Sydney Health Weekly

New Small Group Learning Program for CESPHN GP Members!
CESPHN would like to invite you to join our newly designed Small Group Learning (SGL) Program. CESPHN has been running a small scale SGL program since late 2016, however, after consultation and feedback from stakeholders, we have redesigned our current program to better meet the needs of our PHN region and are now looking to roll this out.
Click here for more information.

Commonwealth CMO letter and ATAGI statement on flu 2018
The Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer has issued advice on the key features of 2018 NIP influenza vaccines to vaccination providers. ATAGI has also released clinical advice on the seasonal influenza vaccines in 2018, including types of vaccines available (NIP and private), virus strains, new influenza vaccine formulations and timing of vaccination.
Click here for more information.

New Heart Failure Companion digital coach
As part of the Staying Well at Home project, CESPHN is piloting a heart failure program in the Canterbury and Sutherland Shire local government areas seeking better outcomes for patients aged 75 years and over with heart failure. The Heart Failure Companion program is an eight-week self-paced program that blends education and motivational support.
Click here for more information.

Education opportunity - GP Diagnosis and Management of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia
Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a relatively common inherited disorder of high cholesterol levels. It is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder which can lead to atherosclerosis, premature coronary artery disease (CAD) and early death if left untreated.
Date: 6.30 pm, Tuesday 27 March 2018
Location: Scott Skirving Lecture Theatre, Kerry Packer Education Centre, RPAH
Click here for more information or to register.

Staying Well at Home: Is there room for improvement in your practices' 75+ Health Assessment?
CESPHN has developed a ‘self-assessment’ audit to help GPs and the practice team identify whether there is room for improvement in their general practice’s 75+ Health Assessment. This QI activity attracts 40 category 1 points from the RACGP. Designed by Dr Chris Bollen, this is a great team-building exercise, as it can be done with a group of GPs and nurses discussing improvements in the “process of care” in your practice.
Click here to read more about frailty, in Part 2 of our 3 Part series titled: Better care for older people from a GP perspective (Author: Dr Chris Bollen).

St George Hospital Early Pregnancy Assessment Service
Women experiencing vaginal bleeding during the first trimester of pregnancy may attend this service. Please encourage women to attend on time at 8 am or they may have to return the following day. For significant pain or vaginal bleeding, please refer to the Emergency Department.
Click here for more information.

Antenatal booking appointments - St George and Sutherland Hospitals
Currently there are long wait times for antenatal bookings - 6-8 weeks at Sutherland and 5-6 weeks at St George. 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.
Click here for more information.

Hepatitis C new treatments course
This free course is designed to strengthen the capacity of clinical staff working in primary care settings to effectively test for, treat and manage hepatitis C.
Date: 10.00 am - 3.00 pm, Saturday 24 March 2018
Location: Rydges Sydney Central, 28 Albion St, Surry Hills
Click here for more information.

Southcare Occupational Therapy Service
We are a team of experienced Occupational Therapists based at the Sutherland Hospital in the Southcare Building. Southcare is the Aged and Extended Care Service of the Sutherland Hospital. We assess clients in their own home and community with the aim of improving their safety and independence.
Click here for more information.

Practice Incentive Program - Indigenous Health Incentive
The Practice Incentive Program (PIP) Indigenous Health Incentive aims to support general practice and Indigenous health services to provide better health care for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients, including best practice management of chronic disease.
Click here for more information about eligibility and payments.

Become a GP supervisor/training facility
Sharing your knowledge and expertise training GP Registrars helps ensure Australia’s future supply of highly skilled GPs. As most of a GP registrar’s training takes place in a general practice, GP supervisors play an essential role in their development into a confident and competent GP.
Click here for more information.

New online training from the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE)
COPE has released a new Basic Skills in Perinatal Mental Health online training program for health professionals. This FREE accredited training program supports health professionals to implement best practice, as informed by the 2017 National Perinatal Mental Health Guideline.
Click here for more information.

SESLHD Diabetes Forum 'Change or be Changed - Bridging the Gap in Diabetes Management'
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Medicine Clinical Stream is hosting a diabetes forum ‘Change or be Changed – Bridging the Gap in Diabetes Management’. The forum will bring together clinicians and stakeholders within the acute and primary sectors to highlight and understand the issues facing diabetes management, and find innovative ways to work towards managing the increasing influx of people with diabetes in the community. The forum will be held over a half day on Friday 23 March 2018.
Click here for more information.

Event: Identifying and Responding to Adult Survivors of Childhood Trauma
We are excited to be running an education event for GPs working with, or wanting to work with, people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Date: 6.30 pm - 9.00 pm, 28 March 2018
Location: Chris O’Brien Life house, 119-143 Missenden Road, Camperdown
Click here for more information.

New online training from the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE)
COPE has released a new Basic Skills in Perinatal Mental Health online training program for health professionals. This FREE accredited training program supports health professionals to implement best practice, as informed by the 2017 National Perinatal Mental Health Guideline.
Click here for more information.

SESLHD Diabetes Forum 'Change or be Changed - Bridging the Gap in Diabetes Management'
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Medicine Clinical Stream is hosting a diabetes forum ‘Change or be Changed – Bridging the Gap in Diabetes Management’. The forum will bring together clinicians and stakeholders within the acute and primary sectors to highlight and understand the issues facing diabetes management, and find innovative ways to work towards managing the increasing influx of people with diabetes in the community. The forum will be held over a half day on Friday 23 March 2018.
Click here for more information.

Southcare Occupational Therapy Service
We are a team of experienced Occupational Therapists based at the Sutherland Hospital in the Southcare Building. Southcare is the Aged and Extended Care Service of the Sutherland Hospital. We assess clients in their own home and community with the aim of improving their safety and independence.
Click here for more information.

NewAccess is now available across central and eastern Sydney!
The NewAccess program provides support for people living with mild to moderate stress, anxiety or depression. It is free, confidential and available to everyone 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. The sessions can be provided over the phone, via Skype or in person.
Click here for more information.

Child dental benefits schedule
Some of your patients aged 2-17 can access $1,000 worth of Medicare support for general dental treatment under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. The Child Dental Benefits Schedule provides Medicare benefits for eligible 2 to 17 year olds of up to $1,000 over two calendar years for basic dental treatment including examinations, cleaning and fillings.
Click here for more information.

New media campaign from BreastScreen NSW
BreastScreen NSW has launched a new mass media campaign titled 'Not in my Family'. The campaign features the message that '9 out of 10 women who develop breast cancer do not have a family history'. This challenges the common misconception that breast screening is only a priority for women who have a family history of breast cancer. Please use the information provided to promote the campaign in your practice and to share the fantastic resources.
Click here for more information.

World PI Week is fast approaching!
22-29 April is officially World Primary Immunodeficiency Week and the Immune Deficiencies Foundation of Australia wants to raise awareness for its diagnosis and treatment. There are 300 different types of PI with 70-90 per cent of patients remaining undiagnosed.
Click here for more information on the PI warning signs.

The Black Dog Institute has released the Being Well Podcast Series
Listen to the Being Well podcasts to increase your knowledge and explore perspectives on a range of mental health topics. Each podcast tackles an important mental health topic and provides insight and expert knowledge from and for health professionals.
Click here to access the podcasts.

Safety Plan and Suicide Pathways

At: Kogarah Office, L3 15 Kensington St
On: Tuesday 20 March 6.00 pm dinner, 6.30 pm presentation
For: GPs, AHPs, PNs