Practice Connect #198

 

28 June 2024

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


Acknowledgement of Country 

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 wellbeing 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.

 
 

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Practice Updates

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General Practice in Aged Care Incentive is coming

 



From 1 July 2024, eligible providers and practices registered with MyMedicare will be able to receive quarterly incentive payments for meeting the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive eligibility and servicing requirements.  This incentive supports older people living in residential aged care homes to receive quality primary care services from their regular provider and practice. 
 
The timeline above outlines key dates to be aware of in the transition from the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) GP Aged Care Access Incentive (GP ACAI) to the MyMedicare General Practice in Aged Care Incentive (GP ACI).
 
For further information regarding eligibility and servicing requirements, please visit the new webpage and factsheet on the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website.

 

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General Practice in Aged Care Incentive (GP ACI) Introduction Session

Presented by Department of Health and Aged Care, in collaboration with AAPM and the PHN Cooperative
4 July 2024 (11.00am AEST via Microsoft Teams) Free event

The Department of Health and Aged Care, in collaboration with the Australian Association of Practice Management (AAPM) and the PHN Cooperative, invite you to an introduction session on the General Practice in Aged Care incentive. 
 

Session overview and outcomes:

This session will introduce the General Practice in Aged Care incentive including an overview of the program guidelines. The intended audience for this session are PHN staff and Practice Managers, noting there will be further opportunities for other interested groups to participate.
 

What participants can expect:

  • Introduction to the General Practice in Aged Care incentive
  • Background of the intent of the incentive and the consultation undertaken
  • A high-level overview of the program guidelines to guide PHN staff and Practice Managers for incentive take-up
  • Role of Practices and PHNs in the registration process
  • Upcoming resources and support
  • Questions and answers

Presenters:

Jo Da Rocha, Assistant Secretary, Primary Care Delivery, Department of Health and Aged Care
Clare Sullivan, Director, Incentive Design, Primary Care Delivery, Department of Health and Aged Care

Register Now
 

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Strengthening Medicare GP Grants Closure Activities

The end of June 2024 sees the end of the Strengthening Medicare GP Grants program, with all GP grant funds required to be spent by 30 June 2024.
 
Once grants funds have been spent or after 30 June, practices are required to complete an online financial acquittal form, listing Grant funding expenditure and an online self-evaluation form to indicate how the grant has improved your practice in line with the Program objectives.
 
We encourage practices who have not yet completed the financial acquittal and self-evaluation survey forms to make every effort to complete these as soon as practicable and no later than 31 July 2024 for completion of all reporting against the program.
 
The links to the forms can be found below: 

Please do not hesitate to email gpgrants@wapha.org.au with any questions, including to confirm your Agreement ID number & which Primary Health Network (PHN) the practice is located within.



 

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Primary Sense Troubleshooting and Resources








Primary Sense is an easy-to-use population health management and clinical decision support tool that provides real-time clinical decision support for general practitioners at the point of care.  It extracts deidentified general practice data and uses evidence-based algorithms to provide GPs with real time medical alerts, reports, and patient care prompts.

The Benefits of Primary Sense.  What can Primary Sense offer my practice?

Primary Sense is powered by the world’s leading population health analysis tool, the John Hopkins University ACG System.  Key features:

  • In-built risk stratification software - identifying high risk groups and predicting future health needs to improve patient care.
  • Automatic updates and ease of use for clinical and non-clinical practice staff.
  • On demand reports for practice managers, GPs, and nurses.
  • Supports quality improvement initiatives and PIP QI requirements.
 

Where do I find Primary Sense Resources?

The Practice Assist Primary Sense information page is your source of information and resources to get started using Primary Sense.
The Primary Sense reports overview looks at how to use the report function built into the Primary Sense tool. 


How to troubleshoot?

The Primary Sense App can easily show if your program is functioning.  The colour of the app itself indicates if there is a problem with extractions or functions.

   


The Performance Dashboard tab can also be viewed to indicate how your practices Primary Sense is operating.



The following information can be used to troubleshoot installation or operation of Primary Sense. If further support is required, please contact the Practice Assist Team for assistance.

 

Where to find support?

We have various levels of support available tailored to meet your needs. The Practice Assist service is available to manage your enquiry and navigate you to the right support. Contact Practice Assist from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

For questions related to access or use of Primary Sense please email practiceassist@wapha.org.au or call 1800 2 ASSIST (1800 2 277 478 or 08 6278 7900).
 

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New RACGP CPD accredited quality improvement activities for GPs

To support professional development and improve patient outcomes, GPs can participate in new RACGP CPD accredited quality improvement activities with clinical audits and PDSA cycles developed by WA Primary Health Alliance’s Quality Improvement Team.
 
Participating in the virtual RACGP CPD accredited quality improvement activities will equip GPs with valuable skills and insights to enhance clinical practice and drive continuous improvement, while helping to meet CPD requirements.
 
There are currently two activities available:
 
1.  Optimising health outcomes for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) patients with high complexity.  RACGP link – Activity ID: 904213



2.  Optimising screening for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with diabetes using Primary Sense reports. RACGP link – Activity ID: 849834



For further information and enrolment details, email QI@wapha.org.au
 

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Provider Connect AustraliaTM - helping healthcare providers to stay connected

As the end of the financial year approaches, everyone becomes busy as paperwork starts to mount up. Keeping your business details up-to-date doesn’t have to become a paper burden anymore. Provider Connect AustraliaTM (also known as PCA™) is a free initiative of the Australian Digital Health Agency (the Agency) that allows you to update your business information and choose to automatically send those updates to your connected business partners such as: 

  • Healthcare directories, booking and review services
  • Primary Health Networks
  • Professional bodies and associations
  • Public health services
  • Secure messaging and information exchanges
As key change enabler of the National Digital Health Strategy, PCA™ provides a secure, fit for purpose and connected digital solution designed to remove the administrative burden of running a healthcare provider organisation.  Long term, PCA™ will save time, reduce human error, and remove the hassle of filling out multiple forms.
 

How to Register and Stay Informed 

You can self-register with PCA™ in your own time. Visit digitalhealth.gov.au/pca to learn more about
  • How it works
  • How to register
  • Its growing network of participating business partners 

The Agency also offers a dedicated support team that can assist you with registering for PCATM, they can be contacted on (02) 6223 0741 option 3 or via email MyHealthRecordConnections@digitalhealth.gov.au


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Infectious disease risk and the Hajj pilgrimage

Following last week’s Hajj pilgrimage taking place in Saudi Arabia (14 to 19 June 2024), WA Department of Health has advised there is a small risk of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in returning travellers: 

  • Take an exposure and travel history.
  • For patients with an ILI reporting travel to Saudi Arabia within the past 14 days: isolate the person immediately and use appropriate infection prevention and control precautions.
  • Notify suspected cases urgently to your local Public Health Unit (or the on-call Public Health Physician on 9328 0553 if after hours).
  • See Australian Centre for Disease Control factsheets for health professionals and general practice.
  • Notify suspected cases urgently to your local Public Health Unit (or the on-call Public Health Physician on 9328 0553 if after hours).

More information is available in the WA Health Infectious Disease Health Alert for Clinicians 18 June 2024.




 

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New perinatal loss support program provided by Rural Health Connect

Rural Health Connect is providing a new program offering low-cost psychology sessions to people impacted by perinatal loss from higher risk populations over telehealth.
 
The program supports anyone impacted by miscarriage, stillbirth, termination for medical reasons or neonatal death, with particular focus on providing culturally safe engagement to those from populations deemed at higher risk and who may face additional challenges in accessing support.
 
People supported via this service:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
  • Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families.
  • Refugee and migrant communities.
  • Women and families in rural and remote areas.
  • Women and families under 20 years.

 
For further information, visit the program webpage, refer to the flyer and referral form or email info@ruralhealthconnect.com.au
 

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Safer Baby Bundle

The Safer Baby Bundle for Australian maternity healthcare professionals is a collection of change ideas and interventions for health professionals providing maternity care, designed to reduce stillbirth.
The five key interventions relate to:
  • Smoking cessation
  • Fetal growth restriction
  • Decreased fetal movements
  • Side sleeping
  • Timing of birth
Numerous valuable resources are available for general practices and primary care clinicians, including new culturally appropriate pregnancy resources for First Nations women and their families, as well as migrant and refugee parents from some communities who are disproportionately impacted by stillbirth:

For more information on the Safer Baby Bundle, visit their website or email stillbirthcre@mater.uq.edu.au

 

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Lyfe Languages Universal Medical Translator

Lyfe Languages is an open-source online platform that translates medical terminologies into Indigenous languages. It is led by young Indigenous Language Champions who work with their elders on translations. The Lyfe Languages Universal Medical Translator is available via the Lyfe Languages web application. The web application features a purpose-built rare disease module created as part of the RArEST Project. The module provides rare disease education and support to health professionals and people living with a rare disease.
 
Culturally appropriate Indigenous text and audio translations are recorded and made accessible for health professionals/clinicians to use with their patients via the web application, which is a living resource. New translations will be added to the platform over time.

Visit the web application here.
 

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New Emerging Minds online course focusing on supporting children's resilience in general practice

Emerging Minds has released a new online course that introduces a whole-of-practice approach to supporting child and family resilience.
 
Developed in collaboration with APNA, GP experts and practice nurses, the online course introduces evidence-based tools and strategies that can be utilised within general practice to conduct preventive and early intervention conversations with parents that support child mental health and resilience.
 
For further information about the online course and accompanying resources, visit the links below:



 

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Free dietetic consultations at Curtin Clinic Cockburn available from mid-August

Master of Dietetic students from Curtin University will be providing free consultations for adults at Curtin Clinic Cockburn from mid-August.
 
The consultations can assist with:

  • Healthy eating
  • Vegan or vegetarian diets
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Pre-diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High blood fats
  • Weight management

For further information, refer to the flyer and referral form or email cockburnclinic@curtin.edu.au
 

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Resources to assist health providers with meeting the DVA's requirements

Health providers play a vital role in delivering care to the veteran community. The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) has a range of resources to make it easier for health providers to adhere to the DVA’s requirements.
 
For further information, refer to the DVA webpage.
 

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Free healthy lifestyle programs for children and families

Are you a health professional working with parents and children? In partnership with the WA Department of Health, Better Health Company is delivering free healthy lifestyle programs to eligible families in WA, focusing on healthy eating, nutrition principles, physical activity and behaviour change.
 
There are two evidence-based programs: 

  • Active8 for parents and carers of children aged 2-5 years.
  • The Better Health Program for children aged 6-12 years who are above a healthy weight. 

Both programs are designed to provide families with weekly support from qualified health professionals, practical resources to support healthy behaviour change at home, and interactive weekly sessions.
 
Digital referral forms are available at betterhealthprogram.org/referrals and theactive8.org/referrals.


 

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Immunisation Updates

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Changes to funding and program advice for meningococcal ACWY vaccines

From 1 July, several significant changes will be made to Australia’s meningococcal ACWY vaccination program.  

  • The National Immunisation Program will fund the meningococcal ACWY vaccine MenQuadfi for adolescents aged 14–16 years, with catch-up schedules funded up to 19 years of age.
  • Children aged 12 months and people with specified medical conditions will continue to receive Nimenrix.
  • Vaccines for adolescents are to be delivered predominantly through school-based vaccination programs and in other settings such as general practice and pharmacy, particularly for catch-up vaccination.
  • As with all NIP vaccines, it will be mandatory for immunisation providers to report all MenQuadfi vaccine doses they administer to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

More information will be made available on the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website when these changes come into effect.

 

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Improving immunisation service delivery for migrants and refugees in Australia

There are gaps in vaccine coverage across the lifespan for people from migrant backgrounds.
 
A new online course developed by researchers from Australia and New Zealand supports:

  • learning to identify who is at risk of vaccine preventable diseases and their immunisation needs
  • how services can be enhanced to ensure they are culturally responsive
  • how to create catch-up plans to support timely uptake 
  • strategies to promote immunisation acceptance

This course is open to general practitioners and nurses. Use the code AUSX824IISDMR to access the course.

Access the course here.

Any questions about the course, please reach out to imaceducation@auckland.ac.nz

 

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Cancer Screening Updates

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Cancer Network Forum 2024

The Cancer Network WA, in collaboration with the WA Clinical Oncology Group at Cancer Council WA, held a one-day forum on 30 May 2024 featuring more than 25 presentations on cancer-related topics.

The forum was an also opportunity to reflect on and recognise the achievements and collective efforts of organisations contributing to the goals of WA State Cancer Plan 2020-2025.

Recordings of the presentations are now available to be viewed on the Cancer Network website.
 

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COVID-19 Updates

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COVID-19 Primary Care Support Program - Expression of Interest Now Open!

WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) has a new and exciting funding model to assist COVID-19 vaccination providers and expressions of interest have just opened online. 
 
The program aims to increase COVID-19 vaccination opportunities for vulnerable populations within WA.

This program will offer immunisers the opportunity to participate in a targeted program to support vulnerable people who are unable to receive a vaccination through usual channels. This could include housebound individuals or those facing significant challenges in attending alternative vaccination centres or practices during routine business hours.

Vulnerable populations in Australia are often disadvantaged when it comes to accessing vaccines and attending a general practice.    
 
For further information please go to our COVID-19 Vaccination & Resources webpage. If you have any queries, please email our COVID-19 Team: gpvaccination@wapha.org.au

 

Health Promotion Event

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Go Dry This July

Dry July is a fundraiser that encourages you to go alcohol-free in July to raise funds for people affected by cancer.

The funds raised during Dry July will provide invaluable services for cancer patients, their families and carers – whether it’s a lift to a life-saving appointment, guidance from a specialist nurse, connection to an informative voice, access to therapy programs or a bed close to treatment.

Having a month off alcohol also has great health benefits, such as sleeping better, having more energy and of course, no hangovers! So you're not only helping others, you're helping yourself. It's a win-win!

Learn more about Go Dry This July or view the Dry July Workplaces Hub for more information on how to participate.


 

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Education & Events

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Webinar: Aboriginal Immunisation and Quality Improvement Processes

Presented by WA Primary Health Alliance
18 July 2024 (5pm to 6pm AWST)

Aboriginal people have higher rates of some vaccine preventable diseases (VPD) than non-Aboriginal people. For this reason, extra vaccines are available free through the National Immunisation Program (NIP) or they are offered at different age points. By utilising quality improvement processes, general practice staff can play an important role in encouraging Aboriginal patients to consider the benefits of being vaccinated.
 
This webinar will cover the following topics:

  • The new Aboriginal Schedule.
  • The importance and benefits of the schedule.
  • Quality improvement principles for your practice.
  • Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) cycles and how they can benefit your practice.
  • RSV in Aboriginal babies

Find out more and register today.

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Paid GP online training: IAR-DST to guide mental health referrals – July training dates

Presented by WA Primary Health Alliance
Multiple Dates & Times

WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) is providing GPs in WA with paid online Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST) training, designed to help practitioners and clinicians recommend the most appropriate level of care for a person seeking mental health support.
 
GPs and GP registrars who attend the two workshops in the one online session will be remunerated $300 and CPD hours are available.

For the July IAR-DST training dates and registration links, visit the WAPHA IAR-DST webpage. For the July IAR-DST training dates and registration links, visit the WAPHA IAR-DST webpage.

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Free GP online training sessions – depression management and suicide prevention

Presented by Black Dog Institute
Multiple Dates & Times

Please make your GPs and GP registrars aware that they can attend free online training sessions throughout the 2024 calendar year with a choice of target topics including:

  • Talking About Suicide in General Practice
  • Dealing with Depression
  • Dealing with Depression in Rural Australia
  • Advanced Training in Suicide Prevention

 CPD hours are available for the online training sessions.
 
For more information, dates and registration links, visit WAPHA’s suicide prevention webpage.

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Free Chronic Conditions of the Foot Workshop

Presented by Benchmarque Group
13 September 2024 (9am to 4:30pm, Rockingham)

The Chronic Conditions of the Foot workshop will focus on building a practical skillset for foot assessment that enables a healthcare practitioner to be competent and confident in chronic conditions of the foot basic care.
 
This workshop is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health under the Chronic Disease Support Project.
 
For more information, view the flyer.


 

Other Webinars, Events & Workshops

Better Health Program - Term 3 Program Now Available!
Presented by Better Health Program
Multiple Dates
The Active8 - Term 3 Program Now Available!
Presented by The Active8
Multiple Dates
Intimate Partner Violence and Reproductive Coercion and Abuse eLearning
Presented by SHQ
Online training
BreastScreen WA visit to Armadale
Presented by BreastScreen WA
24 June to 23 August
Integrating Digital Resources into Mental Health Care
Presented by Black Dog Institute
3 July or 10 July
Grand rounds session: Medico-legal topics (WA)
Presented by RACGP
9 July
BreastScreen WA visit to Jurien Bay
Presented by BreastScreen WA
10 July to 1 August
BreastScreen WA visit to Collie
Presented by BreastScreen WA
11 July to 29 August
STARS
Presented by SHQ
24 July to 25 July
GP Pain Seminar
Presented by Royal Perth Bentley Group
25 July
Our Woven Ways: Supporting goal setting with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents
Presented by Emerging Minds
25 July
Aboriginal Health Conference 2024
Presented by Rural Health West
10 August & 11 August
Certificate in Sexual and Reproductive Health (Nursing)
Presented by SHQ
20 August to 23 August
Contraceptive Implant Theory Workshop
Presented by SHQ
21 August
Cervical Screening Training
Presented by SHQ
22 August to 23 August
Essentials of Medical Abortion in Western Australia – Live Webinar
Presented by SHQ
27 August


 

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

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