Sydney Health Weekly

Central and Eastern Sydney PHN office relocating to Mascot
In August 2018, we will be closing our Ashfield and Kogarah offices and relocating to a new office at Level 5, 201 Coward Street Mascot. The move will save money on rent and infrastructure and allow our staff to more effectively provide support to you from a central location within our region. We are committed to ensuring there will be no disruption to the level of support services we currently offer across the entirety of our region. Once we have firmer advice on dates, we will communicate this directly with you. If you have any enquiries regarding the move, please email communications@cesphn.com.au.

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).

Event: New RACGP 5th Edition Accreditation Standards
The RACGP has developed the Standards for general practice (5th edition) which support general practice in identifying and addressing any gaps in their systems and processes. The Standards were launched on 26 October 2017. From 1 November 2018, all practices seeking accreditation will be assessed against the Standards (5th edition). CESPHN are fortunate to have AAPM NSW/ACT President, Fiona Kolokas to take you through the changes.
Click here for more information.

New cancer screening resources available
GPs in our region have reported that low levels of health literacy around cancer screening, especially in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) groups, makes having conversations about screening with patients more challenging considering the time restraints in general practice. New resources have been developed that may assist with this.
Click here for more information.

Bowel cancer screening - "Kills Conversations" campaign
Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer. But, if detected early, it can be successfully treated up to 90 per cent of the time. “Kills Conversations” is a mass media campaign developed by the Cancer Institute NSW to increase participation in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
Click here for more information and how to get involved.

RPA Women and Babies – Changes in Combined First Trimester aneuploidy and pre-eclampsia screening and provision of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)
RPA will be introducing some changes in their aneuploidy/pre-eclampsia screening. There are also a number of new and updated resources relating to RPA prenatal screening service.
Click here for more information.

Event: Cultural diversity and alcohol and other drug treatment panel discussion
On Wednesday 9 May, join Dr Norman Swan from Radio National’s Health Report and a panel of experts from drug and alcohol, multicultural health and community for an informative and thought-provoking discussion about ways to enhance support for culturally diverse clients.
Click here for more information and to RSVP.

Event: Exercise Right – Prescribing Exercise as an Effective Treatment for Mental Health
This event is for Allied Health Professionals (including exercise physiologists), GPs and practice nurses.
The session will be facilitated by Dr Simon Rosenbaum, Senior Research Fellow in the School of Psychiatry, UNSW Sydney and the Black Dog Institute.
Click here for more information and to register.

Have your patients checked in with their lungs?
May marks Lung Health Awareness Month and Lung Foundation Australia has released a range of resources to share with your patients including a promotional pack, lung health checklist and posters. Lung disease affects 1 in 4 Australians and is responsible for 1 in 7 deaths, however many people ignore the signs and symptoms.
Click here for more information.

Invitation for your participation in a research study
We are seeking GPs who have any experience with the Home Medicines Review program to participate in the following important study, being conducted by researchers in the School of Public Health, University of Sydney (approved by University of Sydney Human Ethics Research Committee).
Click here for more information.

Event: Exercise Right – Prescribing Exercise as an Effective Treatment for Mental Health
This event is for Allied Health Professionals (including exercise physiologists), GPs and practice nurses.
The session will be facilitated by Dr Simon Rosenbaum, Senior Research Fellow in the School of Psychiatry, UNSW Sydney and the Black Dog Institute.
Click here for more information and to register.

Event: Cultural diversity and alcohol and other drug treatment panel discussion
On Wednesday 9 May, join Dr Norman Swan from Radio National’s Health Report and a panel of experts from drug and alcohol, multicultural health and community for an informative and thought-provoking discussion about ways to enhance support for culturally diverse clients.
Click here for more information and to RSVP.

Take to heart the benefits of My Health Record
All Australians are encouraged to take to heart the benefits of using My Health Record during Heart Week 29 April – 5 May. My Health Record is an individual’s safe and secure digital health information, currently accessible by many GPs, pharmacies and hospitals. It has many benefits for every Australian who will receive one by the end of 2018 unless they decide not to.
Click here for more information.

ANSC - RHW Obstetrics and Gynaecology Update

At: RHW Lecture Theatre (Women’s Institute of Health), Barker St, Randwick
On: Saturday 5 May 12.00 pm registration, 1.00 pm presentations
For: GPs