Universal mental health screening in general practice with StepCare

The StepCare Service provides an evidence-based digital tool which screens patients for anxiety, depression and risky drinking in the general practice waiting room. The results of the screeners are immediately and securely sent to the GP’s clinical software. Information includes referral options helping GPs match the severity of their patient’s symptoms with appropriate treatment options. StepCare is now gathering momentum and is being implemented in general practices in NSW, ACT, VIC and QLD.
To understand more about the StepCare Service click here.

POLAR training by outcome health 

Shane Lowe of Outcome Health will be conducting training for the POLAR (Population Level Analysis and Reporting) GP tool on Monday 22 October, 7-9 pm at the CESPHN office at Mascot. The training will focus on POLAR overview, using POLAR to improve practice quality of data, maximising Practice Incentive Payments, improving clinical management of patients and identifying gaps on enhancing practice business outcomes. The training is for those general practices which have already installed POLAR. To register for the POLAR training or to implement POLAR, please contact CESPHN on 1300 986 991.

New Immunisation Resource: Following vaccination - what to expect and what to do (tear off pads for patients)

The Department of Health have released a new resource titled: Following vaccination - what to expect and what to do. This resource is an updated version of the previous common reactions pad and provides easy-to-read information on common reactions that may occur after vaccinations. The resource is available to download or order as a tear off pad from the Department of Health website.

Have you received an error code on an AIR record?

Have you received error code 103 (Duplicate Antigen Dose) on an Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) record?
Click here to find out how to correct this error.

The benefits of mindfulness interventions in multicultural mental health

The benefits of delivering mindfulness interventions in CALD communities has gone beyond improving just the wellbeing and skills of individuals. We are seeing wider community benefits of improved health literacy and de-stigmatization of mental illness. People are having positive conversations about mental health issues with each other which can only grow as we broaden the reach of the program across communities. 
Lisa Woodland and Hend Saab will be discussing this at the fifth Rethinking Mental Health forum.
Click here for more information and to buy tickets.

Active learning module in obesity and cancer

This activity addresses both the cancer risk due to obesity and thus the opportunities for prevention and early detection of cancers and obesity in patients living with cancer and the opportunity to intervene in primary care to address this. This activity will be held on Saturday 3 November and is accredited for 40 Category 1 CPD Points.
Click here for more information and to register.

Public Health Unit October newsletter

The SLHD Public Health Unit October newsletter is out now! Take a look and find out about legionnaires' disease, suspected measles, NIP updates, and recent cases of elevated blood levels.
Click here to view the newsleter.

The Rapid Assessment, Diagnosis and Intervention Unit Sutherland

The Rapid Assessment, Diagnosis and Intervention Unit Sutherland (RADIUS) is a community-facing unit within the Sutherland Hospital for complex medical patients who are not critically unwell, to receive rapid assessment and intervention prior to supported discharge back into the community or admission for further treatment.
Click here for more information.

AOD Continuing Coordinated Care Program

St Vincent de Paul's AOD Continuing Coordinated Care program is a free and confidential service for people who are struggling to address their drug or alcohol issues.  The program provides continuing care and intensive support that assists people to maintain their engagement with treatment services while helping them to address other complex needs.
Click here for more information.

Event: NewAccess - An innovative low-intensity mental-health service

beyondblue’s NewAccess program is an early-intervention mental health service for people experiencing depression or anxiety. NewAccess constitutes an innovative new way of providing a mental-health service in Australia. This event is an opportunity for other health professionals to hear about the ongoing implementation of this evidence based low intensity service model, and the program's role in supporting increased access to support for people who may be experiencing anxiety and depression.
Click here for more information.

Event: Upcoming CPR session at War Memorial Hospital, 5 November

Are you due to renew your CPR certificate? Do you have upcoming accreditation in your practice? You may need to complete a CPR course! CESPHN hosts a monthly CPR update for GPs, practice nurses, allied health professionals and practice administrative staff. This course is accredited with RACGP points and meets the requirements for General Practice Accreditation.
Click here for more information.

Event: NDIS - Mental Health and Psychosocial Disability

This upcoming event will feature Aftercare presenting on demystifying the NDIS and psychosocial disability. It will provide clear explanations on eligibility, access and the role of general and allied health practitioners in assisting patients.
Click here for more information and to register.

Event: Cultural competence training for AOD workers

This two day workshop is comprised of an interactive introduction to cultural awareness, followed by a strengths-based practices workshop exploring media and public perceptions, tools and resources, case studies and more. This workshop is suitable for people working in the AOD sector with Aboriginal people including those who work in community services, corrections, mental health or homelessness with people who experience substance misuse.
Click here for more information and to register.

Practice management software insight report from Australian Physiotherapy Association

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has released its Practice Management Software Insight 2018. The APA undertook a Digital Health Discovery Project to explore the PMS available to physiotherapists and their findings are detailed within the report.
Click here to read the report.

The benefits of mindfulness interventions in multicultural mental health

The benefits of delivering Mindfulness interventions in CALD communities has gone beyond improving just the wellbeing and skills of individuals. We are seeing wider community benefits of improved health literacy and de-stigmatization of mental illness. People are having positive conversations about mental health issues with each other which can only grow as we broaden the reach of the program across communities. 
Lisa Woodland and Hend Saab will be discussing this at the fifth Rethinking Mental Health forum.
Click here for more information and to buy tickets.

AOD Continuing Coordinated Care Program

St Vincent de Paul's AOD Continuing Coordinated Care program is a free and confidential service for people who are struggling to address their drug or alcohol issues.  The program provides continuing care and intensive support that assists people to maintain their engagement with treatment services while helping them to address other complex needs.
Click here for more information.

Alcohol and Drug treatment through the lens of culture

Alcohol and other Drug workers and other health and human service workers working with people with drug and alcohol issues are invited to attend free training to support the delivery of accessible and effective services for clients from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.   
Click here for more information.

Event: Upcoming CPR session at War Memorial Hospital, 5 November

Are you due to renew your CPR certificate? Do you have upcoming accreditation in your practice? You may need to complete a CPR course! CESPHN hosts a monthly CPR update for GPs, practice nurses, allied health professionals and practice administrative staff. This course is accredited with RACGP points and meets the requirements for General Practice Accreditation.
Click here for more information.

Event: Cultural competence training for AOD workers

This two day workshop is comprised of an interactive introduction to cultural awareness, followed by a strengths-based practices workshop exploring media and public perceptions, tools and resources, case studies and more. This workshop is suitable for people working in the AOD sector with Aboriginal people including those who work in community services, corrections, mental health or homelessness with people who experience substance misuse.
Click here for more information and to register.

Keep on top of your health with My Health Record

October is Mental Health Awareness Month and all Australians are encouraged to promote discussion on Mental Health by talking to their friends and family about it. Your Mental Health is just as important as your physical health. Sometimes keeping track of your health information can be difficult. This year all Australians who want one, will have access to a My Health Record, which can assist you to keep on top of your health information.
Click here for more information.

National Carers Week 2018

This week, 14 - 20 October 2018, is National Carers Week! 

• A carer is any individual who provides care and support to a family member or friend - they come from all walks of life, age groups and cultural backgrounds.
• Carers make a significant contribution to the care and wellbeing of people with a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, drug and/or alcohol dependency, terminal illness and the frail aged.
• The majority of carers are female and most fall within the age range of 25-64 years.
• There are approximately 904,400 carers in NSW and 2.7 million across Australia.
• Caring is valued at $60.3 billion annually, that is more than $1 billion per week.

Central and Eastern Sydney PHN wishes to acknowledge and support the efforts of carers across our region. For more information about National Carers Week 2018 visit the Carers Week website. 

Event: Community Wellness Awards 2018

The Sydney Health Community Network (SHCN) invites you to the Community Wellness Awards to celebrate the great work of community organisations and agencies who improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable or disadvantaged people in central and eastern Sydney. The evening will give you the opportunity to network with GPs, allied health practitioners and the 15 finalists. The event will be held on Wednesday 24 October 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm at Level 5, 201 Coward Street Mascot, NSW 2020.
Click here to RSVP and here for more information on the event.

Kidney Health Australia's new program for health professionals

Kidney Health Australia is pleased to announce the launch of their CKD Ambassador Program for Health Professionals working in Primary Care. The CKD Ambassador Program involves an RACGP accredited quality improvement (QI) activity, and is supported by the KHA team, resources, education and training. After completing the QI activity, health professionals can become endorsed Kidney Health Australia CKD Ambassadors.
Click here for more information.

New headspace website launch

On 15 October 2018 headspace launched their new national website. The website redevelopment was in response to user research conducted in 2017 that identified difficulties users experienced while engaging or delivering digital mental health services and information. Please take a look at the new site and if you have any questions get in touch with Patty Stonehouse at headspace National.

KNOW BPD, NO STIGMA

Did you know that Borderline Personality Disorder is the most common personality disorder? Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex mental illness that is often misunderstood. The KNOW BPD, NO Stigma campaign launched this month will help you find out the facts about BPD and help fight the stigma.
Click here for more information.

Information from AHPA to health employers

The Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA) is delighted to announce the launch of the Health Promotion Practitioner Registration initiative. AHPA is Australia’s peak professional association in Australia for people interested or involved in the practice, policy, research and study of health promotion. Practitioners working to promote health and prevent illness can now apply to become an IUHPE Registered Health Promotion Practitioner. This is an important initiative for both employers and practitioners.
Click here for more information.

Event: Mad pride 2018

Mad Pride is the annual youth event Weave Youth and Community Services host during Mental Health Month each October. Mad Pride is a free event showcasing and celebrating the creative achievements, resilience and capacity of young people while breaking down the stigma that can be associated with mental health experiences.
When: 3.00 pm - 8.00 pm, Thursday 18 October, 209 Bourke Street, Waterloo
RSVP: nicole@weave.org.au

Event: Find out how exercise can be used to treat depression and anxiety

Come along to a free brunch and tennis session to hear about the latest research into the power of exercise to treat depression and anxiety.
Click here for more information and to register.

Following Central and Eastern Sydney PHN's recent move to Mascot, the CESPHN CPD program will continue to operate uninterrupted across the region. We will be using a number of venues around the St George and Inner West areas in place of the previous Ashfield and Kogarah office locations. CPD venues we will be using include:

• Torwood lounge
• Canada Bay Club
• Kareela Golf Club
• Canterbury Leagues club
• Canterbury/Hurlstone Park RSL 
• St George Leagues club
• St George Motor Boat Club, Sans Souci

The CPD team look forward to welcoming our stakeholders to our new office event space in Mascot. If there are any event enquiries, please contact events@cesphn.com.au.

My Health Record - Medico Legal Workshop for General Practice 

At:    Canada Bay Club, 4 William St, Five Dock
On:  Thursday 18 October 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentation
For:  GPs, PNs, PS, PMs

Obesity Prevention in Primary Care

At:    CESPHN Office Mascot, L5, 201 Coward St
On:  Thursday 18 October 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentation
For:  GPs, AHPs, PNs

POLAR Software Training

At:    CESPHN Office Mascot, L5, 201 Coward St
On:  Monday 22 October 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentation
For:  GPs, PNs, PMs, PS, practices with POLAR software

Community Wellness Awards

At:    CESPHN Office Mascot, L5, 201 Coward St
On:  Wednesday 24 October 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentation
For:  GPs, PNs, AHPs

Hazelhurst CPD Series - ANSC Obstetrics Update

At:   Hazelhurst Gallery, 782 Kingsway, Gymea
On:  Thursday 25 October 6.30 pm dinner, 7.30 pm presentations
For:  GPs

NDIS Mental Health and Psychosocial Disability

At:    CESPHN Office Mascot, L5, 201 Coward St
On:  Monday 29 October 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentation
For:  GPs, PNs, PMs, PS, AHPs

My Health Record - Medico Legal Workshop for Pharmacists

At:    CESPHN Office Mascot, L5, 201 Coward St
On:  Tuesday 30 October 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentation
For:  Pharmacists

Risk Management in the 5th Edition Accreditation Standards

At:   Club Central Hurstville, 2 Crofts Ave
On:  Tuesday 30 October 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentation
For:  GPs, PNs, PMs, PS

NewAccess - An innovative low-intensity mental health service

At:   CESPHN Office Mascot, L5, 201 Coward St
On:  Thursday 1 November 12.30 pm presentation, 1.00 pm - 3.00 pm
For:  GPs, Practice Nurse, AHPs, GP Practice Managers, AHP Practice Staff and Provisional Referrers

Obstetrics and Gynaecology Update

At:   Lecture Theatre, Royal Hospital for Women, Barker St, Randwick 
On:  Saturday 3 November 12 noon registration and lunch, 1.00 pm - 5.00 pm presentations
For:  GPs

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.