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Monday 20
February
In this edition
Professional development opportunities and events read more
Interested in pharmacotherapy?
Training in the management of opiod dependence offered for GPs and Nurse Practitioners read more
Dramatic new dementia figures reveal multi-billion dollar cost
By 2056, new cases of dementia will rise from 237 to 650 people per day read more
Changes to home care package services start 27 February
Read about the changes coming soon read more
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Roadshow
This year's focus is remuneration and reform read more
Final report of Irritable Bowel Disease Audit released
Read the recommendations to improve healthcare for people with IBD read more
Do you know an exceptional volunteer?
Entries are open for the 2017 Minister for Health Volunteer Awards read more
RESOURCES
Cervical screening and LGBTI people
A new campaign is encouraging relevant LGBTI people to attend cervical screening read more
LGBTI resources for health services
New resources include info about data integrity, young people and alcohol and drugs read more
Emotional health resources for patients with diabetes
Diabetes Australia has developed a handbook and toolkit read more
Translated heart health resources for refugees and migrants
Three new resources for patients are available in many languages read more
Translated catch-up vaccination information for patients
Available now in nine languages read more
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Interested in pharmacotherapy?
Opioid dependence is a growing public health concern affecting a wide variety of patients including users of illicit, prescription and over-the-counter opioids.
GPs play a key role in the management and treatment of patients with opioid dependence. Recovery and reduction in harms to the individual and wider community are some of the many benefits of pharmacotherapy.
SEMPHN and the Area 4 Pharmacotherapy Network are promoting General Practice Training: management and treatment of opioid dependence to be provided by RACGP.
This training will provide GPs and Nurse Practitioners with the skills to better manage patients with opioid dependence and accreditation to prescribe approved pharmacotherapies.
Get more information and register your interest here.
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Dramatic new dementia figures reveal multi-billion dollar cost
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Economic modelling shows the cost of dementia in Australia has more than doubled in the past five years to reach almost $15 billion. This is an average cost of $35,550 per person with dementia.
If nothing is done to reduce the incidence of dementia, the cost will more than double to $36 billion in less than 40 years, according to a new report that was launched at Parliament House last week.
Every day, there are 237 new cases of dementia. This is estimated to grow to more than 650 people per day by 2056.
National President of Alzheimer's Australia Professor and SEMPHN Chair Professor Graeme Samuel AC said the figures in the report were alarming. He renewed the call for a funded National Dementia Strategy to deal with the issue, along with a greater focus on risk reduction measures.
Reducing risk of dementia
What’s good for your heart is also good for your brain.
Here are some things you can encourage patients to do, to reduce their dementia risk:
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look after your heart - treatment of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity is necessary for good heart health and is likely also to protect brain health.
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increase physical activity to the nationally recommended 30 minutes a day for adults
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eat a healthy Mediterranean-style diet, high in omega 3, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats - found in fish and olive oil.
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limit intake of saturated and trans fats, which are often found in take-away food and sweets.
National Dementia Helpline: 1800 100 500. An interpreter service is available.
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Changes to home care package services start 27 February
The Home Care Packages program provides older people who want to stay at home with access to a range of ongoing personal services, support services and clinical care that help them with their day-to-day activities.
Home Care Packages are part of the Australian Government’s continuum of care for older Australians, positioned between residential aged care and the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) which provides entry-level home support.
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Home care package funding will follow the consumer, allowing them to choose and direct package funding to the provider that best meets their needs, and to change providers if they wish.
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There will be a consistent national approach to prioritising access to home care so that consumers can get access to home care package services in an equitable and fair manner, regardless of where they live.
For more information visit here.
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Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Roadshow
The focus of this year’s Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Roadshow is remuneration and reform.
PSA is the peak national organisation representing all pharmacists across Australia.
The Melbourne roadshow event is in Parville at 7pm, 1 March.
The Roadshow coincides with the Review of Pharmacy Remuneration and Regulation panel’s Interim Report which is due for imminent release.
Roadshow highlights:
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Hear about the Review of Pharmacy Remuneration and Regulation Interim Report and what it means for pharmacists
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Provide feedback directly to PSA for inclusion in a response to the Interim Report
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Hear how PSA is working to improve remuneration for the whole profession, supporting pharmacists to work at their full scope of practice
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Learn about opportunities presented by other reforms in the health system.
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Crohn’s And Colitis Australia Release Final Report of IBD Audit
Crohn’s and Colitis Australia (CCA) has released the final report of the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) Audit and Australian IBD Standards 2016.
Hospital staff, clinicians, healthcare planners and and other IBD stakeholders are encouraged to review the documents and put recommendations in place to improve healthcare for people living with IBD.
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Cervical screening and LGBTI people
A new campaign is encouraging relevant LGBTI people to attend cervical screening.
New research shows that fear of prejudice can prevent people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, same sex attracted, transgender or who have an intersex variation (LGBTI), from openly discussing their health needs.
A new guide on cervical screening for health professionals working with LGBTI people is here.
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LGBTI resources for health services
New LGBTI resources are available for staff in health services.
They include information about the importance of data integrity and recommendations for creating an inclusive service, including the use of language.
Developed by the National LGBTI Health Alliance, the topics are:
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Intimate partner and family violence
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People and families
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Elders
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Young people
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Data integrity
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Alcohol and drugs
There are limited supplies of each resource. Please contact providersupport@semphn.org.au to receive a pack.
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Emotional health resources for patients with diabetes
Diabetes Australia has developed a Diabetes and Emotional Health handbook and toolkit.
The handbook is a practice, evidence-based resource to enable health professionals to identify, address, and talk about emotional problems during consultations with adults with diabetes.
The handbook and toolkit can be accessed free via the NDSS website.
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