Sydney Health Weekly

Patients needed for bipolar II treatment study
Black Dog Institute is conducting a clinical trial comparing two medications (lithium and lamotrigine) for individuals with a bipolar II disorder. Eligible patients must have a new bipolar II diagnosis and have not trialed either of the two medications; lithium or lamotrigine. Patients will be randomly allocated to a treatment group and will be managed by Professor Gordon Parker for a 20-week period at the Black Dog Institute in Randwick. The patient's referring doctor will be informed about their progress.
For more information about the study/referral process, click here to contact Tahlia Ricciardi (9382 9283).

Practice nurse training opportunity
Expressions of interest are sought from highly motivated practice nurses to attend a study day at no cost on early detection and prevention of cancer through the national population-level cancer screening programs for bowel, breast and cervical cancer.
Click here to access the EOI and click here for more information.

Resource: Promoting the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program in general practice
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program saves lives – but it needs the support of general practices. The evidence is clear that a recommendation from a primary healthcare provider is an important motivator for participation in bowel cancer screening. The program has developed a helpful resource that shows how your practice can assist in promoting bowel screening.
Click here to access the resource.

Antenatal booking appointments - St George and Sutherland Hospitals
There are currently long wait times for antenatal bookings at Sutherland Hospital (6-8 weeks) and St George Hospital (5-6 weeks). Please advise pregnant women to make their booking appointment at the hospital ASAP. Women can now access an online antenatal booking service for both Sutherland Hospital and St George Hospital. After completing the online form, women will be sent a booking pack with the appointment letter and hospital information. The current Centralised Booking System will be available on 9113 2162 or 13 14 50 for interpreter support. This is a queuing telephone system so wait times may apply.

Request for GP insight: A new e-learning module on genomics
The Garvan Institute of Medical Research is developing an e-learning module for general practitioners about genomic testing. We are requesting input from GPs on the tentative module outline and also insight into what GPs are encountering in practice with respect to genomic testing. Your input is valuable and will shape this resource. The survey is voluntary and will take about 15 minutes to complete.
Click here to start the survey or e-mail here to complete the survey over the phone.

Optimising health prior to pregnancy
While talking about body weight is a very sensitive issue for many women, it is essential to discuss important benefits for the mother and her baby of being a healthy weight before pregnancy and provide information about the appropriate amount of weight once pregnant. By reaching a healthy weight prior to pregnancy, a woman is protecting her health and the baby’s wellbeing.
Click here for more information.

Influenza Vaccination 2018 – Information from NSW Health
NSW Health has issued information on the influenza vaccination 2018 including the types of vaccines available, groups eligible for free seasonal influenza vaccine, vaccination recommendations and resources.
Click here for more information.

EOI: Perinatal clinical guidelines expert groups
The Pregnancy and Newborn Services Network (PSN) is seeking expressions of interest to assist with the ongoing review and update of perinatal clinical guidelines for NSW. PSN encourages all perinatal health care professionals from a variety of backgrounds (midwives, nurses, neonatal nurses, neonatologists and obstetric medical officers) to submit an EOI. Applications are due Monday 30 April 2018.
Click here for more information.

Webinar: Discussing preconception and pregnancy options
Healthdirect Australia’s Pregnancy, Birth and Baby service invites you to a webinar on the topic of discussing preconception and pregnancy options with patients being held on Wednesday 18 April at 11.00 am (AEST). The webinar will be presented by Practicing Midwife and Clinical Lead at Pregnancy, Birth and Baby Service, Dianne Zalitis with an introduction by Medical Advisor at Healthdirect Australia, Dr Michael Araco.
Click here for more information and to register.

Introduction of Reproductive Medicine Clinic - RPA Women and Babies
The Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (DREI) will be modifying it's service and introducing a Reproductive Medicine Clinic from May 2018.

Where: Women and Babies Ambulatory Care, Level 1
When: Friday afternoons, starting 4 May 2018

Click here for more information.

Event: NDIS - NDIA and LAC Information Session
This exciting event features presentations from both the NDIA and St. Vincent de Paul's Local Area Coordination Team. It will focus on the following learning outcomes:

Gain a general understanding of the NDIS
Gain an understanding of recent developments within the Scheme
Gain an understanding of the role of Local Area Coordinators in the Scheme

Click here for more information and to register.

National Advance Care Planning Week 16-22 April - Plan for tomorrow,
If you became too sick to speak for yourself, who would you want to speak for you? And more importantly, what health care would you want them to make? This is a question that too few Australians have considered. Advance Care Planning Australia (ACPA) is launching the first Australian government funded National Advance Care Planning Week (NACP Week) between 16-22 April 2018.
Click here for more information.

Let’s Get Healthy Together – live, work and play in Riverwood North
This is an exciting free health event for workplaces and residents in Riverwood North.

When: Wednesday 11 April 2018 - call in between 11.30 am – 1.30 pm to experience the many local healthy choices available.
Location: Morris Iemma Indoor Sports Centre, 150 Belmore Rd, Riverwood North - walking tour meets across the road at Riverwood Community Centre at 151 Belmore Rd at 12.15 pm to tour centre and Salt Pan Creek.

Click here for more information.

Resource: Language, does it matter?
Language is powerful-especially when discussing alcohol and other drugs (AOD) and the people who use them. Language matters, is a new resource developed by the Network of Alcohol & other Drugs Agencies (NADA) and the NSW Users and AIDS Association (NUAA). Intended for the non government AOD sector, the resource provides workers with best-practice guidelines on how to use language to empower clients and reinforce a person-centred approach.
Click here for more information and to access the resource.

Rescheduling of Codeine and Pain Management Update

At: Kogarah Office, L3 15 Kensington St
On: Tuesday 3 April 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentations
For: GPs, PNs, pharmacists