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The RACGP’s Telehealth video consultations guide has effectively consolidated current resources into a single point of reference. The guide is designed to support general practices in making use of Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS)-supported telehealth video consultations, and provide safe facilitation and coordination of these consultations. It outlines the clinical, administrative and technical considerations when introducing this mode of healthcare delivery, and focuses on telehealth video consultations covered under the MBS. There are currently 23 MBS items available for practitioners – including GPs, nurse practitioners and Aboriginal health workers – who provide patient-end clinical support during video consultations with a specialist, consultant physician or consultant psychiatrist. MBS rebates are available for patients who:
MBS items are also available for GPs providing Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) services in rural areas, and temporary item numbers available to provide general mental health support services by video consultations to patients in drought-affected and flood-affected areas. Click here for more information about the development of the guide or you can download the guide itself.
The WA Primary Health Alliance is providing fully subsidised access to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) online emergency response planning tool (ERPT) for practices across Western Australia.
The ERPT takes an `all-risks’ approach to managing and planning for emergencies including pandemic and cyber security response. It also takes into account all the risks that can threaten the general practice sector in particular the heightened exposure to extreme weather events, through-out Australia.
It is hosted, supported and maintained by Healthpoint ANZ and was developed in collaboration with the RACGP. This fact sheet has more information, including how to access the limited number of fully subsidised licenses.
In late 2018, the RACGP developed a new guideline for general practice on the importance of `Information security in general practice’.
The reasons the RACGP developed the guideline are:
With the guideline development, the RACGP agreed the best place to include the content was into the ERPT. In March 2019 the first cyber security module was included in the ERPT. This is called the `Cyber incident response’ and guides practices through very practical steps in dealing with cyber intrusions or employee mistakes etc. A second module will be added later this year and will guide practices through the process of identifying and building their cyber security policies.
From April 1 two new interim items 699 and 177 are available on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) to allow general practitioners (GPs) and other medical practitioners to conduct a Heart Health Check that lasts at least 20 minutes. A Heart Health Check is the patient-friendly term for comprehensive absolute cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment and ongoing management. It principally involves gathering information about a patient’s CVD risk factors, calculating and recording their absolute CVD risk using a validated calculator, and managing risk as per guidelines on an ongoing basis. All adults not already known to have CVD, who are aged 45 years and above (or 30 years and above for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) are eligible for item 699, and the items can be claimed once per patient in a 12-month period. Click here for more information and a suggested pathway to implement the Heart Health Check MBS item in general practice.
The first Friday in June (June 7 this year) is CrazySocks4Docs day, all about raising awareness of the mental health of all doctors and health practitioners around the world.
CrazySocks4Docs day was established by Dr Geoff Toogood, a doctor with lived experience of both depression and anxiety. Facing stigma and discrimination at many levels, he was determined that, once recovered, he would create an awareness movement to break down the stigma felt by health professionals.
The day came out of the response that Dr Toogood experienced when he wore odd-coloured socks to work. People assumed his mental health was failing, when in fact he was well, and all his other socks had been eaten by his new puppy. Rather than ask him if he was OK, people spoke about him behind his back. He started CrazySocks4Docs day as an attempt to address mental health stigma such as this, and to make it OK for a doctor not to be OK.
On Friday, June 7, wear your crazy socks, take a photo, and post to Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, using #crazysocks4docs to show your support and start the conversation. You can also follow Dr Toogood on Twitter @crazysocks4docs
The Department of Human Services Incentives News Update (INU) keeps you up to date with the Practice, and Practice Nurse, Incentives Programs. The May edition is now available, with important information about the new PIP Quality Improvement Incentive. You can find an archive of past editions, and subscribe to future updates at the bottom of this page.
In preparation for the introduction of the Practice Incentives Program Quality Improvement (PIP QI) payment on 1 August 2019, WA Primary Health Alliance is collecting some preliminary information from practices that may be interested in participating in the new incentive. We have an enquiry form available that will collect your practice name, as well as the name and telephone number of the staff member completing the form. In addition, if you are already participating in the Practice Incentives Program, we are collecting your PIP ID and the name by which your practice is known to the Department of Human Services (your PIP ID and practice name will appear on communications relating to PIP). The practice name should match the name that appears on your certificate of accreditation. The form can be found here. Please contact Practice Assist, or your Primary Health Liaison directly, if you have any queries.
Following a number of recent enquiries, in this edition we take a look at what an accredited practice needs to do if it relocates or changes ownership. During periods of change within a general practice, the status or continuation of accreditation may not a primary concern, however for those practices that are accredited, and particularly those that participate in the Practice Incentives Program (PIP), ensuring that your practice information is kept up-to-date is vital in maintaining your accreditation and PIP eligibility.
For all changes in practice details, including relocation, amalgamation, and change of ownership, the practice must either update the details through Health Professional Online Service (HPOS) or by using the forms provided on the Department of Human Services (DHS) website. If you are using the manual form option, you must complete the IP005 Change of practice details form for relocation or amalgamation, and the IP010 Change of practice ownership for a change of ownership.
The agency that your practice is accredited by will have its own processes for managing the relocation of a practice. This may include a relocation visit, or self-assessment and declaration of new practice information. Regardless of the process that must be undertaken, all PIP-participating practices have six months from the date of relocation to submit a new accreditation certificate, with the new site details, to DHS. If your practice is relocating, it is vital the necessary steps are completed within this timeframe, as PIP payments will be put on hold until the new accreditation certificate is supplied, and eligibility can be put at risk if the timeframe is not met.
Advising your accreditation agency of the relocation ideally as soon as you have confirmed dates, or as soon as you have moved, allows the agency to proceed with its relocation process. The agencies will always do their best to ensure the six-month time limit is met, but their ability to do this is reduced if there is a delay in them knowing about a practice’s relocation. Another common issue is that a practice will apply for new provider numbers without realising that notifying the PIP Branch is an entirely separate process. Please ensure that, if your practice is intending to move (or has moved) premises, you either update your information via HPOS or use the IP005 form, and notify your accreditation agency as soon as possible.
If your practice is changing ownership, again, you will need to update your information with DHS via HPOS, or use the IP010 form to update the details manually, and also let your accreditation agency know. You will be asked to provide evidence, both to DHS and to your accreditation agency, of the change of ownership (such as a bill of sale or other legal document), and if you are using the IP010 form, a section must be completed by the previous owner of the practice. This raises an important point: it is easier to facilitate a change of ownership process with the participation of the vendor. Often, the new owner will contact the accreditation agency, for example, to notify a change of ownership, but in maintaining the confidentiality of the practice information, the agency may not be able to discuss practice matters with the new owner if that person is not linked to any information on the agency’s existing database record for that practice. This can lead to unnecessary complexity in verifying the change of ownership. If your practice is changing owners, it is better for the existing owner or staff to notify the accreditation agency and provide written confirmation of any new contact people to simplify the transition while preserving the confidentiality of practice information.
As the PIP Quality Improvement payment is due to be introduced shortly, and it is a busy year in general practice accreditation, it is important that accredited practices are proactive in ensuring that they follow all necessary process to maintain their accreditation and PIP eligibility. If you have any queries regarding your own practice’s circumstances, please contact your accreditation agency or the PIP branch, and for WA practices that need assistance in completing these processes, your Primary Health Liaison will be able to help.
Developed and delivered by members of the RACGP Expert Committee – Practice Technology and Management (REC – PTM) and other eHealth experts, the RACGP eHealth webinar series delivers monthly sessions on eHealth topics pertinent to general practice. Webinars are accredited for two Category RACGP Quality Improvement and Continuing Professional Development points for the 2017 – 2019 triennium. All webinars in this series are free for all participants. Upcoming topics are:
You can register for upcoming webinars, and access recordings of previous sessions.
The Sexual Health Blood-borne Virus Program (SHBBVP) recently collaborated with HepatitisWA to produce and release two educations videos, aiming to educate and inform people recently diagnosed with, or at risk of, HIV or hepatitis C. Primarily targeting Aboriginal people affected by HIV or hepatitis C, the videos are relevant for patients / clients, as well as health professionals, to help detail the next steps in accessing treatment / care as required. The SHBBVP has now released a poster for each video, with access to the videos available via mobile phone / tablet QR reader (by opening the device’s camera and detecting the video using the QR reader function). Hard copies are available for free for metro and regional health services in Western Australia via the WA Department of Health Online Publication Ordering System website https://dohquickmail.com.au/. You can view the videos and posters via the following links: HIV video Hepatitis C video HIV video poster Hepatitis C video poster
The Western Australian Mental Health Awards 2019 will celebrate individuals and organisations that made an outstanding contribution to mental health in the calendar year of 2018. The awards aim to recognise and reward the achievements of those who demonstrate excellence, innovation, and initiative in supporting consumers of mental health services, their families, and carers; and showcase best practice in WA’s mental health sector to inspire others.
The Awards are hosted by the Western Australian Association for Mental Health, with the support of the WA Mental Health Commission.
Nominations opened on Tuesday, 4 June, and will close on Friday, 5 July, with finalists announced during Mental Health Week, 6 to 12 October, and the awards evening on 18 November.
The Australian Digital Health Agency’s (ADHA) new My Health Record in Nursing e-learning course is now available. This self-paced course has been developed in collaboration with the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) and is eligible for CPD points. It supports nurses working in any healthcare setting to become familiar with and confident in using the My Health Record system, and outlines it benefits, features, and functionalities. The course contains five modules:
A wide range of fact sheets and guides for healthcare professionals are available from the ADHA My Health Record website.
This webinar will provide practice nurses with an insight into the My Health Record system and how it can be used in their clinical practice. It will include specific examples of when My Health Record may be used to support practice nurses’ clinical decisions and workflows, such as when giving vaccinations or undertaking health checks. Also covered will be the consent framework, roles and responsibilities, when to view, and when to contribute to My Health Record. There will also be the opportunity for participants to have their My Health Record questions answered. Date: Wednesday 26 June 2019 Time: 11.00am – 12.00pm (AWST) – registrations close 24 hours prior to start time Venue: Online (join via your computer) Cost: Free Register: To register, please click here
Please contact your Primary Health Liaison or a member of the My Health record team at WAPHA via myhealthrecord@wapha.org.au for assistance.
Australians living and working in rural and remote areas are only able to access mental health services at a fifth of the rate of those in urban areas. This inequality poses serious risks for a large population of Australians, resulting in increased suffering of those seeking help, support and treatment for mental health issues. This symposium, being held in Adelaide from 28 to 30 October, will connect professionals working to advance the services and support mental health receives in rural and remote areas, from renowned keynote speakers and industry workers through to government, academics, researchers and individual service providers. Abstract submissions are now open, and you are invited to share your research, projects or experience with an audience passionate about making a difference to rural and remote mental health. The symposium currently has availabilities for oral presenters, poster presenters, 90 minute panel presenters, and workshop presenters. For information on costs, early bird registrations, and to register, please click here.
The ASAP Programme (ASAP Stands for raise Awareness, establish Surveillance systems, Advocate for increased resources for treatment, and to promote Prevention strategies.” was launched as a comprehensive approach to tackling RHD on the African continent. Employing a multi-pronged approach, the programme emphasizes the importance of awareness-raising, surveillance, advocacy and prevention programmes being incorporated in research endeavours. Having been instrumental in the programme from its inception in South Africa, Dr Engel will report on the programme’s progress from population screening to genome-wide association studies involving 6000 participants from seven countries in Africa. The lessons learnt serve as an illuminating guide for initiating studies responsive to the health needs and the priorities of the population or community in which it is to be carried out, especially in a resource-constrained environment. Dr Engel’s research includes all aspects of rheumatic heart disease (RHD), employing a wide range of investigative approaches, from molecular to population-based research in efforts to improve the understanding of this poverty-related heart disease. Date: Thursday 6 June 2019 Time: 6.00pm – 7.00pm Venue: Woolnough Lecture Theatre, Geology Building, UWA Cost: Free Register: To register and for more information, please click here -
All events are listed on our Webinars and Workshops page.
The Australian Association of Practice Management welcomes WA delegates to the Perth Practice Management Symposium. This full day event will look at topics such as performance benchmarking for your practice, effective use of practice management software, corporate governance and risk management, and marketing and social media. In the afternoon, the AAPM Practice Manager of the Year Finalists and State Winner will be announced. Date: Friday 7 June 2019 Time: 9.00am – 5.30pm (registrations from 8.30am) Venue: Frasers Kings Park, 60 Fraser Avenue, Kings Park WA 6005 Cost: $260 per person (AAPM members), $380 per person (non-AAPM members) Register: To register, please click here This event attracts 30 CPD points for AAPM members. These points will be automatically allocated to member profiles on completion and attendance at the event. Certificates of attendance will be emailed to all registered attendees.
As Australians live longer and develop more complex health needs, ongoing integration of Palliative Care training within general practice is crucial. In most cases, patients living with chronic illness die expected, rather than sudden, deaths. This enables planning around their end -of-life wishes requiring proactive communication. This workshop aims to increase your skills in initiating discussions surrounding end of life care with your patients.
Join Cancer Council WA's Palliative and Supportive Care Education team for this full day case study and interactive learning workshop presented by Palliative Care specialists. Date: Saturday 8 June 2019 Time: 10.00am – 2.00pm (registrations from 9.45am) Venue: Executive Boardroom, Benday Parent and Community Centre, 36 Dodd St Wembley Cost: $65.00 Register: To register, please click here
The Cockburn Healthy Lifestyle Program was established in collaboration with the City of Cockburn, South Metropolitan Health Service, Child and Adolescent Community Health Service, Fiona Stanley Hospital and NursePrac Australia to link clients who are overweight/obese or suffer from chronic disease, into affordable nutrition, exercise and mental health programs in the community with provide them with ongoing support to address lifestyle issues. Date: Monday 10 June 2019 Time: 1.00pm – 2.00pm Venue: Cockburn Health and Community Facility, Level 1, 11 Wentworth Parade, Success WA 6164 Cost: Free (lunch provided) Register: To register, please click here
Why you need a business plan and how to create one for your practice. Create strategies that will allow you to cope with changes to Australia’s healthcare system. Learn where to focus your business energy.
Presented by Australian Industry Health Group. Date: Tuesday 11 June 2019 Time: 12.00pm – 1.00pm (AWST) Venue: Online Cost: $40 (AHIG members) $80 (non-members) Register: To register, please click here
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission) is consulting nationally to better understand the safety and quality issues experienced by patients in primary health care.
The information gathered at these consultative workshops will develop the National Primary Health Care Safety and Quality Standards. Workshops will ask participants to discuss the safety and quality issues for patients in primary health care, and what needs to be in place to provide safe and high quality care. Anyone involved in the delivery of primary health care services is invited to attend including, but not limited to, primary health care providers, practice managers, policy makers and relevant health service organisations.
Date: Wednesday 12 June or Thursday 13 June 2019 Time: Wednesday 6.00pm - 8.00pm or Thursday 7.00am - 9.00am Venue: WA Primary Health Alliance, 2-5, 7 Tanunda Drive, Rivervale WA 6103 Cost: Free (light refreshments provided) Register: To register, please click here
DBT is a psychotherapeutic treatment for people who experience difficulty managing their emotions and resulting behaviours such as:
This education session will focus on two essential components of DBT, Mindfulness and Validation, and discuss the benefits of collaboration assessment, management of risk, and the establishment of safety plans that are respectful, empathetic, empowering and skills focused.
By the end of this education session, GPs will be able to:
Date: Saturday 15 June 2019 Time: 9.00am – 4.45pm Venue: WA Primary Health Alliance, 2-5, 7 Tanunda Drive, Rivervale WA 6103 Cost: Free Register: To register, please click here
The Course in Ear and Hearing Health aims to provide eligible students specific skills and knowledge to perform ear health examinations, basic point of care hearing evaluations, management strategies and referral processes for further or specialist care in relation to a range of conditions, based on detailed knowledge of the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the auditory system. Date: Friday 21 June 2019 Time: 8.45am – 4.30pm Venue: Technology Park Function Centre, 2 Brodie-Hall Drive, Bentley WA 6102 Cost: $475 per person Register: To register, please click here
St John of God Raphael Services is inviting midwives, practice nurses, GPs and obstetricians to attend free workshops, led by Professor Marie-Paule Austin, to understand and apply the psychosocial risk assessment using and scoring the Antenatal Risk Questionnaire (ANRQ). This training will enable health professionals to identify circumstances that affect a woman’s mental health and reduce the potential negative impact on infants and families. There are two training workshops, one tailored for midwives and practice nurses, the other for GPs and obstetricians. Date: Thursday June 27 (midwives and practice nurses) and Saturday June 29 (GPs and obstetricians) Time: 2.00pm – 4.45pm (27 June) and 9.00am - 11.30am (29 June) Venue: University Club of WA, Entrance 1, Hackett Drive, Crawley WA 6009 Cost: Free Register: To register, please click here
The 2019 Aboriginal Health Conference Kids on Country will emphasise the importance of children and youth in Aboriginal communities and provide a forum to exchange ideas on the key issues relating to the health of Aboriginal children.
To continue to aim for health equity for Aboriginal children and communities, health professionals need an enhanced understanding of culturally competent care and the links between the environment and the health of Aboriginal children.
The presentations and workshops at this conference will cover aspects of clinical care, research, community programs, emerging health issues and social determinants of health. The conference will also identify strategies to support the role of traditional interactions in Aboriginal communities. Date: Saturday 6 July and Sunday 7 July 2019 Time: 9.00am - 5.30pm (registrations from 8.30am) Venue: Parmelia Hilton Perth, 14 Mill St, Perth WA 6000 Cost: Click here for more information, including costs Register: To register, please click here
Run and accredited by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, this one-day Advanced Life Support (ALS) course was developed to meet the needs of general practitioners in the management of common emergencies in rural practice. The course incorporates key aspects of Advanced Life Support skills in accordance with the Australian Resuscitation Council guidelines.
The course is conducted by expert instructors experienced in rural general practice. Date: Saturday 13 July 2019 Time: TBC Venue: Mercure Perth, Irwin St, Perth WA 6000 Cost: $1,395 (ACRRM members), $1,545 (non-members) Register: To register, please click here
Rural Emergency Obstetrics Training (REOT) is a one-day workshop designed to equip non-obstetric practitioners with vital emergency obstetric skills.
REOT is relevant to any type of doctor, in any location. This course covers normal birthing procedures as well as common birthing emergencies. It will boost your skills and confidence when dealing with third trimester emergencies. Date: Sunday 14 July 2019 Time: TBC Venue: Mercure Perth, Irwin St, Perth WA 6000 Cost: $1,695 (ACRRM members), $1,895 (non-members) Register: To register, please click here
The General Practice Conference & Exhibition (GPCE) in Perth is WA's leading CPD event for primary care, and is recognised as one of the most important CPD events on the general practice calendar. GPCE welcomes over 300 healthcare professionals to meet, update knowledge, earn CPD points, and see the latest innovations specific to primary care. THE GPCE 2019 program has been designed to suit the changing needs of all primary care professionals, with high quality CPD content in four categories. Practice These sessions will allow you to update and refresh knowledge, get the latest clinical education, earn CPD points and gain confidence, whilst focusing on practical, simple, useful tips and takeaways. Business If your focus for 2019 is improving your business, these sessions will cover the foundations of practice, profitability, team, risk, reputation, systems, operations and more! Life Turning the stethoscope round to you! If 2018 has taken the stuffing out of you, these sessions will focus on personal health and well-being, work-life balance, time management, communication skills and more. Curiosity Feed your curiosity and learn more about what's new now and what's coming. Covering technology, research, and what others are doing, these sessions and guaranteed to inspire. Date: Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July 2019 Time: 8.15am - 4.45pm (education sessions) Venue: Crown Perth Convention Centre, Great Eastern Highway, Burswood WA 6100 Cost: Please click here for delegate admission costs Register: To register, please click here
Do you want to make a bigger difference in people's lives by enabling them to manage their own health, wellbeing and lifestyle choices? The Better Questions workshop offers highly effective communication strategies and practical tips that will enable you to enhance your communication skills and professional practice. Date: Thursday 8 August 2019 Time: 9.00am - 3.30pm (education sessions) Venue: The Boulevard Centre, 99 The Boulevard, Floreat WA 6014 Cost: $330 per person Register: Please click here to download the flyer and registration form
The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine presents this ultrasound workshop offering an introduction and instruction on the use of Ultrasound in Emergency Medicine, trauma, and critical care for the rural generalist or general practitioner with minimal experience in using ultrasound in practice.
A major feature of this workshop is the 'hands-on' practice using live patient models, guided by highly experienced clinical application specialists, sonographers, and clinicians. This course has been designed to cover more common situations that may arise in the Emergency Department, in practice, or basic anaesthetics. Content may vary course to course dependent on the particular skills of the clinical facilitator. Date: Saturday 31 August 2019 Time: TBC Venue: Novotel Langley Perth, 221 Adelaide Terrace, Perth WA 6000 Cost: $795 (ACRRM members), $1,015 (non members) Register: To register, please click here
The Australian College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP) is holding its National Conference in Melbourne from 2 to 5 September, 2019.
The ACNP Conference is a fantastic opportunity to bring together Nurse Practitioners, Advanced Practice Nurses and Health Professionals. As the flagship event for the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners, the theme 'Transforming Health Care' recognises the dimensions of practice and contribution made by Nurse Practitioners and Advanced Practice Nurses across Australia.
Date: Monday 16 September to Thursday 19 September 2019 Time: 7.00am - 5.00pm daily (click here for the program) Venue: Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, 21 Mounts Bay Rd, Perth WA 6000 Cost: Click here for information on delegate costs Register: To register, please click here
The 2019 AAPM National Conference will once again be filled with a range of dynamic and inspirational speakers, workshops and its social events, as well as a celebration of AAPM’s 40th Anniversary! Join AAPM for another exciting conference and celebrate as they acknowledge 40 years of the Australian Association of Practice Management.
Date: Tuesday 1 October to Friday 4 October 2019 Time: Please click here for the conference program Venue: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Merivale St and Glenelg St, South Brisbane Cost: Please see registrations page for delegate costs - early bird registrations available Register: To register, please click here
Rural Medicine Australia (RMA) is the peak national event for rural and remote doctors of Australia. Hosted by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA), RMA attracts a diverse and collaborative community of junior doctors, students, educators, academics, and medical practitioners who are passionate about generalist medicine in rural and remote communities. Date: Wednesday 23 October to Saturday 26 October 2019 Time: Please click here for the conference program Venue: The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach QLD 4218 Cost: Please click here for delegate costs (early bird registrations available until 31 May) Register: To register, please click here
GP19: Your patients Your community Your solutions will see a transition into a full clinical update conference. With an exciting new format delivering dynamic education with a focus on topics that affect GPs in their clinical settings. You will also experience an extensive array of hands-on, interactive and highly engaging sessions with take away skills to implement in your everyday practice. Date: Thursday 24 October to Saturday 26 October 2019 Time: Please click here for the conference program Venue: Adelaide Convention Centre, North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000 Cost: Click here for information on delegate costs - early bird registrations available until 1 August Register: Registrations open shortly
The Department of Health produces a Health Calendar of Events, which can be accessed here.
June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, a Bowel Cancer Australia initiative to raise awareness of Australia's second deadliest cancer and raise funds for the leading community-funded charity dedicated to prevention, early diagnosis, research, quality treatment and the best care for everyone affected by bowel cancer. Bowel cancer claims the lives of 103 Australians every week (5,375 people a year) - but it's one of the most treatable types of cancer if found early. While the risk of bowel cancer increases significantly with age, the disease doesn't discriminate, affecting men and women, young and old. 1 in 13 Australians will be diagnosed with bowel cancer in their lifetime. 15,604 Australians will be diagnosed with the disease this year. Support Bowel Cancer Awareness Month by registering an event, and for more information, please visit the campaign website.
A highlight of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is Red Apple Day (Wednesday, 19 June 2019), when Australians are encouraged to support the vital work of Bowel Cancer Australia through the purchase of a Bowel Cancer Awareness Ribbon and apple themed fundraising activities. Bowel Cancer Australia's apple logo is symbolic of the charity's bowel cancer message: bowel cancer is treatable and beatable if detected early. The outline of Bowel Cancer Australia's apple logo appears as an abstract of a human bowel. The small hole in the apple is caused by a worm. If detected early and removed, the worm is unable to continue affecting the apple or the health of the tree. It's the same with people. If bowel cancer is detected early it can be successfully treated, which means patients and their families can continue to enjoy a healthy life. Both red and green apples are also a nutritious source of dietary fibre. Red Apple Pins and Bowel Cancer Awareness Ribbons (as well as other merchandise) can be purchased from the Bowel Cancer Australia online store. For details on hosting a Red Apple Day fundraising event visit the Planning Your Fundraiser webpage.