Poisonous mushrooms growing in Melbourne

Poisonous mushrooms including Death Cap mushrooms and Yellow-staining mushrooms are currently growing around Victoria.

Consuming a Death Cap mushroom may result in death.

Unless you are an expert, do not pick and consume wild mushrooms in Victoria.

Cooking, peeling or drying these mushrooms does not remove or inactivate the poison.

There is no home test available to distinguish safe and edible mushrooms from poisonous mushrooms.

Mushrooms purchased from a supermarket, greengrocer or other reputable source are safe to eat.

Read the full health alert. 

COVID-19 pages for health professionals

SEMPHN has a number of COVID-19 information pages for health professionals on our website.

Follow the links to access SEMPHN's pages on:

• COVID-19 information for health professionals
• COVID-19 Vaccine
• 'COVID fatigue' and infection control practices

• General Practice planning for potential outbreaks

• COVID-19 Information for community

Do you know someone who would like to share a story about their health?

We are looking for people who are willing to be interviewed about their health experiences. 

The interviews will be shown as a series of (de-identified) presentations or videos including audio interviews, quotes, and illustrations to portray stories. See Nicholas' story to the left of this article. 

Updates links: SEMPHN now uses DocuSign for contracts

Last week, we mentioned that we’re changing the way we manage contract execution, though the hyperlinks in the article lead to the wrong websites.  Below are the correct links:

Like to know more about DocuSign?
Visit the Help with Signing page at the DocuSign Support Centre. 

Got any questions?
If you have questions please contact SEMPHN by emailing commissioning@semphn.org.au

Extensions to special arrangements for prescribing

As part of the ongoing COVID-19 response, the Federal Government has extended the period that image-based prescriptions are allowed. They can continue to be sent until the end of September 2021. 

Also, the government will continue to subsidise the cost of SMS for electronic prescriptions until 30 June 2021. 

For advice on a patient's mental health treatment, call A&R!

SEMPHN, in partnership with Monash Health and Alfred Health, has made it easier for GPs to access free psychiatrist secondary consults. 

To refer or for more information, call SEMPHN’s Access & Referral (A&R) on 1800 862 363, 8.30 am-4.30 pm weekdays (no faxes).

Webinar: STIs Essentials for Primary Care in South East Melbourne

Over the last 10 years syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea rates have all increased in Victoria, and primary health care practitioners are the key to bringing these epidemics under control. 

This informative and interactive session will provide you with the understanding and tools required to confidently manage common STI screening and care, making sexual health a routine everyday part of your primary health care practice. 

Learning Objectives:

• Improve understanding of sexual health care for young people, pregnant women and other key populations
• How to approach taking a sexual history
• Describe the clinical presentation of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis
• Correctly perform comprehensive sexual health screening, including testing for the most common STIs - chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis
• Manage treatment, contact tracing and if necessary, referrals using the Health Pathways tool.

When: Thursday, 6 May 2021, 6.30 pm—8.30 pm
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Accreditation: This event is accredited for RACGP and ACRRM points. All participants will receive a certificate of attendance.
Register here.

Gain Essential Skills relating to Alcohol and Other Drugs treatment

Essential Skills Training is now available as an online learning module for RACGP members on the RACGP Learning Management System, gplearning.

Essential Skills Training is free for all RACGP members and provides GPs with an overview of core AOD skills.

For more information visit RACGP AOD GP Education Program Website.

Are your patients looking for a walking group?

Walking in nature has numerous benefits including boosting creative thinking, decreasing stress levels and blood pressure.

Parks Victoria organise weekly walks at Lysterfield park, one at Churchill National Park (near Dandenong) and there will soon be walks at Coolart Wetlands and around the Frankston/Langwarrin area.

To join a guided walk, or walking group, visit the Parks Victoria website to make a booking.