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Monday 5
March
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In this edition
Professional development opportunities and events read more
Listeria outbreak linked to rockmelon (cantaloupe)
Look out for symptoms in your patients read more
Legionnaires' disease linked to Melbourne's CBD
Read this updated alert read more
Implementation of PIP QI deferred for one year
This will now happen from 1 May 2019 read more
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil® 9 on the National Immunisation Program
You can help ensure good vaccine uptake read more
SEMPHN-funded mental health services and GP-priority intake line
Do you have patients with severe mental illness and complex needs in South Eastern Melbourne? read more
Borderline Personality Disorder in Primary Care
This education session and initiative is open to GPs read more
Supporting retrenched automotive workers in your area
You may see patients affected by industry closures read more
TAC announces no medical excess, less paperwork
Read about the new improvements read more
Do you know someone who would like to be involved in suicide prevention activities in Frankston Mornington Peninsula?
There's a free two-day workshop for people with lived experience read more
Are you treating patients with high opioid use in Frankston Mornington Peninsula that could benefit from a medication review?
Get in-reach clinical support and more read more
Physical activity guidelines for older Australians with cognitive impairment
Learn about current evidence read more
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Listeria outbreak linked to rockmelon (cantaloupe)
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The Chief Health Officer issued the following alert on 1 March.
Key messages:
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There is a national outbreak of listeriosis linked to the consumption of rockmelon (cantaloupe) from New South Wales, leading to a trade-level recall on Thursday 1 March. Ten cases have been identified as part of this outbreak nationally, including one Victorian case. Further cases are expected.
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Listeriosis is an illness caused by eating food contaminated by Listeria monocytogenes. Although uncommon, listeriosis is very dangerous to those most at risk, particularly pregnant women and immune-compromised people.
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Listeriosis presents with flu-like symptoms of fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea and sometimes diarrhoea. In those at greater risk, there is a risk of sepsis, meningitis, pneumonia and endocarditis.
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Victorians are urged to dispose of any rockmelon if purchased between the start of January and 1 March, because it is difficult for consumers to determine the origin of purchased rockmelon.
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People who have consumed rockmelon purchased during this time should look out for the symptoms of listeriosis, which usually take two to three weeks to develop, and potentially up to 70 days in pregnancy.
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Consider listeriosis in patients with compatible symptoms and exposure, take blood or CSF for testing according to the syndrome, and notify the Department on 1300 651 160.
Read the full alert: 1 March 2018 - Listeria outbreak linked to rockmelon (cantaloupe).
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Legionnaires' disease linked to Melbourne's CBD
The Chief Health Officer issued the following updated alert on 28 February.
Key messages:
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There has been an increase in the number of cases of Legionnaires’ disease (Legionella pneumophila, serogroup 1) associated with an outbreak in Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD). As of midday on 28 February there were eight confirmed cases, and one probable case.
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All cases involve individuals who have spent time in the South Eastern area of Melbourne’s CBD. Be alert for Legionnaires’ disease in patients with influenza-like symptoms, particularly those with severe pneumonia, who have been around the Melbourne CBD since late January.
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If you suspect Legionnaires’ disease, request urinary antigen testing through your normal pathology provider. As a priority, order Legionella culture on sputum, and undertake serology on blood at baseline and 14 days later.
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Legionnaires’ disease is a Group A notifiable condition which requires immediate notification on suspicion to the Department of Health and Human Services on 1300 651 160. Immediate notification of all suspected cases is essential to assist in the management of this outbreak.
Read the full alert: 28 February 2018 - Legionnaires' disease linked to Melbourne's Central Business District
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Implementation of PIP QI deferred for one year
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The Practice Incentive Program (PIP) Quality Improvement Incentive will now happen from 1 May 2019.
The additional year will enable the Department of Health, with the support and advice from Practice Incentives Programme Advisory Group (PIPAG), to ensure that any implementation issues are identified and addressed and that general practices have adequate opportunity to prepare. It will also allow the Department to continue to consult with stakeholders on refining the design of the PIP QI Incentive.
The changed time frame will mean that the following five incentives which were to cease on 1 May 2018, will now continue through to 30 April 2019.
The five incentives are:
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Asthma Incentive
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Quality Prescribing Incentive
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Cervical Screening Incentive
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Diabetes Incentive
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General Practitioner Aged Care Access Incentive.
The six PIP Incentives that will not change are:
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eHealth Incentive
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After Hours Incentive
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Rural Loading Incentive
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Teaching Payment
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Indigenous Health Incentive
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Procedural General Practitioner Payment.
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Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil® 9 on the National Immunisation Program
All general practices will shortly receive communication from the Chief Medical Officer about the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil® 9 on the National Immunisation Program.
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From January 2018, the 9-valent HPV vaccine Gardasil®9 (in an age dependent two dose schedule) replaces the 4-valent HPV vaccine (Gardasil®), on the National Immunisation Program.
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Individuals aged approximately 12 to 13 years will be offered Gardasil®9 through school based vaccination programs.
You can help ensure good vaccine coverage across Australia by administering doses missed at school and educating parents about the benefits of the HPV vaccine.
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SEMPHN-funded mental health services and GP-priority intake line
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Do you have patients with severe mental illness and complex needs in South Eastern Melbourne?
Mental Health Integrated Complex Care (MHICC) offers free long-term assistance with your patients’ physical health care and medication management, as well as support for patients and their loved ones, and help to access psychiatry and psychology.
Mental health nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health workers, social workers and/or occupational therapists might be involved.
MHICC is for people who:
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have a mental illness and complex needs that are affecting their social, personal or work life
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have a GP, psychiatrist or other health professional who is looking after their mental health care in the community
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have a health care card or can’t afford similar services
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aren’t eligible for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Partners in Recovery (PiR).
MHICC is not a crisis response service and does not provide emergency mental health advice or support.
Fax a referral and GP Mental Health Treatment Plan to fax: 9793 9052 or call SEMPHN Mental Health Intake on ph:1800 862 363 (business hours) for priority assistance.
Find referral forms here or print this flyer for your GPs.
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Borderline Personality Disorder in Primary Care
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GPs, SEMPHN is offering an opportunity for you to receive extra support to manage the care of patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) who present with chronic risk.
Come along to a one hour education session presented by psychiatrist Prof Sathya Rao.
If you're a GP working in the Frankston or Mornington Peninsula LGA, stay an extra half hour to learn more about the BPD in Primary Care initiative. Practice Managers may attend on behalf of a GP.
This 12-month initiative will provide GPs with intensive support from psychiatry and allied health including on-call support, secondary consultations and more.
RSVP your attendance to the second and final session in Frankston 14 March (6.30pm - 8.30pm). Register here.
We'll be seeking expressions of interest on the night to participate in the BPD in Primary Care initiative.
For more information see the flyer or contact Alison Asche at suicideprevention@semphn.org.au.
If you're interested in learning more about BPD, you can listen to a recording of the Radio National 'All In The Mind' episode, featuring Prof Sathya Rao (the presenter at SEMPHN's upcoming sessions).
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Supporting retrenched automotive workers in your area
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Car manufacturing has ended in Victoria and many retrenched automotive workers are yet to find jobs. A large number of workers from car manufacturing and the automotive supply chain were retrenched in late 2017.
In the coming months, you may see patients affected by automotive industry closures. A number of services are available for these workers, including practical support such as job search help and access to government services providing emotional support.
Now that the holidays are over, many will be facing the reality of unemployment and may be facing a period of uncertainty.
The Victorian and Commonwealth Governments have produced a brochure – Victorian Auto Workers – Responding to transition and your health – that highlights the emotional and physical responses that might be experienced by someone who has been retrenched, and where to reach out for services.
Please make this brochure available to your patients if they need extra support. You can order brochures by emailing auto.transition@ecodev.vic.gov.au (indicate your preferred quantity and delivery details).
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TAC announces no medical excess, less paperwork
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Removal of medical excess
Victoria’s Transport Accident Commission (TAC) has removed its medical excess, one of several changes introduced to improve the health outcomes of TAC clients.
For accidents on or after 14 February, TAC clients no longer have to pay a portion of their medical expenses before the TAC covers the costs. Clients can immediately seek treatment without worrying about out of pocket expenses.
Less paperwork
From mid-March, the TAC will also offer a wide range of pre-approved treatments and services, which you can deliver, and refer patients to, without sending a request or calling the TAC first. You can be assured of payment in line with the TAC fee schedule for any treatment or service on the pre-approved list, with no need to contact the TAC beforehand.
You will also no longer need to send reports or clinical notes unless you receive a request from the TAC. Real-time monitoring will flag unusual service consumption, prompting the TAC to contact you, or the client, only when needed.
LanternPay
These changes follow September 2017’s launch of LanternPay, a digital point-of-sale solution accessible via desktop, tablet, smartphone or integrated practice software. LanternPay has transformed how more than 3000 providers transact with the TAC by improving their cash flow and eliminating the need to submit paper invoices or follow up payments.
For more information about ongoing improvements for providers, visit tac.vic.gov.au/changes.
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Do you know someone with lived experience of suicide who wants to be involved in suicide prevention activities in the Frankston Mornington Peninsula?
Roses in the Ocean is offering a SEMPHN-funded two-day workshop, called 'Voices of Insight', on 23 and 24 March in Mornington. It's free of charge for participants (spaces strictly limited).
Voices of Insight is for people with a lived experience of suicide who are interested and ready to share their story publicly - be that through organised speaking engagements or incidental conversations.
Lived experience of suicide can be:
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being bereaved by suicide
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having experienced suicidal thoughts
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having survived a suicide attempt
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supporting someone who has been suicidal.
Previous public speaking experience is not necessary.
Completion of the ‘Our Voice’ program is preferable but not compulsory.
See the flyer or complete an expression of interest here.
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Are you treating patients with high opioid use in the Frankston Mornington Peninsula area that could benefit from a medication review?
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Peninsula Health is providing specialist Pharmacotherapy Support Nurses to general practices in the Frankston Mornington Peninsula area.
In collaboration with SEMPHN, it's also providing other supports to general practitioners around the management of opioid dependence, including:
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in-reach clinical support to help identify and engage patients with high opioid use who may benefit from a medication review, including patients with chronic pain
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GP training and support on medical management of opioid dependence.
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Support for identified patients with complex psychosocial issues.
For more information, call Leif Marshall on 0466 457 023 or
Janelle Kennedy on 0435 963 543.
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Physical activity guidelines for older Australians with cognitive impairment
The University of Melbourne and Dementia Collaborative Research Centres (DCRCs) have released Physical Activity Guidelines For Older Australians with Mild Cognitive Impairment or Subjective Cognitive Decline.
It includes current evidence on the health benefits of physical activity for older adults (people aged 60 years and over) with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD).
The guidelines cover the benefits of physical activity in older adults with MCI or SCD, the best physical activity type, frequency, intensity, duration and setting, and practical advice on enablers and barriers to participating in physical activity.
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