MEDIA RELEASE - New Psychological Support Services contracts announced
Central and Eastern Sydney PHN is pleased to announce that the successful applicants for our new Psychological Support Services (PSS) contracts are: - Australian Primary Mental Health Alliance
- Lilly Pilly Counselling
- Sydney
Mindcare
- The Gender Centre
- Sunflower Health Services with WEAVE Youth and Community Services and Twenty 10
Click
here to read the full release.
Call for expressions of interest: Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Advisory Committee
We are funded to ensure a regional approach to mental health and suicide prevention by developing evidence based plans and service mapping that identifies needs and gaps, increases efficiencies and encourages integration of mental health services and supports. To inform this work we are establishing a Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Advisory Committee. We are now seeking individual nominations for membership of the Advisory Committee. The role of the Advisory Committee is to provide strategic advice to CESPHN on mental health and suicide prevention strategies and best practice, to improve the health and wellbeing of the diverse communities in the central and eastern Sydney region. How to apply
Complete the EOI demonstrating your interest and experience, and outline how you would contribute to the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Advisory Committee. A brief biography can also be
included.
For more information read the Terms of Reference. If you have any questions relating to the CESPHN Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Advisory Committee please contact Mariam Faraj
on 9330 9900. The expressions of interest are due by 9 am, Monday 6 February 2017. Please submit these by email to Mariam Faraj
PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT - Measles warning following contraction by international traveller
NSW Health has advised of a measles warning following contraction by an international traveller on a Virgin Australia Airlines flight from Denpasar, Bali to Sydney arriving 7.40 am on 1 January 2017. The woman also visited Sutherland Hospital Emergency Department in the late morning of 4 January while infectious. GPs are reminded to be alert to the symptoms: - Ensure all practice staff are immune to measles (i.e. birth date before 1966; two doses of vaccine; or presence of measles IgG in blood).
- Isolate immediately any patient who presents to the surgery with fever and rash or fever and recent overseas travel history and if possible arrange to see suspected cases at the end of the day or at home.
- Notify the Public Health Unit
by phone at the time you have the patient in the surgery – 1300 066 055 at any time – and they can give advice on testing and contact management whilst the patient is still with you.
Anyone born after 1965 should have two doses of measles containing vaccine (MMR) at least four weeks apart. NSW Health offers free MMR vaccine through GPs for people born after 1965 with no record of having received two doses. For more information see NSW Health Media Release or the NSW Health Measles Factsheet.
PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT - Ross River virus risk from mosquitoes around Georges River
South Eastern Sydney Public Health Unit is advising GPs, particularly those in the Alfords Point, Illawong and Lugarno areas, that Ross River fever has been isolated from mosquitoes near the Georges River on two occasions in December. The Public Health Unit has issued a media release warning local residents and visitors to the area to protect themselves from mosquito bites due to an increased risk of Ross River virus infection if bitten. A possible case is currently being investigated in a Lugarno resident. The infection may present with flu-like symptoms with or without arthralgia or rash, after an incubation period of 7-10 days. Please contact SESLHD Public Health Unit on 9382 8333 for advice or to discuss a case. See our news article for full details.
Central and Eastern Sydney bowel, breast and cervical cancer screening project - Building primary care capacity to increase screening participation within local communities
We submitted a successful funding application to the NSW Cancer Institute grants program to undertake a project which aims to increase participation rates in breast, cervical and bowel cancer screening programs. We will work in selected local government areas to support local general practices to systematically address screening participation in their practice populations. The project will also consult with community representatives from these LGAs and in particular people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to identify access barriers and address these through health promotion responses. GPs and practice nurses will be invited to be involved on the project’s steering committee, more
information to follow soon! For further information or if you have any questions, please contact Lauren Walker on 9330 9941.
Decision support for the evaluation and management of breathlessness (dyspnea)
Professor Christine Jenkins is currently conducting research on addressing dyspnea in primary care, focusing on time-efficient, evidence based diagnostic and management approaches to the condition. A series of focus groups are being held with GPs to identify the barriers and enablers in the use of a dyspnea clinical decision support system and determine key features that would encourage GPs to implement a computer based or smart phone based dyspnea DSS. You are invited to a focus group discussion on Wednesday 18, Thursday 19 or Tuesday 24 January 2017, from 6.30 - 8.30 pm at The George Institute for Global Health offices (KGV Building in Camperdown). A presentation/ case discussion on airways
disease will be provided afterwards. If you would like to participate, please email kcorcoran@georgeinstitute.org.au. Light refreshments will be provided.
Have you downloaded your data logger since returning to your practice?
Practices are advised to ensure the appropriate cold chain management of vaccines is undertaken since returning from the Christmas and New Year period. Please ensure that the fridge thermometer is checked, and data logger downloaded immediately when the practice reopens. If a cold chain breach has occurred (below 2°C or above 8°C for longer than 15 minutes), please call the Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055.
ComDiab Community Diabetes Education Program now offered at Rockdale and Kogarah libraries
Do you have patients with pre-diabetes or newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes? Why not send them along to ComDiab. ComDiab is a FREE interactive group education program supporting people to: - develop appropriate diabetes prevention and management knowledge and skills
- enhance confidence to implement appropriate self-care behaviours, and
- achieve better diabetes control and improved health.
Where and when: Rockdale Library: Tuesday 7 and 14 February, 5.30 - 7.30 pm. Call 1300 427 603.
HealthOne – Sutherland: Tuesday 14 and 21 February, 1.00 - 3.00 pm. Call 1300 427 603.
Kogarah Library: Thursday 9 and 16 March, 10.30 am – 12.30 pm. Call 1300 427 603.
Hillsdale Community Hall: Wednesday 8 and 15 February, 1.00 - 3.30 pm. Call 9369 0400.
Click here for further information or contact ComDiab Project Officer Jennifer Tragardh on 9330 9958.
Practice nurses – Opportunity for advancing your career!
Postgraduate study in primary health care nursing at Sydney Nursing School. Applications for Master of Primary Health Care Nursing at Sydney Nursing School are now open and the program will commence in March 2017. Further information is available on the
University of Sydney website. The program particularly equips registered nurses with advanced skills and knowledge to move towards leadership roles in primary health care nursing. In addition, there are a number of scholarship opportunities available to support nurses to complete their study. Click here for a brochure outlining the course and information about the scholarship opportunities available.
Survey for general practitioners or specialist physicians with an interest in palliative care
Mr Paul Tait from Flinders University (CareSearch) is undertaking a study entitled ‘Qualitative Evaluation of How General Practitioners (GPs) and Specialist Physicians with an Interest in Palliative Care Employ Smartphone Applications within the Work Context’. This study has been approved by the Social and Behavioural Research Ethics Committee at Flinders University in South Australia. You are invited to participate using the link below. An information sheet has been
developed and we encourage you to read this prior to commencing the survey. If you have used smartphone applications within a work context in the last 12 months (any number of applications, from only one to 10 or more), we encourage you to contribute towards Paul’s study by completing the survey. Click
here to complete the survey.
Seeking GP representatives for Antenatal Shared Care Advisory Committee
The Royal Hospital for Women (RHW) Antenatal Shared Care (ANSC) Advisory Committee is seeking EOIs for GP representatives to join the Advisory Committee. General practitioners who are affiliated with the RHW GP ANSC Program are invited to submit an expression of interest. GP representatives will provide valuable advice and input to the ANSC Program and will work collaboratively in the committee to enhance various aspects of the program. To receive more information on the opportunity including the selection criteria and application process, please contact Maternal and Child Health Program Officer Keren David on 8752 4967.
Your opportunity to drive real improvements in primary health care for our primary health network
The EIS Health Limited Board welcomes expressions of interest to join our Community Council and Clinical Council.
Applications close 9 am Monday 30 January 2017. For more information please contact Member Support and Engagement Program Officer, Christine Russell on 8752 4907.
Central and Eastern Sydney PHN Events
We look forward to delivering a comprehensive CPD program for our stakeholders in 2017. We will continue to offer a wide range of education topics including a mix of clinical and practice management education. GPs please note 2017 marks the start of the new RACGP QI&CPD triennium. GPs will have to complete a new mandatory Category 1 activity called the ‘Planning, Learning and Need’ or PLAN quality improvement activity which will enable GPs to self-identify individual priority areas of general practice learning needs and direct their learning accordingly. For more information on the new triennium requirements, please visit the RACGP website. A snapshot of our upcoming events will be included in next week’s update.
Kogarah Office 9330 9900
Level 3, 15 Kensington St, Kogarah
Ashfield Office 9799 0933
Level 1, 158 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield
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