Dear subscriber,

Welcome to this week's edition of Sydney Health Weekly! Central and Eastern Sydney PHN aims to make this newsletter your efficient one-stop-shop for primary health news and events within the central and eastern Sydney region. We are constantly working on making your news as targeted and relevant as possible and welcome your feedback to editor@cesphn.com.au. 

PSS end of year closures

Due to the large number of referrals recently, the PSS programme is now closed to referrals. We will be open for referrals on Monday 6 January 2020.

If you would like to discuss referral options for your patient, please call the Mental Health Intake Team on 1300 170 554. We are available to assist you with options until Friday 19 December 2019, after which we will be closed for the CESPHN end of year closure period until Monday 6 January 2020.

For emergencies please call 000 or the Mental Health Access Line on 1800 011 511.

LAST CHANCE: GP Engagement Survey - We want to hear from you!

We would appreciate you taking a few minutes to tell us how we can help you better.  Survey is closing soon. 

Click here to take the GP engagement survey.

EOI - Small Group Learning 2020

Central and Eastern Sydney PHN is seeking expressions of interest from GP members to participate in our 2020 Small Group Learning (SGL) Program which is being rolled out across the PHN region. Small Group Learning (SGL) qualifies as an RACGP Accredited CPD (Cat.1) activity and is a format of education that allows GPs to share their knowledge and discuss daily practice with peers.

Click here for more information and to submit your expression of interest.

Diabetes Resource Collaborative Steering Committee – EOI 

Central and Eastern Sydney PHN is seeking Expressions of Interest from general practitioners to join the Diabetes Resource Collaborative Steering Committee. This project aims to improve the management of diabetes in primary care in the region. Applications close on Friday 20 December 2019. Read the Terms of Reference here. 

For more information please contact Win Yee Tan.

AOD education program open for GPs

Applications for the RACGP’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Education Program Treatment Skills Training are now open.

Click here for more information.

BreastScreen to visit Engadine, Menai, Mascot and La Perouse early next year

BreastScreen NSW aims to improve the survival rates of women with breast cancer by providing free screening mammograms to women aged 50-74. Breast screening saves lives by finding breast cancers early.

The mobile van sites for next year have been scheduled from January – April for women living in and around Engadine, Menai, Mascot and La Perouse.

Click here for more information.

Research: GP Input Requested - COPD Patient driven Actions within a Concordant Evidence based agenda (PACE) in Primary Care

The COPD PACE in Primary Care study aims to promote patient-provider engagement for better management of COPD in primary care. Interested GPs will be required to attend a 1-hour workshop and be provided with a $150 shopping voucher as recompense for their time. If you are interested in participating, please email the project lead Prof Sheree Smith at Sheree.Smith@westernsydney.edu.au

Click here to download the GP flyer.
Click here to download COPD PACE Invitation to General Practice Letter.
Click here to download the patient flyer. 

St George Healthy Habits – healthy lifestyle program for pre-schoolers

A FREE interactive group aimed at improving gross motor skills and healthy eating habits for pre-schoolers is available within St George catchment area. The program will be facilitated by a Dietitian and Physiotherapist.

Referral criteria ( one or more of the following):

• BMI above healthy weight ( > 85th percentile)
• Children with delayed balance/coordination/general gross motor skills

Children from CALD backgrounds are encouraged to attend (with a parent that speak sufficient English)

Where: Ramsgate Public School Hall
When: Thursdays, within school term
Time: 9.30-11.00am

Click here for more information.

GP Liaison in Alcohol and other Drug Project (GLAD)

GLAD is a multidisciplinary team, made up of doctors and nurses providing specialist advice to GPs for chronic and complex AOD issues. For referrals:

• South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (Sydney Hospital, Prince of Wales, St George and Sutherland Hospitals) - GP referral hotline: 1300 980 422
• Sydney Local Health District (RPAH, Concord, Canterbury Hospital) - Phone: 0436 691 533, ask for on call drug and alcohol doctor
• St Vincent’s Hospital (Darlinghurst) - Phone: 02 8382 1111, ask for on call drug and alcohol doctor, or GP Liaison Nurse: 0436 607 480

Click here for more information.

1800RESPECT Service Directory – online support service database

1800Respect has recently redesigned their 1800RESPECT Service Directory.

The directory is a searchable, online database of services that support people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence. The site has been designed in accordance with trauma informed design principles, and is intended to help people find the support most appropriate for them in a few easy steps.

Support services can be search via location or keywords and include information regarding safe place, multicultural groups, community services, violence or abuse, legal and finance help. 

FluQuadri Jnr® influenza vaccine expires 10 January 2020

FluQuadri Jnr® influenza vaccine for people aged 6 months to less than 3 years expires on 10 January 2020 – ensure all doses of FluQuadri Jnr® are discarded after 10 January 2020 to avoid administration errors.

FluQuadri Jnr® influenza vaccine is no longer available to order online – if you urgently require the vaccine for any child aged 6 months to less than 3 years, contact your public health unit on 1300 066 055.

Click here for more information.

Spacing out or delaying of scheduled vaccinations

The National Immunisation Program schedule is carefully planned independent experts to work out the right time to give each vaccine so that infants and children get the best possible protection as soon as they can against serious infectious diseases. We have collated some useful resources for vaccination providers to assist in providing the best care for your patients when parents request to delay or space out vaccination doses.

Click here for more information.

Navigating the transition from school to adult disability services: Experiences of young people with intellectual disability

Invitation to an Australian study on the transitioning out of high school from the experiences of young people (17-25 years) with intellectual disability, parents, service providers and teachers. The study aims to establish the barriers and enablers of successful transition experiences, and to develop accessible, guiding resources for young people and families. Participation will include an interview or survey completion.

Links to study information and surveys:
Young people https://sites.google.com/view/transitionsresearch2/home 
Parents https://sites.google.com/view/transitionsresearch/home 
Service providers https://sites.google.com/view/transitions-research-servicepr/home 

Click here for more information.

FREE Webinar on Medicare Eating Disorders 

On the 1 November 2019, a suite of 64 Eating Disorders specific items became available under the Medicare Benefits Scheme. These items directly impact our primary health care workforce, particularly GPs, paediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists and dieticians, who are expected to have a basic understanding of these items, their role and how to support their patients.

Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders, ANZAED, are hosting a FREE WEBINAR on Monday 16 December, available for all to register.

This webinar will provide clinicians with an overview of the MBS eating disorder pathway, patient eligibility, referral options and clinical management, with time for asking questions to the multidisciplinary panel.

For more details and to register, see: http://bit.ly/webinarMBS

Allied Health Engagement Survey - We want to hear from you!

Central and Eastern Sydney PHN is committed to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of primary health care within our region. As an Allied Health Professional, you are a critical first point of contact between consumers and the health system, and a vital partner of CESPHN. Please take 10 minutes to complete a brief survey, which will help identify opportunities for us to better meet your needs. The survey is anonymous and confidential, with results collated by external research company, Footprints Market Research. 

Click here to take the allied health engagement survey.

FluQuadri Jnr® influenza vaccine expires 10 January 2020

FluQuadri Jnr® influenza vaccine for people aged 6 months to less than 3 years expires on 10 January 2020 – ensure all doses of FluQuadri Jnr® are discarded after 10 January 2020 to avoid administration errors.

FluQuadri Jnr® influenza vaccine is no longer available to order online – if you urgently require the vaccine for any child aged 6 months to less than 3 years, contact your public health unit on 1300 066 055.
Click here for more information.

BreastScreen to visit Engadine, Menai, Mascot and La Perouse early next year

BreastScreen NSW aims to improve the survival rates of women with breast cancer by providing free screening mammograms to women aged 50-74. Breast screening saves lives by finding breast cancers early.

The mobile van sites for next year have been scheduled from January – April for women living in and around Engadine, Menai, Mascot and La Perouse.

Click here for more information.

St George Healthy Habits – healthy lifestyle program for pre-schoolers

A FREE interactive group aimed at improving gross motor skills and healthy eating habits for pre-schoolers is available within St George catchment area. The program will be facilitated by a Dietitian and Physiotherapist.

Referral criteria ( one or more of the following):

• BMI above healthy weight ( > 85th percentile)
• Children with delayed balance/coordination/general gross motor skills

Children from CALD backgrounds are encouraged to attend (with a parent that speak sufficient English)

Where: Ramsgate Public School Hall
When: Thursdays, within school term
Time: 9.30-11.00am

Click here for more information.

1800RESPECT Service Directory – online support service database

1800Respect has recently redesigned their 1800RESPECT Service Directory.

The directory is a searchable, online database of services that support people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence. The site has been designed in accordance with trauma informed design principles, and is intended to help people find the support most appropriate for them in a few easy steps.

Support services can be search via location or keywords and include information regarding safe place, multicultural groups, community services, violence or abuse, legal and finance help. 

Navigating the transition from school to adult disability services: Experiences of young people with intellectual disability

Invitation to an Australian study on the transitioning out of high school from the experiences of young people (17-25 years) with intellectual disability, parents, service providers and teachers. The study aims to establish the barriers and enablers of successful transition experiences, and to develop accessible, guiding resources for young people and families. Participation will include an interview or survey completion.

Links to study information and surveys:
Young people https://sites.google.com/view/transitionsresearch2/home 
Parents https://sites.google.com/view/transitionsresearch/home 
Service providers https://sites.google.com/view/transitions-research-servicepr/home 

Click here for more information.

FREE Webinar on Medicare Eating Disorders 

On the 1 November 2019, a suite of 64 Eating Disorders specific items became available under the Medicare Benefits Scheme. These items directly impact our primary health care workforce, particularly GPs, paediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists and dieticians, who are expected to have a basic understanding of these items, their role and how to support their patients.

Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders, ANZAED, are hosting a FREE WEBINAR on Monday 16 December, available for all to register.

This webinar will provide clinicians with an overview of the MBS eating disorder pathway, patient eligibility, referral options and clinical management, with time for asking questions to the multidisciplinary panel.

For more details and to register, see: http://bit.ly/webinarMBS

Community Engagement Survey - We want to hear from you!

Central and Eastern Sydney PHN is committed to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of primary health care within our region. Community organisations such as yours play an important role in the health sector and are valued partners of CESPHN. Please take 10 minutes to complete a brief survey, which will help identify opportunities for us to better meet your needs. The survey is anonymous and confidential, with results collated by external research company, Footprints Market Research. 

Click here to take the community engagement survey.

BreastScreen to visit Engadine, Menai, Mascot and La Perouse early next year

BreastScreen NSW aims to improve the survival rates of women with breast cancer by providing free screening mammograms to women aged 50-74. Breast screening saves lives by finding breast cancers early.

The mobile van sites for next year have been scheduled from January – April for women living in and around Engadine, Menai, Mascot and La Peruse.

Click here for more information.

St George Healthy Habits – healthy lifestyle program for pre-schoolers

A FREE interactive group aimed at improving gross motor skills and healthy eating habits for pre-schoolers is available within St George catchment area. The program will be facilitated by a Dietitian and Physiotherapist.

Referral criteria ( one or more of the following):

• BMI above healthy weight ( > 85th percentile)
• Children with delayed balance/coordination/general gross motor skills

Children from CALD backgrounds are encouraged to attend (with a parent that speak sufficient English)

Where: Ramsgate Public School Hall
When: Thursdays, within school term
Time: 9.30-11.00am

Click here for more information.

1800RESPECT Service Directory – online support service database

1800Respect has recently redesigned their 1800RESPECT Service Directory.

The directory is a searchable, online database of services that support people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence. The site has been designed in accordance with trauma informed design principles, and is intended to help people find the support most appropriate for them in a few easy steps.

Support services can be search via location or keywords and include information regarding safe place, multicultural groups, community services, violence or abuse, legal and finance help. 

Navigating the transition from school to adult disability services: Experiences of young people with intellectual disability

Invitation to an Australian study on the transitioning out of high school from the experiences of young people (17-25 years) with intellectual disability, parents, service providers and teachers. The study aims to establish the barriers and enablers of successful transition experiences, and to develop accessible, guiding resources for young people and families. Participation will include an interview or survey completion.

Links to study information and surveys:
Young people https://sites.google.com/view/transitionsresearch2/home 
Parents https://sites.google.com/view/transitionsresearch/home 
Service providers https://sites.google.com/view/transitions-research-servicepr/home 

Click here for more information.

To register for an event simply click the "Register Now" button on the event page.

Users can now register for events using two of the three identifiers - email address, mobile number or member number. This means that if you do not remember your member number, you can still register with the two other identifiers. You can also enter your mobile number to receive an SMS with your member number. 

Each event will be identified as a member-only event or open event. If an event is for members only, you will be prompted to either become a member or pay the event fee. 

If you have not renewed your membership, please refer to the membership renewal email that has been sent to all members or contact Sue Moxon at s.moxon@cesphn.com.au.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the CPD Team at events@cesphn.com.au or by calling 1300 986 991.

Thank you for attending CESPHN CPD events in 2019. The calendar of CPD events for 2020 will be launched in early January. The CPD Team would like to wish you all a safe and happy new year!

As always, we'd love to hear your thoughts. If you would like to submit an article or have suggestions on content you would be interested in reading, 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.