We would like to welcome you to our brand new publication called Sydney Health Weekly! Following a successful 2017, we took feedback on board to create a more streamlined publication that is a consolidation of the Weekly Update, GP eNews and AHP eNews. Sydney Health Weekly will be distributed each Wednesday with news covering the central and eastern Sydney region, general practice, allied health and upcoming education events. 

We hope that you will enjoy the new look and feel of the publication. Should you have any feedback or like to contribute to the newsletter, please contact us at editor@cesphn.com.au.

Your opportunity to drive real improvements in primary health care for our primary health network
The EIS Health Limited Board welcomes expressions of interest to join our Community Council and Clinical Council. 

Community Council
The role of the Community Council is to:

• ensure that decisions, investments, and innovations are person-centred, cost-effective, locally relevant and aligned to local health care experiences and expectations
• assist in identifying service gaps
• provide direction and leadership in relation to the integration of consumer, carer and community views into levels of primary health service operations, planning and policy development
• advocate on behalf of communities, consumers and carers
• increase consumer, carer and community participation and engagement in the Central and Eastern Sydney PHN region

Clinical Council
The role of the Clinical Council is to provide strategic advice to the Board on:

• clinical issues within the region
• opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of medical and health care services and their delivery
• population health planning including the Central and Eastern Sydney PHN needs assessment
• commissioning of programs and services that support local and national health priorities

The councils have an important role in considering current issues within the PHN region and provide advice on how Board strategy may be implemented more efficiently and effectively. 

Applications close 9 am Tuesday 30 January 2018. For more information, please contact Member Support and Engagement Program Officer, David Hickel on 8752 4966.

Expert Insights: Early Psychosis - Recognition and Management in Primary Care
There has been an increased interest in recognising and managing psychosis in its early stages with the aim of improving long term outcomes both in terms of future mental wellbeing and psycho-social disability. Join an expert panel in exploring the principles of caring for people with early psychosis including identifying those at risk and intervening in ways that best support recovery. 
Click here for more information. 

My Aged Care fact sheet
The Department of Health has recently published a new fact sheet for health professionals to help them better understand their role in My Aged Care and how they can assist their patients with their aged care journey. The fact sheet covers the referral process, the care needs assessment, the referral pathway to access services, and common questions or scenarios that you may face and how to respond. 
Click here for more information. 

The rescheduling of codeine
From 1 February 2018, medicines containing codeine will no longer be available without a prescription. The Therapeutic Goods Administration have produced a range of resources for community members and health care professionals.
Click here for more information. 

ComDiab: FREE community diabetes education program for CALD populations
In two-hour interactive sessions, ComDiab educates people with type 2 diabetes about the benefits of a healthy diet, regular exercise and weight management, regular medication use, hypoglycaemia awareness, and prevention of diabetes related complications. No GP referral is required. 

• The Lantern Club Roselands, Tuesday 13 February, 9.30 am-12.30 pm (delivered in Arabic)
• Burwood RSL, Tuesday 27 February, 9.30 am-12.30 pm (delivered in Cantonese)

Click here for more information. 

EOI for Health e-Literacy for Prevention in General Practice (HeLP-GP) Study
Do you see patients in Strathfield, Strathfield South, or in the (former) Canterbury LGA? Are you interested in supporting patients above a healthy weight range using an e-Health intervention? We are recruiting eight general practices to participate in a new study conducted by UNSW and University of Adelaide that tests the use of a mobile app and phone coaching to support lifestyle and weight changes. 
Click here for more information (remuneration and CPD points will be available for participation).

New national bowel cancer screening program test kit
A new immunochemical faecal occult blood test kit, and associated pathology services, will be introduced into the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program from 2 January 2018. The program aims to help detect bowel cancer early and reduce the number of Australians who die each year from the disease. 
Click here for more information. 

Nominations for the 2018 APNA Nurse Awards are open!
There are close to 80,000 nurses working in primary health care out of the whopping 360, 000 nurses registered in the country. APNA are looking for nominees who give their best and have made a substantial contribution in their field. The winners will be presented at the APNA National Conference. 
Click here for more information. 

HealtheNet Update for GPs in the SESLHD area
South Eastern Sydney LHD recently added HealthLink and Medical Objects to their secure messaging capability, and is now able to send electronic discharge summaries to GPs using Argus, HealthLink or Medical Objects. All Emergency, Baseline (Inpatient) and Inpatient (Multidisciplinary) discharge summaries can be sent electronically to HealtheNet, My Health Record and directly to GPs.
Click here for more information.

Free interpreting service for allied health professionals
Private allied health professionals are encouraged to register for fee-free telephone or on-site interpreting support with clients who speak a language other than English. This program is available until 31 May 2018. It is easy to register and receive access to this service if you're in the CESPHN catchment area that covers SLHD and SESLHD. 
Click here for more information.

NewAccess - free coaching available for individuals living with depression and anxiety in central and eastern Sydney
Developed by beyondblue, the NewAccess program provides support for people living with mild to moderate stress, anxiety or depression. It is free, confidential and available to you, your friends and colleagues or anyone in your wider community over 16 years of age. The program is aimed at helping people tackle day-to-day pressures using practical techniques and providing skills that equip you for life.
Click here for more information.

2017 was a successful year for our education program! We held 157 education events, which were attended by more than 4,900 health professionals at venues across our region. More than 84 per cent of surveyed health professionals found the topics helpful. 

As we move into 2018, we have created an exciting event calendar based on feedback we received from health professionals in the central and eastern Sydney region. 

Recall and Reminders

At:    Ashfield Office, L1 158 Liverpool Rd
On:   Tuesday 13 February 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentation
For:  GPs, AHPs, PMs, PNs, practice administrative staff

Chris O'Brien Lifehouse - Changes to National Cervical Cancer Screening Program and Women's Health Update

At:    Education Centre, L5 Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, 119-143 Missenden Rd, Camperdown
On:   Wednesday 14 February 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentations
For:  GPs, PNs

NDIS - Mental Health Psychosocial Disability

At:    Ashfield Office, L1 158 Liverpool Rd
On:   Thursday 15 February 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentation
For:  GPs, AHPs, PNs

Rehabilitation - Hip and Knee Replacements

At:    Wolper Jewish Hospital, 8 Trelawney St, Woollahra
On:   Tuesday 20 February 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentations
For:  GPs, AHPs

Polycystic Kidney Disease Workshop

At:    Canterbury Leagues Club, 26 Bridge Rd, Belmore
On:   Wednesday 21 February 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentations
For:  GPs

Hazelhurst CPD Series - Neurology

At:    Hazelhurst Gallery, 782 The Kingsway, Gymea
On:   Thursday 22 February 6.30 pm dinner, 7.30 pm presentations
For:  GPs

Practice Managers Networking - HR Appraisals

At:    Ashfield Office, L1 158 Liverpool Rd
On:   Tuesday 27 February 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentation
For:  PMs

Practice Nurse Clinical Wound Care

At:    Kogarah Office, L3 15 Kensington St
On:   Wednesday 28 February 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentation
For:  PNs

St Vincent's Private CPD Series - Interventional Cardiology

At:    St Vincent's Clinic, L4 Function Room, Barcom Ave, Darlinghurst
On:   Wednesday 28 February 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentation
For:  GPs

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.