The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee recommended that visitors and staff (including visiting workers) who have not been vaccinated against influenza should not be permitted to enter residential aged care facilities (RACFs) after 1 May 2020. To assist in completing RACF influenza immunisations as soon as possible, Queensland Health has …
Temporary changes to locum tenens
In order to provide greater flexibility to health professionals responding to the COVID-19 situation, the Department of Health will extend the locum tenens period from two weeks to twelve weeks. This extension is a temporary change to support the COVID-19 response, reducing the number of Medicare provider number applications and …
‘Let me see my baby’ – how GPs can help those learning to live with loss
The tough topics of miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death and the subsequent grief felt by parents, family and friends were recently explored in an intimate and in-depth conversation on the Sunshine Coast. Let Me See My Baby is a panel-led discussion developed and run around Australia by Amy Banson, who founded …
National Medical Workforce Strategy consultation activities
Webinars On 17 February 2020 we held a webinar hosted by Associate Professor Susan Wearne, Principal Medical Advisor for the NMWS and Professor Jenny May from the National Rural Health Alliance. The response to the webinar was overwhelming with 559 participants watching, and 75 joining the Live Q&A, asking 68 …
Public health alert – COVID-19
Summary Iran, Italy and South Korea have been added to the list of countries for which clinicians should consider testing of people with a clinically compatible illness and history of travel. On 26 February 2020 the Commonwealth updated advice on testing of persons under investigation for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). It …
Novel coronavirus – latest PHN updates
Last updated: 4 February 2020 Novel coronavirus There has been an outbreak of a novel (new) coronavirus (2019-nCoV) originating in Wuhan, China. Queensland Health asks you consider novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection in patients with fever and respiratory symptoms who recently travelled to anywhere in China, and investigate patients using standard …
Novel coronavirus: face masks and additional resources
The Health Minister has indicated that the Department of Health is making the national stockpile of face masks available to general practices as needed. We do not yet have exact details about when they will be available, but we will advise you as soon as delivery dates are confirmed. Priority …
Public health alert – novel coronavirus
Summary Consider novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection in patients with fever and respiratory symptoms who recently travelled to anywhere in China. There is not enough information yet to determine the incubation period, the rate of infection or the source of the virus. For severe respiratory illness, transfer patients to Emergency Departments …
Information for general practitioners – textured breast implants
Queensland Health has started notifying all women identified as having received textured breast implants or tissue expanders associated with increased risk of Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL.) Please note GPs will be contacted if they have patients who are affected. Read the Queensland Health notice here. …
Novel coronavirus information sheet for primary and community health workers
Summary There has been an outbreak of a novel (new) coronavirus (2019-nCoV) originating in Wuhan, China. There is some evidence of human-to-human transmission and some hospital workers have been infected. There is not enough information yet to determine the incubation period, the rate of infection or the source of the …
RACGP publishes new measles fact sheet and checklist
The RACGP Expert Committee – Practice Technology and Management has published a new Measles fact sheet and checklist to support GPs and practice teams in response to an increased number of measles cases presenting at Australian general practices after international outbreaks. Measles is one of the world’s most contagious viral …
Public health alert – pneumonia cluster
Summary There is a cluster of cases of viral pneumonia in Wuhan, China. The cause is being reported as a novel coronavirus. The cluster is centered at the Wuhan South China Seafood City Market (also called the South China Seafood Wholesale Market and the Hua Nan Seafood Market). Travelers to …
Take the National Preventive Health Strategy Survey
In June 2019, the Minister for Health, the Hon Greg Hunt MP announced the development of the National Preventive Health Strategy (the Strategy). The Strategy supports Pillar Three of Australia’s Long Term National Health Plan– prioritising mental health and preventive health. The Strategy aims to help Australians improve their health …
Vaccine management during storm season
by Central Queensland Public Health Unit | Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service It is that time of the year when we expect storms and power outages to occur. We need to be prepared to reduce the impact these weather events have on our vaccines. Please ensure that you …
Panel of Mental Health Clinical Services Providers
The PHN is approaching the market to engage mental health clinical service providers (Service Providers) across Central Queensland, Wide Bay and the Sunshine Coast to form a Panel of Mental Health Clinical Services Providers (the Panel). The PHN is establishing the Panel to help streamline the new commissioning process for …
Queensland PHNs sign historic memorandum
Queensland PHNs sign historic Australian agreement to improve Indigenous health in Queensland. On Wednesday 11 September, the Queensland PHNs joined with the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) to sign an historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Canberra at the National PHN Conference. This MOU signing saw leaders from …
Workshops to support people bereaved by suicide
What Do I Say, What Do I Do? Losing someone to suicide can be overwhelming and often isolating. We know that support from family, friends and the wider community is so important in helping those impacted to stay connected, but often people don’t know what to say or do to …
Government announces long term national health plan
The Hon. Greg Hunt MP, Minister for Health, addressed the National Press Club last week outlining the Commonwealth’s long-term health plan and blueprint for mental health. The Minister notes that for the first time, mental health will be rated equally alongside physical health, and the plan also includes a focus …
TGA recall notice – Endone 5mg blister pack
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued an urgent product defect correction for: ENDONE oxycodone hydrochloride 5mg tablet blister pack Batch Number: CW612 Expiry: Nov 2020 AUST R: 14945 SPONSOR: Aspen Pharma Pty Ltd PHONE: 1300 659 656 – Aspen Medical Information REASON: A single report has been received from …
Updated pneumoccoccal table
The Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service notes recent updates to the Adult Pneumococcal Recommendations in the Australian Immunisation Handbook are slightly different to the information shared in recent issues of CQ & CW Public Health Bulletin, which have now been updated and reissued here.