Public Health Unit Newsletter
Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit has released its March newsletter discussing:

• Changes to 2018 school vaccination program
• Influenza vaccination for children
• Contacting GPs about hepatitis C patients
• Educational update - Cryptosporidiosis
• Moving overseas - please update AIR

Click here to read the newsletter. 

EOI: Join our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing Advisory Committee
We are seeking traditional owners and Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander community members currently living or working within our region to join our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee holds an important role in considering the current issues within the PHN region and provides advice and direction on what strategies may be implemented to achieve appropriate efficient and effective service delivery.
Click here to access the EOI form and return by 9 am Monday 12 March 2018. 

Event: World Delirium Awareness Day
Date: Wednesday 14 March 2018
Time: 8.30 am - 1.00 pm
Location: St George Hospital, Research and Education Centre Auditorium, 4-10 South St, Kogarah
Click here for more information and to register.

Implementation of Quality Improvement PIP deferred for 12 months
The Department of Health has confirmed that the Practice Incentive Program Quality Improvement Incentive will now occur from 1 May 2019. The additional 12 months will enable the Department, with the support and advice from PIPAG, to ensure that any implementation issues are identified and addressed and that general practices have adequate opportunity to prepare.
Click here for more information.

Staying Well at Home: Is there room for improvement in your practices' 75+ Health Assessment?
CESPHN has developed a ‘self-assessment’ audit to help GPs and the practice team identify whether there is room for improvement in their general practice’s 75+ Health Assessment. This QI activity attracts 40 category 1 points from the RACGP. Designed by Dr Chris Bollen, this is a great team-building exercise, as it can be done with a group of GPs and nurses discussing improvements in the “process of care” in your practice.

Click here to read more about frailty, in Part 1 of our 3 Part series titled: Better care for older people from a GP perspective (Author: Dr Chris Bollen)

Event: Safety plan and suicide pathways navigation
Undertaking suicide prevention training is vital in ensuring that health professionals have the knowledge and skills to recognise when a patient might be experiencing mental health issues. This program aims to demonstrate how to undertake a suicide risk assessment effectively, develop a collaborative safety plan, and provide effective management following a suicide attempt. More than 85 per cent of participants in 2017 had their knowledge and confidence increase to an extremely confident level. The events will be held on:

• Tuesday 20 March, 6.30 pm - 9.30 pm (Dr. Sarah Weaver)
• Thursday 10 May, 6.30 pm - 9.30 pm (Dr. Vered Gordon)
• Thursday 14 June, 6.30 pm - 9.30 pm (Dr. Sarah Weaver)

Click here for more information. 

Building a successful partnership: general practice and hospital working together as a team
This exciting workshop aims to improve quality of care for chronic disease patients, through more effective communication between primary and tertiary health providers; with the long-term goal being to reduce the incidence of hospitalisation.
Click here for more information. 

My Health Record review
The Australian Digital Health Agency invites GPs using to Best Practice Indigo, MedicalDirector Clinical 3.17.2 and Communicare to participate in a review of how you interact with the My Health Record system. Participating GPs will be remunerated for assisting with the project.
Please refer to the EOI for more information.

EOI: Osteoporosis - The missed diagnosis
In Australia, 80 per cent of patients with a minimal trauma/ low impact fracture do not have their underlying condition of osteoporosis diagnosed or treated. We are recruiting GPs in the CESPHN region who work full time and have experience in managing patients with osteoporosis to join a focus group. The focus groups will run for 60-90 minutes.
Click here for more information.

Black Dog Institute is seeking GP facilitators
Black Dog Institute is seeking experienced GP Facilitators with a passion for mental health to join the Black Dog Institute Education Team. Successful applicants will join the Black Dog Institute facilitator network to deliver the interactive, learner-centered workshops. 
Click here for more information. 

Care Coordination and Supplementary Services Program for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People 
The Care Coordination and Supplementary Services (CCSS) Program is a service for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with respiratory disease, renal disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes or cancer. Care Coordination is provided by qualified and trained clinical staff to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a chronic disease. Clients of the service should be referred in by their GP.
Click here for more information. 

Electronic Discharge Summaries from SESLHD
Do you use clinical software such as Medical Director, Best Practice etc and download investigation results electronically? You are able to receive electronic discharge summaries from local public hospitals. Recently South Eastern Sydney LHD has introduced a new system which sends discharge summaries using either Argus or Healthlink or Medical Objects software.
Click here for more information. 

New Active Living fitness classes in the Canterbury area for your patients living with COPD or CCF
Active Living fitness classes have been running in the Canterbury and Sutherland local government areas since August 2017. This year three additional classes have been introduced in the Canterbury area to meet demand.  Six classes per week are now held at venues located in Riverwood, Lakemba and Hurlstone Park. Across the Sutherland Shire there are seven classes delivered each week in Cronulla, Engadine, Menai and Miranda.
Click here for more information.

Webinar: RACGP influenza webinar Wednesday 14 March
This webinar will focus on forecasts and information on the 2018 influenza season. It will include guidelines for new vaccines and will summarise the influenza epidemiology from the 2017 season.
Presented by Dr Vicky Sheppeard of NSW Health and facilitated by RACGP's Dr Tim Senior.
Click here to register. GPs will be prompted to log in first, but then will be able to register. 

New Active Living fitness classes in the Canterbury area for your patients living with COPD or CCF
Active Living fitness classes have been running in the Canterbury and Sutherland local government areas since August 2017. This year three additional classes have been introduced in the Canterbury area to meet demand.  Six classes per week are now held at venues located in Riverwood, Lakemba and Hurlstone Park. Across the Sutherland Shire there are seven classes delivered each week in Cronulla, Engadine, Menai and Miranda.
Click here for more information.

Complexity, care and compassion: the way forward in the provision of mental health services
This event will provide an overview of mental health services and shared care arrangements including local referral and support options. This event is designed to build the health and medical neighbourhood of the RPA HealthOne, Green Square. Presenters include Dr Andrew McDonald, Dr Kathleen Smith and Julie Bohan. 
Click here for more information and to register. 

Caring for Carers: What You Need to Know as a Health Professional

At:    Ashfield Office, L1 158 Liverpool Rd
On:   Tuesday 13 March 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentation
For:  GPs, AHPs, PNs

NDIS - Mental Health Psychosocial Disability

At:    Kogarah Office, L3 15 Kensington St
On:   Thursday 15 March 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentation
For:  GPs, AHPs, PNs

Safety Plan and Suicide Pathways

At:    Kogarah Office, L3 15 Kensington St
On:   Tuesday 20 March 6.00 pm dinner, 6.30 pm presentation
For:  GPs, AHPs, PNs

NDIA - NDIS The Allied Health Experience

At:    Ashfield Office, L1 158 Liverpool Rd
On:   Tuesday 20 March 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentation
For:  GPs, AHPs, PNs

Concord Hospital Medical Updates

At:    Canada Bay Club, 4 William St, Five Dock
On:   Wednesday 21 March 7.00 pm dinner and presentation
For:  GPs, AHPs, PNs

Building a Successful Partnership: General Practice and Hospitals working together as a team

At:    Torwood Lounge, 247 Rocky Point Rd, Sans Souci
On:   Wednesday 21 March 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentation
For:  GPs, AHPs, PNs

Cultural Awareness Training

At:    POWP Private Hospital, L7 Conference Room, Barker St, Randwick
On:   Wednesday 21 March 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentations
For:  GPs, AHPs, PNs, practice administration staff

Complexity, Care and Compassion - The way Forward in the Provision of Mental Health Services

At:    Green Square Community Centre
On:   Thursday 22 March 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentations
For:  GPs, AHPs, PNs

Identifying and Responding to Adult Survivors of Childhood Trauma

At:    Education Centre, L5 Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, 119-143 Missenden Rd, Camperdown
On:   Wednesday 28 March 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentations
For:  GPs

Practice Nurse Networking Meeting

At:    Ashfield Office, L1 158 Liverpool Rd
On:   Wednesday 28 March 6.00 pm dinner, 6.30 pm presentation
For:  PNs

Hazelhurst CPD Series - Gastroenterology

At:    Hazelhurst Gallery, 782 The Kingsway, Gymea
On:   Thursday 29 March 6.30 pm dinner, 7.30 pm presentations
For:  GPs

POWP Medical Updates - Women's Health

At:    POWP Private Hospital, L7 Conference Room, Barker St, Randiwck
On:   Wednesday 4 April 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentation
For:  GPs

Person Centered Medical Neighbourhood Program Building Block Two: Leading Your   Practice in the Digital Era 

At:    Ashfield Office, L1 158 Liverpool Rd
On:   Thursday 5 April 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentation
For:  PCMNP Participants, GPs, PNs, practice administration staff

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.