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Monday 23  October

In this edition

Professional development opportunities and events read more

Mornington Peninsula: Grants open for After Hours General Practice in peak periods
Grants of up to $45,000 are available read more

Improve your use of IT
Learn how technology can improve your practice read more read more

GP update on palliative care
Come to this evening session in Bentleigh East read more

Pain forum about codeine upscheduling and real time prescription monitoring
Join a discussion and make the transition easier read more

A gift for women in need
Show your support to women in crisis accommodation read more

Cancer screening in General Practice update
Would you like to hear about the upcoming changes? read more

Australia's digital mental health gateway: Head to Health
It's live! Here are trusted links to online and phone mental health services read more

Thunderstorm asthma alert system launched
The new alerts incorporate five pollen monitoring sites read more

Are you ready to Drop the Jargon?
Pledge to use plain language read more

Mornington Peninsula: Grants open for After Hours General Practice in peak periods

SEMPHN is seeking general practices in Rosebud, Rye, Sorrento, Dromana, McCrae, Red Hill and Balnarring to expand their face-to-face After Hours services in one or both of these peak periods:

  • 1 December 2017 to 2 February 2018
  • 30 March 2018 to 21 April 2018.

Grants of up to $45,000 are available for general practices to expand their After Hours services - including weekends and some public holidays - during the sociable and unsociable after-hours period.

The funding may be used for:

  • Marketing or promotional activities (e.g. online, signage, brochures, advertising)
  • After Hours operational and/or security costs
  • Staff costs
  • Short term costs associated with General Practitioner support
  • Recruitment, retention and/or supervision of General Practitioner(s) and/or Registrars/overseas-trained doctors.

These grants are the fourth round of SEMPHN’s After-Hours funding and are to increase effective, affordable and accessible face–to-face after hours general practice services in these areas.

Key dates:

  • Tenders open: 17 October
  • Closing date for questions in Tenderlink: 2pm, 27 October
  • Tenders close: 3pm, 2 November 

To see full details, register your interest, and apply for these tenders go to SEMPHN's Tenderlink page. Please note, all questions about the tenders must be asked via the online forum on SEMPHN’s Tenderlink page.

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Improve your use of IT

Last week, SEMPHN and Infoxchange - a not-for-profit technology organisation - launched ImproveIT.

“ImproveIT will support general practices with readiness tools and insights into how technology can help improve business outcomes,” said David Spriggs, CEO of Infoxchange.

The free online resource contains practical advice to help general practices to improve their use of information technology.

SEMPHN CEO, Elizabeth Deveny said, “General practitioners will have access to a variety of advice and tools to better achieve their business goals, and it will help practice managers and staff to focus on the most important areas of their business.”

ImproveIT also features a self-assessment tool that identifies the IT capability level of an organisation and guidance on improving a practice’s online presence with effective use of social media.

“These tools have been used effectively in other areas of the community sector facing significant change, most recently to assist organisations delivering the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) related services,” Mr Spriggs said.

Topics are grouped within six key domains, including IT management, Practice IT, Digital Health, Online presence, Staff skills, and Security and Risk management.

The ImproveIT resource can be found here.

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GP update on palliative care

SEMPHN, in collaboration with the Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach (PEPA), is delivering a GP-specific update about palliative care.

Key topics include:

  • Principles of the palliative approach
  • Communication and Advance Care Planning
  • Symptom assessment and management
  • Terminal phase care
  • Local service networks and other resources

The session will also include:

  • Key tools and processes for identifying patients in general practice who could benefit from palliative care
  • Strategies for communicating with patients and families about prognosis, goals and preferences for care
  • The principles of palliative care, including assessment and management of pain and other common symptoms
  • Resources to support general practitioners to provide palliative care.

When: 23 November
Where: Yarra Yarra Golf Club, 567 Warrigal Rd, Bentleigh East
Time: Light supper from 6pm.  Session 6.30pm – 8.45pm
Accreditation: RACGP QI&CPD program – 4 Cat 2 points pending
Cost: Free, but registration is essential
Presenter: Dr Aisling Griffin, Peninsula Health Palliative Care Unit & Palliative Care South East.

Register here

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Pain forum about codeine upscheduling and real time prescription monitoring

In 2018 codeine will be upscheduled and real time prescription monitoring will come into play.

Come along and be involved in a discussion to assist in a positive transition.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Vic and the Australian Medical Association (Vic) are co-hosting a pain forum to inform health professionals and bring relevant stakeholders together to discuss the changes.

Speakers and panel members include: 

  • Professor Lorimer Moseley, Professor of Clinical Neurosciences and Foundation Chair in Physiotherapy, University of South Australia
  • Dr David Jacka, Addiction Medicine Specialist, Monash Health
  • Matthew McCrone, Director - Medicinal Cannabis & RTPM Taskforce | Victorian Department of Health and Human Services
  • Consumer Health Forum (CHF) representative.

When: 8 November, 7-9pm
Where: Monash University, Parkville Campus, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville.
Cost: Free

Register here.

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A gift for women in need

A New Day Box is a gift of support to women in family violence crisis accommodation in Victoria.

Please join us in this very practical and meaningful initiative.

All you have to do is fill a shoebox with skincare, cosmetics and treats!

More information.

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Cancer Screening in General Practice update

Would you like to hear about upcoming changes to the National Cancer Screening Programs?

Come to a workshop for health professionals delivered by Cancer Council Victoria, in partnership with SEMPHN.

Presentations by Dr Stella Heley (Senior Liaison Physician, Victorian Cytology Service) and Professor James St. John (Honorary Senior Associate, Cancer Council Victoria) will focus on Renewal of the National Cervical Screening Program and new NHMRC Clinical Guidelines for bowel cancer.

When: Thursday 9th November
Time: 6.30pm-9.00pm (a light dinner will be provided)
Where: Cancer Council Victoria – Level 3, 615 St Kilda Road, Melbourne.

Register here.

There will be a second workshop on 28 November at the SEMPHN Heatherton office. Keep an eye on our event calendar as registrations will be opening soon.

For more information, please contact Ashlee Taylor, Workforce Coordinator, ashlee.taylor@cancervic.org.au or 9514 6427.

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Australia’s digital mental health gateway: Head to Health

The Department of Health has launched a new website that links Australians to online and phone mental health services, information and resources.

Head to Health connects people to online and phone mental health services that are right for their individual needs.

The services and resources listed are delivered by Australia’s trusted mental health service providers and include free or low-cost apps, online support communities, online courses and phone services that are private and secure.

Head to Health will help people to take control of their mental health, at a time and place convenient to them, complementing or in place of face-to-face services. It supports people seeking help - either for themselves or someone they care about.

Head to Health is helpful when seeking support for a mental health condition, as well as providing information about staying mentally well.

Visit headtohealth.gov.au for more information.

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Thunderstorm asthma alert system launched

A new alert system has been launched in Victoria for Thunderstorm asthma. 

It takes into account weather conditions, hospital presentations and pollen levels, with the aid of five new pollen monitoring sites.

The system is part of a $15 million joint effort by the Victorian Government in partnership with the Bureau of Meteorology and Melbourne and Deakin universities.

A website and app provide forecasts, information and alerts about potential thunderstorm asthma conditions. The forecasting system will run from October 1 until the end of December during the Victorian grass pollen season.

To access the forecasts, download the Vic Emergency App or visit here.

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Are you ready to Drop the Jargon?

Drop the Jargon (24 October) is a day for professionals in Australian health, community services and local government to use plain language

You might have already downloaded posters and planned activities.

In the lead up to the day, the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health has produced a podcast to talk about health literacy and how people access information. Have a listen here.

Don't forget to make a pledge on the website to drop the jargon in your workplace!

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

25
Oct
  2017 Melbourne Private Day Course in Infection Prevention & Control to all General Practice staff
Nurses, Receptionists
Parkville
Details and registration
 
25
Oct
  Drs in Secondary Schools (DiSS) Network meeting
Program participants (or those soon to be involved) in the Drs in Secondary Schools.
Dandenong
Details and registration
 
26
Oct
  Cabrini GP Lecture Series - Thunderstorm Asthma
GPs
Malvern
Details and registration
 
28
Oct
  Moving Ahead: The National Cervical Screening Program Renewal Webinar
Webinar- attend via through live streaming on mobile phone, tablet or computer
Details and registration
 
28
Oct
  Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
GPs
Noble Park
Details and registration
 
31
Oct
  Managing Conflict Webinar
Webinar- attend via through live streaming on mobile phone, tablet or computer
Details and registration
 
1
Nov
  Radiation Oncology Education Evening
GPs, Practice Nurses, All primary care providers
Bentleigh East
Details and registration
 
1
Nov
  Combined GP, Pain Medicine, Addiction Medicine & Psychiatry Dinner - "Do great minds really think alike?"
GPs, Pain Specialists, Addiction Medicine Specialists and Addiction Psychiatrists.
Melbourne
Details and registration
 
2
Nov
  Cabrini GP Lecture Series - Acute medical emergencies in the GP setting- practical session
GPs
Malvern
Details and registration
 
8
Nov
  SANE Mental Illness and Suicide Prevention Workshop
Mental Health Workers
Southbank
Details and registration
 
9
Nov
  Family work and AOD: Keeping kids in mind
AOD Workers, Family Services Staff
Fitzroy
Details and registration
 
9
Nov
  Cancer Screening in General Practice: An Update
GPs, Practice Nurses
Melbourne
Details and registration
 

For more information about events contact Stephenie Cook ph: (03) 8514 6609 or events@semphn.org.au

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