SEMPHN welcomes funding to increase workforce capacity across headspace centres

South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN) welcomes an additional $3.3 million in funding from the Australian Government to support the mental health workforce across headspace centres in Bentleigh, Dandenong, Frankston and Narre Warren.

The funding forms part of the Commonwealth Government’s $152 million investment in the headspace Demand Management and Enhancement Program, to reduce wait times at headspace services across the nation.

Read more. 

EOI open: 100 places open in immunisation education for nurses

The Practice Nurse Grant will cover the cost of the Nurse Immunisation Course for 100 eligible nurses in the SEMPHN catchment to support immunisations for influenza, other child and adult vaccinations, as well as the administration of COVID-19 vaccinations.

The course is appropriate for both Registered and Enrolled Nurses. On completion of the course, nurses will receive a nationally accredited statement of attainment.

The course takes approximately 110 hours to complete, including a seven-hour, face-to-face training.

Expressions of interest close 21 July.
Read more.

New holistic AOD treatment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

SEMPHN is pleased to partner with Star Health to deliver Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) and Wellbeing Services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders across the lifespan.

Commencing soon, this free AOD and Wellbeing Service will aim to provide increased access to culturally appropriate drug and alcohol treatment and will connect individuals to broader indigenous health support services including mental health services.

Once the service commences, referrals can be made by calling Star Health on 1800 229 263.
Read more. 

Benefits of the Integrated Team Care Program for GP Practices and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients

The Integrated Team Care Program, (ITC) is specifically designed to support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders with chronic (long term illness) conditions.

The ITC program involves care coordinators and outreach workers who are available to support clients in the management of their chronic conditions.

ITC provides access to care coordination supports which may include access to some medical equipment and specialist appointments. The Aboriginal outreach workers are available to assist in providing transport to and from Medical, Allied Health and Specialist appointments.

The Indigenous Health Project Officer (IHPO) is available to assist general practices to provide a more culturally welcoming clinic environment whilst providing support in Cultural Safety Training and understanding PIP IHI. The IHPO is also able to provide some culturally appropriate and welcoming resources which include resources that prompt staff to “Ask the Question – Do you Identify?”.

For further information and understanding, or eligibility requirements and referral process, please contact Sylvia Kassing, Indigenous Health Project Officer on
03 8902 9700 or 0427 698 877.

Book directly! Psychiatrist Secondary Consultations for GPs  

From 1 July 2021, GPs in the Alfred Health catchment can book a free 30-minute video or phone appointment time for an Alfred Health Psychiatrist Secondary Consultation.

There are three referral options:

• phone (03) 9076 9888 from 9-5pm.
• email Navigationsintake@alfred.org.au
• fax (03) 9076 9855.

Please note: calls received by SEMPHNs Access & Referral for this service will now be transferred to Alfred Health directly to ensure a smooth transition.

You’ll be asked for the following information when making the booking:

• Confirmation of patient consent for the consultation to occur
• Patient details
• Diagnosis and specific consultation goals.

For your Medicare billing process, the secondary consultation may include the client in a reflective capacity, however, please note this is not a primary consultation.  

The Alfred Health service is applicable to patients aged 25-64 and includes generalist and subspecialist advice, for example, LGBTIQ, perinatal and intellectual disability.

This is a non-urgent service, and clinical responsibility for the patient remains with the treating GP.

Alfred Health continues to be open to hearing from GPs with specific feedback or suggestions about this service.

SEMPHN is proud to be a supporter of this valuable service as part of our commitment to ensuring the right health, at the right time, at the right place.

Contribute to new Mental Health and Wellbeing Act

Victorians can have their say on a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Act, which will be the cornerstone for the redesigned mental health and wellbeing system that Victorians deserve.

The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System recommended the Andrews Labor Government replace the current Mental Health Act 2014 with a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Act by mid-2022.

Anyone can make a submission. This includes people with lived experience as consumers, carers, and family members, service providers, advocates, and other relevant stakeholders.

Click here to read more about making a submission

If you have any difficulty lodging your submission or would like to provide a submission via an alternative method, please contact mhwa@health.vic.gov.au

Submissions close 1 August. 

General practitioner Clinical Advisory Service (GPCAS) ceases 1 July

The General Practitioner Clinical Advisory Service (GPCAS), the peer-to-peer advice and mentoring service for GPs and nurse practitioners managing patients with high-risk prescription medication use identified through SafeScript will cease on 1 July 2021.

For patients with opioid dependence, GPs can contact A4PN GP mentor or Addiction Medicine Service for advice.

Additionally, health and welfare professionals can continue to access the Drug and Alcohol Clinical Advisory Service (DACAS) as an alternate service.

DACAS is a free 24/7 telephone consultancy service that assists health and welfare professionals to respond effectively to individuals with alcohol or other drug use problems.

DACAS can be contacted by calling 1800 812 804. All calls to DACAS are initially answered by experienced clinicians from Turning Point.

Calls that require specialist medical advice are referred to DACAS consultants for a secondary consultation. DACAS consultants are experienced addiction medical specialists working in Victoria and they aim to respond to requests for secondary consultation within one hour of receipt of the enquiry.

Need advice about infection prevention and control? Helpline now open

The new Infection Prevention and Control Helpline opened 23 June 2021, providing a free service to general practice, Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and community pharmacies.

Staffed by two full-time division one nurses, and supported by three infection prevention control specialists, your staff can access evidence-based advice, backed by nationally recognised specialists in the field of infection prevention and control.

Examples include:

• Rigor testing of Pandemic Action plans
• Guidance with sterilisation processes
• Cleaning tips for high touch areas and washing of scrubs
• Improvements in infection control processes.

Access the service via:

•  vtphna.org.au/infectionpreventionhelpline
• call 1800 312 968 or (03) 9956 1046, 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday.

Self-paced course for GPs about eating disorders

Eating Disorder Core Skills: eLearning for GPs is comprehensive foundational eating disorder training developed specifically for GPs, developed by National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC). 

The training will equip GPs with the knowledge and skills needed to understand, identify and assess eating disorders, provide medical treatment, lead the multidisciplinary team, manage MBS items and provide ongoing recovery support.

This four-hour, self-paced and interactive online training includes practical real-life scenarios and activities, videos from leaders in the field and people with a lived experience of an eating disorder, up to date resources and a formal assessment.

This course is accredited.

Eating Disorder Core Skills: eLearning for GPs is available free of charge to all NEDC members (membership is free).

Read more here.

Knock, knock—Who's there? A chat about mental health

Community Mental Health Australia (CMHA) is seeking Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified organisations to partner with for the delivery of the Assisting Communities through Direct Connection (ACDC) Project.

The project is a new initiative that uses a door-knocking approach to speak with community members about their mental health and social and emotional wellbeing.

The project offers a proactive outreach approach to linking people with services and assessing community needs by conducting safe door-to-door engagement with householders via ‘People Connectors’.

People Connectors discuss the project, deliver information products to community members and engage willing people in a survey. Community members will also be offered information and assistance to take steps to connect with services for support. 

The ACDC Project has funding to deliver the project across up to 20 sites around Australia by 31 August 2022. Expressions of Interest are now open and close on Friday 15 July at 5 pm. To find out more click here.