The AMA Queensland Regional Private Practice Seminar Series Two: Workplace policies and risk management will be hosted, on 5 & 6 December, in Bundaberg and Rockhampton this week. Join Michelle Cowan, Senior Industrial Officer, AMA Queensland and Paul Copeland, Director, William Buck to examine the set-up of a policy framework …
Natural disaster recovery resources for families with infants and young children
It’s Queensland, where summer doesn’t always mean ‘beautiful one day, perfect the next’. For many Queensland families, this summer is likely to bring continued drought and bush fire risk. Other families may endure storms, cyclones or flooding. While extreme weather events can be stressful for adults, children aged 0 to …
My Health Record legislation amendments pass Senate
Last week the Federal Minister for Health announced an extension to the My Health Record opt out period until 31 January 2019. The opt out portal and help line will remain open and available until then, however people can still opt-out or opt-in at any time in their lives. Further …
Looking back on maternal shared care in Rockhampton
Dr Helen Wiltshire, Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast PHN’s GPLO for Maternity Care The inaugural GP Antenatal Shared Care workshop was held in Rockhampton on Saturday 20, October 2018. The update was presented by CCQ and the Rockhampton Hospital. It provided an update for GPs who wish to undertake …
Reflections of a QDHP phone counsellor
Dr Michael Kennedy reflects on his experience as a phone counsellor for the Queensland Doctor’s Health Programme, and encourages others to consider joining the team. Years ago an opportunity arose. It was akin to a tap on the shoulder. I began this job of taking the calls for DHAS(Q), now …
Quick guide to cervical screening
According to Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation (ACCF), almost 45% of Australian women aren’t up to date with their cervical screening. From 12-18 November 2018, ACCF will be running a campaign for National Cervical Cancer Awareness week. This presents a great time to focus on the importance of cervical cancer screening …
New tool improves mental health screening
Federal Government funding has enabled ten general practices across the Central Queensland, Wide Bay and the Sunshine Coast to roll out StepCare, an innovative digital screening and treatment service for common mental health conditions. Federal Member for Fairfax, Mr Ted O’Brien said the service, funded by CCQ would provide new …
Some final points to consider for My Health Record
Benefits for health professionals The My Health Record system presents health professionals with an opportunity to not only improve workflow efficiency but also to improve patient care. Much time is spent chasing up key information such as test results and current medication lists. This presents a significant period where attention …
Graduate certificate in Primary Health Paramedicine
The Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) attends to over 1,000,000 incidents per year. Over 400,000 of these incidents are considered non-life threatening, or subacute. The QAS is designing a training program that will enable many of our experienced paramedics to better manage these subacute patients. The QAS recognises that health professionals …
Updated: Cases of infectious syphilis in Central Highlands
The outbreak of syphilis in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander young people continues in North Queensland. There have also been increased syphilis notifications in men who have sex with men, notably in the Cairns and Hinterland HHS area. Recently there have been several cases of infectious syphilis diagnosed within Rockhampton …
Resources improve palliative services to home-based patients
Most Australian palliative care patients prefer to be cared for at home and the majority want to die at home, though less than 10 per cent achieve that wish, according to a 2017 report by the Australian Productivity Commission. caring@home today released a range of best practice and consistent resources …
Palliative care survey for GPs and practices
The Australian Government has engaged PHNs to improve coordination and integration of palliative care across primary, secondary, tertiary and community health services to support at home palliative care for people who choose it. A key activity of the program is to conduct a service mapping exercise to identify the availability of services within the …
New portal supports end of life care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Palliative Care Australia (PCA) and Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet have launched the new Palliative Care and End-of-Life Resource portal for the workforce who support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The palliative care and end-of-life portal is designed to assist health professionals who provide care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander …
Recommendations for preconception carrier screening
New position statements from the RACGP and RANZCOG recognise the importance of preconception carrier screening. Patients may present to general practice looking for information regarding rare genetic conditions and the role of genetic testing. What is preconception carrier screening? Preconception carrier screening is genetic testing performed ideally prior to pregnancy, …
Q fever vaccination is advised for people at high risk who work with farm animals
General practitioners may be asked to test and vaccinate individuals, or work with an employer (such as a meat processor) to test and vaccinate staff. Q fever is an illness caused by the Coxiella burnetii bacteria. The main carriers are farm animals such as cattle, sheep and goats. Other animals …
Stop the rise of STIs
A new sexual health campaign is rolling out across Queensland to challenge the high and rising rates of STIs. Consumer research found that young people aged 15 to 29 have the highest rates of STIs. This also corresponded with significant knowledge gaps when it comes to sexual health. The research …
New clinical guidelines for osteoarthritis
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has updated its Guidelines for the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis. The latest recommendations indicate that people with osteoarthritis should adopt a combination of lifestyle changes and regular exercise. The guidelines also indicate that cognitive behavioural therapy may be appropriate to …
Rhuematic Heart Disease becomes notifiable in Queensland
Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) has been added to the list of notifiable conditions in Queensland. The Public Health Regulation 2018 came into effect from 1 September 2018 and will list RHD as a clinical diagnosis notifiable condition. What is Rheumatic Heart Disease? Rheumatic heart disease is a chronic condition caused …
New tool points the way to better mental health
Black Dog Institute has released a new version of a free online self-help program for people with mild to moderate depression, anxiety and stress. myCompass offers individuals fourteen interactive learning Activities and a lifestyle Tracking feature. This helps users better understand themselves and learn strategies to improve their mental health. …
A My Health Record can help you avoid stroke damage or even death
Having a My Health Record could potentially save a stroke victim’s life or prevent serious brain damage as early action based on correct health information is critical after a person has had a stroke. Australians are being encouraged to get a My Health Record during National Stroke Week this week …