We would like to welcome you to our brand new publication called Sydney Health Weekly! Following a successful 2017, we took feedback on board to create a more streamlined publication that is a consolidation of the Weekly Update, GP eNews and AHP eNews. Sydney Health Weekly will be distributed each Wednesday with news covering the central and eastern Sydney region, general practice, allied health and upcoming education events. 

We hope that you will enjoy the new look and feel of the publication. Should you have any feedback or like to contribute to the newsletter, please contact us at editor@cesphn.com.au.

Your opportunity to drive real improvements in primary health care for our primary health network
The EIS Health Limited Board welcomes expressions of interest to join our Community Council and Clinical Council. 

Community Council
The role of the Community Council is to:

• ensure that decisions, investments, and innovations are person-centred, cost-effective, locally relevant and aligned to local health care experiences and expectations
• assist in identifying service gaps
• provide direction and leadership in relation to the integration of consumer, carer and community views into levels of primary health service operations, planning and policy development
• advocate on behalf of communities, consumers and carers
• increase consumer, carer and community participation and engagement in the Central and Eastern Sydney PHN region

Clinical Council
The role of the Clinical Council is to provide strategic advice to the Board on:

• clinical issues within the region
• opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of medical and health care services and their delivery
• population health planning including the Central and Eastern Sydney PHN needs assessment
• commissioning of programs and services that support local and national health priorities

The councils have an important role in considering current issues within the PHN region and provide advice on how Board strategy may be implemented more efficiently and effectively. 

December 2017/ January 2018 Sydney Health Issue out now!
We are delighted to share our December 2017/ January 2018 edition of Sydney Health Issue! This edition includes articles on the NewAccess program, Active Living, free interpreting services, changes to cervical screening and more. 
Click here to read Sydney Health Issue.

TGA hosted codeine workshops
From 1 February 2018, medicines containing codeine will no longer be available over the counter in pharmacies. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has recently hosted a national series of workshops on the up-scheduling of codeine. Copies of the presentations are available on the TGA website, featuring presentations hosted in Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Wagga Wagga.
Click here for more information. 

EOI: GP representative for After Hours Advisory Group
General practitioners are invited to submit an expression of interest to become a GP representative for the After Hours Advisory Committee. The After Hours program supports the access, efficiency and effectiveness of after-hours primary health care within our region. The GP representatives will provide expert advice and guidance associated with the CESPHN After Hours project activity.
Click here for more information.

Survey: GP opinions on gaps in mental health service provision in Australia
The Black Dog Institute is conducting a survey requiring input from general practitioners regarding gaps in mental health service provision in Australia. The survey is voluntary and completely anonymous, taking about 10 minutes to complete. It includes questions about the types of services that could assist health professionals in managing their patients with a range of mental illnesses.
Click here for more information and to start the survey. 

New QI Incentive 1 May 2018 - PIP update
In the 2017-18 budget, the government announced a new Quality Improvement (QI) Incentive. The new measure will start on 1 May 2018 and will introduce a new QI Incentive into the Practice Incentives Program. CESPHN will keep practices up to date regarding the new QI Incentive as information becomes available over the next few months.
Click here for more information.

Short course in sexual health nursing
This course is designed for registered and enrolled nurses whose patients have, or are at risk of, blood borne viruses (BBVs) and sexually transmissible infections (STIs). It will provide nurses with the introductory practice skills and knowledge to incorporate sexual health screening and management into their current area of specialty. This course is free for NSW nurses.
Click here for more information and to register. 

Cancer Shared eCare Plan with cancer services, St George Hospital
We seek your help to develop a Cancer Shared eCare Plan. The Cancer Shared eCare Plan aims to engage and foster greater communication between GPs, specialists, other health care providers and patients throughout the patient’s treatment. We are looking for GPs who are interested in providing input into the eCare Plan development.
Click here for more information.

Survey: AHP opinions on gaps in mental health service provision in Australia
The Black Dog Institute is conducting a survey requiring input from allied health professionals regarding gaps in mental health service provision in Australia. The survey is voluntary and completely anonymous, taking about 10 minutes to complete. It includes questions about the types of services that could assist health professionals in managing their patients with a range of mental illnesses.
Click here for more information and to start the survey. 

Mental health in immigrant populations
This event aims to improve the quality of primary mental health care for refugee and immigrant families in Canterbury and surrounding areas. It will assist you in identifying the psychological stressors acting on recently arrived refugees, manage the psychological effects of trauma during the refugee experience, and understand the referral pathways for mental health and migrant services in the area. 
Click here for more information.

2017 was a successful year for our education program! We held 157 education events, which were attended by more than 4,900 health professionals at venues across our region. More than 84 per cent of surveyed health professionals found the topics helpful. 

As we move into 2018, we have created an exciting event calendar based on feedback we received from health professionals in the central and eastern Sydney region. 

Recall and Reminders

At:    Ashfield Office, L1 158 Liverpool Rd
On:   Tuesday 13 February 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentation
For:  GPs, AHPs, PMs, PNs, practice administrative staff

Chris O'Brien Lifehouse - Changes to National Cervical Cancer Screening Program and Women's Health Update

At:    Education Centre, L5 Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, 119-143 Missenden Rd, Camperdown
On:   Wednesday 14 February 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentations
For:  GPs, PNs

NDIS - Mental Health Psychosocial Disability

At:    Ashfield Office, L1 158 Liverpool Rd
On:   Thursday 15 February 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentation
For:  GPs, AHPs, PNs

Rehabilitation - Hip and Knee Replacements

At:    Wolper Jewish Hospital, 8 Trelawney St, Woollahra
On:   Tuesday 20 February 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentations
For:  GPs

Polycystic Kidney Disease Workshop

At:    Canterbury Leagues Club, 26 Bridge Rd, Belmore
On:   Wednesday 21 February 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentations
For:  GPs

Hazelhurst CPD Series - Neurology

At:    Hazelhurst Gallery, 782 The Kingsway, Gymea
On:   Thursday 22 February 6.30 pm dinner, 7.30 pm presentations
For:  GPs

Practice Managers Networking - HR Appraisals

At:    Ashfield Office, L1 158 Liverpool Rd
On:   Tuesday 27 February 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentation
For:  PMs

Practice Nurse Clinical Wound Care

At:    Kogarah Office, L3 15 Kensington St
On:   Wednesday 28 February 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentation
For:  PNs

St Vincent's Private CPD Series - Interventional Cardiology

At:    St Vincent's Clinic, L4 Function Room, Barcom Ave, Darlinghurst
On:   Wednesday 28 February 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentation
For:  GPs

Mental Health in Immigrant Populations

At:    Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Club, 20-26 Canterbury Rd, Hurlstone Park
On:   Thursday 1 March 6.30 pm dinner, 7.00 pm presentation
For:  GPs, PNs, psychologists, pharmacists

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.