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As we prepare for the WA borders to open and the prevalence of COVID-19 in our community, we recognise that General Practice is working hard to ensure their practice process are robust.
Over the past twelve months General Practice has managed an ever-changing suite of vaccines each with their own complexities. As the roll out of the vaccine program continues to expand and become more complex you may be looking for ways to simplify the process. With the introduction of paediatric Pfizer vaccines and booster doses there are many complexities to consider within your practice. WA Primary Health Alliance has created a COVID-19 Vaccine Stock Governance Guide that may assist you to evaluate your vaccine rollout program. In addition to this, the use of the Stock Control Spreadsheet and Vaccine Acceptance Checklist will assist you with your stock management, ordering and booking process to eliminate both over ordering and over booking. You may consider using the resources with your wider team to provide a better understanding of the complexities, share the responsibilities and introduce an audit process. Remember these processes could also be considered a Quality improvement activity, for further assistance please contact Practice Assist 1800 2 ASSIST (277 478)
Supply of COVID-19 vaccine stock is controlled by the Australian Department of Health. WA Primary Health Alliance’s stock redistribution process relies on practices to self-report excess stock, which allows practices to be matched up to access supplies. If a match has been found for your practice WA Primary Health Alliance will be in contact via email. However, we are not always able to assist with finding a match. If a match has not been found:
Spaces filling fast. Don’t miss out! WA Primary Health Alliance is delighted to host three Living with COVID Webinars in early 2022 led by dynamic presenter Katrina Otto. Katrina started Train IT Medical in 2006 in direct response to a market need for independent medical software training delivered by professional trainers who are also experienced medical practice professionals. Over a 30 year career Katrina has managed several medical practices and accredited day surgery facilities and is currently managing a COVID vaccination clinic in Sydney. With her wealth of lived experience in the COVID space, and a reputation as an engaged educator, these sessions will be invaluable to WA practices starting on their Living with COVID journey. Katrina will address topics highlighted by practices in the recent WA Primary Health Alliance practice survey, along with discussions with practice managers. Please see below for finalised dates and registration links. Please note that each webinar is repeated once. Please only register for each webinar for the one session. Information you provide when registering will be shared with the account owner and host and can be used and shared by them in accordance with their Terms and Privacy Policy. This event will be recorded and shared with the WAPHA & Train IT Medical LMS in accordance with their Terms and Privacy Policy.
Tuesday 11 January - register here Repeated Tuesday 18 January - register here
For more details on our presenter and the course she delivers at: www.trainitmedical.com.au
Digital Health is quickly becoming a significant part of general practice however, defining Digital health is difficult. Broadly speaking it is an umbrella term referring to a range of technologies that can be used to safely treat patients and securely collect and share a person’s health information, including mobile health and applications, electronic health records, telehealth and telemedicine.
For health service providers, digital technology enables the right information to be available in the right place at the right time, which helps with better communication and connection between health services. Digital readiness supports business continuity, allowing practices to continue to safely support their communities through periods of disaster and pandemic. To assist general practice teams with the set up and use of a range of tools, WAPHA’s Digital Health Team have created the Digital Health Toolkit. This Toolkit has been developed to assist general practices and other primary health providers to work with and embed digital health tools into everyday practice. The content highlights the key requirements to prepare for, setup, access and use key digital health tools in a health setting. Subjects included in the toolkit include:
The Digital Health Toolkit will continue to evolve over time, and the team are keen to hear feedback from practices. Look out for the new 2022 Digital Health Community of Practice and workshops commencing soon. Please contact the Practice Assist team with your feedback, or for further Digital Health support or information.
PPE is available from the National Medical Stockpile where commercial supply is not available. Practices seeking PPE can send a request via this form. PPE bundles are available for general practices that have opted to care for COVID-19 positive patients. Information on PPE bundles from the National Medical Stockpile (NMS) can be found here. Information on other PPE available from the NMS can be found here. Please contact Practice Assist for further support and information.
ATAGI recommends immunisation providers offer boosters to individuals four months after their primary course of COVID-19 vaccines.
Pregnant women aged 18 or older can be offered a booster three months after their primary course.
Immunocompromised individuals who have received three primary doses of a COVID-19 vaccine are recommended to have a booster four months after their primary course and when practical three months.
Priority groups for boosters include:
Read more here
Reminder: In December, the WA government announced it would be mandatory for all workers covered by a vaccine mandate to have a booster within one month of eligibility.
The latest directions are published here
Clinics providing paediatric Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccines are now listed on the Vaccine Clinic Finder.
Bookings can be made via phone only at this time.
Please email Practice Assist if your practice is not listed.
The COVID-19 vaccine information and consent form for parents and guardians of children aged five to 11 years can be found here
Healthdirect Australia is pleased to announce that the Department of Health has extended the healthdirect Video Call COVID- 19 GP Program to 30 June 2022.
In collaboration with the RACGP, Healthdirect Australia is offering CPD courses that support GPs and Practice Managers to use Video Call more confidently and effectively. The following free courses are run by Healthdirect’s RACGP Education Activity Representatives:
This module is for GPs new to Video Call and covers the basic functionality of the platform. The course will also suit Practice Managers who may be implementing telehealth into their practice workflows. Register here for essential training
This module covers more advanced use of the platform. The course will also suit Practice Managers and anyone interested in how Video Call can reshape the provision of services to patients or clients. Register here for advanced training Please contact the healthdirect Video Call team if you have any questions.
The following content updates have now been published on the HealthPathways site:
Tuesday 18 January - Curtin Bentley Campus Calling all WA based GPs with medical education interests. Curtin Medical School is looking for GPs interested in medical student supervision in 2022. An information event is upcoming on Tuesday 18 January. Curtin Medical School places a strong emphasis on General Practice placements. Supervisors have found placements a very rewarding and educational experience. We would like to invite any interested GPs to a dinner and GP Supervisor Information and Training Evening on 18th January at Curtin's Bentley Campus - please email Katherine.bowron@curtin.edu.au for details. Short and long placements available with pre-clinical or clinical year students. Please feel free to contact Dr Katherine Bowron – Clinical Dean General Practice for Curtin Medical School for further information or a visit to your practice.
Presented by Benchmarque Group, the Chronic Disease Care Planning program aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge required to manage the client with chronic disease by including care planning, identifying risk factors, identifying and supporting behaviour change, engaging the client, applying health interventions and developing effective care plans. The face to face workshop involves lecture and practical workshop activities around the application of chronic disease care planning in primary health care. Upon successful completion of the program students should have the ability to:
View the flyer here for more information
Presented by Benchmarque Group, this course in Wound Closure includes an online assessment completed via accessIQ, one-day face-to face workshop and an in-class activities assessed by assessor. Students need to complete the online component before they are able to book into a workshop date. As part of this one-day course, you will have the opportunity to explore a range of methods and learn the unique benefits and limitations of each wound closure and suturing technique that must be considered in each individual case. The one-day workshop topics and activities will include:
Chronic Disease Care Planning - Workshop Presented by Benchmarque Group 14 January
Course in Wound Closure Presented by Benchmarque Group 28 January