Practice Connect Newsletter

9 Jaunary 2025 - Edition 211

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• 2025 Practice Assist Yearly Planner
• Practice Assist Tool Kits and Webpages updated
• MyMedicare News
• Backdating GPACI Patient Registrations
• Start the New Year Safe and Aware
• New prescribing code now in effect
• National recall - Coloplast urology catheter products
• Has your patient served in the defence forces? The Veterans' Health Check can help you to help them stay well
• Your Onelink Contact Information
• Mpox outbreak in Western Australia
• New AIR Tip on immunisation history statements out now
• Revision to Shingrix Product Information
• 2025 Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Maternal and Infant Immunisation Information session
• Australian RSV immunisation update - new funded programs for infant protection
• Respiratory Infection Diseases Podcasts
• Clinician Assist Update for Bowel Screening
• New National Cervical Screening Program Guidelines
• Onboarding and Offboarding for the National COVID-19 Vaccine Program
• COVID-19 Vaccine Update: JN.1 Vaccines now available
• Shared care in ADHD: Perth Metro GP Survey
• Education & Events

19 December 2024 - Edition 210

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• Looking after your patients who use alcohol and other drugs during the festive season
• Providing support for patients who may be experiencing family, domestic and sexual violence
• Keep safe this holiday period
• WA Primary Health Alliance's Year in Review 2023-24: Collective impact through integration, collaboration and innovation
• Multidisciplinary care transforming patient outcomes
• Merry Christmas from the Practice Assist Team
• Backdating GPACI Patient Registrations
• New Medicare handbook now available for providers
• Enhancing comprehensive primary care for Aboriginal patients with a nurse practitioner
• Homelessness Support Grants Program
• Important change to RACGP CPD grace period
• Extension of HealthDirect Video Call to 30 June 2025
• My Aged Care support plans available in My Health Record
• Refer your patients to the new Single Assessment System for aged care
• Primary Sense - Renewing Security Codes
• Health Alert for Measles
• Mpox Information for Health Professionals
• Meningococcal chapter within the Australian Immunisation Handbook has now been updated
• Prioritise Pneumococcal Protection
• A message about shingles from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
• Lung Cancer Screening Program - what can you do to prepare?
• Protecting you and your patients from COVID-19
• Handbook COVID-19 chapter revised
• COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Bulletin
• Have you completed the APNA Survey?
• Co-design of stillbirth prevention and care resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or migrant or refugee
• Education & Events

28 November 2024 - Edition 209

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• MyMedicare Registration News
• Services Australia Update: Changes to the Organisation Register - keeping your practice accreditation details current
• Bushfire - Prepare your practice for the effects of bushfires in your communities
• Cyclone - Prepare your practice for the effects of Cyclones and Thunderstorms in your communities
• Supporting trans, gender diverse and non-binary people to access appropriate and inclusive healthcare
• WA Seniors Information Resource launched
• Hospital Liaison GP Updates
• East Metropolitan Health Service Hospital Liaison GP Update
• Primary Sense - Renewing Security Codes
• Primary Sense - New Bone Density Nurse prompt
• Supporting Clinical Decision Making with Primary Sense
• Instruction on surplus hard copy RSV resources
• AIR updates
• Video series on childhood immunisation has some new additions
• Invasive Pneumococcal Disease newsletters
• Global measles cases surged in 2023, as coverage rates stalled
• New statement from the Therapeutic Goods Administration
• Coming July 2025 - National Lung Cancer Screening Program
• Increasing access to COVID-19 vaccination among vulnerable populations.        
• COVID-19 Primary Care Vaccination Support Program - Submit your Activity Summary Reports before 1 December 2024
• Continue to provide COVID-19 booster vaccinations throughout the summer months
• International Day of Disability is 3 December 2024
• Education & Events 

14 November 2024 - Edition 208

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• GPACI update - Q1 payments, Updated MBS User Guide and GPACI conversations and implementation webinar series
• GPACI conversations and implementation webinars
• Practice data reports are now available through the Primary Care Reporting Portal 
• Stronger Medicare Awards 2024
• Prepare your practice for the effects of heat waves in your communities
• Australian Warning System
• Supporting Aboriginal people with elevated weight through yarning
• Downloadable resources to raise awareness of depression
• New campaign promotes Star Ratings for aged care homes
• Recruitment update from Rural Health West - Ahpra expedited specialist pathway
• Rural Health West: Outreach Services
• Rural Health West: Advanced Skills Program
• Diabetes Connect - new support for clinician in Country WA
• Trans Healthcare - Transitioning with a patient to better outcome 
• Supporting your practice to be LGBTIQA+
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus vaccine Abrysvo will be added to the National Immunisation Program in 2025 for pregnant women
• Infectious Disease alert - Mpox cases increasing in WA
• Immunisation Handbook - shingles chapter updated
• New childhood immunisation resources for parents
• Resource to support reporting of infant vaccinations to AIR released
• Immunisation Webinar - Immunisations in Aged Care and The General Practice Aged Care Incentive
• Immunisation Coalition - Shingles Update
• Three things patients should know about cervical screening
• Eliminating Cervical Cancer Conference
• Who's eligible for the Non-Medicare Reimbursement Scheme for COVID-19 Vaccinations
• COVID-19 Primary Care Vaccination Support Program - How to Submit Your Activity Summary Reports
• National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week
• Education & Events 

31 October 2024 - Edition 207

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• Empowering general practice staff with free suicide prevention workshops
• Beyond the C Program Update | Re-opening Enrolments
• Empower your patients beyond the consultation with RACGP Healthy Habits
• Better Health Coaching - Western Australian Service
• New standard to tackle chronic lung disease missed in half of patients (FED)
• Childhood immunisation - health professionals' kit: Tools and resources for healthcare professionals
• Department of Health and Aged Care promotes shingles vaccination
• Pertussis cases are rising in WA
• National mpox cases continue to rise: Pre exposure vaccination offers best protection
• Virtual masterclass: Preventing respiratory syncytial virus
• NCIRS webinar recording now available
• Immunisation Coalition - Shingles Webinar
• National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR) Clinical Software Integration Available
• Breast Cancer Awareness 
• Eliminating Cervical Cancer Conference
• Who's eligible for the Non-Medicare Reimbursement Scheme for COVID-19 Vaccinations
• COVID-19 Primary Care Vaccination Support Program - How to Submit Your Activity Summary Reports
• APNA Annual Workforce Survey 2024
• WA Seniors Week is 10 to 17 November
• Education & Events 

17 October 2024 - Edition 206

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• New GPACI Payment Resources for General Practices
• New campaign promoting help seeking for depression
• Empower your patients to live well and thrive with APNA's Chronic Disease Management and Healthy Ageing Program
• Join APNA's National Nursing Clinical Placements Program and receive up to $1,000 per placement
• Healthy Lifestyle Program: Information for referrers
• Headspace coming to Manjimup
• Launch of the New and Improved Online Resource Library for Mental Health Carers
• What happens when a referral is rejected
• Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) Respiratory Outpatient Referral update:
• Whooping Cough Day is coming
• Cold Chain Management
• NCIRS - Popular Resources
• Minor update to mpox Handbook chapter
• New home for Yellow Fever Vaccination Learning and Accreditation Course
• Immunisation For Health and Life
• Immunisation Coalition - Shingles Webinar
• October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
• National Cancer Screening Register
• Who's eligible for the Non-Medicare Reimbursement Scheme for COVID-19 Vaccinations
• COVID-19 Primary Care Vaccination Support Program - How to Submit Your Activity Summary Reports
• Provider Bulletin - 10 October 2024
• An invaluable aid - clinicians express excitement for telehealth carts
• Help improve our clinical and referral pathways: EOI
• APNA Annual Workforce Survey 2024
• Have your say on education and training for the sexual health workforce
• Movember: The Moustache is Calling
• Education & Event

3 October 2024 - Edition 205

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• Chronic Disease Management and MBS deferred to 1 July 2025
• Our Practice Assist PIP and WIP Toolkit pages have been refreshed
• Primary care depression management and suicide prevention resources
• Referral Updates: New Mandatory - Referral Access Criteria (RAC)
• Pertussis: Increasing cases and shortage of azithromycin oral suspension
• WA Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infant Immunisation Program
• Increased Eligibility for shingles vaccine
• NCIRS webinar set to spotlight declines in childhood
• Immunisation For Health and Life
• Immunisation Coalition - Shingles Webinar
• Free resource packs to help encourage your patients to undergo screening
• National Bowel Cancer Screening Program - How to do the free test
• Planning COVID-19 clinics to protect vulnerable community members
• COVID-19 Primary Care Support Program - Expressions of interest close 1 November 2024
• Who's eligible for the Non-Medicare Reimbursement Scheme for COVID-19 vaccinations
• Help improve our clinical and referral pathways: EOI
• Have your say about MBS Online
• Online Survey - Medication Management at Transitions of Care Stewardship Framework
• 2024 WA Mental Health Week
• Education & Events

19 September 2024 - Edition 204

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• Upcoming changes to MBS Chronic Disease Management Arrangements
• Webinar: Upcoming changes to chronic disease management items 
• Helping to increase testing and treatment for hepatitis C in vulnerable populations
• New standardised accreditation certificate numbers - important update
• Navigating Advance Care Planning
• How Amity Health's care finder program is working with general practice to helping older Australians from slipping through the gap
• Key improvements to Western Australian Handheld Pregnancy Record
• The re-emergence of Mpox - clinical challenges,
• New NCIRS resource: Recommended sites for childhood vaccination poster
• Yellow fever vaccination course
• Immunise for two
• ATAGI statement on the transition from quadrivalent to trivalent seasonal influenza vaccines in Australia
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus Newsletters
• NCIRS webinar set to spotlight declines in childhood vaccination rates
• Immunisation for Health and Life
• New Choices for Cervical Screening
• Eliminating Cervical Cancer 2024 Conference (ECC2024)
• COVID-19 Provider Bulletin
• COVID-19 and travel
• Shaping rural specialist training accreditation
• Reflections of rural training experiences
• 2024 WA Mental Health Week
• Education & Events

5 September 2024 - Edition 203

• General Practice in Aged Care Incentive News
• Breaking GP ACI News: New Error Causing Issues in PRODA
• Greater Choices for At Home Palliative Care project
• Navigating Dementia: Local resources and community support
• Multidisciplinary team care and Strengthening Medicare reforms
• GP Balint Group
• Revolutionise your dermatology practice with ACRRM Tele-Derm 
• Help for parents and carers to talk to young people about the harms of vaping
• Free support program for patients with coronary heart disease
• 'New' DVA Rehabilitation Program Medical Certificate
• Mpox cases and travel immunisation
• Two Australian Immunisation Handbook chapters updates
• National Immunisation Program (NIP): Expansion of eligible shingles cohort from September 2024
• Pneumococcal vaccination recommendations for people who have previously received a pneumococcal vaccine
• New Respiratory Infectious Diseases Podcasts
• 2024 Pertussis Webinar
• Research study - Lung Cancer Screening for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities
• COVID-19 booster still recommended every 6 months for adults with severe immunocompromise and/or aged 75 years and over
• Telehealth carts improving patient outcomes in aged care
• 13YARN national evaluation to primary care
• R U OK? Day is 12 September
• Education & Events

22 August 2024 - Edition 202

• Clinician Assist has now replaced HealthPathways WA
• General Practice in Aged Care Incentive (GPACI)
• The first Primary Sense nurse prompt is now live!
• Kickstart your new career in primary health care with APNA's support
• New RACGP CPD accredited GP quality
• East Metro Healthy Lifestyle Program
• Multidisciplinary team care and Strengthening Medicare reforms
• Nominations Now Open! 2025 WA Rural Health Excellence Awards
• GP Balint Group
• New resources to support quality end-of-life care at home
• New online RACF toolkit for WA GPs
• Nominations now open for our LGBTIQA+ Stakeholder Reference Group
• Better care for women with heavy menstrual bleeding
• WAPHA Webinar: Immunisation in Pregnancy and Adults
• MPox cases detected in WA
• NCIRS resource: Travel vaccination - frequently asked questions
• Metropolitan Measles Alert
• Protecting Children and Older Adults from Infectious Pneumococcal Disease - webinar
• Free resource packs to help encourage your patients to undergo screening
• Campaign to Find Cancer Early in Regional WA
• Screening Saves Lives Campaign
• Clinical Management and Screening for Bowel Cancer
• Cervical Screening Tips and Resources
• National Cancer Screening register
• Planning COVID-19 clinics every 6 months to help keep our vulnerable community members protected
• Non-Medicare Reimbursement Scheme for COVID-19 Vaccinations
• COVID-19 Provider Bulletins
• COVID-19 Poster
• BreastScreen WA Health promotion in Practice
• Education & Events

8 August 2024 - Edition 201

• HealthPathways WA replacement website now live - register now
• First major changes to MBS Chronic Disease Management items since 2005
• Helping to prevent congenital syphilis with point-of-care testing
• Diagnosing Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) in Children: Important information for all practitioners
• Coming Soon - The first ever Primary Sense Nurse Prompt
• Multidisciplinary team care and Strengthening Medicare reforms
• DVA Provider News: Veterans are ditching plastic in
• Nominations Now Open! 2025 WA Rural Health Excellence Awards
• Be part of Creating a Health Service Vision for Autistic People
• Political Alert - Australians urged to see their GP for help stopping antidepressants after guidelines endorsed (FED)
• New Residential Goals of Care (RGoC) information now available online
• WAPHA Webinar: Immunisation in Pregnancy and Adults
• Upcoming changes to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
• Updated Shingrix AusVaxSafety data now available
• ATAGI issues statement on Mpox booster doses, amid rise in cases
• AIR Tip - How to report the hepatitis B anitigen on AIR
• New NCIRS pneumococcal FAQs
• Protecting Children and Older Adults from Infectious Pneumococcal Disease - webinar
• The Department of Health and Aged Care is seeking help from healthcare providers to increase participation in the national cancer screening programs (bowel, breast and cervical)
• Self collection and CST for cervical screening
• Quality Improvement activities in Cancer Screening
• BreastScreen WA supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with Beautiful Sarongs
• National Bowel Cancer Screening program
• Non-Medicare Reimbursement Scheme for COVID-19 Vaccinations
• Reporting of positive COVID-19 RAT results to WA Health no longer required
• Provider Bulletin for COVID-19
• Annual Health Check for My Health Record - Ensuring Compliance
• Daffodil Day 22 August 2024
• Education & Events

25 July 2024 - Edition 200

• Celebrating 200 editions of Practice Connect
• General Practice in Aged Care Incentive - accreditation and exemptions for non-traditional practices
• Signing up your residential aged care patients to MyMedicare
• Multidisciplinary team care and Strengthening Medicare reforms
• Strengthening Medicare GP Grants Closure Activities
• Nominations Now Open! 2025 WA Rural Health Excellence Awards
• Experts urge maternal vaccination
• Australian Immunisation Tip: How to record and report "vaccine type" field to AIR
• Matter of Vax
• Start the Shingrix conversation and shield your
• Rabies, travel vaccines and global trends in
• Protecting Children and Older Adults from
• National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) implementation update
• Get the Facts: Supporting self-collect cervical screening in your community
• COVID-19 Primary Care Support Program - Expression of Interest Now Open!
• Residential Aged Care Home (RACH) funding for COVID-19 Immunisations
• GP Telehealth Training and Education
• WA Primary Health Alliance's data linkage pilot to better understand the needs of GPs and their chronic heart failure patients'
• Have your say on the barriers and enablers to supporting children with weight related health concerns in primary health care
• Red Nose Day Friday 9 August 2024
• Education & Events

11 July 2024 - Edition 199

• Celebrating NAIDOC Week
• Registered nurse Aunty Dulcie Flower wins the 2024 National NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award
• Integrated Team Care supporting Aboriginal patients across the South West
• General Practice in Aged Care Incentive Guidelines
• GP Bulk Billing and MyMedicare on the rise
• Strengthening Medicare GP Grants Closure Activities
• Rural Health West administered Pre-Fellowship Program
• WA Excellence in Allied Health Awards
• Transform healthcare with specialised wound care training with a scholarship
• Curtin Student-Led Physiotherapy Clinic
• Changes to vaping in Australia from 1 July 2024
• New bereavement support program for children and families in WA
• Supporting patients with healthy weight, beyond the scales
• NCIRS RSV resources updated
• New AIR tip on recording vaccine types now available
• Re-Emergence of Mpox in Australia
• Helping to reduce Bowel Cancer rates
• Change to Bowel Screening Age
• Non-Medicare Reimbursement Scheme for COVID Vaccinations
• COVID-19 Primary Care Support Program - Expression of Interest Now Open!
• In-reach success for two local facilities
• Certificate renewals to maintain access to digital services
• Harnessing data linkage within Primary Sense to better understand the needs of GPs and patients
• 2024-2026 WA Primary Health Alliance Digital Health Strategy
• Have your say on the barriers and enablers to supporting children with weight related health concerns in primary health care
• It's time for action! World Hepatitis Day Update
• Education & Events

28 June 2024 - Edition 198

• General Practice in Aged Care Incentive is coming
• General Practice in Aged Care Incentive (GP ACI) Introduction Session 
• Strengthening Medicare GP Grants Closure Activities
• Primary Sense Troubleshooting and Resources
• New RACGP CPD accredited quality improvement activities for GPs
• Provider Connect Australia^TM - helping healthcare providers to stay connected
• Infectious disease risk and the Hajj pilgrimage
• New perinatal loss support program provided by Rural Health Connect
• Safer Baby Bundle
• Lyfe Languages Universal Medical Translator
• New Emerging Minds online course focusing on supporting children's resilience in general practice
• Free dietetic consultations at Curtin Clinic Cockburn available from mid-August
• Resources to assist health providers with meeting the DVA's requirements
• Free healthy lifestyle programs for children and families
• Changes to funding and program advice for meningococcal ACWY vaccines
• Improving immunisation service delivery for migrants and refugees in Australia
• Cancer Network Forum 2024
• COVID-19 Primary Care Support Program - Expression of Interest Now Open!
• Go Dry This July
• Education & Events

13 June 2024 - Edition 197

• Enhancing multidisciplinary care for chronic heart failure patients in the Midwest with non-dispensing pharmacists
• Program update - General Practice in Aged Care Incentive is coming
• Strengthening Medicare GP Grants Closure Activities
• Harnessing data linkage within Primary Sense to better understand the needs of GPs and patients
• 2024 tax time - Let's talk record keeping
• New support to quit vaping and smoking
• Recognise a Medicare Champion - nominations for the Stronger Medicare Awards close 30 June
• New CareSearch app to support GPs
• NEW Toolkits for primary care clinicians providing early medical abortion
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) catch up program continues until September 2024
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) posters available for order
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus update
• 2024 Influenza Campaign Launch
• Provide your input on Australia's next National Immunisation Strategy
• 8th Annual Immunisation Forum - Your last chance to register for the online event
• Influenza/COVID-19/RSV webinar - Webinar 3
• Clinical management and screening for bowel cancer - A new e-learning module
• PDSA's to increase participation in population-based cancer screening programs
• Optimising cervical screening for people with disability - supporting the enquiry in your practice
• Cancer Screening Webinar - WA Primary Health Alliance 
• WA Cervical Cancer Prevention Program Resources
• COVID-19 cases continue to rise
• Youth Pride Network - State of Play - Healthcare survey now LIVE!
• Men's Health Week - 13 to 19 June
• Education & Events

30 May 2024 - Edition 196

• Health professionals come together to improve weight management care in the Goldfields
• New fact sheet: Assisting patients in general practice with mental health concerns
• Armadale location of WA's eighth Medicare Urgent Care Clinic
• Strengthening Medicare GP Grants Closure Activities
• Better Health, Together - The Big 5
• Extension of HealthDirect Video Call COVID-19 GP Program and PHN Exemplar Program to 31 December 2024
• Head to Health sites are evolving to become Medicare Mental Health Centres
• New Emerging Minds Families resources to boost parents' mental health literacy
• Nominate now for the Stronger Medicare Awards
• Referral Updates: Now Mandatory - Referral Access Criteria (RAC)
• Immunisation Foundation of Australia's Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Awareness Week
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Co-administration
• Free Flu for all program continues
• Vaccinology and immunisation science - online course
• Immunisation Coalition 8th Annual Immunisation Forum
• Immunisation Coalition Webinars on Influenza/COVID-19 and RSV -
• now available
• Is your practice ready to support cervical screening self collection
• National Bowel Screening Program age change
• National Cancer Screening register
• COVID-19 rising; prepare for influenza and RSV
• COVID-19 booster flyers for consumers and disability providers
• It's National Reconciliation Week
• National Reconciliation Week Street Banners flying high
• New resource for providing effective GP services to Stolen Generations survivors
• Dedicated online portal for Aboriginal health
• Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
• Education & Events

16 May 2024 - Edition 195

• WA Syphilis Outbreak: Managing syphilis in your practice
• Empowering Conversations About Weight in General Practice
• Strengthening Medicare GP Grants Closure Activities
• Historic Medicare changes for women battling Endometriosis
• Update for the RACGP Standard - High-risk results identified outside normal opening hours
• Dementia Australia - order your free GP referrer resource pack
• Compassionate and person-centred end-of-life support in residential aged care
• Dengue fever risk for travellers
• SAFETY PEN - Safe, feasible and effective transitioning of allergy assessment for penicillins to community care
• RSV reminder letters to new mothers
• It's still important to recall eligible infants before Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) season
• AIR data shows need to offer more WA infants RSV immunisation to protect from hospitalisation
• Practice Assist - Immunisation Toolkit
• New cold chain breach reporting for Perth metropolitan immunisation providers
• New Mpox cases emerge
• Typographical error on Beyfortus carton
• Supply of Shingrix
• Influenza/COVID-19/RSV Webinar Series
• 8th Annual Immunisation Forum
• Expressions of Interest Development of Program Guidelines for the National Lung Cancer Screening Program
• How to do a Bowel Screening Test at home
• BreastScreen WA heading to Armadale
• Optimising Cervical Screening for People with Disability
• COVID-19 Provider Bulletin - 6 May 2024
• WHO advisory group recommends future COVID-19 vaccine formulations target JN.1 strain
• Have your say about the future of primary care
• Genetic Health WA - service plan consultation link
• Type 1 Diabetes National Screening Pilot: Seeking Primary Care insights for future type 1 diabetes screening in Australia
• National Palliative Care Week: 19-25 May
• National Sorry Day
• Education & Events

2 May 2024 - Edition 194

• Leveraging the Primary Sense data tool for improved patient care
• Strengthening Medicare GP Grants Closure Activities
• Let's talk about STIs
• Telehealth for families experiencing stillbirth and miscarriage
• Free Influenza Vaccine Program 2024
• Actively recall eligible infants before the RSV season begins
• Shingrix supply update
• Entering historical Q fever doses into the AIR
• Webinar on winter respiratory illness
• 8th Annual Immunisation Forum
• Bulk Bowel testing kits now available in Practices
• Did you know you can access patients cancer screening history via your clinical software?
• Approach to enhancing Cancer Screening and Prevention in Primary Care
• Breast cancer update for general practice
• Assisting our Aged Care with COVID-19 Vaccination
• Non-Medicare COVID-19 Vaccination Reimbursement
• COVID-19 Provider Bulletin - 17 April 2024
• Influenza, COVID-19 and RSV webinar series - webinar 2
• COVID-19 Update Webinar
• Power up for this year's Privacy Awareness Week
• Education & Event

18 April 2024 - Edition 193

• MyMedicare patient registration update
• RACGP redefines general practice to improve equity and access
• Strengthening Medicare GP Grants Closure Activities
• Free suicide prevention training workshops for general practice staff
• Greater Choices for At Home Palliative Care - Update
• Syphilis Point-of-Care Testing Information
• The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) wants general practice and other primary health care workplaces around Australia to join its growing nurse placement program
• 1800 4 Choice
• Verifying outpatient appointments for SCGH and OPH
• Grove Medical boosting infant RSV immunisation in their community
• WA Influenza Immunisation Program 2024
• Cold Chain Auditing
• RSV Immunisation Program Quick Reference Guide
• RSV Resources
• Q fever vaccines added to Australian Immunisation Register
• World Immunisation Week 2024 - 'Humanly Possible: Saving lives through immunisation'
• 8th Annual Immunisation Forum
• NCIRS webinar video now available
• Cancer Screening Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) activities
• GP Clinical Placement at Fiona Stanley Hospital
• Cancer Screening webinar
• Breast cancer update for general practice
• COVID-19 Immunisation Recall and Reminder Grant results in almost 10,000 vaccinations
• Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation ATAGI statement on the administration of COVID-19 vaccines in 2024
• Influenza immunisation season and Co-Administration of the COVID-19 vaccination
• REMINDER: Reporting COVID-19 Vaccinations to AIR
• Telehealth Trending Upwards
• Get ready for Heart Week 6-12 May 2024
• Education & Events

4 April 2024 - Edition 192

• Launch breakfast for pilot project to enhance the primary care response to family, domestic and sexual violence
• Have your GPs registered for the free depression management and suicide prevention online training sessions?
• MyMedicare patient registration update
• Strengthening Medicare GP Grants Closure Activities
• The new abortion legislation - what do GPs need to know?
• EMHS Direct Access Endoscopy Referrals - Allocation to Hospital with shortest wait time
• The Medical Costs Finder awareness campaign has launched
• Referral Updates: New Mandatory Referral Access Criteria (RAC)
• Free Influenza Vaccination Program
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus Immunisation Program
• Influenza, COVID-19 and RSV webinar series
• Aboriginal Health Practitioner immunisers
• Cancer Council Promoting HPV Vaccination in General Practice
• Podcast: Australia's National Bowel Screening Program
• Breast cancer update for general practice
• Australian Immunisation Handbook COVID-19 chapter update
• GP Sentiment Index survey
• Education & Events

21 March 2024 - Edition 191

• Collaboration key to supporting patients with endometriosis and pelvic pain
• Strengthening Medicare GP Grants Closure Activities
• Discover the Future of Healthcare Delivery for Residential Aged Care Homes
• Nominate a Medicare Champion Today
• Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet - State portal
• Improving Healthcare Equity: Strategies for Multicultural and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Patients
• Embracing Diversity: Advance Care Planning in Multicultural and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Communities
• Tackling barriers to health care for multicultural communities
• Support to undertake Refugee Health Assessments
• Free national multilingual telephone hotline for people affected by overseas conflicts
• Translated MyMedicare patient resources
  Influenza immunisation – 2024 influenza immunisation program health provider promotional kit available now
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Immunisation Program eligibility and Recall Templates
• WA Health and Immunisation Foundation of Australia (IFA) respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) resources
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) webinar – recording available
• Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) Tip - What is the difference between an immunisation provider and an information provider?
• Updated Shingrix^® vaccine safety data now available
• National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) 2024 webinar series
• Immunisation Coalition Influenza Update 2024
• Provider Bulletin - 15 March 2024
• COVID-19 Factsheets
• National Centre for Immunisation and Research Surveillance (NCIRS) COVID-19 vaccines FAQs
• GP Sentiment Index survey
• National Advance Care Planning Week
• Education & Events

7 March 2024 - Edition 190

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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 31^st 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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• Congratulations Lagoon Medical Centre – the first practice to start using Primary Sense in WA
• Primary Sense Practice Managers Breakfast
• Feature Topic - Antibiotic Awareness, Disability Awareness and NDIS
• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
• International Day of People with Disability
• World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 18 to 24 November 2022
• COVID-19 Updates Infection prevention and control guidelines
• COVID-19 clinic closures 
• Expanded access to COVID-19 oral antivirals for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• ATAGI recommended COVID-19 vaccines and doses
• Translated COVID-19 vaccine decision aids — Digital communications kit
• National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week
• Be a “powel” to bowel cancer screening
• Lung Cancer Awareness Month
• Immunisation coverage data sources and AIR
• Help shape the future of vaccine safety surveillance in Australia – GPs, practice nurses and pharmacists needed
• Transition of the Australian General Practice Training Program
• Do you need to update your National Authentication Service for Health (NASH)?
• Introducing Emerging Minds Families: free infant and child mental health resources for parents, families and practitioners
• What does it take to provide culturally competent and safe health care services? We want to hear from you! 
• Recording available: Improving Aboriginal Cultural Security during virtual appointments virtual forum
• 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

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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

•  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

• 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

View our archived newsletters here:

• Practice Connect - Edition 122 - 8 July 2021
• Practice Connect - Edition 121 -  24 June 2021
• Practice Connect - Edition 120 - 10 June 2021
• Practice Connect - Edition 119 - 27 May 2021
• Practice Connect - Edition 118 - 13 May 2021
• Practice Connect - Edition 117 -  29 April 2021
• Practice Connect - Edition 116 - 15 April 2021
• Practice Connect - Edition 115 - 1 April 2021
• Practice Connect - Edition 114 - 18 March 2021
• Practice Connect - Edition 113 -  4 March 2021
• Practice Connect - Edition 112 -  18 February 2021
• Practice Connect - Edition 111 -  4 February 2021