COVID-19 update

Read about:

• COVID-19 cases in the region
• Updated advice on self-isolation
• Upcoming webinar
• Management of COVID vaccines
• Should my child get a COVID-19 vaccine?
• COVID-19 Vaccination Training Package
• and more...

Immunisation update

Read about:

• Floods and vaccines
• Japanese Encephalitis in NSW
• Flu vaccine update
• Vaccine administration errors
• Immunisation news
• and more...

Health professionals who see patients that may be experiencing domestic and family violence (DFV) can reach out to CESPHN’s DFV Assist service. This service provides free training and support on recognising the signs of DFV, responding appropriately, assessing for safety and making referrals. To access the service, please call 1800 719 801 or email dfvassist@cesphn.com.au.

Expression of Interest: GP representative for CESPHN After Hours Advisory committee

CESPHN are seeking expressions of interest from general practitioners to join the CESPHN After Hours Advisory committee. 

CESPHN is funded to address gaps in After Hours service period and improve service integration by:

• Increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of after-hours primary health care particularly for those with limited access to health services.
• Improving access to after hours primary health care through effective planning, coordination, and support for population based after hours primary health care

Members of the committee work within the region and share expert knowledge from within their fields at quarterly committee meetings. 

Two NSW residents in hospital with Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV)

NSW Health is urging the public to be vigilant and safeguard themselves against mosquito bites as two NSW residents with Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV) are being treated in hospital. 

JEV is a viral illness spread by mosquitoes. It can infect animals and humans and has been confirmed in samples from a number of pig farms in regional NSW.

"Unfortunately, our recent wet weather has led to very high mosquito numbers, so we need the community to be particularly vigilant and take steps to avoid mosquito bites", says Dr Marianne Gale NSW Health Acting Chief Health Officer.

Think Eat and Move: Free healthy lifestyle program for teens

TEAM (Think, Eat and Move program) is a free 8 week evidence based healthy lifestyle program delivered online to adolescents aged 13yrs to 17yrs. 

Delivered by Better Health company in partnership with Central and Eastern Sydney PHN, the program has been developed by health professionals and aligns with the Australian Dietary Guidelines and the Australian 24 hour movement guidelines. 

Adolescents learn about healthy eating, physical activity and behaviour change through interactive modules and activities whilst also receiving weekly health coaching calls. 

Often all it takes is a trusted source such as a GP or allied health professional to refer or provide information about TEAM to a family or youth for them to take that next step in bettering their health. 

Next program starts 11 March 2022. 

EOI: Contract Peer Educators 

The South Eastern Sydney Recovery & Wellbeing College (SESR&WC) is seeking people with personal experience of mental distress, including suicidal crisis and/or carers to work in collaboration with clinical educators to co-facilitate courses across the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD).

Applications are particularly welcomed from people from diverse backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, members of the LGBTIQ+ community, people with disability, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

For enquiries, please phone Michelle McGarrell or Arna Rathgen on 9113 2981.

Closing date is Friday, 25 March 2022.

Project GROW intellectual disability health training calendar

There are a wide range of intellectual disability health events:

• Inclusive Communication: Improving health outcomes for people with down syndrome
  Tuesday, 29 March | 12-12.45 pm
  More information and registrations here.
• Paediatric developmental delay: Assessment and management
  Wednesday, 11 May | 7-8.30 am
  More information and registrations here.
• Intellectual disability health care
  Wednesday, 15 June | 7-8.30 am
  More information and registrations here.

Additionally, Coviu is presenting a webinar:

• How telehealth is transforming NDIS care
• Tuesday, 22 March | 12.30-1.30 pm
• Register here.

How can My Health Record help your practice? 

Specialists and their patients, practice managers and administrative staff can all benefit from using My Health Record.

If you're still wondering how you may benefit from using My Health Record, watch a video with Bendigo psychiatrist Doug Blomeley to learn how it's improved his practice efficiency and patient care.  

GP Readiness to engage in shared cancer survivorship care

Are you a GP in the CESPHN region who has cared for a cancer survivor in the last twelve months? The Kinghorn Cancer Centre at St. Vincent’s Hospital Sydney would love to hear your thoughts around current survivorship practices and explore the idea of shared cancer care.

By filling out a short survey, you can help us identify gaps and contribute to informing local practice and policy change.

International Women's Day - cervical screening reminder and update

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on 8 March. It is a global day which celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

IWD also advocates for the acceleration of women’s equality. A mission of IWD is to assist women to be in a position of power to make informed decisions about their health.

In line with this mission, we wish to highlight a demonstrated need to increase cervical screening participation within NSW. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), 46 percent of women aged 25-74 are at risk of delayed detection of Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

From July 2022, the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) will expand screening test options and offer self-collection as a choice to all people participating in cervical screening.

Matt Levy sheds light on the challenges of domestic violence for people with a disability

The nine-time paralympic medal winner and Order of Australia recipient Matt Levy lends his voice to domestic violence prevention campaign, We’re Better Than That. 

“Women with a disability are almost twice as likely to experience domestic violence than women without a disability.” Matt explains.

Matt describes some of the unique forms of abuse perpetrated against people with a disability, including financial, emotional and social abuse. He encourages everyone to play their part to curb the prevalence of domestic violence.

The 'We're better than that' video campaign promotes respect and healthy relationship strategies, and encourages men to be active bystanders when they witness behaviour that contributes to domestic violence.

Should i use secure messaging?

Secure messaging safely and securely delivers messages containing clinical documents and/or other information between healthcare organisations.

The benefits include: 

• reducing the time waiting for documents to be delivered,
• receiving the documents electronically into your software (removing the need for scanning),
• no more illegible and faxed documents,
• cost saving on staff time, stationery and postage, and
• being environmentally friendly.

If you’re interested in learning more including how to set up secure messaging, contact our Digital Health & QI team: digitalhealth@cesphn.com.au.

Training and support resources

A range of new webinar learning opportunities are now available on the Australian Digital Health Agency's website. The CPD accredited courses include:

• introduction to Active Script List,
• introduction to My Health Record for community health,
• My Health Record in emergency departments, and
• digital health for specialists (updated with 3 new modules).

Check your NASH PKI expiry date and renew on time

Current NASH SHA-1 certificates are being transitioned to more secure SHA-2 certificates. All current SHA-1 certificates expire on 13 March 2022.

If your NASH PKI certificate expires you will no longer be able to access or upload documents to My Health Record and you may not be able to issue or dispense an electronic prescription. If you are unsure about your NASH status, please contact us.

View NASH Renewal Quick Guide here. (For GPs)
View NASH Renewal Quick Guide here. (For pharmacists)

Click here for step by step instructions for how to renew a NASH PKI certificate.

Chronic pain: advancements in management

Assessing and managing patients with chronic pain and identifying different treatment options and referral pathways. Part of Chris O'Brien Lifehouse CPD series.

When: Wednesday, 9 March 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm
Where: Online webinar
Target audience: GPs, AHPs, nurses
RACGP points: 3

Rheumatology and joint pain including case study analysis of the joint replacement surgery journey 

Specialists from St Vincent's Private Hospital and St Vincent's clinic will join us for an interactive, online workshop to discuss the assessment and management of rheumatic conditions and common hip, knee and shoulder complaints.

When: Thursday, 17 March 7.00 pm – 8.00 pm
Where: Online webinar
Target audience: GPs, AHPs, nurses
RACGP points: 2

Demonstration of HealthLink SmartForms and SR specialist and referrals in Best Practice 

Use a safe and secure method to communicate patient information directly with other healthcare providers and axe the fax.

When: Thursday, 24 March 7.00 pm – 7.45 pm
Where: Online webinar
Target audience: GPs and practice managers

Attendees can self-report this activity as CPD with their governing body.

Managing the challenges of clinical therapeutic interventions in the context of domestic violence 

This session will cover how to work with clients to keep safety, both internal and external, at the centre of trauma specific counselling.

When: Monday, 28 March 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm
Where: Online webinar
Target audience: Psychologists, counsellors, and mental health social workers

Inclusive communication – Improving health outcomes for people with down syndrome

Join us for a ‘Lunch and Learn’ webinar that will examine the healthcare needs of people with down syndrome.

When: Tuesday, 29 March 12.00 pm - 12.45 pm
Where: Online webinar
Target audience: All health professionals, community organisations and anyone who has attended CESPHN disability events in the past.