COVID-19 update

Read about:

• COVID-19 cases in the region
• Seasonal flu vaccinations - NSW Government announcement makes flu shot free for all
• New COVID home visiting service
• Long COVID
• Vaccine comparison post
• COVID-19 care in the community
• CESPHN Vax at Home service
• and more...

Immunisation update

Read about:

• Childhood immunisation coverage rates
• Aboriginal vaccination and cultural awareness training
• Influenza vaccination for children under 5 years
• Updated ATAGI statement on the Clinical use of Zoster vaccine
• Karen Orr Nurse Education Scholarship - 2022 applications now open
• and much more...

General practice clinical alert: Monkeypox

As of 20 May, ​NSW Health has confirmed a recently returned traveler from Europe has the monkeypox virus.
This is the first case of monkeypox to be confirmed in NSW. Monkeypox is a rare viral infection that does not spread easily between people and is usually associated with travel to Central or West Africa, where it is endemic.

If a person suspects monkeypox, clinicians are advised to immediately notify the on-call Westmead Hospital Infectious Diseases Specialist on 8890 5555 to discuss the case and management.

National Palliative Care Week - it's your right

Palliative care is a universal right and is so much more than end-of-life care!

Palliative care is available to people of all ages with a serious or life-limiting illness, from the initial diagnosis, and considers the individual's physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs, as well as the needs of their loved ones and carers.

It supports people to spend more time doing the things that matter most to them and helps people to live as well as possible, for as long as possible. 

Nominations now open for the 2022 Pen CS Awards

Pen CS is proud to announce that the Pen CS Awards are back in 2022. This national event recognises excellence in data-driven quality improvement in general practice and Aboriginal Medical Services, by using health informatics. 

2022 winners will be announced at a gala event in Sydney. Nominations are now open.

Diagnostic Imaging Safety and Quality Issues – ACSQHC Consultation

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care is reviewing the Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme Standards and Accreditation Model. You are invited to:

• Identify the quality and safety issues patients face accessing diagnostic imaging 
• Identify strategies that will provide patients with a safe and high-quality diagnostic imaging service.
• Provide thoughts on possible accreditation models for diagnostic imaging.

This consultation is open until 24 June 2022.

Visit the Commission’s website to complete a survey, make a submission or register to participate in an online consultation forum.

Opioid Treatment Accreditation Course

Are you a GP or other prescriber interested in learning about opioid pharmacotherapy treatment?

The University of Sydney is hosting a free training course on behalf of the NSW Ministry of Health in Newcastle for prescribers to learn more about how to safely prescribe opioid pharmacotherapies (methadone and buprenorphine) for opioid dependence.

When: Saturday, 18 June 2022 | 9.00 am –5.00 pm
Where: Holiday Inn Express Newcastle (514 King Street, Newcastle West, NSW 2302)

Webinar attendance is also available if you are based outside this area. Please email Daniel Winter to book your spot online at daniel.winter@sydney.edu.au.

Important update for referring to RPAH Women & Babies

Following the launch of eReferral and digital faxing to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Fertility, Gynaecology and Maternity services, GPs are reminded to use the new SLHD Fax Coversheet if you are unable to refer by HealthLink from your practice software.

Using the fax coversheet enables online referral management and triage process for all received referrals. Using HealthLink eReferral provides referrer and patient acknowledgements of referral receipt and triage outcome.

From this week faxed referrals to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Fertility Unit should be sent to (02) 9515 0997.

Supporting the bereaved: Death Notification Service

The Australian Death Notification Service (ADNS) is a free national service that allows family members to notify multiple organisations of a death using a single online notification.

My Aged Care has partnered with the ADNS along with 60 other organisations across government, utility, banking, insurance and superannuation industries. 

Managing asthma during winter 

Winter can be a difficult and frustrating season for people living with asthma, and it can be daunting to pinpoint what the triggers are.

To help your patients figure out the triggers they’re likely to face this winter, and how they can best manage their asthma, visit Asthma Australia's winter hub.

Healthy lifestyle resources now available in Mongolian

Western Sydney Local Health District originally developed the healthy lifestyle factsheets, and they are now available in Mongolian. The topics in the translated visual healthy lifestyle factsheets include:

• Get active each day 
• Eat more fruit and vegetables 
• Turn off the screens
• Choose water as a drink
• Choose healthy snacks.

Monkeypox update - ASHM webinar

ASHM has been made aware of an increased number of cases of monkeypox, mainly overseas (including Europe and the USA) with two confirmed cases in Australia.

From some early reports, recent cases have been detected in gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men, anecdotally some presenting through sexual health services. It is not considered to be an STI, however differential diagnosis is important.

General populations should be also considered at risk and per WHO guidance for testing, infection control and treatment. Please see the UNAIDS press statement here. National guidelines and case definition are being rapidly developed and further information will be added to the ASHM website. 

Join the webinar today, 25 May at 6.00 pm - 7.00 pm AEST.

ACDC Project Hurstville: collecting feedback on mental health and wellness services

Community Mental Health Australia is working with local service provider, Stride Mental Health, to doorknock in Hurstville from now to July 2022.

People Connector Jenny Guo hopes the project will create an understanding of the barriers people face when trying to access services.

Feedback is collected via the ACDC survey, which is available in English, Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese, and Italian. The findings of the ACDC project evaluation report, released later this year, will also evaluate how effective a proactive approach is in reaching, engaging, and resourcing people to connect with services.

Research: Better physical health consultations with mental health consumers

Better interactions about physical health are valuable for effective physical health care in primary care settings. The free Physical Health Conversation Guide was co-designed by GPs, mental health consumers, and others to make talking about health with your patients easier. 

Already used the guide? UNSW researchers would like to invite GPs to share their experience of using the tool via interview or survey. Time commitment is up to 1.5 hours. Enquiries from Practice Nurses are also very welcome. Participants will be reimbursed for their time.

For further information, please contact: k.thorburn@unsw.edu.au.

Medical Director 4.2 and Immunisation

Medical Director 4.2 will be “Medicare Web Services” enabled and include connectivity to AIR and a new Immunisation tab.

Nurses will be able to record immunisations within the practice immunisation tab using the field in the vaccination window – “Submit On Behalf Of”. If your nurse requires access to Immunisation History, Medical Exemption and Vaccine Trial History tabs, you will need to apply for a Location AIR Provider Number from the Australian Immunisation Register. Click here to see how to apply for a Location AIR Provider Number. 

Once you have obtained the Location AIR Provider Number, enter it in Clinical via User > Setup Users > Highlight and edit the User(Nurse).

There is the possibility that you might already have a Location AIR Provider Number. To find out, contact the AIR Internet Help Desk Team on 1300 650 039.

For further information or support please contact Medical Director Support on 1300 300 161.

GP waiting room changes in Bronte

Bronte Family Doctors no longer has a waiting room so please call 9387 2000 to advise reception you have arrived and dress accordingly should your doctor be delayed.

Sexual Health - part of the St George Hospital education program

The Integrating Care Education program is an opportunity for hospital-based specialists and their respective primary care specialists to meet in a forum to discuss the care of their patients.

When: Tuesday, 14 June 7.30 am – 8.30 am
Where: Online webinar
Target audience: GPs, nurses and pharmacists
RAGP points: 2

Intellectual Disability Health Care

Practical information and materials for GPs and primary health care professionals to enhance their capability to care for people with intellectual disability.

When: Wednesday, 15 June 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm
Where: Online
Target audience: GPs, nurses, practice managers, AHPs and administrative staff in general practice.
RAGP points: 3

Cultural Awareness Training in General Practice 

Closing the Gap - Why, What, Where, Who... Cultural and Practice Considerations.

When: Wednesday, 1 June 6.00 pm – 9.00 pm
Where: In-person event Canada Bay Club - 4 William Street, Five Dock
Target audience: GPs, allied health professionals, practice nurses and practice staff.
RACGP Points: 5

Emergency presentations in GP settings: ENT and Ophthalmology

Join us for this education session on most common ENT and Ophthalmology presentations in general practice settings. Chris O'Brien Lifehouse CPD series.

When: Wednesday, 8 June 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm
Where: Online webinar
Target audience: GPs, AHPs, Nurses

Mindfulness-based debrief and stress management session for new and expecting mums

Would you like to learn to better manage stress and have a more balanced lifestyle particularly following the COVID lockdown? We invite you to attend a mindfulness-based debrief and stress management session in your language. The session is led by Hend Saab (senior psychologist) and Rubina Huq. It will be held at the following times:

• Wednesday, 8 June 10.00 am - 12.00 pm
• Wednesday, 15 June 10.00 am - 12.00 pm
• Wednesday, 22 June 10.00 am - 12.00 pm
• Wednesday 29 June 10.00 am - 12.00 pm

The Zoom link for the session will be provided upon registrations. To register, please contact Rubina Huq:
rubina.huq@health.nsw.gov.au or 0439 465 517.

BDI Mental Health short webinar series

In addition to their regular Expert Insights for Health Professionals session, the Black Dog Institute is piloting a new, 30 minute webinar series. These sessions will be focused on short mental health interventions for use in practice. Topics include: 

• Suicide safety planning - 26 May 
• Structured problem solving - 31 May
• Activity scheduling and mood monitoring - 7 June
• Supporting indigenous wellbeing - 28 June

Digital Affordability and Access - free online training

The Eastern Sydney Digital Inclusion Working Group is excited to announce its free Digital Affordability and Access training for support workers and carers of older people, and people with disability.  

Many older people and people with disability might find it hard to afford getting online, or they’re confused about the technology, and about internet and mobile data plans. Support workers and carers are often trusted to help them with using new technology, but the marketplace can be a challenge to navigate for anyone. This free online training is designed to give workers and carers the confidence to help the person they support to find the online option or device that will suit them, at a price that they can afford.

Aged Care or Disability Workers

• Thursday, 26 May | 3.00 pm - 4.00 pm

Family or friend carers

• Session 1: Tuesday, 31 May | 10.00 am - 11.00 am
• Session 2: Tuesday, 7 June | 10.00 am - 11.00 am

For further information, please contact Tim Horton at ssdo@innersydneyvoice.org.au or on 0439 986 558.

Free online APNA training for CVC Program Nurses

DVA has provided funding to the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association for a capped number of fully funded training licences to nurses and/or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care workers who have patients participating in the Coordinated Veterans’ Care Program. This is to support the delivery of the best possible care to veterans participating in the program. The licences are for two online learning modules:

• Chronic disease management (2 hours)
• Care planning (3 hours)

Care coordinators need to apply before 21 June 2022 to access a training licence for free, however the modules can be completed at any time and at your own pace. Certificates of completion are provided. Optional reflection templates are available for recording CPD hours.

For more information, please contact Janne Butterworth at janne.butterworth@dva.gov.au or on 0407 540 858

Data governance framework webinars for general practice

Dr Kean-Seng Lim, Chief Medical Advisor from Pen CS will be providing two webinars on the guiding principles of data governance for general practices and Aboriginal Medical Services.

When:

• Tuesday, 31 May | 1.00 pm - 1.30 pm
• Thursday, 2 June | 1.00 pm - 1.30 pm