13 November 2019
Dear subscriber,
Welcome to this week's edition of Sydney Health Weekly! Central and Eastern Sydney PHN aims to make this newsletter your efficient one-stop-shop for primary health news and events within the central and eastern Sydney region. We are constantly working on making your news as targeted and relevant as possible and welcome your feedback to editor@cesphn.com.au.
It's Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Week!
There’s a lot of baggage around mental health, and expecting and new parents are no exception. Many people are still afraid to talk about perinatal anxiety and depression and there are still a huge number of misconceptions about these serious and common illnesses. Even though these illnesses affect one in five expecting and new mums and one in ten dads, too many people still don’t know the signs and symptoms, or where to seek help if they’re struggling. Health practitioners can help by engaging in open and honest conversations with any expecting and new parents you work
with.
Click here for more information and resources.
PSS and PICS end of year closures
Central and Eastern Sydney Central Intake will be closed from Monday 2 December 2019 and will reopen on Monday 6 January 2020. We will be receiving referrals for your patients to the Psychological Support Services (PSS) up until Friday 29 November 2019. The last date that new referrals can be sent to CESPHN will be COB Friday 29 November 2019. The last date that reviews can be sent is COB Friday 29 November 2019.
Please note that any referrals sent outside of these dates will not be actioned until 6 January 2020.
For emergencies please call 000 or the Mental Health Access Line on 1800 011 511.
EOI now open for Central and Eastern Sydney PHN Clinical Council
Expressions of interest are now open to join our Clinical Council. The Council is made up of primary health clinicians working in the region and provides strategic advice to the Board on:
- clinical issues that are unique to the needs of the region
- opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of medical and health care services
- population health planning
- commissioning of programs and services that support local and national priorities.
Click here for more information.
Have your say in the planning of the 2020 GP CPD calendar!
2019 has been a fantastic year for CPD events. CESPHN is proud to have been able to provide a large variety of CPD opportunities throughout the year. To assist us to continue to provide informative, interesting and relevant education opportunities in 2020, please complete this short survey. We value your opinion and strive to provide an extensive range of learning opportunities to everyone.
Enter your contact details at the end of the survey to go into the draw to win one of three $50 prepaid VISA gift cards!
Click here to take the survey.
The burden of vaccine preventable diseases in Australia
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has published a new report demonstrating a 31 per cent decrease between 2005 and 2015 in the overall age-standardised rate of disease burden.
Click here for more information.
Education for nurses new to general practice
Central and Eastern Sydney PHN have partnered with Benchmarque to deliver a nationally recognised training course on immunisation practice in primary healthcare.
Click here for more information.
New CVD patient risk assessment calculator
To assist GPs with explaining CVD risk and discussing both lifestyle modification and medication interventions with their patients, a new interface for the Australian CVD prevention guidelines is now available. The website development was funded by the National Heart Foundation and the RACGP and co-designed with GPs. This version of the CVD risk calculator automatically applies assessment and management guidelines to your patient, estimates current and future risk, and produces a tailored decision aid to compare different interventions visually. It can be used to do a simple risk assessment or a more comprehensive Heart Health Check.
The new tool is available on HealthPathways Sydney’s revised Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment pathway.
Cervical screening services at the Rockdale Community Health Centre
The last day of operation for the Family Planning NSW cervical screening service situated at the Rockdale Community Health Centre will be 29 November 2019. The service will be closed from 30 November 2019.
Click here for more information.
Strengthening teamwork networking event
Join us for a networking event to link primary healthcare professionals with chronic care teams working within Sydney Local Health District. Learn about the referral pathways to support your patient management and understand how we can work together to optimise outcomes for your patients. Have your questions answered with dinner and networking.
Click here for more information.
PrEP in practice: Clinician perspectives on prescribing PrEP in Australia
Researchers from UNSW Sydney are conducting interviews with GPs based in New South Wales about their perspectives and experiences of prescribing HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). GPs can participate by filling in the contact form or emailing the project manager, In recognition of their participation in a one hour in-person or phone interview, participants are compensated $125.
Christmas flu warning
NSW Health is urging those travelling to the Northern Hemisphere this festive season to get a flu shot before they leave.
Click here for more information.
PREDICT clinical trial
The PREDICT clinical trial is run by researchers and physicians from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research (Sydney), the Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel) and Blacktown / Mt Druitt Hospital. The study visits take place at the Garvan Institute (Darlinghurst, four appointments of half an hour to two hours). The study is looking to recruit adult men and women (20-70 years old) with pre-diabetes or early-stage type 2 diabetes (with HbA1c up to 8.0 per cent) who are not treated with a glucose-lowering medication. The PREDICT study is approved by the St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee (#17/080).
Click here for more information.
Have you reviewed the PSS criteria recently? Are your PSS templates up to date?
PSS is for people who live, work or study in the central and eastern Sydney region with diagnosable mild to moderate mental health concerns, who may benefit from short term treatment, are unable to access other available services including Better Access (Medicare subsidised psychological services) due to financial hardship (Individual income < $55,000; family income < $130,000) and who fit into one of the underserviced and/or hard to reach populations.
Click here for more information on this criteria.
RACGP eHealth webinar series
The RACGP eHealth webinar series presents monthly webinars to support general practice teams in their use of, understanding of and obligations relating to, the use of technologies in general practice. Webinars are developed and delivered by members of the RACGP Expert Committee – Practice Technology and Management (REC—PTM) and other eHealth experts. There are two upcoming webinars on "Social media and the use of apps in general practice":
- Tuesday 19 November, 1.00 - 2.00 pm
- Thursday 21 November, 8.30 - 9.30 pm
Click here for more information.
Antenatal groups for women from overseas
Dates and times are now available for the last antenatal groups for women from overseas birthing at the Royal Hospital for Women.
Click here for more information.
Hepatitis C new treatments course
This comprehensive course in the new hepatitis C direct acting antivirals aims to increase confidence in hepatitis C management and treatment through interactive case discussions facilitated by experts in the field. The PBS listing of new pangenotypic regimens has simplified treatment selection even further. Elimination of hepatitis C in Australia will require increased access to treatment in a variety of settings, including primary care, Aboriginal Medical Services and alcohol and other drug services.
When: 10.00 am - 4.00 pm, Saturday 30 November 2019
Where: Mercure Sydney
CPD: This activity has been allocated 40 Category 1 points in the RACGP QI&CPD Program for the 2017–19 triennium.
Please see the flyer here for full course details.
If you would like to attend this course, please register here.
ADHA progress towards National Digital Health Strategy priorities
The Australian Digital Health Agency 2018–19 Annual Report has been tabled in the Australian Parliament, outlining the Agency’s outcomes and operations between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2019.
“The 2018–19 Annual Report shows the Agency is making significant progress toward the key priorities set out in the National Digital Health Strategy, endorsed by all state and territory governments through the Council of Australian Government (COAG) Health Council,” says Agency Chief Executive Officer, Tim Kelsey.
Please see the media release here: Significant progress made on the National Digital Health Strategy
EOI now open for Central and Eastern Sydney PHN Clinical Council
Expressions of interest are now open to join our Clinical Council. The Council is made up of primary health clinicians working in the region and provides strategic advice to the Board on:
- clinical issues that are unique to the needs of the region
- opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of medical and health care services
- population health planning
- commissioning of programs and services that support local and national priorities.
Click here for more information.
Strengthening teamwork networking event
Join us for a networking event to link primary healthcare professionals with chronic care teams working within Sydney Local Health District. Learn about the referral pathways to support your patient management and understand how we can work together to optimise outcomes for your patients. Have your questions answered with dinner and networking.
Click here for more information.
Building your Allied Health Business – Marketing
This workshop is the second in our series and will give you the knowledge and tools to design and effective marketing plan for your business. Learn the importance of knowing your dream client, how to access your marketing efforts, develop a marketing plan, and position your offer to stand out from your competitors. This program also includes your own business coach, who will work one-on-one with you to help you customise the learning for your clinic available at an additional cost. Scheduled across three Sydney locations, places are limited so register now for the most suitable date, time and location for you.
2019 review of the NDIS Act and the new NDIS Participant Service Guarantee
The Australian Government has promised to develop an NDIS Participant Service Guarantee to support positive participant experiences with the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The Guarantee will set new standards for the time it takes for key steps in the NDIS process. This means there will be shorter, agreed timeframes for people to receive a decision on whether they will be covered by the NDIS, for them to get an NDIS plan and to have their plan reviewed. A particular focus will be on children and those participants needing specialist disability accommodation and assistive technology. The new Guarantee will be in place from 1 July 2020.
Click here for more information.
Christmas flu warning
NSW Health is urging those travelling to the Northern Hemisphere this festive season to get a flu shot before they leave.
Click here for more information.
Have you reviewed the PSS criteria recently? Are your PSS templates up to date?
PSS is for people who live, work or study in the central and eastern Sydney region with diagnosable mild to moderate mental health concerns, who may benefit from short term treatment, are unable to access other available services including Better Access (Medicare subsidised psychological services) due to financial hardship (Individual income < $55,000; family income < $130,000) and who fit into one of the underserviced and/or hard to reach populations.
Click here for more information on this criteria.
Antenatal groups for women from overseas
Dates and times are now available for the last antenatal groups for women from overseas birthing at the Royal Hospital for Women.
Click here for more information.
ADHA progress towards National Digital Health Strategy priorities
The Australian Digital Health Agency 2018–19 Annual Report has been tabled in the Australian Parliament, outlining the Agency’s outcomes and operations between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2019. “The 2018–19 Annual Report shows the Agency is making significant progress toward the key priorities set out in the National Digital Health Strategy, endorsed by all state and territory governments through the Council of Australian Government (COAG) Health Council,” says Agency Chief Executive Officer, Tim Kelsey.
Please see the media release here: Significant progress made on the National Digital Health Strategy
EOI now open for Central and Eastern Sydney PHN Community Council
Expressions of interest are now open to join our Community Council. The Council comprises consumer and community representatives living or working within the CESPHN region and provides strategic advice to the Board on:
- decisions, investments, and innovations are person-centred, cost effective, locally relevant and aligned to local care experiences and expectations
- service gaps
- the integration of consumer, carer and community views into levels of primary health service operations, planning and policy development
- advocacy on behalf of the community, consumers and carers
- how to increase consumer, carer and community participation in the Central and Eastern Sydney PHN region.
Click here for more information.
Workshop: Reimagine co-design with people from the LGBTIQA+ community
With funding from the NDIA, MHCC is working to share and enhance Reimagine, a free online resource that guides people living with a mental health condition through accessing the NDIS and working with the NDIS to access supports to work towards recovery. The Peer Leaders are coordinating state-based co-design groups to develop new resources for the Reimagine. Some of
these resources are being created specifically with, and for, LGBTIQA+ people. Get involved in the next face to face group:
Date: 26 November 2019
Time: 10.00 am - 3.00 pm
Venue: Collective Purpose, Suite 501, 80 William Street, Woolloomooloo
Contact Laurie to register your interest at 02 9555 8388 or laurie@mhcc.org.au.
Click here for more information.
2019 review of the NDIS Act and the new NDIS Participant Service Guarantee
The Australian Government has promised to develop an NDIS Participant Service Guarantee to support positive participant experiences with the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The Guarantee will set new standards for the time it takes for key steps in the NDIS process. This means there will be shorter, agreed timeframes for people to receive a decision on whether they will be covered by the NDIS, for them to get an NDIS plan and to have their plan reviewed. A particular focus will be on children and those participants needing specialist disability accommodation and assistive technology. The new Guarantee will be in place from 1 July 2020.
Click here for more information.
Christmas flu warning
NSW Health is urging those travelling to the Northern Hemisphere this festive season to get a flu shot before they leave.
Click here for more information.
Antenatal groups for women from overseas
Dates and times are now available for the last antenatal groups for women from overseas birthing at the Royal Hospital for Women.
Click here for more information.
ADHA progress towards National Digital Health Strategy priorities
The Australian Digital Health Agency 2018–19 Annual Report has been tabled in the Australian Parliament, outlining the Agency’s outcomes and operations between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2019. “The 2018–19 Annual Report shows the Agency is making significant progress toward the key priorities set out in the National Digital Health Strategy, endorsed by all state and territory governments through the Council of Australian Government (COAG) Health Council,” says Agency Chief Executive Officer, Tim Kelsey.
Please see the media release here: Significant progress made on the National Digital Health Strategy
To register for an event simply click the "Register Now" button on the event page.
Users can now register for events using two of the three identifiers - email address, mobile number or member number. This means that if you do not remember your member number, you can still register with the two other identifiers. You can also enter your mobile number to receive an SMS with your member number.
Each event will be identified as a member-only event or open event. If an event is for members only, you will be prompted to either become a member or pay the event fee.
If you have not renewed your membership, please refer to the membership renewal email that has been sent to all members or contact Sue Moxon at s.moxon@cesphn.com.au.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the CPD Team at events@cesphn.com.au or by calling 1300 986 991.
Lifehouse Medical Update - Endocrinology
At: Chris O'Brien Lifehouse
On: Wednesday 13 November 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentations
For: GPs, PNs, pharmacists, diabetes educators
Triage in General Practice
At: CESPHN office Mascot
On: Thursday 14 November 6.00 pm dinner, 6.30 pm - 9.30 pm workshop
For: GPs, PM, PS, PN and AHPs
Building your Allied Health Business - Marketing
At: Realise Business Kirrawee
On: Monday 18 November 6.00 pm dinner, 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm workshop
For: AHPs
Building your Allied Health Business - Marketing
At: Canada Bay Club
On: Tuesday 19 November 6.00 pm dinner, 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm workshop
For: AHPs
Building your Allied Health Business - Marketing
At: CESPHN Office, Mascot
On: Wednesday 20 November 6.00 pm dinner, 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm workshop
For: AHPs
Strengthening Teamwork Across the Primary and Tertiary Care Continuum
At: Canterbury Hospital
On: Thursday 21 November 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentations
For: GPs, PMs, PNs, AHPs
Engaging with Children
At: CESPHN Office Mascot
On: Thursday 21 November 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentations
For: AHPs
How the PHN can help your practice
At: CESPHN Office Mascot
On: Tuesday 26 November 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentations
For: GPs, PMs, PNs, PS
Bright Eyes Cataract update
At: CESPHN Office Mascot
On: Thursday 28 November 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentations
For: GPs, PNs, Optometrists
Hazelhurst CPD Series - Paediatrics
At: Hazelhurst Art Gallery
On: Thursday 28 November 6.30 pm dinner, 7.30 pm presentations
For: GPs
CPR Workshop $66
At: CESPHN Office Mascot
On: Monday 2 December 6.00 pm dinner, 6.30 pm - 9.30 pm workshop
For: GPs, AHPs, PN, PM and PS
St Vincent's Private and St Vincent's Clinic CPD Series - ENT Update
At: St Vincent's Private Hospital
On: Thursday 5 December 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentations
For: GPs
As always, we'd love to hear your thoughts. If you would like to submit an article or have suggestions on content you would be interested in reading, please email editor@cesphn.com.au.
Central and Eastern Sydney PHN acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and Sovereign People of the Aboriginal land. CESPHN recognise their continuing connection to land, water, community and pay respect to Elders past, present and future.