Eligibility tracks available for
COVID-19 vaccine rollout

From Monday 22 February, Australians in high-risk priority groups began to receive COVID-19 vaccines.

The groups eligible in the initial stage of the rollout include frontline healthcare workers, aged care residents and staff, and quarantine and border workers.

The Government has also released an eligibility tracker so that people can see in which phase they will be eligible for a vaccine.  

Immunisation providers can now access AstraZeneca vaccine training

The Department of Health has now released the online training module on the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. All vaccination providers need to have completed the module before they can start administering the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The Australian Government has partnered with the Australian College of Nursing to provide training for the COVID-19 vaccination workforce.  This includes immunisation providers and non-clinical and administration staff.

The training is free to all authorised COVID-19 vaccination providers. The training can be accessed on the COVID-19 vaccination training website.

Need clinical guidance, advice and information on COVID-19 vaccines

The Australian Government Department of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Taskforce has launched the Information for COVID-19 Vaccination Provider’s page.

It has clinical guidance, advice and information on COVID-19 vaccines approved in Australia, for COVID-19 vaccine providers:

• COVID-19 vaccines and flu vaccination
• ATAGI clinical guidance on COVID-19 Vaccine in Australia in 2021
• ATAGI COVID-19 vaccination decision aid for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy.

Resources for vaccination providers and their patients include:

• Immunisation provider guide to obtaining informed consent for COVID-19 vaccine
• Consent form for COVID-19 vaccination
• Patient resource – Information on Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, COMIRNATY
• Patient resource – Preparing for COVID-19 vaccination
• Patient resource – After your COVID-19 vaccination.

Headspace Hastings is taking referrals for young people

Headspace Hastings currently has capacity to take referrals for young people who are experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues in the Frankston-Mornington Peninsula region.

Co-located at the Atticus Regional Medicentre, headspace Hastings provides early intervention mental health support and assistance within a primary care setting.

• Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 10 am–6 pm
• Location: 2104-2106 Frankston-Flinders Rd, Hastings

Referrals are accepted from headspace Dandenong by calling 1800 367 968.

For more information, visit the headspace website.

Nurses: Applications now open for Transition to Practice Program

The Transition to Practice Program provides an evidence-based framework of support over 12 months to nurses who have transitioned to primary health care and feel they would benefit from additional support. 

SEMPHN’s Provider Support team strongly encourages you to consider this program and share it with Nurses new to primary care nursing.

APNA is looking for applications from nurses all over Australia, from:

1. Transitioning nurses and
2. Experienced nurses working in primary health care who will mentor them

Applications are open until April 2021. 

For more information and to apply, visit the APNA website.

Easily assess and manage CVD risk with Free Heart Health Check toolkit

Heart Health Checks support the specific assessment and management of absolute CVD risk in primary care for eligible patients 45 years and over (30 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients).

The Heart Foundation’s new Heart Health Check Toolkit is a one-stop-shop designed to assist general practice staff to easily assess and manage CVD risk in line with the latest guidance.

It offers a range of tools and resources including assessment and management templates, quality improvement tools, patient engagement resources and much more.

Access the toolkit here.