19 September 2024
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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The Department of Health and Aged Care has announced upcoming changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) for chronic disease management. From Friday 1 November 2024, MBS items will be changing to support continuity of care by requiring patients who are registered in MyMedicare to access management plans through the practice where they are registered.
For further information, call the Practice Assist Help Desk on 1800 2 ASSIST (1800 2 277 478 or 08 6278 7900) or email practiceassist@wapha.org.au
RACGP are holding a webinar in October about the upcoming changes to chronic disease management items. This webinar will be very timely ahead of the changes commencing (pending passage of legislation) from 1 November. All General Practices, GPs, Practice Managers and other Practice staff are encouraged to attend. A revised framework for chronic disease management will commence on 1 November 2024. These changes, which were announced in the 2023-24 Budget, reflect the recommendation of the MBS Review Taskforce. Key changes include:
To inform patients and their carers about MyMedicare the resources below can help explain the benefits and what it means for them. Patient Brochures
Patient Videos
GP Champion Videos – MyMedicare and GPACI
Other useful links and information
In May this year, the team from HepatitisWA’s Deen Clinic conducted an outreach hepatitis C virus (HCV) point-of-care testing (PoCT) and treatment clinic at St Pat’s Community Support Centre in Fremantle to engage with vulnerable populations in the south metropolitan region of Perth. Donna Garcia, Aboriginal Liaison Officer at the Deen Clinic, explained that the team set up a table with information and resources in the foyer of St Pat’s Community Support Centre, where she yarned with 60 of the centre’s clients about the transmission risks for hepatitis C and the convenience of PoCT. “As clients arrived at the centre, I yarned with them about hepatitis C in a way that they could understand. If people were identified as having engaged in risky behaviours associated with hepatitis C, I offered them a $10 cash incentive to participate in PoCT in a treatment room with the Deen Clinic nurse and clinic care coordinator,” Ms Garcia said. The PoCT participants received an HCV antibody test with results available in five minutes or a HCV RNA test with results in 55 minutes if they identified as having a past history of infection. Participants with a positive HCV RNA result were seen by the Deen Clinic GP on the same day to discuss and commence treatment. “Our outreach HCV test and treat clinic was well received by all the clients and staff at St Pat’s Community Support Centre. On the day, we tested 14 participants and treated two participants with positive results. Our team will be returning to St Pat’s to provide another outreach clinic during September,” Ms Garcia said. For further information about HCV PoCT, call the Practice Assist Help Desk on 1800 2 ASSIST (1800 2 277 478 or 08 6278 7900) or email practiceassist@wapha.org.au The Deen Clinic team at St Pat’s Community Support Centre (left to right) Dr Orlaith Reid (GP), Jess McNabb (Clinic Nurse), Donna Garcia (Aboriginal Liaison Officer) and Ali Lori (Clinic Care Coordinator).
As of 1 September 2024, new standardised accreditation certificate numbers will take effect. The Department of Health and Aged Care, in collaboration with The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) and Services Australia, require a new certificate number to be allocated to all general practices with current accreditation. The introduction of the new standardised certificate number is an administrative update, and your accreditation status remains unchanged. Your accreditation provider will contact you with your practice's new certificate number.
A Services Australia module provides more information on how to amend your Organisation Site Record through HPOS - Watch module now. For enquiries on the new standardised accreditation certificate numbers, please contact your accreditation provider. If you require accreditation support for your practice call the Practice Assist Help Desk on 1800 2 ASSIST (1800 2 277 478 or 08 6278 7900) or email practiceassist@wapha.org.au
Advance care planning is a voluntary process of planning and documenting future health care and treatment decisions for a time when a person may no longer be able to make or communicate their decisions. Advance care planning benefits the person, their family, carers and health professionals providing care by helping ensure preferences and choice at end-of-life are being documented, understood and honoured.
Opportunities in general practice to introduce advance care planning include:
In Western Australia statutory advance care plan documents include:
In Western Australia non-statutory advance care plan documents include:
To complete statutory advance care plan documents a person must be aged over 18 years and have decision-making capacity. In WA the legal position assumes that a person aged over 18 years has capacity unless otherwise proven.
Advance care planning should be introduced early as part of routine care. This is especially important for a person with a diagnosis of dementia.
Best practice indicates advance care planning should begin before or soon after a diagnosis of dementia before significant cognitive decline.
When a person has insufficient decision-making capacity, they are unable to complete an AHD, EPG or Values and Preferences form however an alternative advance care plan can be used. The advance care plan for a person with insufficient decision-making capacity.
This advance care plan is non-statutory so cannot give legally binding consent or refusal to treatment but can be used to guide decision making and assist health professionals when making medical treatment decisions on behalf of a person if there is no Advance Health Directive.
This document should be completed by a person’s recognised substitute decision-maker or a person or relative with a close and continuing relationship.
Copies of this advance care plan should be shared with substitute decision-maker(s), aged care, treating clinicians, GP and uploaded to My Health Record.
Further resources and information can be found below:
To learn more about advance care planning contact Practice Assist on 1800 2 ASSIST (1800 2 277 478 or 08 6278 7900) or email practiceassist@wapha.org.au to connect with the Greater Choices for At Home Palliative Care team.
A recent case study demonstrates how GPs can support vulnerable older Australians with the support of specialist care finder knowledge. When Amity Heath's care finder first met John, he was living alone in an empty unit, surrounded by boxes. He was lonely, bored and not eating properly. John had memory issues, regularly presenting at ED, and estranged from family. John had no shower, didn’t wash his clothes or have any bed linen. He had no phone. One of the first care finder task was to link John in with a GP. That relationship has flourished and led to life altering improvements. After a health assessment, referrals flowed to the Geriatrician, Older Adult Mental Health and ACAT teams. The care finder supported all appointments and became the primary contact, not only for the GP, but also for My Aged Care and ED. This team centred approach ensured the client didn’t slip through the gaps. The care finder went further, managing Centrelink appointments, tenancy issues and supporting an application to the State Administrative Tribunal. This enabled the client to pay accommodation fees and provide for daily living expenses. Amity Health CEO Robin Surridge says, ‘This case study is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through primary health care when the GP and care finder program work together to support our most vulnerable clients.’ John has been assigned a Home Care Package - Level 4 to enable a gentle introduction of services and supports and gain trust. The care finder is also working towards his dream of returning home to the place of his birth. Please visit the Amity Health Care finder program website for a referral form or more information on the care finder program.
The Western Australian Handheld Pregnancy Record (HHR) was launched by the WA Department of Health in 2014 and this year marks the 10-year anniversary. After a thorough review by our statewide stakeholder group, the HHR has been updated to ensure it remains contemporary and comprehensive, containing the most current evidence-based pregnancy information equitably accessible to all women across WA. The HHR plays a vital role in health promotion and facilitating informed choices regarding pregnancy care options and place of birth. It also supports continuity of care by ensuring seamless information sharing among multidisciplinary clinicians throughout the pregnancy journey. Importantly the HHR is also a comprehensive tool for all maternity care providers. It enables the documentation and sharing of all relevant antenatal information during each visit. This is essential for making informed diagnostic and treatment decisions while upholding best practice standards of care. Post-birth, this record becomes a permanent part of the medical records. Collaboration has been key in the success of the HHR review and I would like to thank all of the stakeholders for their valued time and contributions to ensuring that every pregnancy journey in WA receives the highest standard of care and support. GPs can contact their local public maternity hospital for ordering details or contact Print Media Group directly at custservper@pmg.com.au
Mpox (formerly monkeypox) has recently reemerged in Australia (with two cases reported in WA this year). Unlike the 2022 outbreak, most of the current cases have acquired their infection locally. The September GP Connect Clinical Feature covers the latest advice from the WA Communicable Disease Control Directorate including how to recognise symptoms, what to do if you suspect mpox infection and links to key resources for your practice and patients.
The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) has developed a new resource to support the administration of childhood vaccines funded under the National Immunisation Program Schedule, as well as additional vaccines funded by some states and territories. The A3 poster presents illustrated diagrams of immunisation schedule points for children aged 2 months to 4 years, highlighting recommended vaccines, administration sites and routes. It also includes needle size recommendations, a vaccination preparation checklist and additional clinical guidance. Access here
From 1 October 2024, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine’s (ACRRM) Yellow fever vaccination learning and accreditation course will be hosted on the Department of Health and Aged Care’s yellow fever webpage. The course is accessible via the yellow fever vaccination course link, and the training requirement and content will remain the same; only the training host location will change. Once registered, the course can be accessed by users as often as required. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive an interim Australian Centre for Disease Control/Department of Health and Aged Care co-branded certificate of completion for provision to the yellow fever vaccination centre where they intend to practise.
Immunisation Foundation of Australia is excited to introduce the Immunise For Two campaign, a valuable resource for healthcare professionals and pregnant women. This campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of vaccination during pregnancy, protecting both mothers and their babies from vaccine-preventable diseases. The campaign provides a range of resources and information on the recommended vaccinations during pregnancy, including:
Please direct pregnant women to the IFA website for more information. -
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has issued a new statement announcing the transition from quadrivalent influenza vaccines (QIV) to trivalent influenza vaccines (TIV) in Australia. Both QIV and TIV remain effective, and either can be used during the transition. Read the full statement here.
The Immunisation Coalition are producing an evidence-based clinical newsletter series on Respiratory syncytial Virus (RSV) in older adults covering epidemiology, common symptoms, identifying high risk individuals living with specific chronic medical conditions, recommendations when and to whom to vaccinate, and co-administration opportunities to help reduce vaccine fatigue and increase RSV vaccination rates. GP’s must read both newsletters and complete the Evaluation Form to earn 0.5 CPD hours. Access the newsletters here.
Join the next event in National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) popular webinar program, ‘Falling childhood vaccination rates: current context and future strategies’, which will explore decreases in childhood vaccination rates in Australia – and what can be done to reverse them. Immunisation experts will present on subjects such as: the latest childhood vaccination coverage data and trends in Australia - results from new research on partial and under-vaccination in children - strategies to increase coverage rates and address vaccine mistrust. Register here.
Immunisation Coalition, in collaboration with Innovating, is pleased to announce the Primary Care Infectious Diseases meeting in Sydney. This hybrid event is specifically designed for General Practitioners and Nurses who immunise/vaccinate against infectious diseases. Topics include:
To register for this activity, simply:
Registration Open
There is a new campaign to help patients choose how to do their Cervical Screening Test (once called a Pap smear). If they don’t like doing the test with a doctor, a self-swab at the clinic, a self-swab is quick, private and is do it yourself. Women and people with a cervix aged 25-74 should have a Cervical Screening Test every 5 years. Encourage your patients to talk to their healthcare provider or visit the Own It website for more information.
The Eliminating Cervical Cancer 2024 Conference (ECC2024) is being held between the 27-29th November at the Sofitel Hotel, Melbourne. The theme of the conference is Achieving equity in Australia and the Indo-Pacific region. A dynamic line up of speakers – who are at the forefront of elimination efforts – will share their experience and expertise drawn from the full spectrum of cervical cancer prevention. The program will be based on the three pillars of the WHO global cervical cancer elimination strategy: vaccination, screening and treatment. More information can be found here.
The Department of Health and Aged Care released a new Provider Bulletin on 16 September 2024. The Bulletin key points include:
And Updated COVID-19 vaccines in Australia – A3 poster @ 30 August 2024 For the full bulletin click here.
The Australian Government does not currently have any COVID-19 requirements in place for travellers entering and departing Australia. COVID-19 does however continue to pose a health risk in Australia and overseas. The Department of Health and Aged Care strongly encourages the wearing of masks and being vaccinated while travelling internationally. Additionally, also practicing good cough and hand hygiene, and physically distancing from others where possible. A booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccination can be considered for people 18 to 64 years every 12 months, ideally just prior to international travel. Those over 65 years are recommended to have a booster every 12 months. The ATGAI statement of administration can be read here. Travel advice can be found here or on the Smart traveller website.
The Faculty of Pain Medicine want to hear from rural health services to understand what the opportunities and challenges are in providing and sustaining training (and particularly specialist training) and accreditation in MM2-7 settings. Complete the survey here
The Faculty of Pain Medicine want to hear from trainees and practitioners working or living rurally, to understand what the opportunities and challenges are in these settings and get some insight into how we can better attract and retain trainees, specialists and other practitioners. Complete the survey here Feedback from both these surveys will help the Faculty of Pain Medicine shape these flexible pathways and support regional training for pain medicine and beyond – the specialists colleges work with one another so these learnings will be open to benefit healthcare provision beyond the faculty.
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As a proud sponsor of the annual WA Mental Health Week (October 5-12), WA Primary Health Alliance is committed to promoting awareness, reducing stigma and encouraging people to get the support they need to improve their mental health and wellbeing. This year’s theme, empowering communities, thriving workforces: a journey towards investing in our mental health, highlights the vital role of workplaces and the wider community in supporting prevention of and recovery from mental health challenges. There are lots of ways your practice/organisation can get involved in 2024 Mental Health Week. Access resources for support, strategies and self-care and downloads to promote Mental Health Week 2024 at mentalhealthweek.org.au/resources and if you’re looking for strategies to look after your own mental health, visit mentalhealthweek.org.au/support.
Clinician Assist WA is a free to access, secure website providing GPs and other health professionals with guidance for assessing, managing and referring patients across Western Australia. It has replaced HealthPathways WA and provides access to the same trusted local guidance, features and functionality. The Clinician Assist WA team will run online demonstrations facilitated by a GP Clinical Editor monthly until November 2024 to support users. These sessions will demonstrate how to maximise integration of Clinician Assist WA into your clinical practice. Learn key functionalities of the website and how to access condition specific tools and resources, Referral Access Criteria (RAC) (where available), GPbook Specialist Directory and specialist regional rosters. Sessions have been approved for 1 CPD Educational Hour with the RACGP and will be held online on the following dates:
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 September IAR-DST training dates and registration links, visit the WAPHA IAR-DST webpage.
Presented by the Diabetes WA 24 September to 15 October 2024 (Multiple Times & Dates - Online) With the explosion in new treatments and research outcomes, it can be tough for healthcare providers to navigate all the different options, services, and PBS subsidies available. This discussion with Diabetes WA will cover common challenges and show how getting timely advice can support GPs to provide evidence-based care. Download the flyer or register here for various dates in September and October.
Presented by the Australian Digital Health Agency 3 October 2024 (6pm to 6:45pm AWST) General practice staff and health care professionals are invited to attend this educational webinar that will provide an overview of Provider Connect Australia (PCA). PCA is an initiative of the Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) to help health care provider organisations update their business information in a single place, which automatically updates both the National Health Service Directory (NHSD) and the data shared with other business partners. Learning outcomes:
Find out more and register today.
RACGP are holding a webinar in October about the upcoming changes to chronic disease management items. This webinar will be very timely ahead of the changes commencing (pending passage of legislation) from 1 November. All General Practices, GPs, Practice Managers and other Practice staff are encouraged to attend. Learning outcomes
Register now
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:
CPD hours are available for the online training sessions. For more information, dates and registration links, visit WAPHA’s suicide prevention webpage.