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.

Featured News

In February, Central and Eastern Sydney PHN completed its updated Needs Assessment after a process of re-examining the health needs and service gaps of the region. 33 priority areas were identified covering population health; child and maternal health; aged care; mental health; alcohol and other drugs; digital health and data; workforce; access, coordination and integration of care; and priority groups.

This Needs Assessment has been approved by the Department of Health and can be viewed on our website.

CPD and the end of the Triennium

As this is the last year of the current QI&CPD triennium, GPs are reminded to ensure they meet their QI&CPD requirements. If you are unsure of the status of your points so far, please contact the RACGP and their staff will be able to help you with this. Contact RACGP on 1800 472 247 or on the website.

GPs to be followed up from hepatitis C notifications

The iCHAT project, together with the Public Health Unit (PHU), is piloting an innovative project to contact clinicians ordering tests which are reported as new notifications for hepatitis C. GPs will receive a letter with information about the new notification and advice that a Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) will contact them. Directly acting antiviral (DAA) therapy cures hepatitis C and can be prescribed by GPs. The CNC will confirm that the patient has been contacted and given the option of treatment (cure) or referred where appropriate.
Click here for more information.

NSW Council for Intellectual Disability awarded education contract

Central and Eastern Sydney PHN has awarded NSW Council for Intellectual Disability the contract for NDIS Education and Training. This will be for the provision of targeted NDIS education and training programs across Central and Eastern Sydney PHN region that will include a series of ten information sessions, with the objective of upskilling and increasing health professionals understanding of the NDIS, and the 'whole of life' aspects of disability.
Click here for more information.

NCIRS immunisation education seminar

NCIRS is holding its next seminar series on Wednesday 20 March at 1 pm on the 2019 influenza program and MumBubVax - a new tool to support conversations with parents-to-be on vaccination. All are welcome to attend, online attendance via Zoom webinar is also available.
For more information and to register please visit NCIRS.

2019 Influenza Vaccination Program

The annual National Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program will commence on 1 May 2019. The NSW-funded vaccination program for all children aged six months to less than five years will also start at this time. An Influenza Vaccination Provider Toolkit has been developed to help GPs and other Immunisation Providers to manage influenza vaccination programs and vaccines in their practices. To accompany the Toolkit, a checklist/timeline and vaccine ordering worksheet have also been developed. For further information, including strains included in 2019 vaccines, those eligible for free influenza vaccination, and vaccines available, please visit our website.

March Immunisation eNews out now!

The latest issue of our Immunisation eNewsletter is now available on our immunisation page. This update covers the latest information on new cold chain breach procedures, AIR dose number errors, HPV and influenza vaccination in 2019 and much more. It is sent directly to all general practices and practice nurses, if you are not already receiving it, email immunisation@cesphn.com.au to subscribe. 

The Sydney Practical Diabetes Forum at RPA Hospital

You are invited to attend the inaugural METADiAB Forum. The Forum is free to attend for GPs and it has been accredited by the RACGP for 40 Category 1 CPD points. Attendees of the Forum will gain practical insights into the latest thinking and guidance in the management of diabetes and metabolic health. The emphasis will be on real-world issues and changes that can be implemented in your clinical practice following the Forum. The Forum will be interactive, case-based, and with ample time for discussion and questions.
Click here to register.
Click here for more information.

Speech pathology Talking & Listening Check-Ups for Aboriginal children

CESPHN and Sydney Children’s Hospital are offering Aboriginal children aged 2-5 years, living within the northern sector of South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, free communication screening assessments called Talking & Listening Check-Ups. Completed by qualified speech pathologists, we are seeking your assistance to inform families about this free, confidential and voluntary service.
Click here for more information.

Psychotherapy for couples suffering with grief

Penthos, a newly established mental health charity, is now accepting referrals of couples who have lost a pregnancy, child (up to 25 years), or experienced unsuccessful IVF and where six months after the loss, at least one parent identifies emotional difficulties within their couple relationship.
Click here for more information.

FARE - GP survey on pregnancy and alcohol

The Women Want to Know (WWTK) project encourages health professionals to discuss alcohol and pregnancy to ensure that women receive the right advice. A short (5 – 10 minute) survey on alcohol consumption during pregnancy is open again until 31 March. GPs are encouraged to complete the survey. Results will help to better understand the needs of GPs in responding to the issue.
Click here to take the survey.
Click here to learn more about WWTK.

Obesity management workshop for health professionals

With 25 per cent of children and 63 per cent of adults in Australia afflicted by weight problems, our nation’s health professionals have an urgent need to become experts in the identification and treatment of overweight and obesity. This is an exciting two-day professional training workshop that will bring health professionals up to speed on the latest practical ways to recognise when weight is a problem for their clients and what to do about it.
Click here for more information.

EOI: Pharmacists to chair RMAC meetings

Central and Eastern Sydney PHN is seeking expressions of interest from pharmacists in the both the St George and Sutherland regions with an interest and knowledge in aged care to Chair the St George RMAC and Sutherland RMAC meetings. One pharmacist per meeting is required. Each meeting is held four times annually. Remuneration for services will be provided.
For more information contact Lucy Armstrong.

Webinar: Intimate partner violence in refugee and immigrant communities

This webinar from the Australian Institute of Family Studies will explore what works to meet the needs of women from refugee and immigrant backgrounds who experience intimate partner violence. It will discuss emerging research, and practical strategies to support community involvement and leadership, cultural safety and trauma-informed care. It will also discuss what works to help implement these strategies. Register now for 27 March 2019. 
Click here to register.

The Sydney Practical Diabetes Forum at RPA Hospital

You are invited to attend the inaugural METADiAB Forum. The Forum is free to attend for GPs and it has been accredited by the RACGP for 40 Category 1 CPD points. Attendees of the Forum will gain practical insights into the latest thinking and guidance in the management of diabetes and metabolic health. The emphasis will be on real-world issues and changes that can be implemented in your clinical practice following the Forum. The Forum will be interactive, case-based, and with ample time for discussion and questions.
Click here to register.
Click here for more information.

Family Drug Support training workshops

Support The Family Improve The Outcome workshops are for those who work with people who use drugs. The workshop objectives are:
1. Gain knowledge of successful models of change for supporting families affected by someone's drug issues.
2. Identify the stages that families experience and effective ways to respond.
3. Learn how to communicate more effectively with families in a work and/or professional situation.
4. Develop understanding and gain skills to assist families to build resilience and improve the outcome for both the person who uses drugs and the family.
Click here to register.

Obesity management workshop for health professionals

With 25 per cent of children and 63 per cent of adults in Australia afflicted by weight problems, our nation’s health professionals have an urgent need to become experts in the identification and treatment of overweight and obesity. This is an exciting two day professional training workshop that will bring health professionals up to speed on the latest practical ways to recognise when weight is a problem for their clients and what to do about it.
Click here for more information.

Survey for allied health: Treating people diagnosed with cancer

You are invited to take part in the Translational Cancer Reesearch Network (TCRN) survey for allied health professionals in cancer care. This should take less than five minutes to complete. This study is being undertaken by the TCRN Multidisciplinary Care group to learn more about the interest, skills and experience of community-based allied health professionals who care for people diagnosed with cancer.  The findings will be used to develop new interventions and education model for allied health professionals to provide the best care and support for people who have been diagnosed with cancer. 
Click here for more information. Please contact Mr Chris Tzar or Ms Stella Jun if you have inquiries.

SLHD EquityFest 2019

EquityFest 2019 aims to highlight the roles of partnerships with each other, our communities, and government and non-government organisations in fostering health equity. EquityFest is an opportunity to move forward by raising awareness, creating new avenues and opportunities for working together and to celebrate successes. The 2019 EquityFest will focus on People, Place and Partnerships.
Click here for more information.

Webinar: Intimate partner violence in refugee and immigrant communities

This webinar from the Australian Institute of Family Studies will explore what works to meet the needs of women from refugee and immigrant backgrounds who experience intimate partner violence. It will discuss emerging research, and practical strategies to support community involvement and leadership, cultural safety and trauma-informed care. It will also discuss what works to help implement these strategies. Register now for 27 March 2019. 
Click here to register.

SLHD Active and Healthy Group

The Active and Healthy Group is a group for older people recovering from depression and/or anxiety. It is held at the Marrickville Town Hall Meeting Room on a Friday over 12 weeks from 1 March 2019 to 17 May 2019 at 10 am - 12.30 pm. 
Click here for more information.

Coeliac Awareness Week "Treat Gluten Seriously" campaign

Coeliac Australia’s new Treat Gluten Seriously campaign targets the only current medical treatment for coeliac disease – the gluten free diet. As part of the campaign, a series of recorded information sessions has been created where leading coeliac disease experts, dietitians, and psychologists discuss self-management of the gluten free diet, eating out, label reading and strategies to cope with the diagnosis. The seminars are available on the Coeliac Australia website.

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.