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.

New cases in CESPHN region
Cases have increased in the past week (24 to 30 August) and there have been 25 new cases of COVID-19 in our region.  Canterbury Bankstown LGA, City of Sydney (East) LGA and Woollahra LGA are among areas identified for increased testing and surveillance. 

There have been two cases of people with COVID-19 visiting pharmacies in our region. A reminder to fax or email prescriptions to pharmacies for any patient with a respiratory virus and get the dispensed medication delivered or picked up by a friend or relative.

COVID-19 hotspots in CESPHN region 
People who attended the following venues must self-isolate for 14 days since they were last there and get tested for COVID-19.

Check the NSW Health website for COVID-19 updates.

For local advice visit the CESPHN coronavirus webpage.

HealthPathways:
Sydney https://sydney.communityhealthpathways.org/13454.htm
South East Sydney https://sesydney.communityhealthpathways.org/13454.htm

Stay up to date with changes to COVID-19 testing clinics 
Our website is constantly  updated with changes to testing clinic hours and locations.  The public Hurstville testing clinic is no longer open on Sundays. Kingsgrove Medlab Pathology 'Drive-through' has now closed. A new private pathology collection centre has opened at Sylvania operating 9.00 am - 5.00 pm Monday-Friday. A new drive-through clinic has opened at Chifley operating 9.00 am – 4.00 pm Monday to Friday. Sydney LHD is opening a pop-up mobile clinic at Burwood Park Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Voting for RACGP President closes Friday

RACGP members are reminded that voting is open until midday Friday 4 September. For more information see RACGP website. One of the candidates for RACGP President is a GP from our local area, Dr Charlotte Hespe. Information on all the candidates can be found here:

https://www.racgp.org.au/the-racgp/racgp-elections/elections/meet-the-candidates

Vox pop Geraldine Georgeou, a clinical dietician from Designer Diets

Meet Geraldine Georgeou, a clinical dietician who owns Designer Diets in Bondi Junction and Kogarah. 

Phone: (02) 9588 3211
Fax: (02) 8287 2565
info@designerdiets.com.au

A great insight into the benefits of Telehealth for Dieticians. 

You can watch the vox pop here

EOI: Directors of the Board of EIS Health 

EIS Health Ltd, a company limited by guarantee that auspices Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network, is seeking expressions of interest for two elected director positions on its Board of Directors. 

See here for more information

Resources to support immunisation conversations with parents  

There are a variety of resources available to answer parent/patient questions about immunisation.  This recently updated NCIRS fact sheet includes a list of resources to assist healthcare providers in conversations about immunisation with parents and caregivers.

New Immunisation Toolkit and updated Cold Chain Toolkit now available  

NSW Health has released the new Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices and updates to the Cold Chain Toolkit for Immunisation Providers. 

Safe exercise at home for older people

Physiotherapists, exercise physiologists and other health professionals have a crucial role in helping older people and those with health conditions safely exercise at home.The Safe Exercise at Home website has been developed by physiotherapists from around Australia with clinical and academic expertise in exercise and other forms of physical activity for older people and people with mobility limitations. 

POLAR Q & A webinar – Wed 9 September, 1-2 pm 

Do not miss this opportunity to raise POLAR user related questions with Shane Lowe, Customer Relationship and Education Manager, Outcome Health at the next POLAR Q&A webinar on Wed 9 Sep, 1-2 pm. Register using the link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SwSgBzLmQGCd0Kyi_ytsYQ

Central and Eastern Sydney PHN obtains new funding to improve services for people with intellectual disability. 

GPs and other health professionals will receive greater support to enable them to provide more effective care to people with intellectual disability.

Central and Eastern Sydney PHN is one of four PHNs funded to deliver a new Primary Care Enhancement Program for people with intellectual disability. The funding will give people with intellectual disability better access to appropriate, quality health services that meet their needs.

For more information please read Minister Hunt's announcement here.

Health Professionals National Disability Advisory Service 

The Health Professionals National Disability Advisory Service has been extended to 17 November 2020. Health professionals involved in the care of people with disability diagnosed with COVID-19 or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms can call the service during the new operating times of 8 am to 9 pm (AEST) Monday to Friday on 1800 131 330. Calls to the service are answered by health professionals with disability service qualifications and experience working with people with disability.

Have your say: National Disability Strategy 

The Department of Social Services is now undertaking the second stage of consultations on the new strategy. Provide your feedback on governments’ proposals for the next strategy, as set out in the National Disability Strategy position paper. For more information please click here.

EOI: Diabetes Resource Collaborative Steering Committee   

We are seeking Expressions of Interest for a GP to join the Diabetes Resource Collaborative Steering Committee.The Diabetes Resource Collaborative has been established to promote stronger communication between hospital based diabetes services and GPs. If you have an interest in diabetes and want to contribute to the development of some projects with leading clinicians then please let us know. Your participation on this committee will be reimbursed.  For more information, please contact Kylie at k.sommerville@cesphn.com.au

National Child Protection Week  6- 12 September: Putting children first  

This year’s theme of ‘Putting children first’ invites all Australians to look at how they can prioritise children in their lives and communities and to engage in National Child Protection Week – as individuals, and as part of families, organisations, communities and society.Click here for more information including webinars for health professionals.

Central and Eastern Sydney PHN events update

Our CPD program is now fully online.

The registration process for our events is still the same. Simply click the "Register Now" button on the event page. Closer to the event we send you a link and instructions on how to join the webinar.

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. 

We are constantly looking for the best online education content possible for primary health practitioners. If you have any topics or speakers that you would like to suggest, please email us at events@cesphn.com.au.

For the latest on all our upcoming events, please visit our events page at www.cesphn.org.au/events. We look forward to staying in touch with you online!

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.

Recorded CPD sessions and video resources
A range of recordings of past CPD events and video resources can be found on the CESPHN YouTube page here.

Click here for the latest CPD Blast for GPs, PNs and PMs! 
Click here for the latest CPD Blast for AHPs!

Webinar: Lung and Respiratory Conditions

St Vincent's Private Hospital and St Vincent's Clinic series
RACGP points: 3
On: Tuesday 1 September, 7.00 pm - 8.30 pm
For: GPs

Webinar: Women’s Health: The Bottom Line of Pelvic Disease

Prince of Wales Private Hospital series
RACGP points: 4
On: Thursday 3 September, 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm
For: GPs

Webinar: Managing atopic dermatitis and hair loss

RACGP points: 2
On: Tuesday 8 September, 7.00 pm - 8.00 pm
For: GPs

Webinar: Managing Medical Complications

Chris O’Brien Lifehouse series
RACGP points: 3
On: Wednesday 9 September, 7.00 pm - 8.30 pm
For: GPs

Webinar: Pain and behaviour management in the elderly

Hazlehurst CPD series
RACGP Points: 3
On: Thursday 24 September, 7.30 pm - 9.00 pm
For: GPs and Pharmacists

 Men’s Health Prostate Cancer

St Vincent’s Private and St Vincent’s Clinic CPD series
RACGP Points: 3
On: Thursday 24 September, 7.30 pm - 8.30 pm
For: GPs 

Webinar: Managing Liver Disease in General Practice

RACGP points: 3
On: Wednesday 30 September, 7.00 pm - 8.30 pm
For: GPs, PNs, Pharmacists
 

Webinar: Getting ahead: advancements in ENT care

Prince of Wales Private Hospital series
RACGP points: 4
On: Wednesday 7 October, 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm
For: GPs

Webinar: Direct Access Colonoscopy (DAC) and primary care

St Vincent’s Health Network in collaboration with The Cancer Institute NSW
On: Thursday 8 October, 7.00 pm - 8.30 pm
For: GPs

 Cancer assessment, survivorship and referral pathways

Chris O’Brien Lifehouse CPD series
RACGP points: 3
On: Wednesday 14 October, 7.00 pm - 8.30 pm
For: GPs

The Early Years – the foundation for future child health and well-being

CESPHN in collaboration with the Sydney Institute for Women, children and their families
RACGP points: 3
On: Tuesday 20 October, 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm
For: GPs, PNs, AHPs

Please see our external events page for a great range of events and webinars.

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.