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New project to reduce social isolation and loneliness in our communitySEMPHN in collaboration with Bolton Clarke, Alfred Health and the Australian Disease Management Association will implement a four-year social prescription project aimed at reducing loneliness and symptoms of depression and preventing unnecessary hospitalisation in older people. Social prescribing is when health professionals refer patients to non-medical activities, such as exercise groups as a way of connecting them to the community and overall helping to improve their health and wellbeing. Funded by the Ian Potter Foundation, the Connecting Communities to Care project will co-design and pilot a community-wide model of care to improve health and wellbeing for isolated older people across the south east catchment. Connecting Communities to Care seeks to include social prescribing, use existing resources and ‘activate’ community members to work together. The project will commence in the Glen Eira area. Fit Checking and Fit testing for P2/N95 type masks (respirators)Health.vic has put together a fit test checklist for PPE masks. Check that your P2/N95 type mask (respirator) fits correctly by doing regular fit checks:
Fit testing is another way to make sure you are wearing the best respirator for your face shape and size and is done through fit testing machines. You can find Fit Testing at the respfit.org.au ResourcesThe Helpline has been developed by Victoria’s six PHNs. Funding for the Helpline has been provided by the Victorian Government Department of Health. Infection control support available for pharmaciesWith the current Victorian COVID-19 outbreak, pharmacies and their staff can be vulnerable to COVID spread through visits by infected individuals. Murray PHN has produced a video as a resource for community pharmacies to highlight and re-enforce best practice Infection Prevention and Control. In addition, you can access the new, free state-wide Infection Prevention Helpline (1800 312 968 or 03 9956 1046), which provides a free advisory service to Victorian community pharmacies and their staff. The free Helpline is available to pharmacists and pharmacy staff from 9 am–5pm Monday to Friday. Examples of the ways the service could be used pharmacies include:
Pharmacy staff can access the service by telephone, or online vtphna.org.au/infectionpreventionhelpline Are your LGBTQIA+ patients looking for flexible mental health support?Referrals are open to LGBTIQA+ people wanting to access SEMPHN's Accessible Psychological Interventions (API) service in Port Phillip and Stonnington. API services include a range of short term psychological interventions. These are available in individual, family and group formats and are matched to people’s needs. Interventions include:
API services can be delivered by clinical psychologists, psychologists, mental health social workers, occupational therapists and mental health nurses. Referrals can be made by anyone including GPs and other primary health providers, schools, social services, other organisations and self-referral. Consent is needed for clients to receive services. GPs can fax referrals and GP Mental Health Treatment Plan to 1300 354 053 or call 1800 862 363 for priority assistance. Referrals can be made to SEMPHN Access
& Referral (8.30 am–4.30 pm weekdays). Free wellbeing support available for primary health staffGeneral practice staff across the region are working hard to support the community with COVID-19 support or the COVID-19 vaccination rollout. Thank you to all health workers for your crucial role in supporting the community. SEMPHN is offering general practice staff in the catchment access to its Employee Assistance Program (EAP). SEMPHN's EAP provides up to four free short-term professional counselling sessions and can be done virtually or over the phone. We have two experienced psychologists available for appointments. Click here for more information. Free access to psychiatrist secondary consultations for GPsSEMPHN continues to partner with Monash Health to provide general practitioners with free access to secondary consultations with an experienced psychiatrist. You can access a free, 30-minute phone consultation during business hours to discuss your patient’s mental health, for example: diagnostic issues, medication options, developing safety plans and general management. This is a non-urgent service, and clinical responsibility for the patient remains with you (the treating GP). To access the service, call SEMPHN’s Access & Referral (1800 862 363, 8.30 am — 4.30 pm weekdays). Faxed referrals will not be accepted. For more information, click here. Practice managers, join us for Part 3 of the QI webinar seriesPractice Managers are invited to join us for Part 3, the last of the Quality Improvement webinar series. In this third and final session, led by Dr Paresh Dawda and Angelene True, we will be looking at how to set your QI initiatives up for success through effective change management. Did you miss Session 1 and/or 2 of the Quality Improvement webinar series? The recordings are now available to view on the Practice Managers' Basecamp. Join Basecamp by expressing your interest to providersupport@semphn.org.au LEARNING OUTCOMESThe learning outcomes for session 3 are:
We encourage you to submit any questions you may have prior to the event and there will also be the ability to ask questions on the day. Add your questions on registration or by emailing events@semphn.org.au. When: Wednesday, 18 August,12:30 pm to 1:30 pm Accredited Suicide Prevention Training for GPs and practice staffLast year, we heard from Samra Ram, a young person living in south eastern Melbourne:
SEMPHN is partnering with the Black Dog Institute to deliver interactive whole-of-practice suicide response training for health professionals working in General Practice in the LGAs of Frankston, Mornington Peninsula, Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia. SEMPHN is pleased to offer funded spaces as part of the Place-based Suicide Prevention Trials, a Victorian Department of Health initiative Talking about Suicide in General PracticeThis workshop aims to increase health professionals’ skill and confidence in:
Accreditation:
General practices in Greater Dandenong, Casey and CardiniaWhen: Sat, 4 September, 9 am—12 pm Register here. General practices in Frankston and Mornington PeninsulaWhen: Sat, 11 September, 10 am–1 pm Register here. This telephone service offers support to patients with lung cancerResearch indicates that half of Australians living with lung cancer experience distress, anxiety and/or depression. However, only one in two patients have access to a multidisciplinary team to support them in accessing best-practice treatment, care and support. Lung Foundation Australia's free Lung Cancer Support Nurse telephone service aims to bridge the gap in lung cancer care and provide an additional layer of support to the care provided by health professionals. The national service provides patients with evidence-based resources, tools and information to help them navigate their diagnosis and treatment, and manage symptoms, side effects and their overall wellbeing. Through a series of telephone-based appointments, the service empowers patients, families and carers to navigate the system and work with their healthcare team to make informed choices about treatment and management. To find out more about this service and to refer a patient, visit: https://lungfoundation.com.au/refer. Professional development and events
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