Practice Connect Newsletter

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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WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) has a range of publications for different audiences providing up to date information.

Practice Connect – for practice managers, principals, nurses and administration
GP Connect – keeping GPs informed in the changing primary health landscape
Aged Care Connect – up to date across WAPHAs Aged Care Program initiatives and latest aged care news.
Primary Health Connect – information on all things primary health care in Western Australia.
Tender Notifications – receive notifications of upcoming tender opportunities.

14 May 2026 -

Edition 245

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Formal guidance for clinicians on the use of artificial intelligence tools
MBS health assessments
MyMedicare Minute from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Rapid Antigen Test kits for general practice staff
EOI for HESA accredited Immunisation Course – ‘Understanding Vaccines and the National Immunisation Program’
‘Vaccination is the best preparation’ – national immunisation campaign launch
WA Health diphtheria outbreak response
Watch now – RSV vaccines and prevention programs: evidence, safety and impact
Turning PIP QI data into action – Influenza vaccination in diabetes
New video and template for the National Lung Cancer screening program
Promote lung cancer screening in your practice and win!
National Palliative Care Week is 10 to 16 May 2026
Education and events

30 April 2026 -

Edition 244

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World Immunisation Week
FluMist vaccine free for children
Improving influenza immunisation rates in WA children for winter 2026
Infectious diseases health alert: Diphtheria outbreak in regional WA
RSV vaccine now funded for older adults
‘Stick it to the Flu’ resources now available
Childhood influenza vaccination barriers in Australia, 2025 national survey
Immunisation Coalition – 2026 RSV and influenza clinical newsletters
Promote lung cancer screening in your practice and win!
MyMedicare Minute from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Heart Week 4-10 May 2026: Never miss a BEAT
Education and events

17 April 2026 -

Edition 243

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MyMedicare patient registration
Second Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program payments may include reassessments
Medicare Mental Health HealthLink GP SmartForm now available
MyMedicare Minute from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Primary Sense in Practice: QI Bites and Clinical Insights Video Series
Choosing software for a new practice or considering changing software?
Primary care funding reform will help with complex chronic disease
Nurse Re-entry Program – Strengthen your practice team for 2026
Rural Generalist Anaesthesia training
FluMist – what you need to know
Staying healthy this winter
Webinar: RSV vaccines and prevention programs – evidence, safety and
Education and events

02 April 2026 -

Edition 242

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MyMedicare Minute from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Hepatitis B resources to support people from multicultural communities
Free clinical support for hepatitis available via HepLink
Medicare Mental Health SmartForm now available in HealthLink
New campaign and staff education to increase syphilis awareness
Disaster recovery and general practice
2026 GP Influenza Grant Program (WA): Up to $2,000 to support your clinic’s flu vaccination efforts
Checking expiry dates on swabs and LBC medium for cervical screening
New SKAI resource: Supporting your conversations with parents about HPV vaccination to improve adolescent uptake
NCIRS influenza webinar videos now available
Education and events

20 March 2026 -

Edition 241

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New GP-NRA MBS items must be bulk billed from 1 March 2026
MyMedicare Minute from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Supporting culturally responsive care in general practice
eNRMC medication management systems update for general practices servicing aged care homes
WA Government launches Access Health WA campaign and website
Empowering communities with increased confidence and knowledge around end-of-life planning
National Advance Care Planning (ACP) Week 16-22 March 2026
Quality improvement activity – Enhancing cultural safety in advance care planning (ACP)
EOI for HESA accredited Immunisation Course – ’Understanding Vaccines and the National Immunisation Program’
Infanrix Hexa expiry dates
Ask a Respiratory Physician about the NLCSP
Winter is coming! Protecting your patients through immunisation
WA Health Influenza Update: Revised date
Education and events

05 March 2026 -

Edition 240

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MyMedicare quick reference guide
MyMedicare Minute from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Australian Warning System: What general practices need to know this cyclone season
Coordinated action needed to achieve Closing the Gap targets in WA
Care finders improving access to aged care
Nurse Re-entry Program – Looking to add a practice nurse to your team?
Online Orientation Sessions for new GPs in rural WA
Making Healthcare Accessible for Multicultural Communities
Supporting Refugee Health in General Practice
Free multilingual telephone hotline for people affected by overseas conflicts
Winter Strategy plan for immunisation
Cold Chain Audits for 2026
NEW Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine fridge labels
Declining adolescent immunisation rates
Cervical Screening Test (CST): Understanding Updated Screening Intervals
Ask a Respiratory Physician about the NLCSP
WA Health Influenza Update
Juvenile Arthritis Week (JAW) is 16 to 22 March 2026
Education and events

19 February 2026 -

Edition 239

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BBPIP Payments for Quarter 1 – 1 November 2025 to 31 January 2026
MBS changes for 1 March 2026
Resources and training to support caring for people with Autism
Help DVA clients connect with health care services through the National Health Services Directory
DVA updated fees for compensation claim medical assessments and reports
Final call for entries: $3,500 prize pool up for grabs as Live and Work Rural Competition Closes 1 March 2026
Event Summaries in My Health Record – More Than Meeting ePIP Requirements
Quality improvement webinars
Provider online digital access (PRODA) and Health Professional Online Services (HPOS)
Provider Connect Australia™ is transforming business information management and service provider connectivity
What are Childhood Asthma Action Plans and why are they so important?
Notification of additional measles cases in Metropolitan Perth
Australian Immunisation Handbook Chapters Updated
Tools and tips for tackling vaccine misinformation in your practice
New quality improvement activity: Identify eligible patients for the National Lung Cancer Screening Program
Save the date: World Kidney Day 12 March 2026
Education and events

05 February 2026 -

Edition 238

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New public campaign launched: Bulk Billing for all Australians
Organisational change guidance update
Practice Assist news and updates
Referrals to WACHS Midwest Specialist Outpatient Services transitioning to CRS
Maintain benzathine benzylpenicillin stock in your doctors bag
Royal Perth Bentley Group – new HealthLink address for direct-to-site (non-CRS) referrals
Royal Perth Hospital Breast Clinic referral update
My Health app has now transitioned to 1800MEDICARE app
NASH certificate renewals to maintain access to digital services
My Health Record – Better Faster Access
Healthcare Providers – Accessing My Health Record via the National Provider Portal
Starting School – Immunisations
Measles advice from the Chief Medical Officer
WA Immunisation Schedule and WA Aboriginal Immunisation Schedule updated
2026 Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Immunisation Program information session
Invitation to participate: Immunisation resource survey
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Education and events

28 January 2026 -

Edition 237

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MyMedicare maintenance for the New Year
Tips on managing the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive
1800 Medicare health information and advice
Medicare Mental Health – 1800 595 212
Practice Assist news and updates
Don’t miss out on funding opportunities for your practice!
Preparing for the wet season and flooding
Immediate (urgent) referrals to Sir Charles Gairdner and Osborne Park Hospitals (SCGOPHCG)
IBD in practice: A survey on knowledge and management in primary care
Cold chain breaches
Counterfeit rabies vaccine in India
Increased influenza activity and guidance for the holiday season
National Cancer Screening Register integration
Education & Events

08 January 2026 -

Edition 236

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- Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program
- Practice Assist news and updates
- Practice Assist Digital Health Tool Kit and webpage updated
- Advance Care Planning (ACP) Tool Kit now on Practice Assist
- Start the new year safe and aware
- New trauma-informed care resource for general practice teams
- Decommission of the NPS MedicineWise and Doctor’s Bag mobile applications
- Maintain benzathine benzylpenicillin stock in your Doctors Bag
- More measles cases detected
- New ATAGI statement on the importance and safety of Hepatitis B vaccine at birth
- Immunisation requirements for childcare services, kindergarten and schools
- The AIR “Planned catch-up for overdue vaccines” tick box
- ABRYSVO – Shelf life extension
- Immunisation Coalition webinars
- National lung screening campaign
- Bowel cancer screening education
- WACCPP – Out and about in WA
- Help improve team-based primary health care
- Registered Nurse Prescribing Endorsement – Consultation Opportunity
- Education & Events