COVID-19 update

Read about:

• COVID-19 cases in the region,
• Call out: Vaccination for children 5-11
• Support for people isolating with COVID-19
• Winter COVID doses
• Free fit testing for GPs and Practice Nurses
• Upcoming webinars 
• Excess COVID vaccines
• and more ...

Immunisation update

Read about:

• New COVID-19 vaccine certificate for children
• COVID-19 vaccine coverage in children 
• Factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine uptake - a guide
• Free flu vaccine for patients at higher risk 
• Fluad Quad 2022 now available in pharmacies
• and more ...

A new Topbar brochure is available for general practices and Aboriginal medical services

Topbar clinical decision support is designed to increase financial performance, productivity and improve patient experience. It helps you build a sustainable practice now and into the future.

Topbar is complimentary for general practices within the catchment area of a PHN with a Pen CS license. It is safe, secure and adheres to all privacy requirements. For further information, the Topbar Data Governance Framework is available on request.

The CESPHN Digital Health team are able to assist with installation and training of the TopBar application. Email us at digitalhealth@cesphn.com.au.

Drug and alcohol specialist support Is a phone call away 

The Drug and Alcohol Specialist Advisory Service (DASAS) is a free telephone service for health professionals in NSW who require advice on the clinical management of alcohol and other drug issues. The service is funded by NSW Health and managed by St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney and is staffed by St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney staff who are able to provide general advice and can connect callers to on-call Addiction Medicine Specialists who can provide further clinical advice. 

You can contact DASAS on (02) 9361 8006 or free call 1800 023 687 for regional and rural NSW callers. 

The Alcohol and Other Drug Information Service (ADIS) telephone service is also available to provide 24/7 telephone counselling, support, referrals and information for those affected by alcohol or other drugs.  

ADIS counsellors are trained to work with people who are concerned about their own alcohol and drug use, as well as callers who are concerned about their family or friends. 

ADIS is a free service which is available to all residents of NSW. Phone: 1800 250 015

Have your say in disability inclusion

People living with disability, carers, service providers and the wider community are invited to comment on Woollahra Council’s draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) 2022. It’s easy to have your say:

• Visit Your Say Woollahra website.
• Read the draft DIAP 2022, the Easy Read DIAP 2022 or listen to the audio version.
• Give feedback by either completing the online survey, emailing community@woollahra.nsw.gov.au or calling 9391 7000.

Feedback is due by Friday, 8 April 2022.

Almost two-thirds of people with lung cancer ignore symptoms

Each year, 676 people in central and eastern Sydney area will be told they have lung cancer and 468 will die from of the disease. Almost two-thirds of lung cancers spread before detection. Early detection is key.

The Cancer Institute NSW is encouraging GPs to talk to their patients about the symptoms of lung cancer. Read the article to learn about information to support GPs investigate symptoms of lung cancer and to find links to online education, guidelines, and referral information for GPs to follow the optimal care pathway for people with lung cancer. 

eRequesting uploading pathology results to My Health Record

Medical practices using Australian Clinical Laboratories and Sonic pathology (Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology and Southern IML Pathology) can assist their patients and other health professionals to access pathology reports in My Health Record.

If your practice is using compatible version of Best Practice, Medical Director and Zedmed (ACL only), you can contact your pathology lab and request to have eRequesting and pathology report upload progressed.
Find the list of compatible clinical software and contact details for Australian Clinical Laboratories, Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology and Southern IML here.

Please contact digitalhealth@cesphn.com.au for additional information. 

New research on introducing solid foods to babies before six months

New research has highlighted that unless medically advised, introducing solids in babies before six months is a predictor for fussy eating in childhood. Not introducing textured/lumpy foods by eight months is a further predictor for fussy eating behaviours.

Fussy eating is associated with family stress and conflict at mealtimes as well as high levels of parent concern and frustration. The consequences for the child's diet include poor dietary variety and a possible distortion of nutrient intakes, with low intakes of iron and zinc as well as dietary fibre, leading to constipation. There may be developmental difficulties in some children with persistent fussy eating.

Click here for resources to support and families and here for recently published research.

Free in-practice training: Intellectual disability health

Central and Eastern Sydney PHN (CESPHN) is offering free customised in-practice training and support for primary health care providers on intellectual disability health care. Complete the application form if you are interested in this training.

Training is available to all primary health care practices within the CESPHN region and can be tailored towards clinicians and administration staff.

Our service navigators can provide practice support to compile practice-specific learning materials, recommend and support implementation of practical reasonable adjustments and identify key clinical resources. These include annual health assessments to promote better awareness, assessment and management of patients with intellectual disability.

Sydney Local Health District Project ECHO Autumn series 2022

The Sydney LHD Project ECHO Autumn series 2022 will commence this month. The series will feature two streams, each offering direct access to an expert panel including staff specialist psychiatrists who will provide free education and guidance on the management of people with complex mental health issues. 

Establishing ADHD teams for NSW: Online Delphi study for GPs

Interested in an exciting opportunity to participate in research that will inform future models of care for paediatric ADHD management in NSW? We are recruiting GPs to participate in our anonymous online Delphi survey as part of our large, collaborative study entitled Establishing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Care Teams for NSW – the ‘ACT for NSW Project.’

Please click on the links below for more including inclusion criteria and study details:

• Letter of invitation
• Participant information sheet

Contact: hijiri.suzuki@health.nsw.gov.au

Launch of ForWhen - national helpline for expectant and new parents

Pregnancy and parenthood is a time of big change for new parents. What’s often not spoken about are the challenges that can come with it. Mental health struggles can come in the wake of a pregnancy or when raising an infant and are far more common than many people realise. You’re not alone in how you may be feeling.

ForWhen provides new and expecting parents, mums, dads, and guardians, with a caring, supportive mental health navigation service, to guide you and your family throughout your perinatal journey, from your baby’s conception until their first birthday.

Get support by calling 1300 24 23 22 or visit the ForWhen website.

Managing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease risk factors in general practice 

This webinar will focus on managing risk factors to delay progression to Chronic Liver Disease. Part of the St George Hospital education program. Morning webinar.

When: Tuesday, 12 April 7.30 am - 8.30 am
Where: Online webinar
Target audience: GPs, nurses and pharmacists

THIS WAY UP - online cognitive behavioural therapy

This webinar will explore the advantages of integrating iCBT for anxiety and/or depression into practice.

When: Wednesday, 27 April 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm
Where: Online webinar
Target audience: GPs and practice nurses

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

Neurology medical update

Cases with neurological presentations can be daunting to diagnose due to the complexity of the symptoms and difficulty of navigating the various diagnostic tools available. Part of Hazelhurst CPD series.

When: Thursday, 28 April 7.30 pm - 9.00 pm
Where: Online webinar
Target audience: GPs, Nurses, AHPs

Allied health: Building a healthy digitally enabled business

Join us for this online event launching the Central and Eastern Sydney PHN Allied Health Engagement strategy, the role of Allied Health and how CESPHN will work to support and strengthen engagement.

When: Tuesday, 3 May 7.00 pm - 8.30 pm
Where: Online webinar
Target audience: Allied health, health leaders, primary Care clinicians

An update on myeloma, COVID-19, vaccines and cancer

Join specialists from St Vincent's hospital and the Kinghorn Cancer Centre as they discuss myeloma, Covid and cancer and the GPCanShare program.

When: Thursday, 5 May 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm
Where: Online webinar
Target audience: GPs, nurses, pharmacists
RACGP points: 3

There’s no place like home: supporting patient choice for people with kidney failure

Join us online for this breakfast session to learn about the various forms of dialysis that can be done at home and what you need to know to support these patients in your practice. St George hospital education program.

When: Tuesday, 10 May 7.30 am – 8.30 am
Where: Online webinar
Target audience: GPs, Nurses and allied health professionals
RACGP Points: 2

Free baby and child CPR and first aid online course

Free baby and child CPR and first aid online course for new parents who are new to Australia and live in South Eastern Sydney Local Health District. The session will be delivered by Dr Deborah Perkins, Paediatrician.

When: Monday, 2 May 2022, 9.30 am -11.30 am.

Booking is essential.