The Australian College of Nursing’s 2020 ‘Nursing in the Community Week’ shines a light on the importance of #NursesWhereYouNeedThem, and Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast PHN is also celebrating these vital healthcare professionals by profiling some of the nurses within our own organisation. Our PHN recently welcomed Rae Fialla …
Communicating with your patients
Our PHN works closely with Healthily to look at new ways general practice can deliver information to their patients. The fortnightly Take Time Out Interactive Packages general practices across our region have been sent for staff, is a good example of the Healthily/GoShare platform. Find out more here.
#NursesWhereYouNeedThem: Ellen McDermott
The week of 14-20 September is the Australian College of Nursing’s ‘Nursing in the Community Week’, with the theme this year #NursesWhereYouNeedThem. The PHN’s Ellen McDermott has many stories to share from her 37 years as a nurse. “Over these years I have worked in aged care, private hospitals, public …
Use of My Health Record climbs
Uptake and use of My Health Record has continued to climb in recent months. There are now more than 22.81 million records, with over 86% of those containing data. The Australian Digital Health Agency’s Statistics and Insights document from July 2020 shows the number of records with data increased by …
Mumps outbreak in the Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast areas
Several confirmed cases and a small number of likely but unconfirmed cases of mumps have been identified in students in the boarding school at St Brendan’s college. The purpose of this communique is to provide you with some information about the steps being taken to minimise further spread in the …
What are participants saying about My Health for Life?
Since the beginning of my ‘My Health for Life’ Journey, I have felt significant benefits, namely that of my increased self-confidence. I am now more attuned to my body, noting a heightened sense of awareness, enabling me to make the relevant changes to my life long habits. I was well …
EOI extended to new areas for mental health screening and treatment pilot
Following a significant amount of interest from practices in Central Queensland and Wide Bay an EOI for a mental health trial in general practice has been extended. The PHN is working in partnership with the Black Dog Institute to offer 10 practices in the Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay and Central …
Support available for GPs to manage sexual health
Following the reported case of multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea in Queensland last month, all GPs are being urged to contact their local Sexual Health Service if they suspect a patient may present with vaginal or urethral discharge. Drug-resistant gonorrhoea exists in many countries, including Australia. However, these latest cases and a …
Project ECHO® the integrated care enabler for Queensland
Article submitted by Dr Dana Newcomb, Medical Director – Integrated Care at Children’s Health Queensland Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service (CHQ) has cemented itself as a leader in health service innovation by establishing a Project ECHO® Hub site at the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital in Brisbane. Through the …
The HPV vaccine updated on the National Immunisation Program
In a letter to GPs, the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy has said that the National Immunisation Program for HPV vaccination will now be a two dose schedule of the 9-valent HPV vaccine Gardisil®9. The new vaccine is now replacing the 4-valent Gardisil vaccine and can be ordered through …
Funded influenza vaccine for children aged 6 months to less than 5 years
According to Queensland Health, influenza causes the majority of hospital admissions in children under five years of age. From April 2018, the Queensland government is providing free influenza vaccine for children aged between 6 months to less than 5 years of age to ensure all children in this age group …
Upgrade your skills with the heart foundation ambassador bursary
The Heart Foundation’s Health Professional Ambassador Program (HPAP) is open to health professionals who wish to update their knowledge, skills and develop the confidence to improve cardiovascular health outcomes in their workplace. Applicants must be a registered Practice Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker or Health …
Taking a look at maternal care in the context of rural health
Emerald GPs, Rural Generalists, GP Obstetricians, Midwives, Child health nurses, Allied Health professionals and others met on Saturday 16 June for a Maternity Shared Care update facilitated by Dr Wendy Burton, GP and Maternity Shared Care Educator, and Dr Ewen McPhee, Rural GP Obstetrician. Many of these professionals had met …
Dementia Australia expands services
Dementia Australia’s services are available for individuals, couples, families, groups, and anyone impacted by any form of dementia. Services are available to all Australians, regardless of where they live, and can be accessed in a variety of ways including face-to-face, telephone or online. For the most appropriate service for specific …
Cervical screening not recommended for women under 25
According to the Department of Health, under the renewed program, cervical screening is not recommended for women under 25 years. However, pathology laboratories are reporting that a significant number of samples are being submitted from women under 25 years of age. Health providers are being advised that Medicare does not …
Medicare does not fund routine HPV cervical screening tests in women under 25
Routine cervical screening is not recommended in the renewed program for women under 25 years. Some women under 25 will present with an expectation for routine screening, having had previous Pap tests. It is important that these women are aware that Medicare does not fund routine HPV cervical screening tests …
StepCare service extended for another year – get involved.
The PHN is extending the StepCare service for an additional year and is welcoming practices from anywhere across the region – Central Queensland, Wide Bay or the Sunshine Coast to register their interest. StepCare has already proven to be a great quality improvement initiative, helping patients to access the right …
Queensland offers free flu vaccine to children aged 6 months to less than 5 years
After 2017 being the worst flu season in recent years, the Queensland Department of Health is implementing the Childhood Influenza Program this year. Expected to commence in mid-April 2018, the program will provide free influenza vaccines to all Queensland children aged between six months and less than five years through …
Information for GPs administering flu vaccines to RACF residents and staff
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 …