30 September 2020
Dear subscriber,
Welcome to this week's edition of Sydney Health Weekly.
Sydney Health Weekly is your one-stop-shop for primary health news and events within the central and eastern Sydney region.
COVID-19 UPDATE
In the past week (21 September to 27 September) there have been 6 new cases of COVID-19 in our region. All cases are people returning from overseas.
Check the NSW Health website for COVID-19 updates.
For local advice visit the CESPHN coronavirus webpage.
VOX POP
Vox Pop with Dr Marie-Louise Stokes, CMO, Healthdirect Australia
Dr Marie-Louise Stokes, the Chief Medical Officer at HealthDirect gives us an overview of HealthDirect and the services available during COVID-19.
LATEST NEWS
GP respiratory clinics: keeping you safe over summer
GP respiratory clinics will assess people with mild to moderate respiratory symptoms including fever, sore throat, cough, tiredness and shortness of breath. Regardless of whether COVID-19 testing is indicated, or a specimen is taken, the patient will receive clinical guidance about managing their respiratory symptoms.
Patients attending clinics must make an appointment.
SES HealthPathways releases new mental health pathways
Seven new mental health pathways have been released by South Eastern Sydney HealthPathways in the past week. Visit SES HealthPathways for the latest localised information on mental health assessments and how to refer to counselling and psychology services.
How to support the emotional and mental health of older persons living in residential care
We have commissioned Dementia Australia to provide Mental Health Education support in Residential Aged care.
SLHD Project ECHO - General Mental Health Series
Continuing its Project ECHO series, Sydney LHD is launching the General Mental Health ECHO program on 13 October 2020.
PSS HealthLink update!
The GP software templates (Best Practice and Medical Director) used when sending PSS referrals via Secure Messaging Healthlink have recently been updated. Please ensure you download the latest templates from the CESPHN website https://www.cesphn.org.au/PSS.
N.B: Any referrals faxed to the general fax number at CESPHN will not be accepted and will need to be re-submitted via the correct referral pathways.
To continue to improve the security of our clients' private information the CESPHN Psychological Support Service (PSS) program has phased out the fax referral option for ALL PSS referrals and reviews. We now only accept referrals via Healthlink and our Online Referral Form Click here
Getting ready for electronic prescribing
The Digital Health team at Central and Eastern Sydney PHN are here to help and can support you with:
- Registering for a Healthcare Provider Identifier – Organisation (HPI-O)
- Requesting or renewing NASH PKI certificate for your organisation
- Requesting, renewing or linking Medicare PKI certificates for your organisation
- Registering for My Health Record
For further assistance or enquiries please do not hesitate to reach out to us via emailing eprescribing@cesphn.com.au
Pertussis 2020 : What's new in pertussis vaccination?
The Immunisation Coalition’s annual pertussis update is now available to watch online.
A PDF file of the presentation slides is also available to download.
Active Learning Module: Cancer Shared Care
The Translational Cancer Research Network and the Centre for Oncology Research and Education are hosting an interactive virtual workshop. Held over two Saturday afternoons (October 31 and November 7), the workshop intends to improve the skill of participants in the long term care of survivors of breast and colorectal cancer in general practice.
Drug and Alcohol Education Program
Training grants are available for GPs to improve support and increase resources available to GPs to treat drug and alcohol use.
Join our After Hours Advisory Committee
We are seeking expressions of interest from general practitioners to join the CESPHN After Hours Advisory Committee.
Latest NSW Health COVID-19 advice
The following guidance has been released for residential aged care and disability care facilities as well as home care services.
Do you provide Allied health services to Aboriginal clients?
CESPHN’s Aboriginal Health and wellbeing team is seeking to identify allied health professionals who are able to to bulk bill Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. We are asking if allied health professionals can take a moment to answer two questions.
- Do you offer bulk billing for services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients?
- Would you be willing to provide details of your practice to go on a list for GPs to use when referring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients?
- If yes please email Karina Crutch (Aboriginal health and wellbeing programs Officer) k.crutch@cesphn.com.au and she will contact you.
Housing, systems navigation and treatment support for people living with HIV
Positive Life’s registered nurse is available to offer treatment support, including questions about antiretroviral medication, side effects, viral load and HIV health in general. For referral or support call 02 9206-2117 or email contact@positivelife.org.au.
Positive Life NSW offers Housing Support for all people diagnosed with HIV to access, achieve and maintain stable accommodation across metropolitan and regional NSW, as well as Ageing Support for people over 45 years living with HIV to navigate and access aged care, disability and/or healthcare systems.
Jeremy Heathcote awarded a Churchill fellowship
Congratulations Jeremy Heathcote on being awarded a Churchill Fellowship for a project linked to mental health and suicide prevention.
Jeremy is an active member of our Aboriginal mental health and suicide prevention plan working group and is a board director at both Babana Aboriginal and on Inner City Empowered Communities and Redfern Empowered Communities Alliance.
Improving outcomes for cancer patients from culturally diverse backgrounds: Do you see Arabic or Chinese speaking patients?
MetroAssist are seeking GP insights on barriers to engaging with cancer patients from diverse backgrounds and ways that engagement can be improved.
If you are interested in participating in a short interview or would like further information, please contact Moushumi Martin: moushumi.martin@metroassist.org.au or 0404 026 576
EVENTS
Recorded CPD education sessions
Central and Eastern Sydney PHN has a library of recorded CPD education. These videos cover a range of topics and can be self-reported as CPD education. You can find these videos on the CESPHN YouTube page here.
Our CPD program is now fully online!
Tonight - Managing Liver Disease in General Practice
RACGP points: 3
On: Wednesday 30 September, 7.00 pm - 8.30 pm
For: GPs, PNs, Pharmacists
Getting ahead: advancements in ENT care
Prince of Wales Private Hospital series
RACGP points: 4
On: Wednesday 7 October, 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm
For: GPs
Direct Access Colonoscopy (DAC) and primary care
St Vincent’s Health Network in collaboration with The Cancer Institute NSW
On: Thursday 8 October, 7.00 pm - 8.30 pm
For: GPs
ANSC Hypertension Update
RACGP points: 3
ANSC points: 3
On: Tuesday 13 October, 7.00 pm - 8.30 pm
For: GPs
Cancer assessment, survivorship and referral pathways
Chris O’Brien Lifehouse CPD series
RACGP points: 3
On: Wednesday 14 October, 7.00 pm - 8.30 pm
For: GPs
The Early Years – the foundation for future child health and well-being
RACGP points: 3
On: Tuesday 20 October, 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm
For: GPs, PNs, AHPs
Improving the skills and knowledge of allied health professionals in care for cancer patients and survivors
On: Tuesday 21 October 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm
For: AHPs
Rebuilding your client list – getting back to normal
On: Thursday 22 October 7.00 pm - 8.00 pm
For: GPs, practice owners, practice managers, allied health professionals and specialists
Health of people with intellectual disability – Specific conditions across the lifespan
On: Tuesday 27 October 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm
For: GPs, PNs, PMs, Practice Staff, AHP, Pharmacists, Community Organisations
Managing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men and women
Hazelhurst CPD series
RACGP points: 3
On: Thursday 29 October, 7.30pm – 9.00pm
For: GPs
Motivational Interviewing – how to have a difficult conversation
On: Wednesday, 28 October, 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm
For: GPs and AHPs
As always, we would love to hear your thoughts. If you would like to submit an article, have content suggestions, or would like to provide feedback, please email editor@cesphn.com.au.
Central and Eastern Sydney PHN acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and Sovereign People of the Aboriginal land. CESPHN recognise their continuing connection to land, water, community and pay respect to Elders past, present and future.
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1300 986 991
info@cesphn.com.au
Tower A, Level 5, 201 Coward St, Mascot NSW 2020