Practice Connect #205

Issue 205 - 3 October 2024


 

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

 
 

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Chronic Disease Management and MBS deferred to 1 July 2025

On 25 September the Department of Health and Ageing announced the commencement date for Chronic Conditions Management MBS item changes have been deferred to 1 July 2025.

The additional time will support all practices and providers, including GPs 
and allied health providers, to be ready for the changes to these important 
services. Previously, these changes were due to come into effect from 1 
November 2024.

For more information please see the Upcoming changes to MBS Chronic Disease Management Arrangement page on the Australian Government Department of
Health and Aged Care website.
 

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Preparing your Practice and Patients for MyMedicare changes

Here are some ideas you might like to consider starting to prepare your practice team for Chronic Conditions Management and MyMedicare patient registration:

  1. Discuss what these changes mean with your practice team and identify any activities or processes you need to review or update (e.g. incorporating
  2. MyMedicare registration in your workflows for chronic disease/conditions management).
  3. Register your practice for MyMedicare if you have not done so already.
  4. Engage your patients to encourage them to register with MyMedicare, particularly those with a chronic condition or existing care plan:
 
Prepare your practice team to speak with patients about MyMedicare. Discuss MyMedicare at a practice meeting, or print off copies of the MyMedicare brochures and MyMedicare patient registration frequently asked questions for your practice team to have on hand to support conversations with patients. 
Include the MyMedicare Registration form and brochure with your patient consent and data collection form.
Update your practice website to include links to MyMedicare brochuresMyMedicare patient registration information, and MyMedicare patient registration frequently asked questions.
Place MyMedicare posters and brochures in your practice waiting room/reception and display MyMedicare Patient videos in your waiting room screens.
Post information about MyMedicare in your practice Facebook or social media page using the following Social Media Tiles.


The MyMedicare communication resources for General Practice includes social media tiles, videos, brochures and posters.

WA Primary Health Alliance will keep you updated with more information about these changes as it is released. Please contact the Practice Assist Help Desk on 1800 2 ASSIST (1800 2 277 478 or 08 6278 7900) or email practiceassist@wapha.org.au for information and support.
 

Patient information about MyMedicare

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

 

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MyMedicare registration process webinars

Presented by the Department of Health and Ageing, in collaboration with Services Australia
3 October & 10 October (online webinars)

The Department of Health and Ageing, in collaboration with Services Australia, is running two webinars to cover the registration process for practices, providers and patients in MyMedicare.
 
The first webinar held on 3 October provided an overview of how practices and providers can register with MyMedicare. 
 
The second webinar to be held on 10 October will provide an overview of patient registration under MyMedicare and related incentives. 


General Practice in Aged Care Incentive webinar recordings - watch on demand
 

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Our Practice Assist PIP and WIP Toolkit pages have been refreshed



We are excited to announce that the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) and Workforce Incentive Program (WIP) Toolkit pages on the Practice Assist website have been refreshed to provide you with the latest information and resources.
 

Practice Incentives Program (PIP) Toolkit

The PIP Toolkit offers an overview of the program and resources to support practices in providing quality care. It includes detailed information on the various incentives available, eligibility criteria, and how to apply.
 

Workforce Incentive Program (WIP) Toolkit

The WIP Toolkit provides information and links to apply, understand, and engage in the incentive streams relevant to practices. It covers the different streams available, application processes, and key dates to remember.

For additional support with PIP and WIP, please contact the Practice Assist Help Desk on 1800 2 ASSIST (1800 2 277 478 or 08 6278 7900) or email practiceassist@wapha.org.au for information and support.
 

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Primary care depression management and suicide prevention resources

At its core the WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) Suicide prevention strategy is a GP centric depression, management program. This e-resource kit contains access to capacity building resources, activities and  training for primary care providers and their teams.
 
Funded through the  Australian Government's Targeted Regional Initiatives for Suicide Prevention, the Suicide prevention team has partnered with high quality education providers to bring a selection of accredited courses to meet the needs of clinical and non-clinical team members in the Primary Care sector.
 
Within the kit you will also find access to courses and providers for all community members to gain the intervention skills to support someone with depression and suicidal behaviour.  These can be shared far and wide, with family and friends, in a waiting room or with local networks.
 
This resource kit will be regularly updated with new training and activities. If you have any suggestions for  activities or would like further information, please  contact your WAPHA suicide prevention lead.

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Referral Updates: New Mandatory - Referral Access Criteria (RAC)

From Monday 11 November 2024, mandatory Referral Access Criteria (RAC) for Immunology (adult) WA public outpatient services will be introduced.

RAC are clinical criteria developed by Specialist Heads of Department, Consultants and General Practitioners that outline the mandatory history, examination and investigations required within a referral to support effective outpatient triaging and maximise the value of your patient’s first outpatient appointment.  The purpose of the RAC is to improve access for those most in need and ensure every appointment adds value. Each RAC also includes examples of presenting issues, a list of excluded outpatient conditions and indicative triage categories for various conditions.

RAC are now mandatory for Direct Access Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Endocrinology & Diabetes (paediatric), ENT (adult and paediatric), Immunology, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Rheumatology and Urology. 

To learn more, please access the RAC via Department of Health website – (www.health.wa.gov.au/RAC)

 

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Pertussis: Increasing cases and shortage of azithromycin oral suspension

Pertussis cases are increasing in WA, particularly amongst school-aged children. 

  • Ensure your patients are up to date with pertussis vaccination, including pregnant women, infants and their siblings, and those caring for infants such as parents, childcare staff and healthcare workers. 
  • Consider and test for pertussis in patients with a cough, particularly paroxysmal or prolonged cough, or if associated with post-tussive vomiting, regardless of patient age or vaccination status.
  • There are supply disruptions for azithromycin oral suspension. Discuss with your local pharmacy and/or consider alternative antibiotics as per Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic.

For the full Infectious Diseases Health Alert from Department of Health, click here.
 

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WA Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infant Immunisation Program



The WA Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infant Immunisation Program will cease in all parts of WA on 30 September 2024 (except the Kimberley and Pilbara).

RSV immunisations will continue in the Kimberley and Pilbara throughout the year as local epidemiology shows that the risk of infection extends beyond the traditional winter RSV season observed in the more southern parts of WA.

The Department of Health will keep everyone updated as key information becomes available about the 2025 RSV Infant Immunisation Program.
 
WA Primary Health Alliance would like to thank all of the General Practice staff (inclusive of Doctors, Nurses and Administration staff) for adopting this program and ensuring that it was a great success.

Since 1 April 2024, more than 22,000 eligible babies received a dose of Beyfortus (Nirsevimab).
 

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Increased Eligibility for shingles vaccine

The Australian Government this week announced a further expansion of eligibility for the free herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine Shingrix to include more people aged 18 years and over who are immunocompromised as a result of an underlying health condition or as a side effect of a treatment.

The government estimates the expansion will mean hundreds of thousands more Australians can access free shingles vaccination.

As the official announcement of the new expansion notes, Australia’s shingles vaccination program is among the world’s most comprehensive.
 
To see the updated advice and increased eligibility criteria, click here.
 

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NCIRS webinar set to spotlight declines in childhood vaccination rates

Presented by NCIRS
Thursday 10 October (9am AWST)

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.
 

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Immunisation For Health and Life

Presented by Immunisation Coalition
Tuesday 19 October (6am to 1pm AWST)

Immunisation Coalition, in collaboration with Inovating, 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:

  • Addressing vaccine hesitancy/fatigue; what’s the plan Stan?
  • Understanding long COVID-19: diagnosis and management
  • Vaccination errors: your go-to guide
  • Looking forward at seasonal respiratory vaccination rates – Influenza and RSV
  • Q-fever: epidemiology, symptoms , preparedness, testing and management options
  • Should monoclonal antibodies be added to the NIP? For and Against – Debate
  • Use of software tools to identify and recall under vaccinated patients
  • Equity of vaccines: who is missing out and what can be done?

To register for this activity, simply:

  • Download the CPD HCP app on your phone or tablet or use the website 
  • Click on Create an Account or login with your existing account if you have used this website or app previously.
  • Click on the arrow next to the event and click on register.

Registration Open.
 

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Immunisation Coalition - Shingles Webinar

Presented by Immunisation Coalition
Wednesday 20 October (3pm to 4pm AWST)

This webinar provides viewers with an update on shingles epidemiology, changes to the NIP schedule, and current trends in vaccination rates.

Low shingles vaccination rates in Australian adults impact the epidemiology of the disease.

This webinar explores what current guidelines advise regarding vaccination to reduce disease burden and complications associated from contracting Shingles.
 
For more information and to register, click here.
 

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Free resource packs to help encourage your patients to undergo screening



General practices across Australia will have recently received cancer screening packs from the Department of Health and Aged Care to help remind eligible patients to undergo cancer screening.

The packs include resources your practice can use to encourage your patients to be more proactive about cancer screening, such as: 

  • posters
  • illustrated guides
  • sample bowel kits and cervical self-collection demonstration tests,
  • and a guide on the National Cancer Screening register.

When you receive the kit, make sure to hang up the posters and share the packs among the GPs at your practice. Translated versions are available online for printing in-practice.

If your general practice did not receive a pack or would like to order another, please email your practice details to cancerscreeningcommunications@health.gov.au
 

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National Bowel Cancer Screening Program - How to do the free test



Eligible Australians aged 45 to 74 can do the free National Bowel Cancer Screening Program test.

When found early, nine out of ten cases can be treated successfully. So encourage patients to do the free test as soon as they get it in the mail – it could save their life.

A how to video has been updated and re-released.

Share with your eligible patients to ensure they know how easy the tests are to complete.
 
How to do the free test.
 

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Planning COVID-19 clinics to protect vulnerable community members

Ensure your vulnerable patients remain protected against the risk of COVID-19 infection by scheduling booster reminders and planning their upcoming vaccinations in conjunction with their over 75 health checks or other standard appointments.    

  • People aged 75 years and older are recommended a COVID-19 vaccination every 6 months.   
  • People aged 65 to 74 years are recommended a COVID-19 vaccination every 12 months, and can consider a dose every 6 months, based on their individual health needs.   
  • People aged 18 to 74 years with severe immunocompromise are recommended a COVID-19 vaccination every 12 months and can consider a dose every 6 months, based on their individual health needs.   

If it is not known when the last COVID-19 infection was, it is safe to get another COVID-19 vaccine. 
 
For further information please visit the Practice Assist website or email gpvaccination@wapha.org.au
 

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COVID-19 Primary Care Support Program - Expressions of interest close 1 November 2024

A reminder that WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) has a funding model to assist COVID-19 vaccination providers.

It will offer eligible 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 practices during routine business hours.  
 
Complete the EOI form online to submit your interest before 1 November 2024. 

For further information please visit our COVID-19 Vaccination & Resources webpage or email gpvaccination@wapha.org.au
 

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Who's eligible for the Non-Medicare Reimbursement Scheme for COVID-19 vaccinations

The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care has provided funding to WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) for the administration of COVID-19 vaccinations for non-Medicare patients within primary care. 
 
WAPHA can reimburse general practices to the value of the relevant MBS item number to support non-Medicare patients being vaccinated against COVID-19, and this reimbursement can be backdated to July 2023. 

Please note: The non-Medicare vaccine reimbursements will cease in December 2024. The last day to submit a claim will be 1 December 2024, to align with WAPHA’s end of year payment processing. 

To claim, practices will be required to declare reimbursement (i.e. private fee charge) has not already been received for the services claimed. 
  
WAPHA understands that some practices have withdrawn or are not administering COVID-19 vaccinations. Practices with a large cohort of non-Medicare patients can be supported to submit an expression of interest to join the program.  

To make a claim complete the survey or for further information please email our COVID-19 teamgpvaccination@wapha.org.au
 

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Help improve our clinical and referral pathways: EOI



To make sure PHN clinical and referral pathways platforms continue to meet the evolving needs of GPs and their patients, WA Primary Health Alliance wants to learn more about user needs and expectations now and into the future.

To gather valuable insights from GPs, experienced researchers from the Behaviour Change Collaborative have been engaged to conduct two phases of research.

Phase one will consist of paid interviews and focus groups to gather detailed insights from GPs about their use of current platforms: potential participants can opt-in now via a short expression of interest questionnaire.

Phase two will gather detailed quantitative survey responses from GPs across Australia, to gain deeper insights into individual experiences, attitudes and expectations as they relate to existing platforms and any potential future solutions. 

About the clinical and referral pathways project

This project aims to identify areas of improvement with the existing clinical referral pathways offerings to deliver better patient care within general practice. You can learn more about the project here
 

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Have your say about MBS Online

MBS Online contains the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) which is a listing of the Medicare services subsidised by the Australian Government. The website is an important way for everyone to keep up to date on the latest MBS information.

This survey gives users of MBS Online a chance to provide feedback. The results will
give us valuable information about how people interact with the website. For example, what works well and what we could work on.

We want to hear the views of everyone who uses MBS Online as a source of information. This includes:

  • health professionals
  • practice staff
  • software vendors
  • private health insurers
  • patients
  • any other user of the website.

The survey will be available on the department’s Consultation Hub between 9 September 2024 to 11 October 2024

Learn more here.
 

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Online Survey - Medication Management at Transitions of Care Stewardship Framework

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health (Commission) is seeking General Practitioner feedback on the Medication Management at Transitions of Care Stewardship Framework via an online survey. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete and will close on Sunday 27 October 2024 at 11:59PM (AEDT).

Read the fact sheet for more information or take the survey.
 

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2024 WA Mental Health Week



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 get support to improve their mental health and wellbeing when they need it.

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.   

Online depression management and suicidality education courses

WA Mental Health Week is a great to time to highlight the suite of online depression management and suicidality education courses we support via the Black Dog Institute, and deliver at no cost to GPs and GP Registrars: 

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

Find out more and register for upcoming sessions in October and November. 

There are lots of other ways your practice/organisation can get involved in 2024 Mental Health Week as well. 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. 
 

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Healthy Weight Webinar

Presented by WA Primary Health Alliance
15 October 2024 (6pm to 7:30pm AWST)

Please join us for the eighth webinar in the Healthy Weight Masterclass series. In this webinar, we will hear from guest speakers Dr Andrew Leech and his practice team who will be speaking about multidisciplinary team care models in a healthy weight context.
 
Learning outcomes:

  • Explain the principles of integrative medicine and how they apply to healthy weight management.
  • Identify the key roles and responsibilities of various health care professionals within a multidisciplinary team for managing weight in patients with weight-related concerns.
  • Review current evidence-based guidelines and research supporting integrative and multidisciplinary approaches to weight management.
Find out more and register today.

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Clinician Assist WA Live Demonstration

Presented by WA Primary Health Alliance
Multiple Dates & Times

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: 

For more information or to register, please refer the event flyer.
 
Open to all health professionals registered to practice in WA as well as general practice staff.
 
To register for an account, please visit clinicianassistwa.org.au

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Paid GP online training: IAR-DST to guide mental health referrals – October, November and December 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 October, November and December IAR-DST training dates and registration links, visit the WAPHA IAR-DST webpage

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Telehealth Clinical Skills Program 2024

Presented by the ACRRM
5 November 2024 (7pm AWST)

What every doctor needs to know about providing best practice telemedicine.

Available for both members and non-members this is an education and skills development program on how to plan and deliver telehealth services.

Featuring a live online workshop and exercises to complete in your own time, the program explores consultations with patients, remote GP supervision, assessing patients through nursing and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health staff, and family conferencing.

More information here.

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Online depression management and suicidality education courses

As a proud sponsor of the upcoming 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.

WA Mental Health Week is a great to time to highlight the suite of online depression management and suicidality education courses we support via the Black Dog Institute, and deliver at no cost to GPs and GP Registrars:

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

Find out more and register for upcoming sessions in October and November.


 

Other Webinars, Events & Workshops

BreastScreen WA visit to Dumbleyung
Presented by BreastScreen WA
10 October to 21 October
BreastScreen WA visit to Wagin
Presented by BreastScreen WA
10 October to 21 October
Chronic Disease Care Planning
Presented by Benchmarque Group
11 October
2024 WA Addictions Symposium: Novel psychoactives and the new frontier in addiction
Presented by Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
12 October
Integrating Digital Resources into Mental Health Care
Presented by Black Dog Institute
​16 October & 12 November
BreastScreen WA visit to Karratha
Presented by BreastScreen WA
16 October to 7 November
BreastScreen WA visit to Darkan
Presented by BreastScreen WA
22 October to 25 October
Online Experiences and Adolescent Mental Health
Presented by Black Dog Institute
23 October
Expert Insights for Health Professionals: A mentally healthier future - how do we get there?
Presented by Black Dog Institute
24 October
Course in Wound Closure
Presented by Benchmarque Group
25 October
BreastScreen WA visit to Williams
Presented by BreastScreen WA
28 October to 4 November
How Online Resources are Changing Mental Health Care Around the World
Presented by Black Dog Institute
29 October
WA HIV s100 Prescriber Update
Presented by ASHM
November (multiple dates)
WA Hepatitis B Prescriber Update
Presented by ASHM
5 November
IV Cannulation - Perform peripheral intravenous cannulation
Presented by Benchmarque Group
8 November
Diabetes In-Depth Training
Presented by Diabetes WA
14 November
Course in Ear Wax Removal (Irrigation)
Presented by Benchmarque Group Pty Limited
22 November
Mental Health First Aid training
Presented by Luma
26 November & 27 November
WA Mental Health Conference 2024
Presented by WA Association for Mental Health
26 November & 27 November


 

Acknowledgement 
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.

 

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.