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.

Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

As you may be aware there is currently a Royal Commission into quality and safety of aged care services. Central and Eastern Sydney PHN (CESPHN) will be providing a submission on behalf of primary care practitioners working in central and eastern Sydney who provide a service to older patients residing in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) and the community. Your views are important in shaping the future of aged care services. Please complete the following survey questions about aged care services, and tell us what you think works well and where things could be improved. This survey is to be completed by medical practitioners, practice nurses, allied health staff and pharmacists who visit RACFs and provide a service to older people living in the community. 
Click here to complete the survey.

Survey: Regional Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan

Following an extensive community consultation process, draft actions for the Central and Eastern Sydney Regional Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan have been developed. We are now seeking feedback on the draft actions. Your feedback is important and will be used to refine and finalise the Regional Plan. 
Click here to access the survey.

Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety: NGO survey

We would like you to tell us what you think about aged care services, including what is working well and what can be improved. Your feedback will help Central and Eastern Sydney PHN (CESPHN) put together a written submission to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety on behalf of primary care providers in the CESPHN region. All responses will be kept confidential. CESPHN will only use the information that you provide to us for the purpose stated above. No non-government organisation staff member or organisation will be identified.
Click here to access the survey.

Improving discharge summaries at St Vincent’s Hospital

St Vincent’s Hospital will soon be piloting improvements in order to help improve the quality of discharge summaries sent to GPs from late May. Currently, the discharge summary is automatically generated upon completion by JMOs and sent to GPs either electronically or a copy is given to the patient. This will not change, but now a copy will also automatically go to the admitting consultant to check for accuracy. In some cases this may result in an updated and more accurate discharge summary being generated, which will mean a second discharge summary may be sent to the GP. Where two discharge summaries are received, please accept and file the one with the later date. If you have any feedback about this process, please do not hesitate to contact Sarah Michael. 

Free women's health clinic in Rockdale

Family Planning NSW offer a free service for women in central and eastern Sydney which includes cervical screening, sexual health checks, lifestyle disease screening, pregnancy testing and options, and contraceptive options. Women can make an appointment or simply drop in on Thursdays and Fridays at the Rockdale Community Health Centre. 
Click here for more information.

Australian Asthma Handbook v 2.0 

The Australian Asthma Handbook v 2.0 was recently published in March 2019. This handbook provides best-practice, evidence-based guidance translated into practical advice for primary care health professionals in regard to asthma management. 
Click here for more information.

EOI: CESPHN GP Engagement Strategy – Consultation Roles

Are you interested in strengthening the PHN’s role in supporting general practice? Central and Eastern Sydney PHN is seeking expressions of interest from general practitioners to partake in consultations for our new GP Engagement Strategy. This strategy will deliver better engagement and will offer a targeted approach to general practice needs. For more details, please contact Win Yee Tan.
Click here for more information.

Integrating NDIS into your business strategy

Join this two-hour workshop with a specialist business advisor to understand your role in the NDIS program and how to reach your highest potential.
Click here for more information.

GLAD (GP Liaison in Alcohol and other Drug Project)

GLAD is a multidisciplinary team, made up of doctors and nurses providing specialist advice to GPs for chronic and complex AOD issues. For referrals:

• South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (Sydney Hospital, Prince of Wales, St George & Sutherland Hospitals) - referral hotline: 1300 980 422
• Sydney Local Health District (RPAH, Concord, Canterbury Hospital), Phone: 02 9378 130 or: GP Liaison Nurse 0436 691 533
• St Vincent’s Hospital (Darlinghurst), Phone: 02 9361 8080 or GP Liaison Nurse: 0436 607 480

Click here for more information.

Obesity Management Workshop for Health Professionals

The Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise and Eating Disorders proudly presents this two-day workshop on 7-8 June 2019.
Click here for more information.

Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

As you may be aware there is currently a Royal Commission into quality and safety of aged care services. Central and Eastern Sydney PHN will be providing a submission on behalf of primary care practitioners working in central and eastern Sydney who provide a service to older patients residing in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) and the community. Your views are important in shaping the future of aged care services. Please complete the following survey questions about aged care services, and tell us what you think works well and where things could be improved. This survey is to be completed by medical practitioners, practice nurses, allied health staff and pharmacists who visit RACFs and provide a service to older people living in the community. A separate survey will be developed for Residential Direct Care Staff working in RACFs.
Click here to complete the survey.

Survey: Regional Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan

Following an extensive community consultation process, draft actions for the Central and Eastern Sydney Regional Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan have been developed. We are now seeking feedback on the draft actions. Your feedback is important and will be used to refine and finalise the Regional Plan. 
Click here to access the survey.

Free women's health clinic in Rockdale

Family Planning NSW offer a free service for women in central and eastern Sydney which includes cervical screening, sexual health checks, lifestyle disease screening, pregnancy testing and options, and contraceptive options. Women can make an appointment or simply drop in on Thursdays and Fridays at the Rockdale Community Health Centre. 
Click here for more information.

Obesity Management Workshop for Health Professionals

The Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise and Eating Disorders proudly presents this two-day workshop on 7-8 June 2019.
Click here for more information.

Australian Asthma Handbook v 2.0 

The Australian Asthma Handbook v 2.0 was recently published in March 2019. This handbook provides best-practice, evidence-based guidance translated into practical advice for primary care health professionals in regard to asthma management. 
Click here for more information.

Survey: Regional Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan

Following an extensive community consultation process, draft actions for the Central and Eastern Sydney Regional Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan have been developed. We are now seeking feedback on the draft actions. Your feedback is important and will be used to refine and finalise the Regional Plan. 
Click here to access the survey.

Survey: Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety - Residential Direct Care Employees

The ageing population continues to increase, and with it the demand for aged care services. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety provides an opportunity for reforms and changes to support the existing aged care workforce to manage increasing demand for high quality aged care services provided in a safe manner. We would like you to tell us what you think is working well and what can be improved. Your feedback will help Central and Eastern Sydney PHN (CESPHN) put together a written submission to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety on behalf of the primary care sector in CESPHN, including RACF direct care employees. Your input will help make Aged care services better for people who need them now and in the future.
Click here to access the survey for residential direct care staff working in RACFs.

Survey: Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety -
non-government organisations

We need your assistance. Please tell us what you think about aged care services, including what is working well and what can be improved. Your feedback will help Central and Eastern Sydney PHN put together a written submission to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety on behalf of primary care providers in the CESPHN region. All responses will be kept confidential. CESPHN will only use the information that you provide to us for the purpose stated above. No non-government organisation staff member or organisation will be identified. Thank you for completing the below survey questions. Your feedback is important and will help make services better for older people now and in the future.
Click here to access the survey for community organisations.

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.