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.

New treatments for Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) and Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

A/Professor Paul Bird at Rheumatology Specialist Care is currently running trials of two agents designed to treat GCA and PMR. Each of the drugs has shown promise in early trials, with patients on active treatment able to reduce steroid dose more rapidly than patients on placebo or Methrotrexate. A/Professor Bird will care for the patients during the trial at the Kogarah rooms, and there is no cost to the patient. At the end of the 12-month trial, it is expected that patients will be able to cease the study drug but provisions have been made for patients who relapse to have further access to therapy.
Click here for more information.

Can a person with an egg allergy receive the 2019 influenza vaccine?

Egg allergy is not a contraindication to receiving the 2019 influenza vaccine and people with egg allergy, including anaphylaxis, can be safely vaccinated with influenza vaccines.
Click here for more information.

Free women's health clinic in Rockdale

Family Planning NSW offer a free service for women in CESPHN which includes cervical screening, sexual health checks, lifestyle disease screening, pregnancy testing and options, and contraceptive options. Women can make an appointment or simply drop in on Thursdays and Fridays at the Rockdale Community Health Centre.
Click here for more information.

New toolkit - working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children

Emerging Minds launched the first iteration of the Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children toolkit during Reconciliation Week. The toolkit contains videos, podcasts and written resources to help support hopeful, proactive and culturally and emotionally intelligent service delivery that demonstrates respect and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Click here to access the toolkit.
Click here for more information.

The 2017-2019 QI&CPD Triennium is coming to an end!

The QI&CPD 2017-2019 Triennium is coming to an end on 31 December 2019. To assist you in meeting all requirements, Central and Eastern Sydney PHN are holding a variety of CPD events throughout 2019, including both Category 1 and Category 2 events. Some exciting workshops include our monthly CPR events, our Cultural Awareness in Practice event, and our Benzodiazepines two-part ALM.
Click here to view the full calendar of events and register soon to not miss out!

SLHD E-Referral Program Expanding

Following the introduction of the HealthLink SmartForm for Concord and RPA Hospital's Haematology services last November, this week sees the introduction of the second HealthLink SmartForm at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. GPs can now access, via their practice software, a specific Rheumatology referral form. The form allows for auto population and pathology uploading from Best Practice, Genie and Medical Director software. All referrals are sent via secure messaging with service confirmation and acceptance notification back to the GP. Over the coming weeks additional SmartForms will be available for the Collaborative Centre for Cardiometabolic Health in Psychosis (ccCHiP), Concord Rheumatology, SLHD Osteoporosis services and Community Paediatrics. 
Click here for more information.

Integrating NDIS into your business strategy

Understanding the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and how it affects your business is integral for the efficiency and profitability of your practice. Join this two-hour workshop with a specialist business advisor to understand your role in the NDIS program and how to reach your highest potential.
Click here for more information.

Free Quit Smoking Clinic

A new community-based and culturally sensitive tobacco cessation service is now available through the "AMAN Quit Smoking Clinic". An initiative of the Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA) and in collaboration with Sydney Local Health (SLHD), the clinic offers free confidential therapeutic service, in Arabic and English, without the need for Medicare or a GP referral. The service is culturally or religiously sensitive (all faiths & backgrounds welcome). 
Click here for more information.

Active Learning Module in Obesity and Cancer

The Translational Cancer Research Network is offering an Active Learning Module in Obesity and Cancer. The session covers both obesity as a risk factor for cancer and as a complicating factor in the long-term management of cancer survivors. The workshop will be held on Saturday 10 August from 12.30 pm – 6.00 pm at the Central and Eastern Sydney PHN Office.
Click here to view the program.
Click here to register.

Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network will no longer auto-fax discharge summaries to GPs

From 21 May at The Children's Hospital Westmead and 1 June at Sydney Children's Hospital, discharge summaries from SCHN will be sent electronically to GPs, HealtheNet and the My Health Record via electronic messaging brokers Argus, Healthlink and Medical Objects. SCH will no longer auto-fax discharge summaries to GPs.
Click here for more information.

Have you registered for NDIS education for primary health providers?

Do you need to increase your understanding of the NDIS and your role when working with people with a disability, their families and carers? Then register for one of our upcoming NDIS education sessions! The target audience is general practitioners, allied health professionals, practice nurses and practice managers.
Click here for more information.

GLAD (GP Liaison in Alcohol and other Drug Project)

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 & Sutherland Hospitals) - referral hotline: 1300 980 422
• Sydney Local Health District (RPAH, Concord, Canterbury Hospital), Phone: 02 9378 130 
• St Vincent’s Hospital (Darlinghurst), Phone: 02 9361 8080

Click here for more information.

CPD Event: Multicultural Primary Care Cancer Forum 

The Cancer Institute NSW and CESPHN is delighted to invite you to the inaugural Multicultural Primary Care Cancer Forum on Wednesday 26 June 2019. The forum is aimed to increase capacity of the primary care sector to improve cancer outcomes for patients of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds.
Click here for more information.

Integrating NDIS into your business strategy

Understanding the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and how it affects your business is integral for the efficiency and profitability of your practice. Join this two-hour workshop with a specialist business advisor to understand your role in the NDIS program and how to reach your highest potential.
Click here for more information.

Cultural competence training for AOD workers by Felicity Ryan

This free two day workshop (lunch provided) 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. This training is available to people working in the central and eastern Sydney region and is facilitated by Felicity Ryan.
Click here for more information.
Click here for more information on day one. Click here for more information on day two.

Free Quit Smoking Clinic

A new community-based and culturally sensitive tobacco cessation service is now available through the "AMAN Quit Smoking Clinic". An initiative of the Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA) and in collaboration with Sydney Local Health (SLHD), the clinic offers free confidential therapeutic service, in Arabic and English, without the need for Medicare or a GP referral. The service is culturally or religiously sensitive (all faiths & backgrounds welcome). 
Click here for more information.

Have you registered for NDIS education for primary health providers?

Do you need to increase your understanding of the NDIS and your role when working with people with a disability, their families and carers? Then register for one of our upcoming NDIS education sessions! The target audience is general practitioners, allied health professionals, practice nurses and practice managers.
Click here for more information.

CPD Event: Multicultural Primary Care Cancer Forum 

The Cancer Institute NSW and CESPHN is delighted to invite you to the inaugural Multicultural Primary Care Cancer Forum on Wednesday 26 June 2019. The forum is aimed to increase capacity of the primary care sector to improve cancer outcomes for patients of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds.
Click here for more information.

Cultural competence training for AOD workers by Felicity Ryan

This free two day workshop (lunch provided) 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. This training is available to people working in the central and eastern Sydney region and is facilitated by Felicity Ryan.
Click here for more information.
Click here for more information on day one. Click here for more information on day two.

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.