Avian influenza detected on Victorian egg farm

A 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

Video consults: when a picture is worth a thousand words

Picking 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: 

• Visual cues and information for diagnosis - no need for patient to transfer images by non-secure email.
• Easier to gauge the patient's understanding.
• Easier to manage any misunderstandings.
• Easier to conduct general assessments during routine calls.

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 
digitalhealth@semphn.org.au  or 03 8514 4460 for more information about setting up VideoCall.

We'll also provide you with step-by-step training to get you started, and ongoing support. 

Additional MBS mental health supports during COVID-19

The 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:

• patients in areas with public health orders in place that restrict movement within the state or territory at any time from 1 July 2020 to 31 March 2021 (e.g. lockdown or stay at home orders); and
• patients that are required to isolate or quarantine under public health orders.

In order to access these sessions, patients will be required to:

• have a Mental Health Treatment Plan;
• have used all of their 10 sessions in the calendar year; and
• to undertake a review with their GP after their 10th session.

For more information, download the DoH fact sheet.

Considering impact of COVID-19 on 80/20 rule

The 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 Nurses

 COVID-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.

Last 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.

• 11 August: Webinar series: Cancer care after initial treatment and recovery, General practitioners, cancer clinicians, Aboriginal health workers and nurses
• 11 August: Webinar: Asthma Update 2020, General practitioners, allied health, practice nurses
• 12 August: Webinar: GP update with SEMPHN, General practitioners, practice managers, practice nurses
• 13 August: Webinar: Re-assurance and growth marketing through digital and social media (WAITLIST), Practice managers

Scroll to the bottom of this email to see the full list of events happening this month!

Integrated care: COVID-19 edition

The 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: 

• Catherine McGrath, A/Manager Population Health and Community Wellbeing, Southern Melbourne Area DHHS
• Sushma Shrestha, Adult Mental Health Program, Monash Health, 
• Chiedza Malunga, Monash Refugee Health & Wellbeing, Monash Health
• Daniel Carter, Director of Aboriginal Health Services, Monash Health

When: Tuesday 25 August 2020 7 am - 8.30 pm
Where: Online 
​Cost: Free
Register here 

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:

• How to identify, respond safely to, and support victim-survivors of domestic abuse
• An increased understanding of the drivers of domestic abuse
• How to demonstrate ethical, non-judgemental and inclusive behaviour that promotes gender equity and respectful relationships
• An improved ability to manage difficult situations and intervene more safely and confidently when an act of abuse is occurring
• How to avoid collusion with perpetrators and support men’s behaviour and attitude change
• How to respond to attitudes which promote violence, and engage and support the broader community to challenge social norms that maintain violence against women
• Provide referral pathways and information to support safety and recovery

When: Thursday 20 August, 2020, 12:30pm to 2:00pm
Where: Online (Zoom)
Cost: Free
Register here. 

Fracture Management Casting Course postponed until October

The 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.
Where: 490 South Road, Moorabbin
Register here.