COVID-19 UPDATE

While there continues to be no cases of community transmission reported in NSW, testing numbers are at very low levels.

Sewerage testing results indicate COVID-19 is still circulating in the community. Please stay vigilant and encourage testing.

Check the NSW Health website for COVID-19 updates.

For local advice visit the CESPHN coronavirus webpage.

This week's update covers:

• EOI to administer COVID vaccine closes tonight
• Pharmacies and COVID vaccine
• More testing needed

HealthPathways: Sydney
HealthPathways: South East Sydney 

WEEKLY VIDEO

Immunisation weekly update

Keep up to date with the latest immunisation news. Read about:

• COVID-19 vaccine training program
• SESLHD Coverage Rates Q4
• Update on Australia’s COVID-19 vaccines'
• and MORE!

Important changes to National Cervical Screening Program Clinical Guidelines

In light of new evidence, changes to the NCSP's Guidelines for the clinical management of women at intermediate risk will come into effect from 1 February 2021.

Changes to the clinical management of women at intermediate risk – frequently asked questions.

Further information about the changes and the revised cervical screening pathway flowchart is now on the NCSP website.

COVID-19 vaccine rollout: Phase 2A community pharmacy

Click here for information on community pharmacy COVID-19 vaccine rollout from Phase 2A.

Click here for the call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from community pharmacies.

Tips for patients preparing for surgery

South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, St George Hospital and Community Health Service would like GPs to encourage patients having surgery to watch the following video and develop goals of their health prior to surgery.

HESTA Nursing & Midwifery Awards closing this week

Nominations for the 2021 HESTA Nursing & Midwifery Awards close this Sunday, 7 February. Nominate a nurse or midwife with a story worth celebrating.

The awards recognise nurses, midwives, nurse educators and researchers as well as personal care workers.  

INVITE: NDIA Consultation on Access and Planning for Health Professionals

The NDIA Community Engagement and Communications team would like to extend an invite to you, to attend a closed consultation session for health professionals working across NSW and the ACT.

This session will provide an overview of the recommendations in their two most recent consultation papers on Early Childhood Early Intervention.

EOI - CESPHN GP Aged Care Advisory Committee

The CESPHN GP Aged Care Advisory Committee (originally established as an RACF GP Panel to consider primary care COVID response options) is looking for interested GPs to join the Committee. 

A key role of the CESPHN Aged Care Advisory Committee moving forward will be to work in close partnership with CESPHN to provide advice on matters relating to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety final report recommendations.

If you are interested in joining this Committee, please contact Jason Phillips.

Intellectual Disability Training Survey - Closes 12 February

Council for Intellectual Disability (CID) is developing training for health professionals. The aim of the training is to increase knowledge, skills and confidence in health professionals to work with people with intellectual disability.

CID have created a short survey to gather information from across all areas of health. This survey will inform CID what you see as the most important issues to cover within the training. Other topics will include ways to improve interaction and communication with people with intellectual disability.

Your input is vital in helping develop relevant, engaging and insightful training.

Along with the training CID will also create health literacy resources for people with intellectual disability to help communication with their health providers. All resources will be developed in consultation with people with intellectual disability and health and disability professionals.

Adult Intellectual Disability Mental Health ECHO

Adult Intellectual Disability Mental Health ECHO is a NSW Health capacity building initiative that supports healthcare professionals from diverse disciplines and service settings to improve mental health outcomes for people with an intellectual disability.

Through participation, healthcare professionals can develop confidence and specialised knowledge to deliver specialised mental health care to adults with intellectual disability within their own local communities. 

Free healthy lifestyle program for over 60s 

Healthy and Active for Life Online (HALO) is a new online healthy lifestyle program developed by NSW Health for adults over 60 years of age. The free 10-week healthy lifestyle program is available to anyone with internet access using a computer or tablet at home.

There are two modules delivered each week - a healthy lifestyle module on topics such as healthy eating and healthy weight and exercise programs.

Trained phone coaches support participants throughout the program on a weekly basis and participants receive healthy lifestyle resources to keep. The program supports the prevention of chronic disease and allows individuals to take control of their day to day health. 

Reconnect Wellbeing Service  - support for older people in the community who have been isolated or disconnected due to COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of our connections – our relationships with friends and family, community services, doctors and other health care and support providers. Unfortunately, older people may have been disproportionately affected by the physical distancing and lock down measures. If you know of somebody who would like to reconnect with services and supports, Relationships Australia NSW (RANSW) can help.

RANSW’s Reconnect Wellbeing Service is specifically designed for people over 65 years and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders over 55 years who live in the central and eastern Sydney region.  

The program offers client-centred casework support, low intensity psychological therapies, psychosocial support, and referrals to other health and support services.  

To speak to someone about the Reconnect Wellbeing Service, call 1300 364 277 or visit www.relationshipsnsw.org.au/support-services/reconnect. 

The S-Check App trial launched

The Stimulant Treatment Program at the Alcohol & Drug Service is conducting a clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a smartphone application (S-Check App) in changing help seeking behaviour among people who use methamphetamine.

The S-Check App trial is open to anyone who reports using methamphetamine in the past month and is over 18, resides in Australia, and has access to a personal smartphone. 

Participants will be randomised to access to the App either immediately or in a month’s time. Both groups will be asked to complete questionnaires and will be invited to participate in a telephone interview.

To participate, download S-Check App for free on the Apple App store or Google Play. This project has been approved by the St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney HREC Ref No: 18/171 

For more information, please contact Emily Li.

NSW Health has released a public drug alert: Heroin may contain fentanyl and acetylfentanyl

Fentanyl and acetylfentanyl have been found in heroin in central Sydney during January 2021. These drugs were also found in regional NSW and Sydney during November and December 2020. 

The GP Liaison in Alcohol and other Drug (GLAD) project is here to assist you with your patients

Some drug and alcohol issues can be chronic and complex and GPs may need specialist advice, support and referral options to assist patients with these issues. 

Our multidisciplinary team, made up of doctors and nurses who are experienced in the management of alcohol and other drug problems, understand the challenges of managing people with complex multi-morbidity.

GLAD is a collaboration with public Alcohol and other Drug (AoD) services in all three Local Health Districts within CESPHN:

• South East Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD)
• Sydney Local Health District (SLHD)
• St Vincent’s Health Network (SVNH) 

Upcoming webinar: Future focus - what's in store for health and care in 2021?

Hear from Australia's leading officials on priorities for health for 2021 and opportunities for consumers to engage on key matters. Speakers include Secretary for the Department of Health, Dr Brendan Murphy, and CEO of the Australia Digital Health Agency, Amanda Cattermole PSM.

Topics will include:

• Private health insurance reform
• Prevention and primary health care strategies
• Health Technology Assessment developments
• Issues in the mental health and rural health arenas
• Australia's Epidemiology and COVID-19 roadmap

When: Monday, 8 February | 12.00 pm 

Survey: The role of expressive writing in the recovery from post-traumatic stress

Researchers from Australian National University are hoping to understand the processes that influence health benefits following three writing tasks, to improve existing psychological treatments for people with post-traumatic stress symptoms or post-traumatic stress disorder.

For more information, please contact Rachelle Dawson.

ONLINE EVENTS: E-mental health in general practice - part of Chris O'Brien Lifehouse CPD series

Introduction to the concept of stepped care in mental health, the way mental health problems present and are managed in primary care by BDI.

When: Wednesday, 10 February | 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm
Where: Online
RACGP Points: 4
Target audience: GPs, psychologists and social workers.

ONLINE EVENTS: Update on electronic prescribing for GPs

An update on electronic prescriptions and an introduction to Active Script List for GPs.

When: Tuesday, 16 February | 6.30 pm – 8.00 pm
Where: Online
RACGP Points: Attendees can self-report this activity as CPD with their governing body
Target audience: All members practice team including GPs, practice nurses, practice managers

ONLINE EVENTS: Harnessing the power of data - Lumos GP information webinar

GPs and practice managers will be introduced to the LUMOS project.

When: Thursday, 25 February | 12.00 pm – 12.45 pm
Where: Online
RACGP Points: Attendees can self-report this activity as CPD with their governing body
Target audience: GPs and practice managers

ONLINE EVENTS: E-mental health in general practice - part of Chris O'Brien Lifehouse CPD series

Introduction to the concept of stepped care in mental health, the way mental health problems present and are managed in primary care.

When: Wednesday, 10 February | 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm
Where: Online
Target audience: GPs, psychologists and social workers

ONLINE EVENTS: Update on electronic prescribing for pharmacists

An update on electronic prescriptions and an introduction to Active Script List for pharmacists.

When: Wednesday, 24 February | 7.30 pm – 9.00 pm
Where: Online
Target audience: All pharmacists and dispensary technicians

ONLINE EVENTS: Direct Access Colonoscopy Hazelhurst CPD series

Part of Hazelhurst CPD series in collaboration with SESLHD are pleased to invite you to a DAC information session.

When: Thursday, 25 February | 7.30 pm – 9.00 pm
Where: Online
Target audience: GPs, AHPs, PNs

EVENTS