12 May 2021
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Dear subscriber,
Welcome to this week's edition of Sydney Health Weekly.
Sydney Health Weekly is your one-stop-shop for primary health news and events within the central and eastern Sydney region.
COVID-19 UPDATE
Check the NSW Health website for COVID-19 updates.
For local advice visit the CESPHN coronavirus webpage.
For COVID-19 vaccine advice, please visit our COVID-19 Vaccine webpage.
Follow our social media channels for regular updates on the COVID-19 vaccine and other critical information for health professionals:
This week's update covers:
- COVID-19 update in NSW
- COVID-19 vaccine roll-out update
- Vaccine hesitancy webinar
- and MORE
WEEKLY VIDEO
Vox pop with Practice Nurse Faisal Rifi
To help celebrate International Nurses Day we are replaying one of our most popular vox pops, with Practice Nurse and Managing Director of Belmore Medical, Faisal Rifi who set up a busy GP Respiratory Clinic to advise and test many hundreds of patients for the COVID-19.
In the interview meet both Faisal Rifi, who worked at St George Hospital for many years, and his father Dr Jamal Rifi AM who has been running the Belmore Medical Centre for the past 30 years. Dr Rifi says: ‘Nurses have been at the forefront of dealing with the pandemic and protecting the community’.
LATEST NEWS
Today is International Nurse's Day!
Today we recognise the compassion, professionalism, and round-the-clock commitment of nurses caring for patients.
International Nurses Day is celebrated on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. Thank you to all nurses, and the important role of nursing across the world.
Immunisation weekly update
Keep up to date with the latest immunisation news for health professionals on our website.
Read about:
- Urgent: check Fluad Quad expiry dates
- Flu vaccine requirements to enter RACFs
- Guidance on use of multi-dose vials
If you need any support or have any questions, please email: immunisation@cesphn.com.au
Follow our social media channels for regular updates on the COVID-19 vaccine and other critical information for health professionals:
Wellbeing of GPs working in Australia
Researchers at the University of Sydney would like to hear about the level of importance GPs place on their own wellbeing.
This qualitative study aims to explore enablers and potential barriers to the wellbeing of GPs working in Australia within different settings.
GPs who participant are eligible for 1 CPD point (RAGCP NSW & ACT).
If you are interested in participating in a short interview or would like more information, please contact:
Dr Diana Naehrig (PhD Candidate) E: dnae2050@uni.sydney.edu.au
P: 0429 219 022
Pathology and imaging in Best Practice software
This on-demand Best Practice software information session will take you through the entire workflow for pathology and imaging including:
• Creating requests for pathology
• Creating requests for imaging
• Setting up favourites and adding custom tests
• Tips and tricks for reviewing results
• Managing unallocated results
• Marking results as given
Mental Health and AOD Action Plan
We are thrilled to launch the Mental Health and Alcohol and other Drugs Action Plan!
CESPHN recognises that people who experience co-occurring mental health and drug and alcohol conditions can also experience barriers to effective service provision.
Working in partnership with the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, we wanted to understand the experiences of people who seek services as well as their health care providers.
The research delivered important recommendations for increasing the capacity of the workforce to respond to people with co-occurring needs. Our focus is on treating the person, not the illness.
Cancer Australia invites you to participate in the National Pancreatic Cancer Roadmap
On behalf of Cancer Australia, the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Council of Australia (FECCA) is conducting consultations with culturally and linguistically diverse people and health professionals providing care to people affected by pancreatic cancer. FECCA is a national organisation representing Australians from different ethnic communities.
All interested stakeholders are invited to participate.
Contact:
E: pancreatic@fecca.org.au
P: 02 6282 5755
W: www.fecca.org.au/pancreatic
We are GLAD to help with your patients
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); and St Vincent’s Health Network (SVNH).
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 very experienced in the management of alcohol and other drug problems, understands the challenges of managing people with complex multimorbidity.
We run CPD events through CESPHN and are very happy to visit your surgery and run training and/or information sessions for you and your colleagues.
All people 18 years and over who are residents in CESPHN area with risky or hazardous substance use or substance use disorders are eligible to be seen in our services.
Pharmacy update
With most vaccinating pharmacists having commenced rolling out the 2021 influenza vaccines, here are some key points around influenza vaccine administration from the Immunisation Unit at Health Protection NSW:
Influenza vaccines:
- Pharmacists should ensure their immunisation training certification covers the administration of influenza vaccines.
- Influenza vaccines can only be administered to individuals aged 10 years and over.
- Make sure the individual has not had a COVID-19 vaccine within the last 14 days.
- Ensure the individual is aware they cannot have a COVID-19 vaccine for at least 14 days after the influenza vaccine.
Intern pharmacists with immunisation certification:
Intern pharmacists (provisionally registered) who have their immunisation certification are only able to vaccinate under direct supervision of an accredited registered pharmacist who is also an accredited vaccinator.
This will be reflected in the next update of the NSW Pharmacist Vaccination Standards in line with recommendations made by the Pharmacy Council of NSW.
EVENTS: Parliamentary Friends of Palliative Care live webcast
What do Australians know and understand about palliative care, and does community understanding about palliative care and its benefits, present a barrier to accessing timely care?
When: Wednesday, 26 May 12.00 pm
Where: Online
Target audience: General public
Immigration Advice and Rights Centre (IARC) lunchtime immigration series
IARC is running four lunchtime sessions focused on migrants, women on temporary visas, people who experience domestic and family violence, and people seeking asylum.
The seminars will provide participants with:
- an overview of a variety of topics related to immigration;
- a better understanding of the immigration process;
- the skills to identify an immigration problem; and
- information about where and how to refer a client for expert legal advice.
South Eastern Sydney Recovery and Wellbeing College course guides out now! COM
The SESLHD Recovery College 2021 course guide is out with a range of course options available
Courses include Peer Support Worker roles for people with lived experience of mental distress.
Telehealth in the COVID-19 era
The health sector has a long history of resisting reform, but the pandemic has served as a catalyst for digital innovations that have transformed healthcare around the world.
Telehealth has become an important mode of delivery that has helped maintain continuity of care for millions during the crisis...but is it sustainable?
Join The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health for a panel discussion with leading researchers and practitioners on the increased use of telehealth and how they see the future use of virtual healthcare.
NSW Government Community Building Partnership grants
NSW Government Community Building Partnership grants close on 14 May. The grants are for projects that deliver a positive social, environmental and recreational outcome while promoting community participation, inclusion and cohesion.
Coercive Control Pocket Cards – new community resources available!
Coercive control is an overwhelmingly common experience in domestic violence (DV) relationships and has been found to be a significant factor in most deaths resulting from DV. Despite this, many don’t know about coercive control or don’t understand how it.
Primary health providers are often the first professionals where DV or this type of control is disclosed.
The St George DV Committee has developed easily accessible resources to educate practitioners and community about coercive control.
These pocket size guides help distinguish that people can be in an unhealthy or abusive relationship even where there is no physical violence.
The pocket cards also provide a healthy relationship checklist and information about support services. If your service would benefit from printed copies of this resource for clients, please contact the St George Domestic Violence Committee Chair: kate@thefamilyco.org.au
Hepatitis C Strategy Questionnaire
NSW Hepatitis C Strategy Questionnaire. This is a reminder that there is one week left to complete your response.
Link closes COB 18 May 2021).
If you have questions, require support or would like to submit additional information, please contact Annabelle Stevens at 02 9461 7197 or at Annabelle.stevens@health.nsw.gov.au
2021 St Vincent's Clinic Foundation community grant
St Vincent's Clinic Foundation is offering funding of up to $50,000 for community health services and related research in improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
CESPHN EVENTS: Updates to Immunisation View within My Health Record
This lunch and learn session will provide attendees with an update on the new consolidated Immunisation View within My Health Record.
When: Thursday, 13 May 12.30 pm – 1.15 pm
Where: Online
RACGP Points: Attendees can self-report this activity as CPD with their governing body
Target audience: GPs, practice nurses, practice managers and pharmacists
Guide for GPs to manage work related injury
Comcare has developed a new national one-page guide to assist GPs in managing the recovery pathway for injured workers in all Australian workers’ compensation schemes.
The guide provides an overview of:
- The workers’ compensation process and key timeframes.
- Statutory function of medical practitioners.
- Roles of case managers/RTW coordinators and employer obligations.
- Critical elements to successfully complete certificates of capacity.
Please contact Tamara Wakeman, Senior Project Officer, Comcare on
P: (07) 3303 0020 for more information.
My Health Record Release 12 is now live!
Recipients and healthcare providers are now informed of immunisation record updates with regards to their COVID-19 and National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule. This includes immunisation status, next immunisations due, overdue and upcoming date
The consolidated immunisation view is also now available for healthcare providers in most clinical information softwares.
This free CPD accredited webinar, delivered by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in collaboration with the Australian Digital Health Agency, will discuss and provide updates on digital health technologies, including:
• Telehealth
• Electronic prescribing
• Pathology e-requesting
• COVID-19 test results in My Health Record
• The Australian Immunisation Register
• The Clinician Vaccine Integrated Platform
• Medicines management technologies
• Uploading Advance Care planning documents to My Health Record.
Available until 24 May 2021 for 2 RACGP CPD points.
Impacts of COVID-19 on Primary Care Practices Survey closing date EXTENDED to Monday 17 May 2021
Allied health providers, general practitioners, practice owners and managers in central and eastern Sydney are invited to complete a short survey to help understand the impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic had on practice operations and financial viability.
This study will inform practice resilience and potential government funding requirements for primary and allied health practices in the event of future pandemics.
This research is commissioned by Central and Eastern Sydney PHN and implemented by a research team at the University of Technology Sydney.
For further information or any queries, please contact A/Professor Ruth Webster via ruth.webster@chere.uts.edu.au.
CESPHN EVENTS: The State of Heart Series - Session 1 of 3
Join us at Sutherland Heart Clinic for session one of a three part series on cardiology.
When: Wednesday 19 May 6.30 pm – 9.15 pm
Where: Online
RACGP Points: 40 (pending approval)
Target audience: GPs, Sutherland Heart Clinic, Caringbah
CESPHN EVENTS: Electronic Prescribing and ePathology requests
A brief update and opportunity for Q and A on electronic prescribing as well as electronic ordering for pathology.
When: Thursday, 20 May 12.30 pm – 1.15 pm
Where: Online
Target audience: GPs, practice managers, practice managers, practice staff, pharmacists
CESPHN EVENTS: Paediatric Autism Spectrum Disorder: early signs, early intervention
Join us online for the latest Paediatric update: early signs, early intervention in Autism and Asperger's Syndrome.
When: Thursday, 27 May 7.30 pm – 9.00 pm
Where: Online
Target audience: GPs, Clinical Psychologist, OTs, Social Workers, Dieticians and Speech Pathologists
EVENTS
Recorded CPD education sessions
We have library of recorded CPD education and practice support resources. These videos cover a range of topics and can be self-reported as CPD education. You can find these videos on the CESPHN YouTube page here.
GP JOBS
This page lists the healthcare positions vacant and rooms for rent within our region at this current time. All enquiries should be made to the relevant contact noted on each job listing.
AHP JOBS
This page lists the healthcare positions vacant and rooms for rent within our region at this current time. All enquiries should be made to the relevant contact noted on each job listing.
As always, we would love to hear your thoughts. If you would like to submit an article, have content suggestions, or would like to provide feedback, 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.
