Practice Connect Newsletter

Welcome to Practice Connect, a fortnightly update for practice managers, principals, nurses and administration staff on relevant issues, upcoming events and education.

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7 March 2024 - Edition 190

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  • Most practices in WA now registered for MyMedicare
  • Make the call on your mental health today
  • New palliative care resources to support planning, grief and loss
  • WA Voluntary Assisted Dying podcast - Lisa's story
  • 2024 National Immunisation Program influenza vaccination and ATAGI statement - early advice for health professionals
  • Pre-Allocation survey for Fluad Quad
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infant Immunisation program announcement and webinar
  • RSV program information session
  • Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV) - ATAGI issues advice
  • NCIRS webinar: RSV vaccines for the protection of older adults
  • Video available - NCIRS webinar: New RSV vaccine and antibody to prevent disease in infants
  • Mandatory reporting changes are being introduced to the Australian Immunisation Register
  • Primary Care Vaccine Rollout - Provider Bulletin
  • COVID-19 and influenza update
  • 'One injection is better than three':  clinical evaluation of a single, high dose subcutaneous infusion benzathine penicillin G for treatment of syphilis
  • Inform ECU research to support people bereaved by suicide in the South West Region
  • Chronic Kidney Disease: NEW recommendations and
  • Education & Events

22 February 2024 - Edition 189

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  • Nurse-led model is helping to improve immunisation rates for Aboriginal children
  • Have you spent your Strengthening Medicare GP Grant?
  • WA residents now able to access interstate stimulant prescriptions
  • Medical Cost Finder Resources released
  • Diabetes management during Ramadan
  • Identifying and supporting patients experiencing food insecurity
  • Medicare's 40th Anniversary
  • Have you heard about the free services PANDA offer families?
  •  "Play Catch Up" with overdue immunisations
  • AIR Field changes become mandatory from 1 March
  • Australian Immunisation Handbook tip
  • Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI) parent website contact card
  • Six things you should know about HPV
  • How to spot a skin cancer
  • NCIRS webinar series - preventing respiratory disease in 2024
  • COVID-19 Vaccines in Australia - A3 poster
  • Digital Health Tools to support your practice
  • Best Practice Update allows Uploading Advanced Care Plans Directly to My Health Record
  • General Practice Nurses and Community Pharmacists Needed for Women's Health Survey
  • RACGP International Women's Day Event
  • Education & Events

8 February 2024 - Edition 188

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  • General practices collaborate and educate vulnerable and CALD patients
  • New-look Medicare cards
  • Hepatitis C Quality Improvement Program - Incentive payment to practices increase
  • Oncology inpatients return to Royal Perth Hospital
  • "Play Catch Up" with overdue immunisations
  • New Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) Update
  • Cancer screening Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) activities
  • Australia continues push to eliminate cervical cancer
  • NCIRS webinar on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
  • Chemotherapy: Supporting patients in their cancer treatment
  • SCGH Post-COVID-19 Clinic closing 15 February 2024
  • Discover the Game-Changing Benefits of Telehealth
  • My Health Record: An opportunity for sustainable continuity of care across health settings
  • Provider Connect Australia (PCA) - Keeping your practice connected
  • Share your insights on the impact of Strengthening Medicare reforms
  • Nominations now open for our Aboriginal Stakeholder Reference Group
  • Updating the National Guidelines for On-Screen Presentation of Discharge Summaries
  • WA Sexual Health Week
  • Education & Events

25 January 2024 - Edition 187

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  • MyMedicare patient registration
  • Summer Preparedness for Primary Care Providers
  • Clear the Air campaign unmasks the rotten truth behind vaping
  • Feed Safe app re-launches
  • Cold Chain Audits
  • Starting School - Immunisations
  • Look out for your immunisation data postcard!
  • Meningococcal B (Bexsero) vaccines Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) due/overdue rule for Aboriginal children
  • 25th Annual Scientific Meeting
  • Shield yourself from Shingles
  • Is it time for a bowel cancer screening test?
  • Have your say about breast cancer screening
  • Where to find COVID-19 information
  • Telehealth carts reach 100 aged care homes across WA
  • ACRRM's Telehealth Clinical Skills Program 2024
  • Health Professional user research: Understanding the experience for GPs navigating and referring mental health services
  • Invitation to participate in consultation on informing primary care participation in weight management of Aboriginal patients
  • Sector consultation now open - Hepatitis B medication s85 advocacy
  • Ovarian Cancer Month
  • Education & Events

11 January 2024 - Edition 186

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  • 2024 Practice Assist Yearly Planner
  • Our Business Management Toolkit has a new look
  • MBS Changes January 2024
  • Practice Assist MBS Toolkit Update
  • Are you looking for a free to access clinical, referral (including GPbook Specialist Directory) and health system information resource?
  • GP Psychiatry Support Line
  • New DVA quick tip for health providers on billing for compensation claims
  • Mandatory reporting to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
  • Pharmacy immunisation expansion program
  • Cancer Screening
  • CaLD Ambassador Program Pilot for Bowel Screening
  • New vaccine targeting current COVID-19 strains now available
  • Extension of healthdirect COVID-19 GP Video Call to 30 June 2024
  • COVID-19 Vaccines in Australia - A3 poster
  • Share your insights on the impact of Strengthening Medicare reforms
  • Consultation Open: Have your say on the new Aged Care Act
  • Education & Events

14 December 2023 - Edition 185

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  • Merry Christmas from the Practice Assist team
  • Cold Chain Management
  • Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) Update - 4 December 2023
  • Clinical practice guidelines for the prevention, early detection and management of colorectal cancer 
  • The National Strategy for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer has now been launched
  • Did you know you can access patients' cancer screening history and immunisations via your clinical software? 
  • Protect high-risk patients against COVID-19 this festive season
  • COVID-19 VOC end of year arrangements
  • Decommissioning the COVID-19 Digital Certificate
  • COVID-19 Vaccines in Australia - A3 poster
  • MyMedicare – Patient Registration Campaign 2024 
  • MyMedicare patient resources translated into multiple languages
  • Midland location of WA’s sixth Medicare Urgent Care Clinic
  • Beware of fraudulent calls impersonating ADHA staff
  • Free multilingual telephone hotline for people affected by overseas conflicts
  • Refer an older person to receive friendship and companionship from a volunteer visitor
  • Changes to Palliative care entry process to residential aged care homes
  • North Metro Health Youth Mental Health Support
  • Central Referral Service - Failed Faxes Notice
  • Telehealth rollout to residential aged care homes in WA
  • Future ready health care in residential aged care homes – linking to the MBS
  • Finish off the year strong by registering for Provider Connect Australia 
  • Education & Events

30 November 2023 - Edition 184

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  • Heatwaves
  • Bushfires
  • Cyclones and Thunderstorms
  • Updated RACGP resource: Summer Planning Toolkit
  • Encourage your patients to get vaccinated before travelling these holidays
  • Principles of safe vaccine storage management
  • Resources to support the NIP shingles vaccination schedule change
  • Reduced Shingrix ordering limits
  • National strategy to eliminate cervical cancer in Australia released
  • COVID-19 Immunisation Recall and Reminder Grant for General Practice
  • ATAGI recommendations on use of Moderna and Pfizer monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 COVID-19
  • COVID-19 vaccine ordering and delivery
  • Mask wearing in WA public hospitals
  • Our year in review
  • Head to Health adult mental health centre opens in Armadale
  • 4 Ways to Make your Practice More Inclusive
  • Culturally adapted resources to help reduce the risk of stillbirth
  • New guide launched for interviewing older people at risk of harm
  • New gplearning course: Reducing your risk of Medicare non-compliance
  • SJGHC - new north / south model of private maternity care 
  • International Day of Disability
  • Building Nursing Capacity to Care for People with Intellectual Disability and/or Autism is Every Nurse’s Business
  • 16 Days in WA
  • Education & Events

16 November 2023 - Edition 183

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  • Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week 18-24 November
  • Preventing antimicrobial resistance together (WA event)
  • What to do if you find a Cold Chain Breach
  • Promote self-collection during National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week
  • Improving Immunisation for Aboriginal Children in General Practice
  • NCIRS resource: Zoster vaccines – frequently asked questions (FAQs)
  • Shingles vaccination program resources
  • Beyond Prostate Cancer: Management and Monitoring
  • Webinar: Overseas Vaccinations and Catch ups
  • COVID-19 Immunisation Recall and Reminder Grant for General Practice
  • Downloading a 42a report
  • Patient registration for MyMedicare is now open
  • Better Health, Together - Urgent Care Clinics complementing general practice and supporting integration with local health services
  • GPs benefit from Silverchain’s education event – ‘When Chronic Disease and Mental Illness Coexist’
  • Building Nurse Capacity - improving patient outcomes
  • Veterans to receive better access to a GP 
  • The Wandjoo Gateway (‘no wrong door’) program
  • "Grow a Mo” for Men's Health
  • Education & Events

2 November 2023 - Edition 182

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  • Access to better care with MyMedicare
  • Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Changes from 1 November-
  • My Medicare- Quality Improvement Opportunities
  • MyMedicare patient registration - General Practice in Aged Care Incentive
  • Cervical Cancer Awareness Week
  • Whooping Cough Day
  • Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) tip - How to correctly record batch numbers when reporting vaccination encounters to the AIR
  • New AIR due and overdue rules for meningococcal B vaccine
  • A Refresher on Cold Chain
  • Webinar: Overseas Vaccinations and Catch ups
  • Immunisation Coalition Shingles Update webinar
  • Immunisation Course Expression of Interest
  • COVID-19 Immunisation Recall and Reminder Grant for General Practice
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program FAQs
  • Are you aware of the changes to the Workforce Incentive Program – Practice Stream (WIP-PS)?  
  • Bunbury location of WA’s fifth Medicare Urgent Care Clinic
  • It is time to prepare your practice and patients for the coming high risk natural hazard season
  • Primary Sense - New data security video 
  • GP Psychiatry Support Line
  • Did you know you can access GPBook for no cost through HealthPathways WA
  • Redirection of NMHS Gastroenterology Elective Procedure Waitlist cases to Joondalup Health Campus
  • Education & Events

19 October 2023 - Edition 181

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  • Mental Health Month - We All Have a Role to Play
  • Mental Health in General Practice
  • Head to Health
  • Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool
  • MindSpot GP
  • Resources to support the mental health and wellbeing of Aboriginal patients
  • MyMedicare
  • Voluntary Patient Registration report now available in Primary Sense
  • Webinar: Overseas Vaccinations and Catch ups
  • Is your vaccine cold chain maintained?   
  • National Immunisation Program – Shingles Vaccination
  • Australian Immunisation Handbook tip: How can shoulder injury related to vaccine administration be avoided? 
  • New WA Health resources: Aboriginal 0-4 Koorlongka Kids immunisation
  • Offering bowel cancer screening to your patients just got easier
  • Bulk order kits to issue to eligible patients
  • Immunisation Coalition Shingles Update webinar
  • Immunisation Course Expression of Interest
  • COVID-19 Immunisation Recall and Reminder Grant for General Practice
  • New COVID-19 Handbook chapter 
  • Inaugural Goldfields Multicultural Community Markets
  • Beeliar location of WA’s fourth Medicare Urgent Care Clinic
  • WAPHA committed to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people across WA
  • New HealthPathway - Urgent Care Services
  • Rainbow Ticked again
  • Byford Health Hub 
  • 2023 APNA Workforce Survey - Make your Voice heard
  • Curtin University chat2 study
  • Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital GP clinic letter survey
  • AusCAPPS KAP survey
  • Education & Event

5 October 2023 - Edition 180

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  • Getting Started with MyMedicare
  • MyMedicare QI practice readiness activities and
  • RACGP - MyMedicare webinar #3
  • Breast Awareness
  • Breast Screening
  • Health Promotion opportunities at your Practice
  • Would your practice like to promote Breast Cancer Awareness month in October? Here’s how...
  • How your practice can help improve cancer screening through quality improvement
  • Webinar: Overseas Vaccinations and Catch ups
  • Routine childhood immunisation – get your health provider resource kit
  • New NCIRS resource: Multiple vaccinations for children 
  • The new SKAI website 
  • Immunisation Course Expression of Interest
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program ending 1 October 2023
  • The Garden Family Medical Clinic hosts a Teddy Bear Hospital
  • First stage under way for 60-day prescriptions
  • Lung Foundation Australia: Silicosis Support Services
  • Type 1 Diabetes National Screening Pilot
  • Breaking down pain in Rockingham
  • South and East Metropolitan Health Service Rheumatology Changes:
  • Continuation of diversion of NMHS Gastroenterology Elective Procedure Waitlist cases to EMHS until 31st December 2023
  • Contribute to Research on Obesity Control with Meal Timing Strategy
  • Emerging Minds 2023 National Workforce Survey for Child, Parent and Family Mental Health is open
  • Education & Events

21 September 2023 - Edition 179

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  • MyMedicare patient registration 
  • MyMedicare - session for GPs and Practice Managers
  • MyMedicare QI practice readiness activities and PDSAs
  • MyMedicare practice registration
  • MyMedicare - webinars on demand
  • Dementia Action Week 2023
  • My Community Directory: Dementia Community Services
  • and Support Finder
  • Supporting the Needs of People with Advanced Chronic Conditions in general practice
  • Advance Care Planning in General Practice
  • Advanced Care Planning QI Tips
  • Greater Choices for At Home Palliative Care Update
  • Immunisation: AIR Encounters and Reporting webinar recording
  • Why is vaccination with a pertussis-containing vaccine important during pregnancy? 
  • Cold Chain Audits
  • Immunisation for Health and Life – Inaugural Primary Care Infectious Disease Meeting
  • Immunisation Course Expression of Interest
  • Updated ATAGI 2023 COVID-19 booster advice
  • COVID-19 vaccines in Australia – A3 poster 
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program ending 1 October 2023
  • WA endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics now accepting referrals
  • HealthPathways WA Obstetrics Working Group EOI
  • New General Practice Data Summary Reports coming soon
  • Primary Sense - Resources and Information
  • Provider Connect Australia
  • Alert for Clinicians - Measles in returned traveller from Bali
  • Hep B Care. It's primary care, too
  • Education event helps improve paediatric assessments and referrals in the Great Southern
  • Take the 2023 National Workforce Survey for Child, Parent and Family Mental Health and help shape child mental health planning and policy
  • Education & Events

7 September 2023 - Edition 178

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  • RU OK? Day 2023
  • Practice Staff Mental Health Support  
  • GP Psychiatry Support Line
  • Resources to support the mental health and wellbeing of Aboriginal patients
  • Head to Health
  • Invitation to participate in Initial Assessment and Referral interviews
  • Doctors Caring for Colleagues Workshop - Program
  • QI activities coming soon to support the implementation of MyMedicare
  • MyMedicare - webinars on demand
  • New – Immunisation Catch Plan request form
  • Frequently asked questions – DTPa-HB-IPV-Hib vaccine (Vaxelis and Infanrix hexa)   
  • Australian Immunisation Handbook tip - Should a repeat dose be considered when an infant spits out or vomits the oral rotavirus vaccine?  
  • Immunisation for Health and Life – Inaugural Primary Care Infectious Disease Meeting
  • NCIRS webinar: Vaccination for people with disability 
  • Immunisation Course Expression of Interest
  • ATAGI Update on the COVID-19 Vaccination Program
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program ending 1 October 2023
  • New General Practice Data Summary Reports coming soon
  • Supporting an effective primary care response to family, domestic and sexual violence
  • HealthPathways WA Obstetrics Working Group EOI
  • Notification of infectious diseases and related conditions
  • Community Patient Transport Services
  • Find Your Next GP or Practice Nurse with Rural Health West's Recruitment Service!
  • WA Rural Health Excellence Awards | Nominations now open  
  • Curtin Student-Led Physiotherapy Clinic
  • Vaping amongst Adolescents: Preventive and clinical support by General Practitioners and Paediatricians in Australia
  • Interview invitation for cervical screening research - Supporting Choice for Cervical Screening
  • Education & Events

24 August 2023 - Edition 177

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  • What GPs are saying about MyMedicare
  • MyMedicare First steps: What is it, What do I need to know?
  • Primary Health Care Reform and MyMedicare - WATCH ON DEMAND
  • Chronic disease Team Care Arrangements (TCA’s) and Case Conferences
  • Developing a chronic disease management strategy using
  • targeted quality improvement activities
  • Multidisciplinary Care in General Practice
  • Supporting Chronic Conditions Care in General Practice
  • What matters to people with chronic conditions when accessing general practice
  • PneumoSmart Vaccination Tool
  • Bulk Bowel testing kits now available
  • Promotion of self-collection for cervical screening webinar
  • National Cervical Screening Program Education Course Update
  • Pertussis Update
  • Immunisation Course Expression of Interest
  • Reminder: Weekly Stock Management Reporting
  • Vulnerable Populations Vaccination Program Funding
  • Non-Medicare COVID-19 Vaccination Reimbursement 
  • Grant funding roll out benefits practices and patients 
  • Goldfields NAIDOC Week “For Our Elders” – Inaugural Aged Care Expo
  • Primary Sense – Training resources
  • The Practice Assist Quality Improvement (QI) Tool Kit is currently under review
  • RACGP welcomes WA government payroll tax confirmation as ‘a relief’ for GPs across the state
  • Funded medically necessary transport for aged pensioners
  • Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program now available for veterans and their families
  • Grow and Go Toolbox
  • WA Rural Health Excellence Awards | Nominations now open  
  • Antidepressant treatment based on person’s genetic makeup – ALIGNED Study
  • Take the 2023 National Workforce Survey for Child, Parent and Family Mental Health and help shape
  • Coordinated Veterans’ Care Program participant survey – what you need to know
  • Education & Events

10 August 2023 - Edition 176

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  • My Medicare
  • Register Now: Primary health care reform and MyMedicare - Set your practice up for success
  • How Digital Health can benefit your Practice
  • Embracing Digital Health for Quality Improvement in your Practice
  • Medical Board of Australia - Telehealth consultations with patients
  • my health App
  • MHR then and now – aka “who actually uses My Health Record?” 
  • GPs using Best Practice can now upload Advanced Care Planning directly onto My Health Record
  • Telehealth in Residential Aged Care Homes
  • Narambeen RACH case study 
  • Extension of the healthdirect Video Call COVID-19 GP Program to 31 December 2023
  • Urgent Update: Electronic Prescribing Service
  • Axe the fax
  • Non-Medicare COVID-19 Vaccination Reimbursement 
  • Immunisation: AIR Encounters and Reports Webinar
  • Do you know your Immunisation Schedule?
  • "Australian Immunisation Register TIP" for Newborns not yet enrolled in Medicare
  • Cancer information for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse patients and carers
  • Interview invitation for cervical screening research - Supporting Choice for Cervical Screening
  • Immunisation Course Expression of Interest
  • Candlewood Medical Centre introduces case conferences with non-dispensing pharmacist
  • Mental Health Case Conferencing
  • Primary Sense: New SMS List Functionality
  • Three Year Old Development Video
  • ForWhen: Guiding new and expecting parents to mental health care
  • Launch of the new Guideline for assessing and managing cardiovascular disease risk
  • Online syphilis decision making support
  • WA Rural Health Excellence Awards | Nominations now open  
  • Australian General Practice Training Program
  • Alcohol. Think Again 'Australian Alcohol Guidelines' campaign
  • Exploration of health professionals’ perception on factors affecting optimisation of medicines regimens in older adults: A qualitative study
  • Education & Events

28 July 2023 - Edition 175

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  • Hepatitis
  • Decision Making in Hepatitis C
  • Beyond the C
  • Australia can’t wait! World Hepatitis Day Updates from WA Health
  • Hepatitis C Case Finding - WA upcoming event
  • Primary Sense Education Sessions a success
  • Withdrawing from the COVID-19 Vaccination Program
  • Non-Medicare COVID-19 Vaccination Reimbursement 
  • Immunisation: Back to Basics webinar recording
  • Vaccinating Young Children Against Influenza
  • Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Immunisation resources
  • Focus on improving the timeliness of vaccination in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children 
  • The Future of Cancer Screening: Conversations and Conundrums
  • Maternal influenza Vaccination 2023 – Webinar
  • MatterofVax podcast – Immunisation Foundation of Australia 
  • Allan Cripps Memorial Webinar –
  • Immunisation Course Expression of Interest
  • WAPHA staff visit general practices across the Goldfields
  • MyMedicare
  • New service to help people to better manage long term conditions – for GPs in the Wanneroo region
  • Chronic Cough Awareness Campaign 
  • New DVA quick guide for GPs and specialists
  • WA Rural Health Excellence Awards | Nominations now open  
  • Getting started with Provider Connect Australia
  • Genetics in primary care Western Australia
  • Research Study: Evaluating barriers and enablers to implementing an automated text message support program for cancer survivors
    into primary care
  • Education & Events 

13 July 2023 - Edition 174

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  • MyMedicare
  • MyMedicare - PRODA Practice Registration
  • Getting your practice ready for MyMedicare
  • Primary Sense Education
  • GP Grants on track for 1 August receipt
  • Diabetes in Focus – National Diabetes Week
  • Diabetes and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health - Quality Improvement
  • Diabetes WA - Aboriginal Health
  • Moderna Bivalent BA.1 vaccine expiry 
  • Immunisation “Back to Basics” Webinar a huge success
  • Reimbursements for END of the Free Influenza Program for 2023
  • National Immunisation Program changes from 1 July 2023
  • New Immunisation Catch Up Request forms
  • Australian Immunisation Handbook tip
  • Immunisation Course Expression of Interest
  • Immunisation for individuals with additional needs: practical guide
  • Alternate Access Model for Bowel Testing Kits
  • Lockridge Medical Centre celebrates NAIDOC Week
  • Wanting to find visiting specialists in your region? Visit HealthPathways WA
  • Urgent Update: Electronic Prescribing Service
  • Improving veteran access to clinically necessary diabetes products
  • GP Experience - Medication Titration Survey
  • Continuation of diversion of NMHS Gastroenterology Elective Procedure Waitlist cases to EMHS until 30 September 2023
  • GSWA Clinical Service Plan surveys now live
  • Education & Events ​​

29 June 2023 - Edition 173

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  • Grants payments in full swing
  • PIP QI submissions via Primary Sense or JSON file
  • Enhancing the management of primary care with Primary Sense
  • Celebrating NAIDOC Week 2-9 July 2023
  • Lockridge Medical Centre is helping to improve health services for Aboriginal patients
  • Increase to Medicare support for COVID-19 vaccinations from 1 July 2023
  • Pfizer 12 years+ (Purple) expiry and offboarding
  • VOC moving to standard business hours from July 1, 2023
  • Don’t forget to report all COVID-19 and other vaccinations administered to the AIR
  • Updated COVID-19 oral treatments fact sheet 
  • COVID-19 booster advice for target groups
  • Indigenous-specific health checks during the COVID-19 Pandemic (FED)
  • New Immunisation Catch Up Request forms
  • Vaccination for Our Mob report website
  • Immunisation "Back to Basics" Webinar
  • MERS-CoV and Hajj pilgrimage
  • Hepatitis C Quality Improvement Program
  • Urgent Update: Electronic Prescribing Service
  • Live Up - Healthy ageing initiative
  • Decommissioning the My Aged Care fax
  • Education & Events​

15 June 2023 - Edition 172

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  • Special consideration – Strengthening Medicare GP Grants
  • Need assistance completing your GP Grant application?
  • Steps to using Primary Sense successfully in your practice 
  • Bowel cancer and screening for early detection
  • Alternative access model for bowel screening kits – EOI for GPs
  • Bowel screening quality improvement (QI) opportunities
  • Vulnerable Populations Vaccination Program – 2023
  • Influenza poster for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients
  • Immunisation "Back to Basics" Webinar
  • Get your flu immunisation video
  • Study of GP follow-up processes following a positive iFOBT
  • National Cervical Screening Program self-collection expansion – one year on
  • Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI) eLearning module
  • Additional vaccinations for people with an occupational risk
  • Adult Immunisation Forum
  • GP consultation vital to inform workforce needs in your region
  • Improved HealthPathways WA search function
  • Integrated Chronic Disease Care (ICDC) Service refinements
  • 2023 ATO resources for nurses and midwives
  • ‘Sounds Like’ it’s time to help patients quit smoking
  • Uploading advance care planning documents to My Health Record using Best Practice
  • Only one week until MEDCON23 – 30% discount for GPs
  • Free healthy lifestyle programs for children and families – term 3
  • Beyond the Wound – first two episodes released
  • Review of Auslan service use in primary care
  • Palliative and Supportive Care Education (PaSCE) events and survey
  • Peel GP Education and Training Support Project
  • Education & Event

1 June 2023 - Edition 171

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  • Strengthening Medicare – General Practice Grants Program closing 15 June 2023
  • Guidelines help practice to submit grant application
  • Primary Sense Reports – Maximising Use  
  • Men's Health Week is celebrated every year around the world
  • Men's Health - Quality Improvement opportunities for your practice
  • ATAGI advice on the preferential use of bivalent COVID-19 vaccination for primary vaccination of people aged 12 years or older 
  • Value of CVAS reporting to ongoing health system response to COVID-19  
  • Free influenza vaccine in May and June 2023 program
  • Immunisation Course Expression of Interest - Extension
  • Immunisation – Back to Basics Webinar
  • Alternate Access Model for Bowel Testing Kits
  • Study of GP follow-up processes following a positive iFOBT
  • Australian Immunisation Handbook updates – May 2023
  • Annual Pneumococcal disease webinar
  • Adult Immunisation Forum
  • Expression of Interest open for three more Medicare Urgent Care Clinics
  • Nurse Practitioner Pilot Expression of Interest now open
  • Supporting non-dispensing pharmacists within general practices
  • St John of God Health Care to run new Head to Health centres
  • Greater Choices for At Home Palliative Care
  • Calling all GPs and specialists using My Health Record
  • Supporting patients with hearing loss
  • New opportunity: Free training to become a Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician
  • Review of Auslan service use in primary care
  • Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees - EOI
  • SURVEY: Evaluating discharge communication practices between Perth Children’s Hospital Emergency Department and General Practitioners  
  • Education & Events 

18 May 2023 - Edition 170

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  • Strengthening Medicare – General Practice Grants Program: important update for practices at Step 2 & 3
  • Getting Started - Primary Sense Training -
  • How practices can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia
  • Supporting effective, culturally safe primary healthcare
  • More Aboriginal Western Australians are Identifying in the Census
  • How WA Primary Health Alliance is prioritising the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people
  • Aboriginal Griefology, a presentation by Rosemary Wanganeen
  • Moderna Bivalent BA.1 
  • COVID-19 vaccination reimbursement for non-Medicare patients 
  • The Department of Health updated advice on Flu Vaccination
  • Immunisation Course Expression of Interest
  • Breastscreen Van in Broome
  • HPV in 2023 - Video now available
  • Adult Immunisation Forum
  • WA’s first Medicare Urgent Care Clinic confirmed for Morley
  • National Palliative Care Week and Greater Choices
  • New RACGP webpage with a summary of useful links about the MBS and Medicare compliance
  • HealthPathways Google “Change your password” notification: what this means and what to do
  • Changes to DVA’s website for providers
  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in 2023
  • Release of the Nurse Practitioner Workforce Plan
  • Direct referral to MindSpot GP available in regional WA
  • Peel GP Education and Training Support Project
  • Education & Events

4 May 2023 - Edition 169

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  • Act now to secure your Grant
  • 70% milestone for Primary Sense installations
  • Collaborating across Australia to improve heart health in the Kimberley
  • Heart Health – An opportunity for Quality Improvement
  • Vulnerable Populations Vaccination Program - 2023
  • Free influenza vaccine in May 2023 program
  • Influenza Vaccination Coverage
  • Karen Orr Nurse Education Scholarship
  • HPV in 2023 – Last chance to register
  • Japanese Encephalitis - Webinar
  • Adult Immunisation Forum 
  • Immunisation Course Expression of Interest
  • Celebrate International Nurses Day next Friday 12 May
  • GP Urgent Care Network Breakfast
  • My Aged Care Fax Decommission
  • Medicare cards are now available in the myGov app
  • Parenting Education and Support Program: Triple P - Positive Parenting Program
  • Raising Healthy Minds App
  • Education & Events 

20 April 2023 - Edition 168

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  • Strengthening Medicare – General Practice Grants Program: important update for eligible practices
  • Take advantage of the Primary Sense desktop
  • Reducing vaccine hesitancy in vulnerable populations with 360 Street Doctor’s outreach workers
  • World Immunisation Week 2023
  • HealthPathways WA –   Immunisation
  • Vulnerable Populations Vaccination Program Information 2023
  • COVID-19 resources for people with disability – Winter Planning 2023 Stakeholder kit
  • Increase in travel associated vaccine-preventable disease
  • Measles Alert for Perth
  • Immunisation Myths Campaign
  • Patient Vaccination Resources
  • 2023 WA Influenza Update – Recording available now
  • HPV in 2023 – Latest vaccine recommendations and research
  • Adult Immunisation Forum
  • Heart Week (1-7 May)
  • Injury Matters - Resources
  • Alcohol and other drug services for veterans
  • New Ophthalmology Referral Access Criteria mandatory from 24 April 2023
  • Education & Events

6 April 2023 - Edition 167

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  • Has your practice installed Primary Sense?
  • Primary Sense - Notifying patients
  • Chronic Disease Management
  • The value of health assessments for Aboriginal people in primary care
  • Osteoporosis
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Operations Centre Easter and ANZAC Day arrangements
  • Healthdirect Australia’s Service Finder to help with COVID-19 vaccine bookings and finding health services
  • The updated Service Finder though healthdirect will replace Vaccine Clinic Finder as the
  • CoRiCal: Covid 19 Risk Calculator
  • Travel-related illnesses
  • Free Influenza Vaccine Program
  • Supporting conversations about influenza vaccination with Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people
  • Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care resources
  • RACGP Influenza season resources
  • Cervical Screening: Self Collection
  • ​​Adult Immunisation Forum
  • Practice Assist Easter and ANZAC Day arrangements
  • Access real time prescription monitoring with ScriptCheck WA
  • Priority access to Provider Connect Australia
  • Family and Carer Participation under the Better Access Initiative
  • Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) Summary of inclusion into the MBS for GPs
  • New smoking cessation resources available for Primary Health Care nurses
  • Have your say on a new training program for primary healthcare professionals
  • Royal Perth Hospital to cease mailed discharge summaries if sent by secure messaging or fax
  • New Ophthalmology Referral Access Criteria mandatory from 24 April 2023
  • Education & Events 

23 March 2023 - Edition 166

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  • Primary Sense Milestones
  • Chronic Kidney Disease in Primary Care
  • Did you know you can lose 90% of kidney function with no symptoms? Early Detection of Chronic Kidney Disease is Vital!
  • HealthPathways WA – Kidney Health Week  
  • AstraZeneca vaccine expiry and offboarding
  • Moderna Bivalent (BA.4-5) Pre-filled Syringe (PFS) booster for individuals 12 years and older:
  • Non Medicare reimbursement continuation
  • Grass roots approach supports culturally and linguistically diverse communities to get
  • Australian Immunisation Handbook tip
  • New resources to support conversations about influenza vaccination with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • Increasing human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage in Aboriginal adolescents
  • BreastScreen Mobile Van
  • 2023 Influenza Webinar
  • Immunisation Program 2023 – Influenza Update Registrations
  • Adult Immunisation Forum
  • Using interpreters for your patients that do not have English as their first language can be immensely helpful for them
  • WA endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics confirmed
  • Changes to the Standards for general practices (5th edition)
  • Japanese encephalitis virus now detected in the Kimberley
  • My Health App
  • Migraine Australia releases patient factsheets
  • New hepatitis C program
  • Better health care for people with intellectual disability
  • Solar retinopathy clinical guidance
  • New Ophthalmology Referral Access Criteria mandatory from 24 April 2023
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit
  • Education & Events

9 March 2023 - Edition 165

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  • Local GP champions Primary Sense 
  • General practice accreditation delivers better outcomes for your patients and your practice
  • Starting your practice’s accreditation QI journey
  • Supporting respiratory patients in General Practice 
  • Reminding patients to book their new COVID-19 booster
  • The 2023 seasonal influenza vaccination advice is now available
  • Expanded influenza immunisation program from WA Health
  • CMO Letter to Vaccination Providers
  • Opportunistic Vaccination – an important strategy in improving immunisation rates
  • Herpes zoster vaccine recommendations for immunocompromised people
  • Shingles Awareness
  • Meningococcal Disease in Western Australia
  • COVID-19 and influenza vaccination update 2023
  • 2023 Influenza Webinar
  • Immunisation Program 2023 – Influenza Update Registrations
  • Update on Medicare Urgent Care Clinics Registration of Interest
  • ACRRM Telehealth Clinical Skills Program
  • First steps toward integrated diabetes care
  • South Metropolitan Health Service - Virtual Immunology Clinic recognised for enabling treatment of remote patients
  • Political Alert - Strengthening GP care for Indigenous Australians (FED)
  • Suicide prevention for seniors
  • Peel GP Education and training support  
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit
  • Education & Events

23 February 2023 - Edition 164

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  • Get prepared for voluntary patient registration with Primary Sense
  • Final closure of remaining GP-led Respiratory Clinics
  • COVID-19 vaccine allocation
  • Skin Cancer- Resources & Quality Improvement for your Practice
  • Detecting skin cancer
  • Preliminary information: 2023 influenza vaccine ordering (and pre-allocation of Fluad® Quad)
  • AIR Update: Addition of New Influenza Vaccine Names
  • COVID-19 and influenza vaccination update 2023
  • Immunisation Program 2023 – Influenza Update Registrations
  • NCIRS Updated resources
  • National Immunisation Program schedule card
  • Using continuous quality improvement to administer up to 500 COVID-19 vaccines a day
  • HealthPathways WA – Oncology
  • ‘Sounds Like’ it’s time to quit smoking
  • Enhancing Team Based Primary Care with Nurse Practitioners in WA
  • DVA’s Non-Liability Health Care (mental health) arrangements for eligible veterans
  • Peel GP Education and training support  
  • What is NurseTalk?
  • GP recruitment for the Pathways to Safety program
  • Request for GP to participate in a focus group looking at antenatal psychosocial screening tools
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit
  • Education & Events

10 February 2023 - Edition 163

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  • Registration of Interest now open for Medicare Urgent Care Clinics
  • Make the switch to Primary Sense
  • Wally Jammal - Better Health Together Video
  • Strengthening Medicare General Practice Grants
  • What are Childhood Asthma Action Plans and why are they so important?
  • Childhood Immunisations and Back to School
  • HealthPathways WA – Childhood immunisation and Asthma
  • Registering a positive RAT
  • COVID 5th booster
  • February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
  • Survey participants wanted! We want to know about your views and experiences of offering self-collection for cervical screening
  • Australian Immunisation Handbook: updated chapters now live 
  • Free translating service for overseas immunisation records
  • Changes to the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program
  • Japanese Encephalitis (JEV)
  • Non-dispensing pharmacists help provide collaborative patient care at Serpentine Medical Centre
  • MindSpot GP introduces teletherapy treatment
  • Consumer Medication Services 1300MEDICINE and Adverse Events Service
  • Staying safe after a flood
  • Diversion of NMHS Gastroenterology Elective Surgery Wait List cases to EMHS
  • New review: Cultural approaches and best evidence can optimise drug and alcohol treatment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit
  • Education & Events

27 January 2023 - Edition 162

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  • Over 360 practices have submitted an EOI to switch to Primary Sense – submit yours today
  • Empower your patients to stick to their New Year’s Resolutions
  • HealthPathways WA – Alcohol and Other Drugs
  • GP-led Respiratory Clinic Panel (GPRCP) tender closes next week
  • VOC Operating Hours
  • General practices support vulnerable populations with COVID-19 vaccinations
  • Rotarix Dosing and Administration Wheel – DO NOT USE
  • SAFEVAC: Integrated Vaccine Safety and WAVSS
  • Important Practice Updates
  • WAPHA staff visit newly opened The Garden Family Medical Clinic
  • ASHM funding and quality improvement opportunity
  • New subsection 19(2) exemption for GPs practicing at regional and remote headspace services
  • Simplified process for DVA funding of medicinal cannabis
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit
  • Education & Events

12 January 2023 - Edition 161

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  • Happy New Year and welcome back!
  • Almost 300 practices have submitted an EOI to use Primary Sense – has your practice?
  • Supporting general practice to start the Conversation About Weight
  • HealthPathways WA – Healthy Weight and Eating
  • Request for tender for new GP-led Respiratory Clinic Panel
  • COVID Care at Home program closure
  • Recent updates to the Australian Immunisation Handbook    
  • Translating Overseas Immunisation Records
  • Cervical Screening Flipchart
  • Japanese encephalitis virus health professionals kit
  • Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program - Support Payments
  • New general practice medical centre opens in Southern River
  • Non-Dispensing Pharmacist in General Practice – its more than just tablets
  • MH Connext
  • Multicultural Health Connect Cultural and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Helpline Pilot
  • First Steps Toward an Integrated Diabetes Care Service for Type 2 diabetes
  • New Dementia Community Services and Support Finder
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit
  • Education & Events​

22 December 2022 - Edition 160

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  • A special thank you to our primary care heroes
  • Primary Sense installations continue to increase in metro and country practices
  • VOC Xmas Closure and Opening Hours
  • FREE RATs from WA Government
  • COVID-19 Bulletin #3: 16 December  
  • PPE program has ceased
  • ​​GP Respiratory Clinics
  • New National Cancer Screening Register Website
  • ATAGI clinical guidance on vaccination against mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) 
  • ​​Leukaemia Foundation – Regional, Rural and Remote outreach
  • ​​NCIRS Immunisation Education
  • Adopt a Non-Judgemental Approach to Alcohol & Other Dugs Over the Festive Season
  • New proposed laws for a fairer workplace relations system: a guide for employers
  • Release of updated RACGP Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines
  • New RACGP resource: Summer Planning Toolkit
  • Sepsis Digital Pocket Book - Pre-Launch Weekly Lecture
  • My Aged Care
  • Medication issue in some WA Health Discharge Summaries: 28 September 2022 – 23 October 2022
  • ​​Serious Scarcity Substitution Instrument for oral amoxicillin
  • Do you need to update your National Authentication Service for Health (NASH)?
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit
  • Education & Events

8 December 2022 - Edition 159

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  • The number and speed of Primary Sense installations continue to increase
  • Funding for non-Medicare patient COVID-19 vaccinations ending 31 December 2022
  • VOC Closure and Opening Hours
  • Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) update - December 2022
  • Cancer Screening and Data collected
  • World Health Organisation recommends using 'mpox' as the new term for monkeypox
  • NCIRS (National Centre for Immunisation and Surveillance) resources
  • Survey participants wanted! We want to know about your views and experiences of offering self-collection for cervical screening
  • Strengthening Medicare GP grants
  • Expression of Interest: Non-Dispensing Pharmacists in General Practice Program
  • Health Workforce and General Practice and Digital Health Report Cards
  • Year in Review 2021-22
  • CareSearch: Palliative Care Resources for GPs and Nurses
  • Healthy lifestyle programs for children and families free throughout WA until 2027!
  • GP Trauma Training Survey
  • Community CAMHS Update for Referrers 
  • Do you need to update your National Authentication Service for Health (NASH)?
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit
  • Education & Events

24 November 2022 - Edition 158

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  • ​Primary Sense goes live in WA with the first installation at Lagoon Medical Centre
  • Primary Sense Practice Managers’ Breakfast a huge success – don’t miss the upcoming webinars
  • Creating welcoming and inclusive clinical environments for trans, gender diverse and non-binary people
  • LGBTIQ+ support in Primary Care: Quality Improvement Activity Opportunities
  • Sexual Health and LGBTIQ+ support in primary care
  • Support for people at greater risk
  • Infection prevention and control guidelines
  • Immunisation history tables
  • Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care resources
  • Vaccination before international travel
  • Calling Australian GPs and practice staff– join our focus group discussion!
  • Self Collection CST
  • Monkeypox webinar — Video now available
  • Year in Review 2012-22
  • Do you need to update your National Authentication Service for Health (NASH)?
  •  Transition of the Australian General Practice Training Program
  • PIP Indigenous Health Incentive guidelines updated
  • Launch of the Parenting Education and Support Initiative
  • New Comcare resource for GPs - Facilitating good work for your patient
  • DVA Provider News
  • Changes to Group Therapy under the Better Access Initiative
  • Direct Access Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: don’t get caught out using old referral templates!
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit
  • Education & Events

10 November 2022 - Edition 157

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  • Exciting times ahead as Lagoon Medical Centre signs the first Data Sharing Agreement for Primary Sense
  • Hundreds of general practices are making the switch to Primary Sense
  • Cancer Screening Programs in Australia
  • Improving Cancer Screening – Quality Improvement Opportunities
  • Promoting self-collection during National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week
  • HealthPathways WA – Cancer Screening Pathways
  • Ovarian Cancer
  • Yarn for Life
  • COVID testing clinic closures – RPH, Broome, Bunbury
  • Positive RAT registration still recommended
  • Public Health Management of COVID-19 on Vessels
  • Increasing HPV vaccination coverage in Aboriginal adolescents
  • Shingles Vaccination Update - For Frontline Healthcare Professionals
  • Monkeypox Vaccines Webinar
  • Non-Dispensing Pharmacists are invaluable to GPs!
  • Make Smoking History is ‘Worried About You’
  • Paid student placements for Enrolled Nursing students
  • New online learning suite: Working with children who have experienced trauma
  • Type 1 Diabetes National Screening Pilot
  • New Day Hospice in Kalamunda Hospital
  • Have you treated a patient for osteoporosis or fragility fracture in the past 12 months? 
  • Curtin Medical School - Medical Student Supervision Information Event
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit
  • Education & Events

27 October 2022 - Edition 156

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  • Exciting times ahead as Lagoon Medical Centre signs the first Data Sharing Agreement for Primary Sense
  • Hundreds of general practices are making the switch to Primary Sense
  • Cancer Screening Programs in Australia
  • Improving Cancer Screening – Quality Improvement Opportunities
  • Promoting self-collection during National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week
  • HealthPathways WA – Cancer Screening Pathways
  • Ovarian Cancer
  • Yarn for Life
  • COVID testing clinic closures – RPH, Broome, Bunbury
  • Positive RAT registration still recommended
  • Public Health Management of COVID-19 on Vessels
  • Increasing HPV vaccination coverage in Aboriginal adolescents
  • Shingles Vaccination Update - For Frontline Healthcare Professionals
  • Monkeypox Vaccines Webinar
  • Non-Dispensing Pharmacists are invaluable to GPs!
  • Make Smoking History is ‘Worried About You’
  • Paid student placements for Enrolled Nursing students
  • New online learning suite: Working with children who have experienced trauma
  • Type 1 Diabetes National Screening Pilot
  • New Day Hospice in Kalamunda Hospital
  • Have you treated a patient for osteoporosis or fragility fracture in the past 12 months? 
  • Curtin Medical School - Medical Student Supervision Information Event
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit
  • Education & Events

13 October 2022 - Edition 155

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  • Don’t miss the first round of Primary Sense onboarding
  • Breast Cancer Awareness Month from 1 October until 31 October
  • Breast Cancer Screening Participation - Quality Improvement Opportunities
  • New campaign to boost cervical screening participation
  • Breast Cancer and BreastScreen WA
  • HealthPathways WA – Cancer Screening Pathways
  • Pink Ribbon Breakfast
  • GP and Practice Nurse webinar on mammographic breast density
  • Changes to COVID-19 requirements Clinician Alert #88
  • Two WA GP respiratory clinics close
  • New temporary MBS pathology items for SARS-CoV-2
  • COVID videos with Dr Norman Swan
  • Moderna (SPIKEVAX BIVALENT) booster for individual 18 years and older
  • Monkeypox vaccine for people most at risk
  • Immunisation Coalition parent survey results
  • Access and guidelines for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis in WA
  • Primary Health Networks welcome new partner to Primary Health Insights Platform
  • Rural Health West - Partner Education Grants
  • Supporting general practice to start the Conversation About Weight
  • New report: Youth depression in Australia
  • Health Literacy Guide
  • Updated COPD guidelines
  • Updated Abortion Booklets for Doctors and their Patients
  • DVA’s new Compensation Quick Tips for health providers
  • National Health Professional Survey – October 2022
  • Curtin Medical School - Medical Student Supervision Information Event
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit
  • Education & Events 

29 September 2022 - Edition 154

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  • Chronic Disease Management, a whole practice patient-centred approach
  • Chronic Disease Management – Quality Improvement Opportunities
  • Supporting general practice to start the Conversation About Weight
  • HealthPathways WA – Chronic Disease Management items
  • Healthcare To Community
  • Moderna Bivalent 18+ Blue/Green Vaccine Onboarding 
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Program Participating Sites- Excess Ordering of Consumables
  • Vulnerable Populations Vaccination Program Funding
  • COVID booster videos
  • Extension of PPE supply and PCR testing to 31 December 2022
  • GP referral for private PCR testing
  • National Cervical Screening Program Self-collection key messages
  • PneumoSmart Vaccination Tool
  • Adult Overdue Reminder Letters
  • Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)
  • Supporting patient participation in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
  • This is Palliative Care
  • Dementia support for healthcare professionals
  • Free Pride in Health and Wellbeing Program (PIHW) 
  • Key partnership with Diabetes WA on ARMED event at FSH
  • Understanding the Causes of Psychological Disorders 
  • The South Metropolitan Health Service invite you to be a part of our online community engagement platform
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit
  • Education & Events 

15 September 2022 - Edition 153

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  • Make the switch to Primary Sense
  • MindSpot GP: a free digital mental health clinic
  • How does WAPHA support General Practice to Improve Mental Health Outcomes
  • Mental Health: Services available for your patients
  • HealthPathways WA – Mental Health Pathways and Service Information
  • Practice Staff Mental Health Support
  • Peel Mental Health Service Directory Release 
  • Feedback sought regarding metropolitan Community Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services
  • ATAGI statement on the use of the Moderna bivalent Original/Omicron vaccine is now available
  • Extension of PPE supply and PCR testing to 31 December 2022
  • COVID testing clinic changes
  • Changes for Perth COVID testing clinics:
  • Emerging vaccine preventable diseases and vaccination for travel
  • Safety surveillance of 2022 seasonal flu vaccines concludes with no safety issues identified
  • Australian Immunisation Handbook – updated Tuberculosis chapter now available
  • Look out for your immunisation data postcard!
  • Focus on WA's future GP workforce
  • Commencement Of Non-Emergency Planned Patient Transport Services (NEPPTS)
  • Health Care Guide: For People Who Need Extra Support
  • Free Pride in Health and Wellbeing Program (PIHW) 
  • Specialist Referral Access Criteria Update for Referrers
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit
  • Education & Events

1 September 2022 - Edition 152

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  • Is your practice interested in using the Primary Sense data tool?
  • Mental Health and Eating Disorders Management plans in General Practice
  • Quality Improvement activities relating to Eating Disorder patients
  • Monkeypox quick guide for primary healthcare staff
  • Look out for signs of monkeypox awareness campaign
  • RACGP WA and WA Health webinar: Monkeypox update
  • Extension of PPE supply and PCR testing to 31 December 2022
  • COVID testing clinic changes
  • Nuvaxovid (Novavax) vaccine for adolescents aged 12 to 17 years  
  • Spikevax (Moderna) six months to under five years vaccine training module  
  • Updated: PIP COVID-19 in-reach vaccination payment
  • Self-collection swabs for cervical screening
  • WA childhood vaccination record card - updated
  • Health Care Professionals Education Webinars – Getting to the bottom of bowel cancer screening
  • NCIRS 25th Anniversary Showcase live stream
  • Immunisation Coalition Webinar - Exploring Pertussis: Whooping Cough in Australia
  • Do you need to update your National Authentication Service for Health (NASH)?
  • Paid student placements for Enrolled Nursing students
  • Bulk billing and additional charges
  • Performing spirometry safely
  • HealthPathways WA – IT Alert
  • Narrogin and Northam New Subacute Rehabilitation Inpatient Units
  • Help save lives through increasing early detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
  • RevenueWA to launch a new online medical authorisation form for energy subsidies
  • Royal Perth Bentley Group (RPBG): Referrals to named consultants
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit
  • Education & Events

18 August 2022 - Edition 151

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  • Primary Sense - An easy to use data extraction tool, clinical decision support and population health management for general practices
  • The 75 years and over Health Assessment – helping practices support older Australians
  • Over 75 Health Assessments – A Quality Improvement opportunity!
  • Advance Care Planning and routine assessments for the Older Adult
  • HealthPathways WA – Health Assessment and Advance Care Planning Pathways
  • Withdrawing from the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Guidance for Sites
  • WA Health’s COVID video series
  • Changes to hospital visiting guidelines
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Training
  • Influenza reminder letters to parents with children under five years old
  • Australian Immunisation Register update: details on new features and the new look education pages now available
  • New resource - Co-administration of vaccines for adults: a guide for immunisation providers
  • Pneumococcal Disease Webinar 2022 - recording now available
  • Upcoming webinar: Emerging vaccine preventable diseases and vaccination for travel
  • Self Collection of Cervical Screening Tests Webinar
  • Wednesday 28 September 2022 (6:30 pm - 8:00 pm AWST)
  • Monkeypox (MPX) update for primary care – recording available
  • Cancer Council’s Daffodil Day Appeal
  • Paid student placements for Enrolled Nursing students
  • Broaden your horizons with the AGPT Program with the RACGP
  • Improving Obesity Management through Better GP Education and Remuneration   
  • Medical cannabis prescribing interview
  • Bentley Health Service (BHS) Antenatal Clinics phased reopening
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit
  • Education & Events

4 August 2022 - Edition 150

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  • ATAGI recommends Spikevax (Moderna) vaccine for use in children aged six months to under five years
  • Government Funded influenza vaccines still free for all West Australians
  • Variation to Comirnaty (Pfizer) 12+ vials
  • CVAS Spikevax (Moderna) product name change
  • Don’t Rush to Crush resource
  • COVID-19 and influenza (flu) video series for healthcare providers
  • State and Federal government working to secure monkeypox vaccine supplies
  • Chief Medical Officer declares monkeypox a communicable disease incident of national significance
  • Monkeypox Resources
  • Get on track with Health Assessments
  • Improving health assessment participation in general practice
  • HealthPathways WA – Health Assessments
  • National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Campaign
  • National Cervical Screening Program self-collection eligibility expansion
  • Study finds GP knowledge gaps regarding Zostavax use in immunocompromised people remain concerning
  • Webinar recording available: 'Preventing Paediatric Influenza & Improving Vaccination Rates'
  • Shaping weight management support in primary care 
  • DVA Quick Guides for GPs
  • Redesigned Health Professional Education website
  • Applications for Avant and AAPM's Scholarship Program are now open
  • Help WA Health to communicate the impact of climate change on health 
  • Introducing Type 1 Diabetes National Screening Pilot and the Role of Primary Care Providers
  • Childhood Obesity Healthcare Provider Survey
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit
  • Education & Events

21 July 2022 - Edition 149

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  • Temporary MBS items for longer telephone consultations
  • Vulnerable Populations Vaccination Program Funding
  • Non-Medicare COVID-19 Vaccination GP Reimbursement Information
  • New campaign materials released for winter vaccinations
  • Reimbursement and grant payments for Free Influenza Vaccination Program during month of June 2022 only
  • Access to free influenza vaccines ending on 31 July
  • UPDATED – Printable poster on ATAGI recommended COVID-19 vaccines and doses
  • Updates to COVID-19 reinfection guidelines
  • Reminder to update your Onelink account details
  • COVID Clinic updates
  • TGA grants provisional approval for Spikevax (Moderna) use in children aged six months to five years
  • COVID-19 winter booster eligibility expanded
  • Diabetes based Quality Improvement
  • Diabetes mellitus currently represents one of the most challenging public health problems of the 21st century
  • Diabetes WA welcomes the expansion of the NDSS CGM FGM subsidy, lowering the cost of vital technology for thousands of West Australians living with type 1 diabetes
  • Unpacking Diabetes and the heart: Latest on risk and management strategies
  • Introducing Type 1 Diabetes National Screening Pilot and the Role of Primary Care Providers
  • HealthPathways WA – Diabetes Pathways
  • Diphtheria reappears in Australia
  • National Bowel Cancer Screening Campaign toolkit
  • HCP Education Webinars – Supporting patient participation in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
  • HealthDirect VideoCall extension
  • Electronic Specialist Referrals
  • World Hepatitis Day - 28 July 2022
  • The Heart of It – Chronic Heart Failure Webinar
  • HealthPathways WA – Care of Patients with a Disability
  • Indexation of DVA fees for allied health items
  • Do you know an extraordinary GP, GP in training, GP supervisor or general practice going above and beyond?    
  •  Practice Assist Tool Kit
  • Education & Events

7 July 2022 - Edition 148

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  • Celebrating NAIDOC Week 3-10 July 2022
  • Cultural safety at the heart of healthcare for Lockridge Medical Centre
  • How our RAP is guiding WA Primary Health Alliance’s approach to Aboriginal health
  • Cultural Determinants of Health: A snapshot from the WA Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Framework 2015-2030
  • HealthPathways WA - Increase your awareness of Aboriginal Health
  • Connecting exercise prescription in primary care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture
  • ATAGI updated recommendations includes over 30s in winter dose rollout
  • Free Influenza Vaccination Program Extension 
  • Co-Administering COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccinations
  • Updated ATAGI advice regarding Nuvaxovid (Novavax)
  • NCIRS report: Communicating with people who are unvaccinated against COVID-19
  • Australian Government Department of Health COVID-19 and influenza resources for Aboriginal people
  • WA Department of Health COVID-19 resources
  • Routine childhood immunisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
  • Launch of National Cervical Screening Program self-collection eligibility expansion
  • Australian Government Department of Health monkeypox resources
  • Department of Health releases new Paediatric ENT Referral Access Criteria
  • PORTS is expanding to become MindSpot GP
  • Voluntary Assisted Dying: Essential information for health professionals' eLearning now available
  • New HPOS education resource
  • Make Smoking History ‘Worried About You’ Campaign Launch
  • The Government Payments Program and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
  • Veterans' Access Payment (VAP)
  • Do you know an extraordinary GP, GP in training, GP supervisor or general practice going above and beyond?    
  • Introducing Type 1 Diabetes National Screening Pilot and the Role of Primary Care Providers
  • Ahpra office relocation and Revised shared Code of conduct
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit
  • Education & Events

23 June 2022 - Edition 147

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  • Aboriginal people have the greatest health needs in WA
  • QI activities to improve patient participation in Aboriginal Health Assessments
  • The role of Aboriginal Health Assessments in Closing the Gap
  • HealthPathways WA - Increase your awareness of Aboriginal Health
  • New resources to support Aboriginal patients before, during, and after their stay in hospital
  • Free Influenza Vaccination Program June 2022  
  • Have a chat to parents of under-fives about influenza
  • GP Respiratory Clinics available to see respiratory and COVID patients
  • Nuvaxovid (Novavax) – Vaccine shelf-life extension
  • Updated advice contacts for GPs caring for COVID-positive patients living in the East Metropolitan Health Service metropolitan catchment
  • Expansion of cervical screening self-collection from 1 July 2022
  • Don’t delay – do a bowel test today
  • Japanese encephalitis virus: Health professionals information kit
  • Department of Health releases new Paediatric ENT Referral Access Criteria
  • National Research Program - Telehealth
  • WA Primary Health Alliance is committed to supporting general practice to continue to deliver the highest quality patient care
  • Do you know an extraordinary GP, GP in training, GP supervisor or general practice going above and beyond?    
  • Black Dog Institute - GP Research Project
  • Applications for GPPTSP 2022 now open
  • The No Jab No Play legislation in Western Australia - Curtin University Research Study
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit
  • Education & Events

09 June 2022 - Edition 146

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  • Free Influenza vaccination program June 2022
  • The importance of driving influenza vaccination in general practice
  • GP Respiratory Clinics available to see respiratory and COVID patients
  • New patient resource answering common questions about influenza vaccination & pregnancy
  • Medicare Ineligible Patient Funding: Good News Story
  • Vaccine Fridge Management
  • Excess COVID-19 Vaccines
  • COVID-19 in Australia - Disease & Vaccination Webinar
  • Empowering general practice to manage alcohol and other drug issues
  • The Alcohol & Other Drug Network – providing evidence-based information collaboratively 
  • The consumption of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs is a major cause of preventable disease and illness in Australia. 
  • Go Dry this July and raise money with the Dry Docs team
  • Alcohol and Other Drugs Pathways Update
  • Updated WA Immunisation Schedule
  • Timely and accurate reporting of vaccinations to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
  • Australian Immunisation Handbook website update
  • Update on the School-based immunisation program
  • ePrescribing and the Active Script List
  • National Research Program - Telehealth
  • Digital health: NASH SHA-1 to SHA-2 transition support
  • Digital Health – Check out our 'How To Series'
  • Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
  • Alert for clinicians: monkeypox virus infection now an urgently notifiable disease in Western Australia
  • Free local mental health training and support for general practices
  • Why should you cleanse your practice data?
  • Did you order your CrazySocks4Docs? 
  • Closing the Gap Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Co-payment Program
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit
  • Education & Events

26 May 2022 - Edition 145

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  • Get prepared with the Winter Strategy Practice Essentials Checklist
  • See your GP – Keep your health on track campaign: communication tools for practices
  • Help stop the Flu in 2022
  • What’s triggering you this winter?
  • Expanded ATAGI recommendations on winter COVID-19 booster doses
  • No Medicare- No Worries!
  • State run COVID-19 vaccination clinics: Influenza vaccines available for co-administration
  • Cancer Screening update for Practice Staff
  • Improving Cancer Screening in Primary Care
  • Important Update from the National Cervical Screening Program - Self-collection eligibility expansion
  • WA Immunisation Schedule updated
  • State-Funded Influenza Immunisation Program for Vulnerable Cohorts
  • Hepatitis A & B vaccine ordering update
  • "Don't Forget Influenza" campaign
  • Webinar recording now available – Preventing Shingles and its complications using Zoster Vaccines
  • Manage My Care – now available state-wide
  • National Research Program - Telehealth
  • Digital Health – Check out our 'How To Series'
  • National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week 2022
  • Alert for clinicians regarding increase in cases of Monkeypox
  • Go Dry this July and raise money with the Dry Docs team
  • Medical Student Supervision
  • Royal Perth Hospital now welcomes electronic GP requests for health records
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit
  • Education & Events

12 May 2022 - Edition 144

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  • See your GP – Keep your health on track campaign: communication tools for practices
  • Winter Strategy
  • Winter preparedness webinar: Update on COVID and influenza antiviral prescribing
  • Winter Preparedness Webinar for GPs – Recording now available
  • COVID-19 Links to Useful Resources
  • Medicare ineligible patient funding
  • COVID-19 and Long COVID – the emerging picture presentation
  • Which dose and when?
  • Stock Management for COVID-19 Vaccinations
  • COVID Vaccination: Advice on dose intervals
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Training - Update
  • Dr Lucas de Toca video for patients answering important questions on the influenza season
  • What is a Heart Health Check?
  • New Heart Health Check toolkit resources in the spotlight
  • Heart Failure: Supporting patients in the community
  • HealthPathways - Heart Week
  • National Cervical Screening Program - expansion of self-collection
  • Recent ProQuad orders with short expiry
  • Important information for metro practices - Cold chain monitoring
  • Hepatitis A vaccine Vaqta update
  • WA Health Hepatitis A & B vaccine update
  • Campaign launch: Routine childhood immunisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
  • AusVaxSafety 2022 seasonal influenza vaccine safety data now available
  • Update on Japanese Encephalitis Virus
  • Digital Health – Check out our 'How To Series'
  • International Nurses Day 2022
  • National Palliative Care Week 2022
  • Changes to the Health Professionals and Support Services Award
  • Childhood Obesity Healthcare Provider Survey
  • Soundfair and the Deafness Foundation have launched a new suite of hearing health information resources
  • General Practitioners play a key role in facilitating work participation for their patients
  • Royal Perth Bentley Group Geriatric Assessment Team (GAT) Ambulatory Unit
  • Updated GP Factsheet: Who can GPs contact for clinical advice about COVID-positive patients living in the East Metropolitan Health Service metropolitan catchment?
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit
  • Education & Events

28 April 2022 - Edition 143

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  • World Immunisation Week 2022
  • 2022 Influenza Immunisation Season
  • 2022 Influenza Prevention Campaign
  • Immunisation Action Week 2022Imms-week.png
  • Improving the uptake of childhood immunisations
  • The PneumoSmart Vaccination Tool
  • Immunisation Myths Campaign
  • HealthPathways WA Immunisation Update
  • 2022 Immunisation – Education Available for Immunisation Providers
  • Nuvaxovid (Novovax) expiry date changes
  • Funding for non-Medicare patient COVID-19 vaccination
  • COVID-19 vaccination stock redistribution request issues
  • Check your vaccine storage space before influenza season
  • Fact Sheet: Winter COVID-19 vaccine boosters
  • Digital Health – Check out our 'How To Series'
  • Healthdirect Video Call platform
  • Diagnostics Imaging Accreditation Scheme Standards and accreditation model
  • ​Changes to MBS rules: diagnostic imaging
  • Need assistance with quality improvement (QI) activities?
  • NPS MedicineWise Virtual Visits - Heart failure: an active role for GPs and patients
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit (Resource Library)
  • Education & Events

14 April 2022 - Edition 142

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  • The 2022 Influenza Immunisation Season has now commenced
  • Help stop the Flu in 2022 - This year, it’s even more important to get the flu vaccine
  • HealthPathways WA Influenza Immunisation Update
  • Influenza Immunisation – available clinical resources for practices
  • Influenza Immunisation – available promotional resources for practices
  • Co-administration of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines MBS billing advice
  • COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations at residential aged care facilities
  • AusVaxSafety commences routine monitoring of 2022 seasonal influenza vaccines
  • ATAGI advice on seasonal influenza vaccines in 2022
  • 2022 Influenza immunisation – education available for immunisation providers
  • Good News Story – HJ Lochner General Practice
  • Paediatric COVID Care @ Home - SPARC COVID
  • Funding for non-Medicare patient COVID-19 vaccinations
  • VIDEO how to guide: Providing patients with antiviral and monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19
  • Public holiday PPE ordering arrangements
  • Register RATs via the WA Department of Health 13 COVID helpline
  • Digital Health - 'How To Series' - Secure Messaging (new)
  • Healthdirect Video Call platform
  • World Immunisation Week 24 to 30 April
  • Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV): information for health professionals and consumers
  • The Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) and transition to web services
  • Lung Cancer Screening Education and Training Survey
  • Governance of primary health care data on Primary Health Insights
  • HealthPathways Update: Non-acute Mental Health Assessment request page restructure
  • Head to Health Assessment and Referral Phone Service tender now open
  • NPS MedicineWise update - Anticholinergic burden: the unintended consequences for older people 
  • Happy Easter from the Practice Assist team & holiday period trading hours
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit (Resource Library)
  • Education & Events

31 March 2022 - Edition 141

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  • Winter booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines
  • New ATAGI poster on all COVID-19 recommended doses and vaccines, including the winter season  
  • Post COVID-19 testing information – updated resource
  • Co-administration of COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines
  • GP Respiratory Clinics available to see your symptomatic patients face-to-face
  • COVID- 19 HealthPathways Updates
  • Reminder: COVID-19 vaccines can only be transferred between participating sites
  • Children aged 5 to 11 now due for second doses of COVID vaccine
  • COVID Resources for your practice
  • Accreditation assessments for general practices in 2022
  • AusVaxSafety data show children experience fewer side effects from COVID-19 vaccine
  • Transition to national PPE distribution system
  • Digital Health - 'How To Series' - My Health Record (new)
  • End of image-based Prescribing
  • Healthdirect Video Call platform
  • Government-funded influenza vaccine ordering update
  • 2022 NIP Influenza Vaccination program     
  • 2022 Influenza Online Education Module – now LIVE
  • Japanese encephalitis resources
  • Digital Transformation of Cancer Screening – a message from the NCSR
  • Introducing The WELL Collaborative!
  • 13YARN - Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line
  • Launch of For When - National Helpline for Expectant and New Parents
  • Text to Detect: National Heart Health Check Recall Program 2022
  • ASHM Resources: Hepatitis C & Sexual Health
  • East Metropolitan Health Services: Review of Outpatient Referrals Not Meeting Referral Access Criteria
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit (Resource Library)
  • Education & Events​

17 March 2022 - Edition 140

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  • Transition to national PPE distribution system
  • New COVID-19 resources to assist general practice staff and administration teams
  • Providing COVID-19 vaccinations to homebound patients
  • GP Respiratory Clinics available to see your symptomatic patients face-to-face
  • COVID- 19 HealthPathways Updates
  • New decision aid: Should my child get a COVID-19 vaccine?
  • Temporary telehealth arrangements for allied health providers treating Veteran card holders
  • Vaccination stickers for your practice
  • Additional free RATs for Western Australians
  • Digital Health - 'How To Series' - Telehealth (new)
  • Healthdirect Video Call COVID- 19 GP Program Extension
  • 2022 Government-funded Influenza Immunisation Program - Vaccine Pre-allocation & Ordering Information
  • New Fact sheet: Influenza Vaccines for Australians
  • Register for the online WA Department of Health 2022 Influenza Update
  • Expressions of Interest sought for General Practice Advisory Committee
  • Coeliac Awareness Week
  • NPS MedicineWise update
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit (Resource Library)
  • Education & Events ​

3 March 2022 - Edition 139

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  • PPE from the National Medical Stockpile
  • Do you need resources to assist with managing COVID positive patients in your practice?
  • Our COVID-19 resources have been updated and we have additional NEW resources available
  • CALD Resources 
  • COVID Vaccine exemption handout
  • Vaccine Clinic Finder (VCF) and VCF Connect FAQs  
  • Vaccination stickers for your practice
  • Updated ATAGI recommendations on the use of a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine
  • HealthyWA managing COVID-19 at home and in the community resources updated
  • Telethon Kids Institute COVID-19 resource hub 
  • COVID- 19 HealthPathways Updates
  • Your NASH certificate is the key to all things digital in General Practice. Have you renewed it?
  • New Digital Health How to Series
  • Healthdirect Video Call COVID- 19 GP Program Extension
  • Upcoming 2022 Influenza Vaccination Program
  • 2022 Influenza Program – Fluad®Quad  Pre-allocation for providers
  • New process for Online Immunisation Education Updates
  • Domestic and Family Violence training now available for GPs in Western Australia
  • Help us shape multi-disciplinary care for chronic heart failure
  • Practice Made Easy with Injury Matters 
  • WA Health’s first patient facing app, Manage My Care, is coming soon
  • NPS MedicineWise update
  • Medicines and Poisons Regulation Branch Infant formula recall:  22 February 2022
  • Practice Assist Tool Kit (Resource Library)
  • Education & Events

17 February 2022 - Edition 138

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  • WA Primary Health Alliance’s role in PPE
  • Update on PPE deliveries
  • New COVID-19 resources for at-risk cohorts
  • What can we do if we have a COVID-19 positive case in our practice?
  • COVID-19 vaccine stock: Metropolitan adult Comirnaty (Pfizer) surplus
  • Nuvaxovid (Novavax) expression of interest (EOI)
  • REMINDER - Reporting adverse events following immunisation
  • Additional COVID-19 vaccines now approved for use in Australia and recognised in Australia can now be recorded on the AIR
  • Notification of eligibility of COVID-19 booster vaccinations from Services Australia
  • COVID- 19 HealthPathways Updates
  • 2022 Influenza Immunisation Program
  • Your NASH certificate is the key to all things digital in General Practice. Have you renewed it?
  • New patient resources developed by Diabetes Australia
  • Drs4Drs Health Services
  • Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) expanded escort eligibility criteria
  • NPS MedicineWise – don’t forget non-covid patients
  • New My Aged Care face-to-face service offer launched by Department of Health and Services Australia
  • ANZAED Eating Disorder Credential
  • Healthdirect Video Call COVID- 19 GP Program Extension
  • Practice Assist Resource Library
  • Education & Events

3 February 2022 - Edition 137

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  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) National Medical Stockpile (NMS) update
  • Release of WA Health Transition policies and resources for healthcare workers
  • Nuvaxovid (Novavax) expression of interest (EOI)
  • Good News Story: First Virtual Goldfields Practice Managers' Meeting
  • TGA provisionally approves Pfizer as a booster in individuals aged 16 to 17 years old
  • WA Department of Health COVID Care at Home launched
  • Reuse of face masks and gowns during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • An update on fit testing for respirator fit testing
  • ATAGI Advice: Booster timing
  • COVID-19 vaccine well tolerated by children, AusVaxSafety data show
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program Update – New Novavax module added
  • Booster doses are now listed on COVID-19 digital certificates
  • COVID- 19 HealthPathways Updates
  • WA Primary Health Alliance stock redistribution
  • Your NASH certificate is the key to all things digital in General Practice. Have you upgraded it?
  • Zostavax, Varivax, and ProQuad temporarily unavailable for regional providers due to issues with new data loggers
  • Grace period for Closing the Gap PBS Co‑payment Program extended
  • Changes to Rural Bulk Billing Incentives from 1 January 2022
  • Palliative Care Helpline-
  • Help us shape multidisciplinary care for chronic heart failure - EOI
  • Mental Health & AOD Comorbidity Project Training Resources
  • COPD Action Plan and Checklist for General Practitioners 
  • Seeking GPs to tell of their experiences in managing mental illness in the perinatal period
  • Healthdirect Video Call COVID- 19 GP Program Extension
  • Practice Assist Resource Library
  • Education & Events

20 January 2022 - Living with COVID-19 - Special Edition 136

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  • An update on the management of COVID-19 positive patients in WA for general practice
  • Advice on booster interval
  • Have you prepared your Living with COVID-19 practice plan?  
  • General Practice has made a significant contribution to the vaccine roll out in WA
  • MBS Telehealth Services from 16 January 2022
  • PPE for General Practice and Pharmacy
  • Resources to assist with your patients Frequently Asked Questions
  • Wellbeing support for primary health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 Test Isolation Payment
  • Why should I have a Fit Test?
  • VIDEO – Donning and Doffing in Primary Care Settings
  • Co-administration of COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines
  • Zostavax, Varivax, and ProQuad now available to order for regional providers
  • Renew your NASH to maintain access to Electronic Prescribing and My Health Record
  • NPS MedicineWise COVID-19 Hub
  • COVID- 19 HealthPathways Updates
  • Additional orders for COVID-19 vaccines 
  • WA Primary Health Alliance stock redistribution
  • Healthdirect Video Call COVID- 19 GP Program Extension
  • Practice Assist Resource Library
  • Education and training

6 January 2022 - Edition 135

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  • Living with COVID-19 checklist and toolkit
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Stock Governance guide
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Stock Redistribution - Increase in Demand
  • Living with COVID-19 Webinars by Katrina Otto
  • Digital Health Toolkit
  • National Medical Stockpile PPE
  • Changes to COVID-19 vaccine booster timing
  • COVID-19 vaccine bookings for five- to 11-year-olds available via the Vaccine Clinic Finder
  • Healthdirect Video Call COVID- 19 GP Program Extension
  • Practice Assist Resource Library
  • Education and training

23 December 2021 - Edition 134

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  • Merry Christmas from the Practice Assist team & Festive period trading hours
  • Good News Story: COVID-19 Vaccination Collaboration
  • Living with COVID-19 Webinars by Katrina Otto
  • New MBS COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Incentive payment available now
  • Ongoing MBS Telehealth Services from 1 January 2022
  • Approval for the use of a ‘digital image’ of a paper-based prescription extended until 31 March 2022
  • Healthdirect Video Call COVID- 19 GP Program Extension
  • RACGP Accredited Training
  • Vaccine Clinic Finder changes: Paediatric Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccine
  • Important Update on COVID-19 Boosters 
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Training Module Update– New Paediatric Pfizer Module Added
  • COVID-19 and Pregnancy by Dr Michael Gannon
  • HealthPathways Updates
  • Paediatric Comirnaty (Pfizer) invitation letters
  • WA State Government safe transition plan published
  • Resources: Childhood and youth COVID-19 vaccination resources
  • How to start a conversation about COVID-19 vaccines
  • Reminder: Report all expired government-funded vaccines (Non-COVID) online
  • MMRV vaccine supply constraint
  • Adacel® (whooping cough) vaccine transitioning from vials to pre-filled syringes
  • Registrations Open: Alcohol & Other Drug Network - A Project ECHO initiative
  • RACGP Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Skills Training – Spaces Available 
  • Communicare platform integrates with the National Cervical Screening Register
  • Rural Bulk Billing incentives set to increase in 2022
  • NPS MedicineWise update 
  • My Aged Care face-to-face services now available
  • More support for primary healthcare nurses
  • Advice for GPs following release of ANU PFAS Study
  • Practice Assist Resource Library
  • Education and training

9 December 2021 - Edition 133

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  • Living with COVID – support for the primary health care sector
  • Living with COVID in General Practice
  • Good News Story: Helping practices undertake quality improvement (QI) activities with an online QI Tool Kit
  • Handling consent refusal by people presenting for vaccination
  • TGA provisionally approves Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 5 to 11-year-olds
  • Updated ATAGI clinical advice on the administration of seasonal influenza vaccines in 2021 as international borders open
  • Letter of appreciation to administrative staff in COVID-19 vaccination clinics
  • New COVID-19 Decision Tool
  • New COVID-19 vaccination videos targeting youth and Aboriginal people
  • Easy read COVID-19 booster dose resources
  • Help improve vaccine safety surveillance in Australia - a short survey for immunisation providers
  • HealthPathways Updates
  • Carramar COVID-19 vaccination enhanced access and sensory community clinics
  • COVID-19 vaccine stock redistribution process
  • EOI for general practices wanting to join the COVID-19 Vaccination Program 
  • Joint Statement Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC) and the ACSQHC - Hand Hygiene Compliance and Medical Practitioners
  • NCIRS Annual Immunisation Coverage Report
  • Cancer screening rates down during COVID 19 Lock down
  • Western Diagnostics Pathology Results in My Health Record
  • NPS MedicineWise update – evidence-based, accessible consumer materials
  • Last Chance to apply for our CALD Stakeholder Reference Group
  • Year in Review Highlights – Impact, Innovation & Integration
  • New Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items available now
  • Every Moment Matters - national awareness campaign on FASD and alcohol use in pregnancy
  • New guidelines to help GPs care for patients impacted by violence and abuse 
  • Healthcare practitioner use of real time prescription monitoring tools in clinical practice
  • Practice Assist Resource Library
  • Education and training

25 November 2021 - Edition 132

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  • Helping practices redistribute COVID-19 vaccine stock to manage changing demand
  • Caring for COVID-positive patients in the community
  • Get a better understanding of the dynamic and evolving character of COVID-19 as a systemic disease
  • GP COVID-19 Preparedness Survey – November 2021
  • Let’s Look the Enemy in the Eye webinar
  • WA State government launches: Keeping Culture Safe and Strong Vaccination Focus campaign
  • COVID-19 vaccines mythbusters fact sheet for Aboriginal people
  • Aboriginal COVID-19 vaccination rates by statistical area
  • COVID-19 Resources: How the Delta strain of COVID-19 can spread in Aboriginal communities
  • Access COVID-19 resources via WAPHA’s Trello boards
  • Fact sheet: Transfer of COVID-19 vaccines between participating primary care vaccination sites
  • COVID-19 infection in pregnancy poses a significant risk for mothers and their babies
  • WA Department of Health pregnancy resources
  • Online forum on Pregnancy, Fertility and COVID Vaccination
  • How to boost Facebook posts to promote COVID-19 vaccine clinics
  • COVID-19 vaccination dashboard added to My Health Record
  • Connecting with communities via a Digital Health Roadshow across the Goldfields
  • HealthPathways updates
  • ATAGI 2021 Annual Statement on Immunisation
  • Free course: Promoting participation in the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • Commonwealth-funded places for Nurse Immuniser course available
  • NPS MedicineWise Regional Visits
  • Request for GP engagement as part of the National headspace Evaluation
  • Project ECHO AOD Network WA – Registrations Now Open
  • Expressions of interest for CALD Stakeholder Reference Group
  • Patient information sheets to help combat antimicrobial resistance
  • Optimise self-management for patients with rare lung conditions
  • Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients
  • The Guides to Best Cancer Care are now available
  • Sexual Health Quarters (SHQ) Youth Sexual Health Clinic
  • My Health in My Hands animation for young people
  • Practice Assist Resource Library
  • Health Promotion Events
  • Education and Training
  • Other Webinars, Events and Workshops

11 November 2021 - Edition 131

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  • Commonwealth Government support for General Practice Care for COVID-Positive Patients in the Community
  • MBS Update - COVID-19 Management
  • COVID-19 Managed Pandemic Preparedness Survey Invitation - closing date extended to Friday 19 November
  • COVID-19 Boosters
  • Reporting Adverse events following COVID-19 vaccine
  • OAIC COVID-19 guidance and advice
  • Spikevax (Moderna) expression of interest
  • HealthPathways Updates
  • COVID-19 Vaccination training modules updated
  • COVID-19 vaccine stock redistribution process
  • Updated COVID-19 resources for Aboriginal people
  • National Cervical Screening Program update- expansion of self-collection from 1 July 2022
  • Updated ATAGI advise on herpes zoster vaccination in older adults
  • MBS update - Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
  • New Raising Healthy Minds app for parents and carers
  • New interactive diagnostic tool for investigating symptoms of lung cancer
  • NPS MedicineWise podcast - Talking to parents about the COVID vaccine
  • Optimal care pathways: I-PACED cards for breast cancer and head and neck cancer
  • NEW: HEART ATTACK animation or Aboriginal & Torres St Islander Peoples 
  • 'Vaccination for our Mob' survey
  • Supporting young people at risk of suicide: free training
  • Practice Assist Resource Library
  • Health Promotion Events
  • Education and training
  • Webinars, Events & Workshops

28 October 2021 - Edition 130

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  • Good News Story: Lockridge Medical COVID-19 Vaccine walk-in clinic
  • Special Update: Primary Health Care Worker Directions and FairWork resources for workplaces affected by vaccine mandates
  • Why now is the time for ePrescribing
  • MBS reimbursement for third doses of COVID-19 vaccines
  • Clinician alert #68: 11 October
  • General practices new to the COVID-19 Vaccination Program can be provided Comirnaty (Pfizer)
  • HealthPathways Updates
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Training Modules Updated
  • COVID-19 vaccine stock redistribution process
  • Changes to the way government-funded vaccine orders are packed and delivered in the Perth metropolitan area
  • Extension to the shingles catch-up program under the National Immunisation Program
  • Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) enhancement - removal of maximum dose number for Bexsero®
  • National Cervical Screening Program – important advice about recent changes to the clinical management of women at intermediate risk of high-grade abnormalities
  • AusVax Safety – Summary Report 2020
  • Nurse immuniser course recognition across states and territories
  • BreastScreen WA is returning to – QEII
  • The new National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards – What they mean for those operating in Primary Care
  • NPS MedicineWise webinars
  • Open Expressions of Interest – Project ECHO Steering Committee
  • Invitation to participate in research project: Caregiving relationships in health settings
  • Assistance with Closing the Gap PBS Co-payment registrations
  • Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre – Facilitative Mediation for Older People
  • WA general practices applying for a DPA classification can request a letter of support from WA Primary Health Alliance
  • Practice Assist Resource Library
  • Health Promotion Events
  • Education and training
  • Webinars, Events & Workshops

14 October 2021 - Edition 129

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  • Good News Story: Successful Kununurra Vaxathon delivers hundreds of COVID-19 vaccine doses
  • WA government announcement: Mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for primary and community health workers
  • MBS reimbursement for third doses of COVID-19 vaccines
  • Updated Australian Department of Health COVID-19 resources for Aboriginal people and pregnancy
  • New refugee arrivals from Afghanistan are eligible for Medicare
  • FAQs about COVID-19 in children and vaccines
  • New resources: Auslan videos and West Coast Eagles Aboriginal Health Council of WA posters
  • CALD resources for children aged 12 and over who can get the COVID-19 vaccine (languages other than English)
  • HealthPathways Updates
  • AusVaxSafety Data in 12 to 19 year olds
  • Clinician alert #68: 11 October
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Training Modules Updated
  • WA Department of Health vaccine distribution update for regional providers
  • COVID-19 vaccine stock redistribution process
  • Public consultation - tuberculosis vaccination recommendations
  • RACGP Resource: Preventing and managing patient aggression and violence
  • NASH certificates are changing. Is your software SHA-2 ready?
  • WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is seeking expressions of interest for GP participation in the PATS escort eligibility expansion
  • Health & Wellbeing Equality Index
  • NPS MedicineWise Educational Visits in the South West and Great Southern
  • First Annual Report on Quality Improvement Measures in General Practice
  • 2022 WA Rural Health Excellence Awards
  • Applications now open for the Practice Experience Program (PEP)
  • Applications now open for the RACGP Future Leaders Program 2022
  • Central Referral Service - WA Country Health Service (WACHS)
  • Royal Perth Hospital – GP Notify system out of action
  • WA general practices applying for a DPA classification can request a letter of support from WA Primary Health Alliance
  • Practice Assist Resource Library
  • Health Promotion Events
  • Education and training
  • Webinars, Events & Workshops

30 September 2021 - Edition 128

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  • IT STARTS WITH ME campaign resources
  • COVID-19 vaccine stock redistribution process
  • Patients with mild to moderate respiratory symptoms can be referred to GP Respiratory Clinics
  • Spikevax (Moderna) fact sheet
  • Assisting vulnerable patients with proof of vaccination
  • Register now for Primary Care management of Myocarditis and Pericarditis following mRNA vaccines and latest updates on Spikevax (Moderna) webinar
  • COVID-19 HealthPathways Updates 
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Training Modules Updated
  • How to get proof of your COVID-19 vaccination - flyers and posters available
  • Reminder to record batch numbers for COVID-19 vaccines
  • AusVaxSafety launches new-look COVID-19 vaccine safety data web pages
  • Amendments to National Immunisation Catch-up Calculator
  • Closure of AIR authentication files - 30 September 2021
  • WA general practices applying for a DPA classification can request a letter of support from WA Primary Health Alliance
  • Commonwealth-funded places for Nurse Immuniser course available
  • Upcoming regulatory changes to nicotine vaping products
  • NPS MedicineWise new topic - Anticholinergic burden: the unintended consequences for older people
  • GP podcast series from Dementia Training Australia
  • Closing the Gap Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Co-payment Program Registration Grace Period
  • NSQHS Standards User guide for health service organisations providing care for patients from migrant and refugee backgrounds
  • 2022 WA Rural Health Excellence Awards
  • Help patients experiencing hardship to eliminate court fines through addressing underlying issues
  • Practice Assist Resource Library
  • Health Promotion Events
  • Education and training
  • Allocation of surgical masks from the National Medical Stockpile

16 September 2021 - Edition 127

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  • Good News Story: 360 Street Doctor
  • One million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered by WA general practices
  • Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccine available from Monday 20 September for people aged 60 and over in WA
  • COVID-19 Immunisation Update Aboriginal Health 
  • Reminder to check AIR before administering a COVID-19 vaccine
  • Contact WAPHA if your practice has expiring COVID-19 vaccines
  • How to get your COVID-19 digital certificate
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Training Modules Updated
  • Transition of immunisation providers to the Onelink vaccine ordering system from Monday 20 September
  • Reconnecting Together - Socially Isolated program for older adults
  • Supporting young people at risk of suicide: free training
  • Commonwealth-funded places for Nurse Immuniser course available
  • A Systematic Approach to Investigating Symptoms of Lung Cancer training
  • Extension to Digital Image Prescriptions
  • Have your say on the future of digital health
  • WA Department of Health concerns about S8 prescribing
  • NPS MedicineWise update
  • WA GP Advisory Panel Expression of Interest now open
  • Monash University KAP survey – LARCs and MTOP
  • Have your say: Guiding principles for medication management
  • Practice Assist Resource Library
  • Education and training
  • Allocation of surgical masks from the National Medical Stockpile

2 September 2021 - Edition 126

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  • End of image based Prescribing
  • No fault COVID-19 indemnity scheme
  • WA Department of Health moving to Onelink as vaccine distribution and warehouse provider
  • Updating practice hours on CVAS
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout eligibility updates
  • Eligibility for individuals aged 12 to 15 years
  • Reminder: Pregnant women prioritised and eligible for Pfizer (Comirnaty)
  • COVID-19 HealthPathways Updates
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Training Modules Updated
  • Spikevax (Moderna) mandatory e-learning module now available
  • Allocation of surgical masks from the National Medical Stockpile
  • 2021 second quarter childhood immunisation rates released 
  • National Cancer Screening Programs - Communications Toolkit
  • Register an activity for National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week
  • WA general practice to benefit from new patient data storage and analytics platform
  • Practice Incentives Program Quality Improvement Measures: National report on the first year of data 2020-21
  • Dementia and changed behaviour: a person-centred approach
  • Breakthrough PBS listings to benefit thousands of Australians
  • Eating Disorder Core Skills: eLearning for GPs - nationally recognised and available now
  • Practice Assist Resource Library
  • Health Promotion Events
  • Education and training

19 August 2021 - Edition 125

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  • WA GP Advisory Panel Expression of Interest now open
  • Connect patients with free mental health care via the MH Connext program
  • RANZCOG and RACGP urging practitioners to follow ATAGI guidelines related to COVID-19 vaccines and pregnancy
  • Western Australians aged 16 plus eligible for COVID vaccination
  • COVID-19 vaccine resources for health professionals working within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
  • COVID-19 vaccine: Moderna Spikevax (elasomeran) approved for use in Australia
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout expansion: How to get involved
  • COVID-19 HealthPathways Updates
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Training Modules Updated
  • Allocation of surgical masks from the National Medical Stockpile
  • Maintaining routine immunisation services during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Updated factsheet on zoster vaccines for Australian adults
  • NCSR integration with MedicalDirector now live
  • Supporting patients who have experienced trauma
  • Medical Services Advisory Committee support expanding self-collection as a cervical screening option for all women aged 25 to 74 years
  • Provide your feedback on the proposed changes to self-collection
  • eLearning Module: Changes to cervical screening intermediate risk pathway
  • Changes to chronic disease incentive program
  • Consumers urged to see their GP ahead of changes to nicotine vaping laws (FED)
  • NPS MedicineWise update
  • Practice Assist Resource Library
  • ​Health Promotion Events
  • Education and training
5 August 2021 - Edition 124

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  •  Practice Connect Good News Story – GP Innovation Grants
  • Help celebrate the contribution of general practices in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout 
  • COVID digital certificates on digital wallets, Google Cloud's data engine
  • General Practice staff eligible for priority COVID-19 vaccination (with proof of employment template)
  • Anaphylaxis training for COVID-19 vaccination providers
  • Pregnant women prioritised and eligible for Pfizer (Comirnaty)
  • Non-participating practices can still apply to join the COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Blitz as bookings open for 30 to 39s to 'Roll Up'
  • COVID-19 HealthPathways Updates
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Training Modules Updated
  • Post-vaccination safety in your facility
  • -Allocation of surgical masks from the National Medical Stockpile
  • New NCIRS web page now live: COVID-19 Vaccination – summary for immunisation providers
  • Closure of Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) authentication files
  • Hepatitis B vaccine brand and dose clarification 
  • National Cancer Screening Register: Order a replacement home test-kit online
  • National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
  • WA Cancer & Palliative Care Network: Optimal Care Pathways
  • Participate in the Pilot Study - Conversations about Weight
  • National Syphilis campaign materials
  • NPS MedicineWise Educational visits available in a format that suits your practice
  • Grace period implemented for CTG PBS Co-payment Program until 30 September 2021
  • Practice Assist Resource Library
  • Health Promotion Events
  • Education and training
23 July 2021 - Edition 123

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  • COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout: Ways your practice can assist
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Pfizer (Comirnaty) for pregnant women
  • MBS support for people affected by COVID-19
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are eligible for the Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccine from 16 years of age
  • Electronic prescriptions making telehealth easier
  • COVID-19 HealthPathways Updates
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Training Modules Updated
  • Upcoming Webinar: Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination
  • Allocation of surgical masks from the National Medical Stockpile
  • Department of Veterans and their families during COVID-19
  • Reminder: National Immunisation Program (NIP) funded zoster vaccination catch-up ends soon
  • New ATAGI advice on zoster vaccines in older adults
  • Upcoming Shingrix (zoster vaccine) Webinar
  • Supporting general practice with the implementation of voluntary assisted dying in WA
  • New Guides to support people to manage their diabetes in hospital
  • Aboriginal patients must be registered with Services Australia database to receive CTG PBS Co-payment
  • RACGP supports easier access to medicines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • NPS MedicineWise update
  • Online survey from UWA SAGE Lab and Department of Communities
  • Ageism Online Learning Module 
  • Practice Assist Resource Library
  • Health Promotion Events
  • Education and training

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Practice Assist acknowledges and pays respect to the Traditional Owners and Elders of this country and recognises the significant importance of their cultural heritage, values and beliefs and how these contribute to the positive health and wellbeing of the whole community.

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While the Australian Government Department of Health has contributed to the funding of this website, the information on this website does not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Government and is not advice that is provided, or information that is endorsed, by the Australian Government. The Australian Government is not responsible in negligence or otherwise for any injury, loss or damage however arising from the use of or reliance on the information provided on this website.