Professional development opportunities and events read more

Your chance to provide GP services in secondary schools
Eleven schools are looking for GPs to start in term 3 read more

By popular demand! Practice management masterclass
Another class is offered on 6 July read more

Changes to SEMPHN Practice Networks
Please note two changes to the networks read more

Tenders closing soon
API tenders close 3pm 9 June read more

Contemporary chronic disease management course
APNA is funding attendance for SEMPHN catchment nurses read more

FAQ about National Cervical Screening Program
The Department of Health has released this document read more

MBS items at a glance
Get info about MBS item numbers quickly read more

QI&CPD PLAN information session
RACGP is hosting free sessions for GPs read more

Medication Assisted Treatment of Opiod Dependence (MATOD) training
See the upcoming Module 2 session dates read more

Hepatitis B campaign for South Sudanese Australians
This video encourages families to talk to their doctor about Hepatitis B read more

Suicide Prevention Australia survey
Be a part of this community consultation read more

Diabetes Victoria release grant for nurses and allied health professionals
There's $25,000 available for training and development read more

Do you have an interest in adolescent health? Would you like to provide GP services in a secondary school for up to one day a week?

Eleven schools in the South East Melbourne region are looking for GPs to start services in Term 3 (from 17 July, 2017), with applications opening soon.

The schools are:

• Carrum Downs Secondary College (Carrum Downs)
• Cranbourne Secondary College (Cranbourne)
• Dandenong High School (Dandenong)
• Gleneagles Secondary College (Endeavour Hills)
• McClelland Secondary College (Frankston)
• Keysborough Secondary College (Keysborough)
• Narre Warren South P-12 College (Narre Warren South)
• Noble Park Secondary College (Noble Park)
• Oakwood School (Noble Park)
• Pakenham Secondary College (Pakenham South)
• Patterson River Secondary College (Seaford).

The $43.8 million state-government Doctors in Secondary Schools program delivers medical advice and health care to students most in need. Schools that started in Term 2 have had a fantastic response from the school and local community.

Funding for the program ensures:

• GPs are guaranteed a minimum of 4 hours of pay for clinical work and up to 3.6 hours for additional program work per week.
• nurses are paid 7.6 hours per week to provide critical support to GPs, care coordination and be the clinical link between the general practice and the school.
• modern purpose-built onsite GP consultation room and facilities.
• no costs to the practice in providing the services.
• simple and straightforward application process.

Operations have been rigorously vetted by the Department of Education and Training, including requirements around consent and confidentiality.

Register on SEMPHN’s Tenderlink page to get information about the tender as it’s released, and sign-up to SEMaphore - our newsletter about funding opportunities.

For more information please contact Vignesh Lingam on vignesh.lingam@semphn.org.au or ph: 0424 656 308.

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A second Practice Management Masterclass has been scheduled for practice managers working in the SEMPHN catchment.

The full-day program is on 6 July in Sandringham. 

The course will be facilitated by Medical Business Network CEO Mark Danato and Manager Brett McPherson who have more than 50 years of experience in the health industry between them.

On completion of the course, participants will be able to: 

• identify the difference between a practice manager and a business manager
• outline the key profitability factors important in medical services
• understand the importance of gathering critical information to analyse and evaluate the performance of the practice
• describe five strategic areas that will assist in creating a successful medical service
• articulate what success looks like for your organisation, and begin to formulate a business plan outlining the process for achieving that success.

More information and registration

Numbers are limited so get in quick!

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SEMPHN's Practice Networks are enjoying good attendance and lively discussion and networking.

Please note two important changes:

• the networks will now consist of a Practice Managers group and a Practice Nurses group. The Practice Owners/Principals group has been paused for now. The online Practice Owners/Principals Basecamp is still available and members are welcome to attend Practice Managers meetings if the topic suits.
• the networks will be held an hour earlier from 6.00pm to 7.30pm to make it easier for people to come straight after work.

For upcoming dates and locations visit here.

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Accessible Psychological Interventions (API) Services

SEMPHN is seeking organisations to deliver an Accessible Psychological Interventions (API) service in one or more Local Government Areas (LGAs) within our catchment:

API are flexible services for consumers with a mental illness who will benefit from individual, family and/or group psychological services from allied health professionals.

API will replace Access To Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) later this year.

Tenders close 3pm 9 June.

Register your interest and apply for these tenders on SEMPHN's Tenderlink page. Please note, all questions must be asked via the online forum on SEMPHN’s Tenderlink page.

Keep an eye out for tenders opening this week for severe/complex primary mental health services.

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This two-day Australian Practice Nurses Association (APNA) course is being fully funded for nurses who work in the SEMPHN catchment.

Developed specifically for nurses working in general practice, aged care and community health, the course covers:

• care coordination
• dealing with healing
• spirometry
• mental health.

There are two sessions to choose from:

• Melbourne: 16 & 17 June
• Frankston: 21 & 28 July

More information and registration.

Places for both sessions are limited so get in quick!

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The Department of Health has released a Frequently Asked Questions document for health professionals relating to interim arrangements for the National Cervical Screening Program from 1 May to 1 December 2017.

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The MBS flipchart is back and is now called 'MBS items at a glance'.

It's easy to use and provides information on the many MBS item numbers used in primary care settings.

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RACGP Victoria is hosting free face-to-face sessions in-house for GPs with interactive demonstrations and assistance using the new online QI&CPD Planning Learning And Need (PLAN) activity.

PLAN is designed to help you to map out and document your learning needs. It's a mandatory QI&CPD requirement for the 2017-19 triennium and can only be completed online.

With a small group size and one-on-one assistance in the RACGP computer lab, the session will take you step-by-step through the process and allow you to start the completion of your PLAN.

GPs who attend will be awarded 3 Category 2 points.

Sessions are scheduled for 22 June, 19 July and 17 August.

Register online.

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To prescribe buprenorphine/naloxone for more than five patients or methadone for any patient, the following free two-part training is a requirement:

• Module 1 (Safer Opioid Prescribing) – a two-hour online training approved for 4 Category 2 RACGP QI&CPD points for the 2017-2019 triennium. This training is a compulsory pre-requisite to attend Module 2. Access the module here or contact maryan.valverde@racgp.org.au.
• Module 2 – A one day face-to-face workshop approved for 40 Category 1 RACGP QI&CPD points for the 2017-2019 triennium. 

Upcoming Module 2 session dates:

• 29 July, Lucas, Ballarat
• 10 September, East Melbourne
• 22 October, Nunawading
• 18 November, East Melbourne.

Register here.

The training is free and available to members and non-members of RACGP.

For more information call Jackie Apostolopoulos on 0429 808 317 or email              jacqueline.apostolopoulos@semphn.org.au

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Doctor Garang Dut has joined forces with Cancer Council Victoria as part of a campaign to encourage South Sudanese Australians to get tested for hepatitis B.

In his video message, the surgeon-in-training urged everyone from South Sudan and their families to talk to their doctor about hepatitis B.

“Many South Sudanese Australians have the hepatitis B virus,” Dr Dut said. “It often shows no symptoms, but if left untreated can progress into liver damage or liver cancer.”

"A simple blood test from your doctor will help to identify if you have the virus so it can be treated.

"People with hepatitis B can lead healthy lives if it's found early."

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In February, a National Coalition for Suicide Prevention workshop, convened by Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA) initiated discussion on a 2025 strategic framework for suicide prevention.

From this, a brief Consultation Paper has been developed.

The Federal Government has committed to the development of a national suicide prevention plan and the strategic framework is an opportunity for the NGO community voice to contribute to the development of the final plan.

SPA is undertaking a round of community consultations on the framework. Feedback is also being collected through this online survey. Please read the Consultation Paper prior to completing the survey.

Your contribution will assist in the development of a national strategy for suicide prevention that will inform coordination and collaboration efforts in the sector.

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If you’re a diabetes educator, nurse or allied health professional with an interest in diabetes management, you'll be glad to know Diabetes Victoria will award a total of $25,000 to health professionals for training and development in diabetes.

Grant recipients can also take advantage of valuable networking opportunities with other professionals with an interest in the field of diabetes.

Applications for the Grant Program close on 30 June. For more information and to apply visit the Diabetes Victoria website.

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

1 - 2  June		Practical Management Approach of Non Invasive Ventilation & Sleep Disorders- 2 day course Allied Health Professional, General Practitioner Melbourne Details and registration
3 June		Cerebral Aneurysms: When to worry? Which headaches and which patients? GPs Clayton Details and registration
8 June		St Kilda Practice Networks Practice Nurse, Owner/Principal, Practice Manager St Kilda Details and registration
8 June		Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Day 1 Allied Health, Case worker, Mental Health Nurse Fitzroy Details and registration
8 June		Cabrini GP Lecture Series Term 2 Lecture 3- Dealing with patients with Rectal bleeding, who needs a scope? GPs Malvern Details and registration
14 June		Diabetes Foundations - June Allied Health Professional, General Practitioner, Practice Nurse, Pharmacist Carlton Details and registration
15 June		Diabetes Extensions - June Allied Health Professional, General Practitioner, Practice Nurse, Pharmacist Carlton Details and registration
15 June		Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Day 2 Allied Health Professional, Case worker, Mental Health Nurse Fitzroy Details and registration
15 June		Cabrini GP Lecture Series Term 2 Lecture 4-Update on Glaucoma GPs Malvern Details and registration
15 June		Cube 37 - Frankston Arts Centre Practice Nurse, Practice Manager Frankston Details and registration
16-17 June		Contemporary Chronic Disease Management-Melbourne Nurses Melbourne Details and registration
20 June		Outpatient procedural gynaecology event GPs Parkville Details and registration

For more information about events contact Stephenie Cook ph: (03) 8514 6609 or events@semphn.org.au

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