ATAGI Statement on the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (8 April)
Pfizer vaccine is preferred over AstraZeneca vaccine in adults aged under 50 years Register now: COVID-19 vaccine uptake and acceptance webinar
Book your spot for 30 April Influenza vaccination resources from NCIRS
Prepare for flu season with the latest resources for 2021 Webinar: STIs Essentials for Primary Care in South East Melbourne
With increasing rates of STIs, now's the perfect time to learn the essentials Free suicide prevention training for pharmacists in Casey region (12 May)
Pharmacy staff play an important role in identifying and preventing suicidality Long-Acting Injectable Buprenorphine (LAIB) Masterclass
This Community of Practice event will provide a comprehensive discussion of LAIB Syphilis: Advanced Webinar for Primary Care (10 June)
This coure follows on from the STI Essentials with a focus on syphilis BreastScreen Victoria van visits Pakenham with free breast screens
Breast screening bookings can be made for 31 May – 18 June 2021 The sooner you HeadtoHelp, the better you'll feel
HeadtoHelp is available for any Victorians who are feeling worried or stressed Professional development and events
A list of upcoming education events
ATAGI Statement on the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (8 April)
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has released a statement in response to new safety concerns about the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. - ATAGI notes further evidence of a rare but serious side effect involving thrombosis (clotting) with thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet count) following receipt of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
- ATAGI recommends that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is preferred over the AstraZeneca vaccine in adults aged under 50 years. This recommendation is based on the increasing risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 in older adults (and hence a higher benefit from vaccination) and a potentially increased risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia following the AstraZeneca vaccine in those under 50 years.
- The AstraZeneca vaccine can be used in adults aged under 50 years where the benefits are likely to outweigh the risks for that individual and the person has made an informed decision based on an understanding of the risks and benefits.
- People who have had the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine without any serious adverse effects can be given the second dose, including adults aged under 50 years.
Click here to read the full statement.
Register now: COVID-19 vaccine uptake and acceptance webinar
In this webinar: - Hear an update on the latest Australian COVID-19 vaccination program guidance
- Hear an overview of COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Australia
- Hear the latest research on Australian attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines
- Learn evidence-based strategies for increasing COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among your patients, colleagues, family and friends.
When: Friday 30 April 2021, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm Click here to register. To watch previous webinars in the COVID-19 NCIRS series, click here.
Influenza vaccination resources from NCIRS
Find the latest resources from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, NCIRS, Australian Government Department of Health and states and territories for the upcoming influenza season. View the Influenza vaccination 2021 web page. Fact sheets:
Webinar: STIs Essentials for Primary Care in South East Melbourne
This informative and interactive session will provide you with the understanding and tools required to confidently manage common STI screening and care, making sexual health a routine everyday part of your primary health care practice. Learning Objectives: - Improve understanding of sexual health care for young people, pregnant women and other key populations
- How to approach taking a sexual history
- Describe the clinical presentation of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis
- Correctly perform comprehensive sexual health screening, including testing for the most common STIs - chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis
- Manage treatment, contact tracing and if necessary, referrals using the Health Pathways tool.
When: Thursday, 6 May 2021, 6.30 pm—8.30 pm
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Accreditation: This event is accredited for RACGP and ACRRM points. All participants will receive a certificate of attendance.
Register here.
Free suicide prevention training for pharmacists in Casey (12 May)
Pharmacy staff play an important role in identifying and preventing suicidality, and this often starts with a difficult conversation about suicide. SEMPHN in conjunction with the Black Dog Institute is offering free, training for suicide prevention in pharmacies in the Casey region. This training is offered as part of the Place-Based Suicide Prevention Trials which is a partnership between the Victorian Department of Health and Victorian Primary Health Networks. This training aims to increase pharmacists’ skills and confidence in: - Recognising the prevalence of suicide in the context of pharmacy
- Talking with someone who may display suicidal signs and symptoms
- Understanding of the various referral options
One pilot session will be conducted on 12 May for pharmacists in Casey region. If you work in the Casey region and are interested in this free pilot session, register today! When: 12 May 2021, 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Where: Online via Zoom
Cost: Free
Registration here
Accreditation: Accredited with the PSA for 5 Group 2 CPD credits - number: CX20047
Long-Acting Injectable Buprenorphine (LAIB) Masterclass
Many clinicians have found themselves looking after patients who they believe require an intervention to address opioid dependence. While the opioid pharmacotherapy program has been around for many years, factors such as high cost, the large time investment required, and stigma have played a big role in making this a less-than-attractive option for many patients. Long-acting Injectable Buprenorphine (LAIB) is a formulation of buprenorphine pharmacotherapy that has the promise to be a true game-changer in the area of Medication-Assisted Treatment of Opioid Dependence. Join us at this Community of Practice event in which specialist
clinicians will provide a comprehensive discussion of LAIB. Light refreshments will be provided. When: Wednesday, 26 May, 7 pm – 9 pm
(6.30 pm registration)
Where: Ibis Hotel, 297 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley
Cost: Free
Accreditation: 4 RACGP points (pending approval)
Register here.
Syphilis: Advanced Webinar for Primary Care (10 June)
Victoria has seen a 476% increase in Syphilis cases since 2010, with a record 1671 cases reported in 2019. Of strong concern is the re-emergence of congenital syphilis since 2017. The outer South-Eastern suburbs of Melbourne have emerged as a hotspot for infections in heterosexuals of reproductive age. This course builds on VHHITAL’s STI Essentials course and helps you to confidently implement guideline-based management of patients diagnosed with syphilis. Learning Objectives: - Reinforce that sexual health is an everyday routine business for primary care.
- Describe the clinical presentation of primary, secondary and latent syphilis.
- Correctly perform testing for syphilis.
- Implement guideline-based management of patients diagnosed with syphilis, including use of the Health Pathways tool.
- Recap contact tracing and its key role in managing STIs.
- Apply learning in case study discussions.
When: 10 June 2021, 6.30 pm—8.30 pm
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Accreditation: This event is accredited for RACGP and ACRRM points. All participants will receive a certificate of attendance.
Register here.
BreastScreen Victoria van visits Pakenham with free breast screens
From 31 May – 18 June 2021, BreastScreen Victoria’s hot pink van will be in Pakenham for the first time to provide free breast screens to the community. Women aged between 50 and 74 should have a free breast screen every two years. They are the best way to find breast cancer early, before there are symptoms and when treatment is most successful. All breast screens are with a female radiographer, in a friendly and safe environment. You don’t need a doctor’s referral or Medicare card, and screens only take 10 minutes. More information about screening during COVID-19 can be found on the BreastScreen Victoria website. The van will be at Living & Learning Pakenham, 6B Henry Street, Pakenham. Appointments for the Pakenham van can be made online at breastscreen.org.au or by calling 13 20 50. Links:
The sooner you HeadtoHelp, the better you'll feel
The HeadtoHelp service is open to Victorians of any age who may be experiencing distress or mental ill health. This includes people who have never accessed mental health services before and their family and friends. It also is for family and friends of those in aged care. Who can refer to HeadtoHelp services?Anyone can refer to HeadtoHelp. Support/services are accessible to everyone, at no cost. A Medicare card, ID or Mental Health Care Plan is not required. How to refer to HeadtoHelp
servicesAnyone can call HeadtoHelp central intake on ph: 1800 595 212, Monday to Friday, 8.30am-5pm. HeadtoHelp services do not provide after-hours or emergency mental health advice or support. In case of emergency, call 000. Watch this short video of former AFL player Tom Boyd talking about HeadtoHelp.
Professional development and events
28 April: Webinar: COVID-19 & Vaccines in Pregnancy, Pregnancy Planning and Breastfeeding
General practitioners 30 April: Webinar: COVID-19 Vaccine uptake and acceptance
General practitioners, practice nurses, practice managers, pharmacists 6 May: Webinar: STIs Essentials for Primary Care in South East Melbourne
General practitioners 7 May: Virtual symposium: diabetes across the divide
General practitioners, practice nurses 12 May: Webinar cultural safety training for medical health professionals
General practitioners 12 May: Webinar: Suicide prevention training for pharmacists
Pharmacists 19 May: Webinar: Symptom Management at the End of Life for GPs
General practitioners 26 May: Long-Acting Injectable Buprenorphine (LAIB) Masterclass
General practitioners, practice nurses, pharmacists, AOD workers 26 May: Webinar: Talking About Suicide in General Practice (Frankston/Mornington)
General practitioners, practice nurses, physchologist 1 June: Webinar: Talking About Suicide in General Practice (Dandenong, Casey, Cardinia)
General practitioners, practice nurses, psychologist For an overview of all events, visit SEMPHN's event calendar.
For more information, contact events@semphn.org.au
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