points
Register here

Use or learn suicide first aid skills that could save a life

COVID-19 has many of us feeling unsettled, uncertain and lonely, particularly those living with restrictions
right now. For some, these feelings may turn to thoughts of suicide.

LivingWorks, together with Crisis Heroes, South Eastern Melbourne PHN and North Western Melbourne PHN, has launched a suicide first-aid outreach campaign for Victorians to help each other stay safe.

The campaign calls on those trained in suicide first aid, or interested in being trained, to register their
skills and support those in need.

To find out more, or to get involved, visit: www.crisisheroes.com/livingworks 

October is Mental Health Month

World Mental Health Day is 10 October. It is a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy to raise public awareness of mental health issues worldwide.

Mental Health Australia is leading the campaign in Australia and asking people to make a mental health promise. Visit the campaign website or view the Mental Health Month calendar of events.