18 August 2022
WA Primary Health Alliance acknowledges and pays respect to the Traditional Owners and Elders of this country and recognises the significant importance of their cultural heritage, values and beliefs and how these contribute to the positive health and well being of the whole community. Throughout this newsletter, the term 'Aboriginal' is used to refer to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, unless stated otherwise.
-
WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) is providing general practices with Primary Sense, a population health management, clinical decision support and data extraction tool that helps GPs deliver the right care to patients at the right time. As WAPHA’s data extraction tool of choice, the cost of Primary Sense will be fully subsidised for general practices in Western Australia that share their de-identified, full population health data set. Designed by GPs, data experts and researchers, Primary Sense extracts de-identified general practice data and uses evidence-based algorithms to provide GPs with real-time medication alerts, reports and patient-care prompts. It also provides general practices and Primary Health Networks (PHNs) with on-demand reporting to help with population health management. Developed to offer a range of benefits for general practices, Primary Sense:
Primary Sense will be available from October this year for general practices that use Best Practice or Medical Director as a clinical software system. Throughout September, WAPHA will be conducting a series of webinars to demonstrate the benefits of Primary Sense for general practices. To express your interest to use Primary Sense, email the Primary Sense team via primarysense@wapha.org.au If you would like further information about Primary Sense, refer to the FAQs below, email practiceassist@wapha.org.au or call 1800 2 ASSIST (1800 2 277 478).
Practice Connect edition 150 started our focus on Health Assessments and their importance in preventative care within General Practice. In this edition we are targeting the 75 and over Health Assessment and their position of importance in later life healthcare and advance care planning.
Being 75 years and older is one of the seven criteria stipulated by Medicare to be eligible for a Health Assessment . The purpose of this health assessment is to provide an in-depth assessment of a patient’s health including their physical, psychological, and social function. It is an opportunity to talk about their welfare, their cognition and plan with them further preventive health care or medical interventions as appropriate.
Research into the benefits of over 75 Health Assessments have revealed some of the following:
The Medicare item criteria allows for this assessment to be repeated once every 12 months enabling plans to be reviewed and refreshed. The assessment can also be performed in the patient’s home when suitable. This can potentially allow the health professional to gain a better vantage point of the patient’s overall health and wellbeing compared to what could be achieved in a consult room. For complete details on the over 75 Health Assessment visit the MBS Online site and the Department of Health and Aged Care
The over 75-year- old health assessment is also an opportune time to assess for additional services, future appointments and planning for future health care. For example:
Given that the 85 year old aged group is predicted to almost double in the next 25 years, an annual health assessment will ensure that chronic conditions and other health problems are detected and treated earlier to maintain independence at home, remaining in the community for as long as possible.
The Practice Assist team can help with resources and QI activities to facilitate sustainable Health Assessments. For further information please refer to the Practice Assist Factsheet or contact us via Practice Assist.
In the 2020-21 financial year, 37% of Western Australians aged 80 years and over had a GP Health Assessment, slightly above the national rate of 35%. As shown in the figure below, there was an increase in the rate until 2018-19 but then dropped in 2019-20.
HealthPathways WA has many related pathways on Health Assessments and Advance Care Planning. These are planned to assist GPs in consultation with patients and as a reference for other health care professionals, if needed. These pathways can support health professionals increase their awareness on:
To gain access, you can request a login via the HealthPathways WA Project Site and complete the ‘Request a login’ form, or email the team at healthpathways@wapha.org.au. You can utilise the search bar, located at the top of the webpage, or the left-hand navigation panel to search for information. To provide feedback email the HealthPathways team at healthpathways@wapha.org.au, or use the “Send Feedback” button at the bottom of each page on the site.
-
The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care have created the Withdrawing from COVID-19 Vaccination Program factsheet for sites participating in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program to outline the process to withdraw from the Program, or administering selected vaccines. Your Primary Health Network is the primary point of contact for any requests to withdraw from the administration of selected vaccine type/s or from the Program. Please contact Practice Assist via email practiceassist@wapha.org.au or phone 1800 2 ASSIST ( 1800 2 277 478) for further assistance.
Practice managers and patients are encouraged to view WA Health’s new video series, The Brief, short videos exploring a range of COVID health-related topics including:
From Monday 15 August, all WA public hospitals introduced changes to visiting guidelines. The changes aim to support visitor access and protect staff and patients while ensuring effective patient flow through hospitals. Key changes include:
For more information on hospital visitor guidelines, see health.wa.gov.au.
Significant updates have occurred in the COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program on Friday 5 August 2022 regarding expanded ATAGI advice on winter booster doses. It is your responsibility to ensure that you handle and administer vaccines in accordance with ATAGI advice and manufacturer instructions. Please note that certificates will display the date that the module was originally completed and will not be updated if the module is repeated. You are expected to login and view the new information. A summary of the updates can be found in the COVID-19 Training Announcement Board. All new changes and updates within the modules for this week are identified by 'NEW' and 'UPDATED' in blue with white, and all changes from the previous two updates will be identified as 'NEW' and 'UPDATED' in red and white. All users are strongly encouraged to revisit Core Module 2 to ensure they are up to date on the latest information on storage and handling of vaccines. The COVID-19 Training Announcement Board has also been updated with a quick reference summary of cold chain storage and handling requirements for each vaccine. Please take a moment to review key information on storage, handling and management of avoid CCBs and VAEs. It is your responsibility to ensure that you handle and administer vaccines in accordance with ATAGI advice and manufacturer instructions. Please see the COVID-19 Training Announcement Board for more details on the version 41 update and cold chain information.
-
As of 31 July 2022 the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) Australia reported influenza vaccine coverage in children aged 6 months to under 5 years in WA at 24.4%, which is the lowest amongst all jurisdictions in Australia. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the same age range, WA has also among the lowest coverage. The Western Australia (WA) Department of Health have recently sent reminder letters to parents with children under the age of five who have not yet received a 2022 influenza vaccine according to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). Immunisation providers may see an increase in attendance as parents or guardians are encouraged to visit their immunisation providers to ensure their child is up to date with their routine vaccinations as well as ensuring their AIR records are correct. Thank you for your ongoing support in protecting Western Australians against vaccine-preventable diseases.
An update on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) is now available and includes information about new features on the AIR site, reminders about previous updates and PRODA and HPOS enhancements. There is also a link to the new look AIR Health Professionals Education webpage. Visit the resource page to view the update.
Increasingly more vaccines are becoming available and are recommended for use in adults.
This guide, developed by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS), aims to help immunisation providers identify vaccines that can be co-administered in people aged 18 years and older.
View the new resource here
The Immunisation Coalition’s update on pneumococcal disease for GP’s, Practice Nurses and other immunisation professionals was held on 22 June. The 2022 Pneumococcal Disease Webinar provides the latest facts about pneumococcal disease, currently available vaccines, the National Immunisation Program (NIP) and the PneumoSmart Vaccination Tool. Learn about:
A certificate can be issued once the recording has been viewed and the quiz completed. View the webinar here
As we continue to navigate life with COVID-19, we are seeing a rapid return of international movements of people, products, food and pathogens. The next National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) webinar will discuss and provide updates on the prevention and control of infectious diseases in the context of this globalisation and global travel. Topics covered will include:
A recording of this webinar will be made available to registrants following the session. Register here
People with cervixes who are due for cervical screening now have the option of self collection (as of 1st July 2022). This webinar will assist clinicians to gain the knowledge and skills that will enable them to discuss this option with their patients.
The webinar includes how the test is taken, the pros and cons of self collection, and what to do if the result is abnormal. There will be plenty of time for participant questions.
This event is funded by the WA Cervical Cancer Prevention Program of the Women and Newborn Health Service.
Presenters: Dr Alison Creagh SHQ Medical Educator, Dr Sarah Smith, Karen Bonte SHQ Nurse Educator
Wed 28th Sep 2022, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm AWST
Register here
This webinar held on 10 August provides an update to primary care on Monkeypox (MPX). Presenters:
View the webinar here
For all that cancer takes, give this Daffodil Day Appeal. The Daffodil Day Appeal is Cancer Council’s most iconic and much-loved fundraising campaign. It is a chance for Australians to come together and give to cancer research, creating change in the lives of people impacted by cancer. Your workplace can get involved in any way you like, whether it be hosting a dress yellow day, a quiz night or a morning tea. With your support, Cancer Council can continue working together towards a cancer free future. Daffodil Day falls on Thursday 25 August, but you can get involved any time throughout the month. Register your workplace today
North Metropolitan TAFE is looking for suitable opportunities for its final stage students to complete a Primary Health Care placement. The 40 hour (one week) placements can be completed in a range of settings within clinics or the community. Clinical facilitation of one hour per student per day (or the equivalent by negotiation) will be provided. As an added incentive, funding of $600 per student is currently available through a program funded by the Department of Training and Workforce Development. Placements anywhere within the Perth metropolitan region are suitable.
More information on the Diploma of Nursing at NMTAFE is available here.
Opportunities for GP's to start on a varied and rewarding career path in General Practice. Applications for the 2023 Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program are now open until 11.59 pm AEST on Tuesday 30 August 2022. With GPs at the frontline of primary healthcare during this recent pandemic, there are more opportunities than ever for a rewarding career in general practice – particularly those who choose to train in rural and remote Australia. Applications for this opportunity can be commenced here
The University of Queensland is interested in understanding your experiences in managing obesity in general practice. Your participation will help inform the development of targeted GP education and proposed billing schemes. Further information about the survey can be found in the Participation Information Sheet. Click here to access the survey.
Researchers at Monash University are currently recruiting Australian medical practitioners to participate in an interview study examining factors that influence the uptake of medicinal cannabis in clinical practice. Who can participate?
What is involved?
View the flyer here for more information, and or please contact Olivia Dobson at omdob1@student.monash.edu or 0426 298 677 for expressions of interest.
As part of a phased approach, some antenatal care is recommencing at Bentley Health Service (BHS) under the care of the Armadale team. Please continue to send antenatal referrals for patients residing in the Bentley area to Armadale or KEMH as per existing arrangements* until further notice. After referral to Armadale Antenatal Clinic, clinic staff will arrange for Bentley-area patients to have their antenatal care at Bentley where this is suitable. The BHS birthing ward remains closed and BHS antenatal clinic patients will birth at Armadale Hospital. Please direct concerns arising between clinic appointments about patients receiving antenatal care at Bentley to the Armadale Maternity Service. Please send antenatal referrals to EMHS Obstetrics directly to the relevant hospital rather than to CRS. For Bentley-area antenatal patient referrals:
Please AVOID addressing referrals to specific RPH and Bentley Hospital consultants by name wherever possible. Referring to the speciality without naming a consultant allows the referral to be allocated to any suitable qualified specialist within the speciality so that your patient receives the first available appointment for their clinical triage urgency (Urgent, Semi-Urgent, Routine).
Referrals to named consultants follow these same booking principles however as they are limited to only one consultant’s clinic, patients often end up waiting longer to be seen as some RPBG consultants only provide a fortnightly or monthly clinic.
However, if you have discussed a case with a particular consultant or registrar, please include the name of the doctor you spoke with on the referral. Dr Jacquie Garton-Smith, Hospital Liaison GP, Royal Perth Bentley Group Email: Jacquie.Garton-Smith@health.wa.gov.au
Please send antenatal referrals to EMHS Obstetrics directly to the relevant hospital rather than to CRS. For Bentley-area antenatal patient referrals:
Gynaecology referrals – Gynaecology referrals continue to be referred via the CRS. Dr Sarah Wade, Director General Practice, Armadale Health Service Email: Sarah.Wade@health.wa.gov.au & Dr Jacquie Garton-Smith, Hospital Liaison GP, Royal Perth Bentley Group Email: Jacquie.Garton-Smith@health.wa.gov.au
These resources are a compilation of face sheets, user guides, checklists, business plans and posters. They can be found in the Tool Kit pages on our website. In addition to this there are a small number of resources available in our Resource Library.
If you have an idea for a new resource or feedback on our current resources, please email practiceassist@wapha.org.au with ideas and comments.
Limited places available …book early! Practice principals, leaders and managers, don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of Australia’s foremost GP leaders, Dr Wally Jammal, and international expert on health system transformation, Dr Kirsten Meisinger. To ensure the maximum benefit for participants, places to this event are limited to forty. We can therefore only offer two places per practice. CPD points are available. Topics covered in this highly informative and interactive session will include:
RSVP: Book your place now Dr Walid Jammal (MB BS (Syd), Dip Child Health, FRACGP, MHL) Dr Jammal is a GP in Western Sydney, with a strong commitment to quality and safety in health care, as well as health system policy and reform. He has been involved with testing and developing integrated care models for many years. Dr Jammal continues to be actively involved in primary care innovation and reform with positions on a variety of groups and boards, most recently the Australian Government’s new Strengthening Medicare Taskforce. He is Clinical Lecturer at the University of Sydney and Conjoint Senior Lecturer, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University. Dr Kirsten Meisinger, MD, MHCDS Dr. Meisinger is an international expert on Patient Centered Medical Homes and healthcare system transformation, having been involved in an initiative which transformed over 140,000 US practices to value-based, patient centered medical care. She is helping design and implement a national pilot for primary care transformation in Brazil. She is a regional medical director, medical director of sexual and reproductive health, primary care lead and cares for an active family medicine panel at an award-winning Patient Centred Medical Home practice in the US. Dr Meisinger leads the system transformation team at the Harvard Center for Primary Care, Harvard Medical School.
Concussion management in general practice
View the flyer here Register here
Join the RACGP WA and the WA Department of Health for an update on Monkeypox. Our panel will provide key updates for GPs and answer any questions you may have. This practical update covers:
Panellists: Dr Belinda Wozencroft, General Practitioner, View St Medical Dr Jelena Maticevic, Senior Medical Advisor, CDCD Dr David Speers, Clinical Microbiologist, PathWest Laboratory Medicine Facilitated by RACGP WA Chair, Dr Ramya Raman Register now
WA Primary Health Alliance is partnering with Tonic Media Network to offer GPs an in-depth discussion on the current clinical landscape of Long COVID, what evidence informed care looks like and what it all means for general practice, including a Q&A with the panelists. Hosted by: Dr Norman Swan, multi-award winning broadcaster and journalist, founder Tonic Media Network Panelists:
Webinar Registration - Zoom View the flyer here
WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) and Women’s Health Strategy and Programs (WHSP) together with Women and Newborn Health Service (WNHS) King Edward Memorial Hospital are hosting a GP face-to-face education event for GPs working in suburbs with high prevalence of women affected by female circumcision or traditional cutting. View the flyer here Register here For more information, contact the Training & Communities of Practice team at WAPHA on Training.CoP@wapha.org.au or 08 6272 4912
Have you ever had to tackle Alcohol and Drug issues in young people in your General Practice? It’s not too late to join the Alcohol & Other Drug Network! Dr James Edis, expert from Drug and Alcohol Youth Service (DAYS) will answer your questions and would love to advise on any cases you would like advice on. Upcoming next week, panellist Dr Simon Slota-Kan, General Practitioner at Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service, will interview Dr James Edis, Medical Officer from the Mental Health Commission about the GPs role in Youth Substance Abuse. As 24% of young Australians, between 14 and 24, engage in illicit drug use, Dr Edis and Dr Slota-Kan, along with our Subject Matter Experts, Dr Wendy Lawrance, Dr Richard O’Regan and Dr Rupert Backhouse, will discuss the best evidence-based approach to managing youth with substance abuse challenges in general practice. Unlike other learning platforms, the AOD Network is an opportunity to collaborate with experts in the field about managing real de-identified AOD cases. Next weeks’ session will replace the didactic with an Q + A style interview, in which participants will be invited to join. Participants and Panellists alike are encouraged to learn and build confidence and capability together, to support people in the community experiencing AOD issues enabling the all teach-all learn. GPs who have attended 5 or more sessions, will be eligible for 40 CPD points with RACGP and ACRRM.
Webinar on DVA health arrangements for those running, or working in, a general practice Presented by Department of Veterans Affairs 8 September
Advanced Training in Suicide Prevention - Online Workshop Presented by Black Dog Institute Multiple dates