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DHHS update: permitted worker scheme COVID-19From 11:59pm on Wednesday 5 August, employers that require their staff to attend a work site must issue a worker permit to their employees – this is the employer’s responsibility.
SEMPHN GP webinar welcomes Heart Foundation speakers (12 August)Our GP webinar on 12 August will have guest speakers from the Heart Foundation who will explore how people with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are more susceptible to severe complications if infected with COVID-19, including ICU admission and death. They will look at whether there are any extra precautions to take for people with CVD and a positive COVID result both during and post the acute illness. Avian influenza detected on Victorian egg farmA strain of H7N7 avian influenza (AI) virus has been detected on a free-range egg farm in the Golden Plains Shire. Avian influenza (AI) viruses are a group of influenza viruses that normally circulate among birds. On rare occasions, this strain of avian influenza has been known to infect and cause disease in humans who have had close contact with infected poultry or human cases. To date, no human cases have been reported. When people are infected with a H7N7 AI virus, they may have no symptoms or have mild conjunctivitis or flu-like illness. There is no risk of transmission through the consumption of eggs and chicken meat that are thoroughly cooked. Read the full advisory: Avian influenza detected on Victorian egg farm TelehealthVideo consults: when a picture is worth a thousand wordsPicking up a telephone and calling your patient may seem the easier option for a telehealth consult, but it limits your well-developed ability to assess non-verbal communication clues, which is a cornerstone of face-to-face consults. Video consults don't replace face-to-face consults, but do offer some significant advantages over telephone including:
Using a specialised telehealth platform like HealthDirect’s VideoCall (which SEMPHN provides at no cost if you're billing the MBS telehealth items) might actually be easier for managing telehealth consults than using a telephone. Either way, it's good to have options. Contact our Digital Health team at We'll also provide you with step-by-step training to get you started, and ongoing support. Mental healthAdditional MBS mental health supports during COVID-19The Australian Government recently announced it will provide 10 additional Medicare subsidised psychological therapy sessions for people subject to further restrictions in areas impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. New MBS items will be available under the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the MBS initiative (Better Access) from 7 August 2020 until 31 March 2021. The additional 10 sessions will be available to:
In order to access these sessions, patients will be required to:
For more information, download the DoH fact sheet. Considering impact of COVID-19 on 80/20 ruleThe Professional Services Review (PSR) stated that the impact of COVID will be considered for any practitioner referred by the Department of Health for breaching the 80/20 rule. The 80/20 rule refers to a practitioner rendering 80 or more attendance items on 20 or more days in any 12 month period and the Department of Health is required under the Health Insurance Act 1973 to refer these practitioners to the Director of the Professional Services Review. For more information read the latest media release. COVID-SHIELD Protection against COVID-19 trial looking for GPs and NursesCOVID-SHIELD is assessing whether the drug hydroxychloroquine might be useful in protecting health care workers who are at risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in their daily professional roles. COVID SHIELD is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (the gold standard) and has been reviewed by the Human Research Ethics Committee at Melbourne Health and multiple NHMRC-accredited bodies. It is being led by the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in collaboration with Monash Health and other major hospitals and health services across the country. Safety in the trial is paramount. COVID SHIELD is being run by clinicians with decades of experience administering hydroxychloroquine safely and all participants will be closely monitored. Go here https://www.wehi.edu.au/covid-shield-faqs for frequently asked questions, a video of the clinicians answering these questions, and registration link. EducationLast chance to register for this week's events!Below is a quick overview of this week's education and professional development events you won't want to miss out on.
Scroll to the bottom of this email to see the full list of events happening this month! Integrated care: COVID-19 editionThe next Integrated Care Community of Practice (CoP) event has been bought forward to discuss Helping Vulnerable Communities during COVID-19 Restrictions. This will involve a panel discussion followed by Q&A, general discussion and optional breakout rooms at the end. All are welcome to discuss some of what is happening and your experiences in the region. This Integrated Care CoP will be hosted by Dr Chris Lemoh, General Medicine and Infectious Diseases Specialist, Dandenong Hospital with the following panelists:
When: Tuesday 25 August 2020 7 am - 8.30 pm COVID-19 and domestic abuse, what do GPs need to know?All current indications and known statistics are predicting a spike in the number of people, largely women and children, who are experiencing domestic abuse as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. GPs and allied health professionals will often be first responders in these cases and have a responsibility to identify and respond empathetically, in a manner that does not put the victim-survivor at more risk and, where necessary, provide appropriate referrals. This program is an overview of the Here4U program and will provide evidence-informed theory and practical strategies that support professionals to provide best practice care to families. What you will learn:
When: Thursday 20 August, 2020, 12:30pm to 2:00pm Fracture Management Casting Course postponed until OctoberThe Fracture Management course covers the essentials of managing fractures in primary care. The course is delivered in a blended format incorporating online and face-to-face learning. Due to COVID-19 distancing recommendations, the course was scheduled for 2 September but has been postponed until 7 October. Topics covered include: Basic anatomy, physiology of the musculoskeletal system, different types of fractures and associated complications, emergency management, investigations, diagnosis and referral, splinting, casting and post-application management. When: Wednesday, 7 October 2020, 8.30am to
5pm. Professional development and events
For an overview of all events, visit SEMPHN's event calendar. |