COVID-19 update

Read about:

• COVID-19 cases in the region
• Boosters for 16-17 year olds
• Novavax Vaccines can now be recorded on AIR
• Upcoming webinars
• Disability Care Guidance
• Head to Health
• COVID-19 care in the community
• CESPHN Vax at Home Service
• Additional PPE available

Immunisation update

Read about:

• Vaccine Clinic Finder Connect
• Booster doses for 16-17 years
• Notification of elegibility of COVID-19 booster vaccinations
• Novavax
• Commonwealth Booking Platform
• Meningococcal B Disease
• COSSI Annual Report

Trans Vitality: Trans Affirming Practice eLearning is coming 

ACON's Pride Training and Trans Health Equity teams present this Trans-Affirming Practice eLearning as an easy way to increase your knowledge, skills and confidence when working with trans people - binary and non-binary. Comprising of 4 modules, this eLearning was co-designed with medical service providers and trans community members. These modules allow for access anytime and ability to start and stop as necessary. Trans Vitality has been generously enabled by NSW Health.

Audience: NSW Professionals in medical services, allied health and community development
Type of learning: Self-directed eLearning
Duration: 3 hours
ACON Pride Training is a RACGP Education Provider
RACGP CPD Activity: 316220
RACGP CPD Points: 6

FREE for the first 1,000 NSW-based professionals!

Prenatal screening for chromosome conditions 

YourChoice is an app to help women thinking of becoming pregnant or those in early pregnancy to make decisions related to pregnancy screening tests. YourChoice gives women the facts about pregnancy screening tests that may be offered to them during pregnancy and in no way promotes the use of any particular commercial test. 

New models of care - prostate cancer screening 

Researchers at the University of Sydney/Bond University are inviting GPs to take part in a research study aiming to co-design a new model of care for prostate cancer screening and discuss options for informed testing. If you are a GP working in Australia and interested in participating in a 30 minute interview, conducted on Zoom or telephone, then please complete the Expression of Interest form and return it to kristen.pickles@sydney.edu.au. You will be asked for your views on two decision aids for PSA test screening and on recent developments that might impact how prostate cancer screening is conducted. You will be reimbursed $150 for your time.

COVID-19 booster date and reminders in My Health Record  

My Health Record was upgraded on 27 January 2022. You are now able to see a consumer’s recommended booster date in My Health Record one month before the due date. This will display in the immunisation consolidated view (through your clinical information software) and in the National Provider Portal (Health Record Overview and Immunisation view).

Eligible consumers will see a new booster tile on the COVID-19 dashboard with their recommended booster date. In addition, one month before the recommended booster date, consumers will:
•    see an on-screen alert on their Record Home page and Immunisation page
•    get an SMS or email notification about their recommended booster date (for those who have set up notifications).

If you need assistance with My Health Record at any time, contact the helpline on 1800 723 471.

Telehealth reimbursements webinar 

Coviu will be running a webinar with Margaret Faux, CEO of Synapse Medical, the only person in Australia to receive a doctoral degree in Medicare claiming and compliance. Register for this free, live webinar and learn about:

• What are the telehealth MBS changes
• What these changes mean for you and your practice
• How to adapt your practice to adhere to these changes
• Q&A session.

When: Tuesday 22 February, 12.00 pm-1.00 pm

Check-up on your wellbeing as a health professional  

Feeling the pressure lately? Complete the TEN Digital Mental Health Check-up to help you identify and overcome any emotional wellbeing challenges that you might be experiencing. Following the check-up, you will be provided with a range of evidence-based resources and support options to help manage your wellbeing.  
Besides the self-guided check-up, The Essential Network for Health Professionals also offers a range of peer support options and e-resources on ways to take care of your mental health as a health professional. The multifaceted e-health hub can be accessed anonymously on the link below or the TEN App.  

CESPHN's Services Guide also offers information on mental health and mental health services for health professionals. Health professionals spend a lot of time offering support and need to to look after their own mental health. 

Hepatitis B (s100) Prescriber Course  

This three-part facilitated online course provides medical practitioners and nurse practitioners with comprehensive training in the science of hepatitis B (HBV), current pharmacology, monitoring and treatment, and the complicating factors surrounding HBV management. Upon successful completion of this training and the associated case assessment, eligible participants may apply to the relevant state departments of health for authority to prescribe Section 100 (s100) drugs for the management of HBV in Australia.  
  
This course is for GPs, other community-based medical practitioners, and nurses. 
  
This course and associated activities are accredited as an RACGP CPD Accredited Activity worth 40 QI&CPD points for the 2020-2022 triennium and are accredited with ACRRM for 7 educational activity PDP units and 2 performance review PDP units in the 2020-2022 triennium. This course and associated activities are accredited by ACNP for professional development.  
  
This course has been funded by NSW Health. 

RACGP webinar: Introduction to sexual and reproductive health    

This webinar will provide GPs with an overview of sexual and reproductive health care in general practice, covering sexual health, sexual history taking, STI screening and contraception.  
  
When: Thursday, 10 March 2022, 7.00 pm - 8.30 pm 

This webinar is an RACGP Activity allocated 3 activity points and 1.5 CPD hours. This activity received funding from the Australian Government Department of Health. 

COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged 5-11 

Sydney Local Health District is offering COVID-19 vaccinations for all children aged 5 - 11 years at local clinics in Canterbury, Riverwood, Punchbowl, Redfern, Forest Lodge, Marrickville, Croydon, and Sydney Olympic Park.

They also have clinics offering boosters for all adults and vaccination for everyone 12 years and over.

There are thousands of vaccination appointments available each day, with times to suit after school hours. 

Diabetes Australia: If I Had Known 

Diabetes Australia has launched the third iteration of the If I Had Known campaign, which shares the lived experience and advice of people who’ve been living with type 2 diabetes for a number of years with people recently diagnosed with the condition.

The campaign is built on research that identified major barriers to optimum diabetes management in people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This included a lack of time, lack of understanding of the seriousness of the condition, lack of appropriate healthcare support and lack of knowledge. To address some of these barriers, a new resource has been developed: a blood glucose monitoring log sheet. This can be used by people living with type 2 diabetes to easily track their glucose levels. 

Canteen Clinic - Expression of Interest for GPs   

Canteen is a national Australian not-for-profit that provides support to 8,000 adolescents and young adults aged 12-25 who are impacted by cancer each year and their parents. They are seeking expressions of interest from GPs around the country who would like to join a library of preferred providers that Canteen members can be referred to. 

If you are interested in joining Canteen's preferred provider library or would like more information, click on the link below or email olivia.depomeroy@canteen.org.au.

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. National Authentication Certificate for Health is used to securely access services such as My Health Record, ePrescribing and Secure Messaging with high level of encryption. 

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 urgently at digitalhealth@cesphn.com.au.  

Step by step instructions for how to renew a NASH PKI certificate can be found using the following link.  

You can also register for an instructional webinar and learn to request and renew a NASH PKI.

Psychosocial issues in transgender health and overcoming barriers to healthcare 

Join us online for presentations and a panel discussion around supporting the health of gender diverse and trans patients.

When: Wednesday, 9 February 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm
Where: Online
Target audience: GPs, AHPs, nurses, sexual health care providers
RACGP points: 3

E-Referrals to SLHD Healthlink SmartForms - webinar 

Join us for this interactive demonstration on the electronic referrals to the Sydney Local Health District, including new eReferrals (maternity services).

When: Tuesday, 15 February 7.00 pm – 7.45 pm
Where: Online
Target audience: GPs and practice staff

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

COVID infection prevention triage and risk management in general practice 

Join us for a pandemic infection prevention and control update, presented by Margaret Jennings, a microbiologist, antimicrobial, infection prevention and educator.

When: Tuesday, 22 February 7.00 pm – 8.15 pm
Where: Online
Target audience: GPs, nurses, practice managers and staff working in general practice

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

SR specialists and referrals - A free electronic referral service for private specialists 

Join us for this interactive demonstration on how to make and receive electronic referrals using the SR Specialists & Referrals service in Genie software. Electronic referrals are safe, save time and make the referral process simple.

When: Wednesday, 23 February 7.00 pm – 8.15 pm
Where: Online
Target audience: Specialists and practice managers in private practice.

Respiratory update: advances in asthma immunotherapy and COVID-19 respiratory recovery 

Join us online for a discussion on the advancements in asthma immunotherapy and management of respiratory recovery post COVID-19. Part of Hazelhurst CPD series.

When: Thursday, 24 February 7.30pm – 9.00pm
Where: Online
Target audience: GPs, physiotherapists, pharmacists, exercise physiologist, nurses
RACGP points: 3

Advancing the role of GPs in holistic care of people with severe mental illness 

Join us for this online workshop on overcoming the stigma and providing essential primary care for People with Severe Mental Illness (PWSMI)

When: Tuesday, 1 March 7.00pm – 8.30pm
Where: Online
Target audience: GPs
RACGP points: 3

Allied health: infection prevention and risk management whilst still seeing patients 

Join us for a pandemic infection prevention and control update, presented by Margaret Jennings, a microbiologist, antimicrobial, infection prevention and educator.

When: Thursday, 3 March 7.00 pm – 8.15 pm
Where: Online
Target audience: Allied health professionals working in private practice

Rheumatology and joint pain - Case study analysis of the joint replacement surgery journey 

Join specialists from St Vincent's Private Hospital and St Vincent's Clinic 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
Target audience: GPs, nurses and AHPs
RACGP points: 2