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From 9 October 2020 until 30 June 2022, 10 additional individual psychological therapy sessions, previously available only to people whose movement was restricted by a state or territory public health order, are now available each calendar year to all eligible patients under the existing Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the MBS (Better Access) initiative. From 9 October 2020, the requirement for people to be subject to self-isolation, quarantine or a Public Health Order restricting movement within a state or territory in order to access the additional sessions has been removed. In order to access these sessions, patients will be required to:
Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, general practices across WA have focused their efforts on women’s health. To raise awareness of breast cancer, and the impact it has on our communities, many practices throughout October were decorated pink. At the heart of these ‘pink’ activities was the idea of making practices a joyful and safe space for health professionals and patients to have difficult conversations.
As part of our support for general practices, Practice Assist maintains a library of useful resources in our Practice Assist Resource Library. These resources range across different topics from GP Accreditation, Practice Incentives Program, to the latest in resources around COVID-19. At present we are reviewing and updating all our resources to ensure that we have current, accurate and useful information available when needed. As part of this review we have produced our Templates and Checklists in Editable PDF format. This means the practices can add information relevant to their practice. These templates and checklists can also be used as a source for practices developing their own practice specific resources.
We would appreciate your feedback on this new editable pdf format for practice use, please email practiceassist@wapha.org.au with ideas and comments.
The updated XML file for changes to the MBS is now available for download here. Factsheets on the changes for October and November are available here. These factsheets include changes to Urology, Chemotherapy, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Blood products, CT Angiography, COVID-19 Pathology Items and the Additional 10 Mental Health Sessions.
Culturally and linguistically diverse people can often experience difficulty with using mainstream mental health services. Cultural differences, language barriers and lack of understanding and confidence in the health system can have a dramatic impact on a person’s ability to access mental and general health care and can contribute to a person's distress, confusion, or reluctance to get the help they need. WA Primary Health Alliance has partnered with Life Without Barriers to provide culturally appropriate support for people with mild-to-moderate mental health issues and care coordination for those needing help with accessing additional healthcare services.
When a COVID vaccine arrives in Australia, primary health care nurses will play a key role in immunising the Australian population. Learn about what nurses need to do to prepare for the mass-vaccination and the logistics of getting the vaccines into your clinic or facility. The podcast can be listened to here.
The national ‘no jab, no pay’ policy has been associated with substantial catch-up vaccination activity in lower socioeconomic status areas, according to research published in the Medical Journal of Australia. The full report is available on the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) website.
The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) will be presenting a webinar discussing the latest developments in the journey towards COVID-19 vaccines – for both Australia and the world. You can register for the webinar here. Join the outstanding speakers and panel to:
There will be opportunity for questions and discussion.
This short 12-minute presentation provides in-depth information about SIRVA, correct vaccination techniques and how to avoid this injury. This presentation is available to all immunisation providers on the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) website.
This year 2020 saw a record number of influenza vaccines administered in Australia. The demand for vaccines is expected to remain high in 2021 and this letter from Acting CMO Professor Paul Kelly urges those involved in sourcing and administering the vaccine to start planning for 2021 now. The letter can be read here.
NPS MedicineWise has a wide range of resources available to download from their website. The resources aim to help health services promote being medicinewise and include posters, short informative videos, fact sheets etc. Being medicinewise reinforces antibiotic awareness and helps patients make better health decisions and get the most benefit from their medicines, safely. The NPS MedicineWise BeMedicineWise resource hub is updated regularly with links to articles and resources. NPS Medicine Webinar: DEMENTIA: a multi-disciplinary approach to caring for people with changed behaviours Thursday, 29 October 2020, 12:00 – 1.15pm (AWST) This webinar will emphasise how working and communicating as part of a multidisciplinary team can empower health professionals to optimise non-pharmacological approaches in management. Panel members will discuss a case study that illustrates how to implement a person-centred approach to managing changed behaviours in people living with dementia. For more information, and to register please click here.
The GP Urgent Care Network Pilot is nearly in the final 2nd phase and WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA), would like to take this opportunity to thank and acknowledge all the practices for their participation in the pilot project. A reminder email this week will be sent to practices as a reminder of submission’s to MEDrefer of all GP Urgent Care appointments up to date for the last 3 months.
The WAPHA GP Urgent Care Team is working with Benchmark, Ctec and RACGP for expressions of interested in upcoming upskilling opportunities.
Benchmarque Group have been contracted to facilitate a series of one- and two-day courses for GP’s and practice nurses treating patients under the GP Urgent Care Network Pilot. This training supports General Practitioners and practice nurses to manage patient presentations attending GP Urgent Care practices. Ten planned training sessions across Perth Metro, South West and Country Regions from December 2020, consisting of Online learning, face to face workshop delivery and post program student survey and summary. Each course will be available in 10 different locations, offering 10 places per course, through an EOI process managed by Benchmarque, across Perth Metro and South West aligning to the GP Urgent Care Practices.
The Urgent Care Peer Group Learning (PGL) activity is designed to maximise the benefits of working and learning together in a peer group educational setting. Please complete the details to express your interest via : https://www.wapha.org.au/health-professionals/gp-urgent-care Interested in becoming part of the General Practice Urgent Care Network Pilot? Please contact the GP Urgent Care Project Officer by email urgentcare@wapha.org.au or alternatively by contacting 0429 126 925.
The following content updates have now been published on the HealthPathways website:
To access HealthPathways please contact your WAPHA Primary Health Liaison or email the HealthPathways team at healthpathways@wapha.org.au
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and the Australian Government Department of Health are working together to deliver the National Palliative Care Strategy 2018. It prioritises the need for early planning and referral to palliative care for people affected by life-limiting illnesses. To help improve the identification of people who may need end-of-life services, the Commission developed the Palliative Care Predictive or Prognostic Tools (PCAT) Survey in consultation with healthcare workers across Australia. The PCAT survey is designed for all healthcare workers including those who provide direct treatment and/or care and those who do not such as managers and administrative staff. In March the survey was piloted and now the Commission is seeking the opinions from all healthcare workers to determine the:
The survey is open from 1 October to 31 October 2020, complete the survey here.
The Inside Out Institute for Eating Disorders is interested in hearing from health professionals about what they think the eating disorder research and translation priorities are for Australia. For this study to be truly representative, they need input from people with a lived experience of eating disorder (consumers and carers), clinicians and researchers from across Australia. To participate in this research study please click here, or for further information please email peta.marks@sydney.edu.au For patient support, call the national eating disorder helpline on 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673).
Australian National University is part of a collaboration of international researchers that have been conducting regular surveys through-out the COVID-19 period. Over this period PHNs have been invited to share these surveys with their key clinical stakeholders. For your information you can view the summary results of the two most recent rounds of surveys:
General Practitioners, Primary Care Nurses, and Practice Managers are invited to participate in round 10 of the survey series. This round is seeking a more in depth understanding of the barriers to telehealth, complete the survey here.
The 2021 conference theme of lessons learnt from past disasters will focus on learnings and effects from the recent disasters that have impacted both Australia and the world and how we can prepare for future adversities. The conference will focus on dealing with the aftermath of natural disasters such as bushfires, floods and COVID-19. Delegates will share ideas and challenges with forward thinkers, whilst having the opportunity to network with colleagues. The WA Rural Health Conference 2021 will provide clinical updates, case studies, small group discussions and workshops covering topics relevant to the rural workforce. Travel support provided to medical practitioners, nurses and midwives who work and live in rural Western Australia, and their partners. For further information or to register please visit WA Rural Health Conference 2021
Partner Education Grants offer the partners of rural West Australian medical professionals, nurses and midwives financial support towards their own professional development. Grants of up to $1,000 per successful partner are available and can be used towards expenses such as course fees, conference registration, membership to professional associations and training related expenses such as course resources, direct travel and accommodation costs.
To review frequently asked questions including eligibility criteria and to apply please visit the website .
Professional and personal pressures can arise for general practice teams at the best of times, let alone during a global pandemic. To support GPs and practice staff to look after themselves and take the necessary steps to support their wellbeing, WA Primary Health Alliance is offering three free confidential counselling sessions via its Wellness Program. Provided through AccessEAP, and available to all WA-based general practice staff, the program offers confidential sessions with a counsellor who can offer information and assistance in navigating the COVID-19 response as well as other personal and professional issues. Issues that can be addressed during counselling sessions include:
WA Primary Health Alliance continues to operate a significant logistical strategy to distribute masks during the COVID-19 pandemic to general practices, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, pharmacies and allied health practices that meet the criteria of the Department of Health Tranche 4 guidelines. For mask requests, visit the Practice Assist website. Please note, re-orders will not be accepted within five business days (Mon-Fri) of the previous request, except in exceptional circumstances. Please send all general queries in relation to the National Medical Stockpile to Stockpile.Ops@health.gov.au.
The Movember movement aims to support all areas of men’s health. Such as mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer, as well as general health and wellbeing. Since 2003, Movember has funded more than 1,250 men’s health projects around the world. For more information and some great Movember stories click here.
How can you get involved this Movember?
For more information or to find an Movember event go to the Movember Australia Website!
Visit our Webinars & Workshops page at www.practiceassist.com.au for the events calendar.