Sydney Health Weekly 12 June 2019

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.

Steep rise in NSW influenza activity

After an unusually high influenza activity over the summer and autumn months, NSW Health has declared an early start to the influenza season after detecting a steep rise in influenza activity. Flu A strains continue to predominate but Flu B activity is also increasing.
Click here for more information.

Sutherland Shire Council Loneliness Project

Do you know someone who might be lonely? Or someone who would like to connect with a friendly volunteer on a regular basis? Council can help connect you with volunteers in local community that can provide company, conversation and friendship one-on-one or in a group.
Click here for more information or call 9710 0422 or email communities@ssc.nsw.gov.au.

The new National Cancer Screening register

The National Cancer Screening Register has provided advice regarding practices checking the cervical and bowel screening status of patients. If a practice has 1 or 2 patients they can call 1800 627 701 – provide authentication details re the provider (below) and get the screening status info needed. Where they have more patients – up to 50 patients – a fax with the provider authentication details and the patient identifiers – full name, address, DOB is required. There is a 24-hour fax turn around period.

Provider authentication details:

First name / last name
Practice name and phone number
Medicare Provider Number/s
Address linked to the Medicare Provider Number
Providers’ registration start/end date for the Medicare Provider Number

Click here for more information.

Hepatitis C New Treatments course

ASHM is running a Hepatitis C New Treatments Course in North Sydney on Saturday 29 June 2019. Are you one of the many GPs who have patients with hepatitis C in your practice but have not prescribed any hepatitis C treatment yet? This comprehensive course in the new hepatitis C direct acting antivirals aims to increase confidence in hepatitis C management and treatment through interactive case discussions facilitated by experts in the field. The PBS listing of new pangenotypic regimens is simplifying treatment selection even further. Elimination of hepatitis C in Australia will require increased access to treatment in a variety of settings, including primary care, Sexual Health, Aboriginal Medical Services and alcohol and other drug services.
Click here for more information.
Click here to register for the course.

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.

Assessing capacity for patients with a psychological condition

Comcare recognises the critical role GPs play in helping people with ill health or injury to recover and participate in work. To support this role, they have produced a new resource for GPs on assessing capacity for patients with a psychological condition. Presented by consultant psychiatrist Dr Dielle Felman, the five-minute video provides better practice information and recommendations for treating health practitioners on how to practically assess capacity for work for patients with a psychological condition.
Click here for more information.

Tamiflu or Relenza treatment for influenza

Antiviral treatment (Tamiflu or Relenza) should be considered for all patients with confirmed or suspected influenza at increased risk of complications.
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.

Best Practice Software error message when transmitting to AIR

A number of practices using Best Practice Software are receiving an error message when transmitting immunisation records to AIR. This may be due to the client address details registered in Best Practice not meeting the current requirements for transmission to AIR.
Click here for more information.

Reporting child abuse and neglect

Reporting child abuse and neglect is a community-wide responsibility. Anyone who suspects, on reasonable grounds, that a child or young person is at risk of being abused and/or neglected should report it to the reporting authority in their state or territory. This resource provides information for health professionals on how to report suspected child abuse and neglect.
Click here for more information.

Indigenous Health Incentive (IHI) and Cultural Awareness Training coming up

Don't miss out on the next Cultural Awareness Training to be held on 19 June. This training is one of the requirements for participating in the Indigenous Health Incentive. Read the full article for information on the Indigenous Health Incentive, Cultural Awareness Training and support for your practice.
Click here for more information.

PRODA – you can’t get by without it!

PRODA is an online authentication system providers use to securely access government online services such as HPOS. Health Professional Online Services (HPOS) is a fast and secure way for health professionals and administrators to do business with Human Services. NOW practices will have to start using HPOS to do their business as more and more services will only be available via HPOS and the only secure way to access HPOS will be via a PRODA account.
Click here for more information.

Complex support needs in the NDIS landscape

Are you working with patients with complex support needs? Come along and find out how to best assist people to access NDIS support. The target audience is General practitioners, allied health professionals, practice nurses and practice managers. This event runs for approximately two hours. Certificate of attendance will be issued, and points need to be self-reported.

Save the following dates for further targeted NDIS education in the NDIS landscape:

Click here for more information and to register for the 13 July session. For further information please contact Jenny Denford. 

Upcoming ALM on Benzodiazepines

Join us for an informative discussion on Benzodiazepines. This event is an ALM which qualifies for 40 Category 1 Points. To qualify for these points you must attend a Benzodiazepines Part 1 AND Part 2 workshop, as well as complete the predisposing and reinforcing activities. If you do not wish to complete the ALM portion you may qualify for Category 2 points which you can self report. This is a repeat of the event on 18 June. Please do not register for this event if you have previously attended. Part 2 Benzodiazepines will be held on 23 July. Please check the website for details.

*Please note GP Registrars who wish to register for this CPD event and do not have a member number will need to contact the CPD Department on 1300 986 991
Click here for more information.

ACON's Rainbow Buzz training is now on sale - enrol now

Rainbow Buzz is training for health and community workers supporting clients with alcohol and/or other drugs (AOD) use looking to strengthen their understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people and communities.
Click here for more information.

Sutherland Shire CPD evening - Aged Care

Join us for an informative discussion on Aged Care and the services available in the Sutherland region.
Speakers will include:

A/Prof Peter Gonski, Geriatrician TSH/ Southcare
Dr. Chris Middlemiss, Geriatrician
Dr. Iqbal Hussain

Click here for more information and to register.

My Health Record update

The latest edition of the My Health Record Newsletter for GPs and medical specialists was released on 6 June. Learn how SCH will no longer auto-fax discharge summaries to GPs, discover the new e-Learning CPD accredited course and factsheets for nurses now available, download the neat and resourceful organisation readiness checklist for your practice , receive guidance from Avant Mutual's medical indemnity medicolegal FAQs, access educational resources to help you support your
patients, quickly register yourself for one of our two final workshops and more.
Click here for more information.

Reassurance for parents: How safe are the 2019 strains of influenza vaccine?

Surveillance of 2019 influenza vaccine safety commenced from 1 April 2019, and current reported adverse event rates are consistent with existing data on influenza vaccines.Current information about adverse events for 2019 strains of influenza vaccine can be accessed via the AusVaxSafety website, and information is updated weekly (last updated 26 May 2019).
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.

Steep rise in NSW influenza activity

After an unusually high influenza activity over the summer and autumn months, NSW Health has declared an early start to the influenza season after detecting a steep rise in influenza activity. Flu A strains continue to predominate but Flu B activity is also increasing.
Click here for more information.

Indigenous Health Incentive (IHI) and Cultural Awareness Training coming up

Don't miss out on the next Cultural Awareness Training to be held on 19 June. This training is one of the requirements for participating in the Indigenous Health Incentive. Read the full article for information on the Indigenous Health Incentive, Cultural Awareness Training and support for your practice.
Click here for more information.

Complex support needs in the NDIS landscape

Are you working with patients with complex support needs? Come along and find out how to best assist people to access NDIS support. The target audience is General practitioners, allied health professionals, practice nurses and practice managers. This event runs for approximately two hours. Certificate of attendance will be issued, and points need to be self-reported.

Save the following dates for further targeted NDIS education in the NDIS landscape:

Click here for more information and to register for the 13 July session. For further information please contact Jenny Denford. 

Aboriginal Cultural Competency training by Felicity Ryan

This two day workshop is specifically targeted for workers in the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Sector in roles providing direct treatment and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who experience AOD use. The 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, AOD workplace scenarios and more. This training is available to people working specifically in the Central and Eastern Sydney PHN region.
Click here to register for this training.
Click here for more information on day one. Click here for more information on day two.

My Health Record update

The latest edition of the My Health Record Newsletter for pharmacists and allied health was released on 6 June. Learn how SCH will no longer auto-fax discharge summaries, download the neat and resourceful organisation readiness checklist for your pharmacy/practice, receive guidance from PDL's practice alert, see the latest Aquarius MHR manual, watch our recorded webinar for pharmacists demonstrating how to use MHR via Fred Dispense, access educational resources to help you support your patients including webinars, quickly register for our final workshop (last chance to get yourself up to speed!) and more.
Click here for more information.

ACON's Rainbow Buzz training is now on sale - enrol now

Rainbow Buzz is training for health and community workers supporting clients with alcohol and/or other drugs (AOD) use looking to strengthen their understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people and communities.
Click here for more information.

Reporting child abuse and neglect

Reporting child abuse and neglect is a community-wide responsibility. Anyone who suspects, on reasonable grounds, that a child or young person is at risk of being abused and/or neglected should report it to the reporting authority in their state or territory. This resource provides information for health professionals on how to report suspected child abuse and neglect.
Click here for more information.

Reassurance for parents: How safe are the 2019 strains of influenza vaccine?

Surveillance of 2019 influenza vaccine safety commenced from 1 April 2019, and current reported adverse event rates are consistent with existing data on influenza vaccines.Current information about adverse events for 2019 strains of influenza vaccine can be accessed via the AusVaxSafety website, and information is updated weekly (last updated 26 May 2019).
Click here for more information.

Steep rise in NSW influenza activity

After an unusually high influenza activity over the summer and autumn months, NSW Health has declared an early start to the influenza season after detecting a steep rise in influenza activity. Flu A strains continue to predominate but Flu B activity is also increasing.
Click here for more information.

Perform with Creative Doctors this August

Are you a doctor or a medical student with an itch to tread the boards? Do you have a hidden talent that medicine just can’t accommodate? Creative Doctors are here to help you scratch that itch.
Come and join the fun at Camelot Lounge at 7.00 pm on Thursday 15 August. Sing, play an instrument, do stand-up, dance or make magic on stage. Entry is free.
Email creativedoctorsaustralia@gmail.com to RSVP.

Aboriginal Cultural Competency training by Felicity Ryan

TThis two day workshop is specifically targeted for workers in the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Sector in roles providing direct treatment and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who experience AOD use. The 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, AOD workplace scenarios and more. This training is available to people working specifically in the Central and Eastern Sydney PHN region.
Click here for more information.
Click here for more information on day one. Click here for more information on day two.

Complex support needs in the NDIS landscape

Are you working with patients with complex support needs? Come along and find out how to best assist people to access NDIS support. The target audience is General practitioners, allied health professionals, practice nurses and practice managers. This event runs for approximately two hours. Certificate of attendance will be issued, and points need to be self-reported.

Save the following dates for further targeted NDIS education in the NDIS landscape:

Click here for more information and to register for the 13 July session. For further information please contact Jenny Denford. 

Inner West Council annual grants

Inner West Council's Annual Grants round is open from 3-30 June 2019. Funding is available across five streams: arts and culture; community history and heritage; community wellbeing; environment and recreation. To support applicants, Council is holding general grant information sessions and one on one sessions with a grant officer.
Click here for more information.
Click here to book.

Reassurance for parents: How safe are the 2019 strains of influenza vaccine?

Surveillance of 2019 influenza vaccine safety commenced from 1 April 2019, and current reported adverse event rates are consistent with existing data on influenza vaccines.Current information about adverse events for 2019 strains of influenza vaccine can be accessed via the AusVaxSafety website, and information is updated weekly (last updated 26 May 2019).
Click here for more information.

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.