New resources available from ECCQ. The Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) is continuing its work within the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations in Queensland and the Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health Program is pleased to advise the availability of new resources for patients. The B Healthy booklet is …
Product defect correction: Mylanta Antacid Double Strength 500mL
1 April 2019 Consumers and health professionals are advised that Johnson & Johnson Pacific, in consultation with the TGA, has issued a product defect correction for Mylanta Antacid Double Strength Oral Liquid 500mL. Mylanta Antacid Double Strength Oral Liquid 500mL is an over-the-counter medicine used for relief from indigestion, heartburn, …
Changes to kids’ asthma management highlighted in Handbook update
The National Asthma Council Australia has released a major update of its online Australian Asthma Handbook, the national guidelines for diagnosis and management of asthma in primary care. Guidelines Committee Chair and general practitioner Professor Amanda Barnard says Handbook version 2.0, which was developed by an interdisciplinary team of clinical …
Important changes to the Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme
The Queensland Government has made important changes to the Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme which came into effect on 1 March 2019. These changes affect medical providers who provide examinations or health assessments for Queensland’s coal mine workers. From 1 March 2019, only providers who have been approved by the …
People living with epilepsy may be eligible for the NDIS
A person may be eligible for support under the NDIS depending on the functional impact that the epilepsy has on their life – in the areas of mobility, communication, social interaction, learning, employment, self-care or self-management. Accessing support If a person was previously receiving state-based funding, they may have a …
How GPs can help combat Australia’s second biggest cancer killer
Cancer Council is asking GPs to support a new national campaign, following research that shows they are a key source of information for patients eligible for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. The campaign, funded by a $10 million Australian Government grant, will be the biggest campaign run in Australia …
Publication documents latest indicators of health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
The most recent indicators of the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are documented in the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet’s latest publication, Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status 2018. The annual Overview contains updated information across many health conditions. It shows that despite some improvements, there …
Unexplained breathlessness might be Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a rare condition with high rates of morbidity and mortality, characterised by elevated pulmonary arterial pressure, increased pulmonary vascular resistance, and a normal pulmonary wedge pressure (1). A concerning area of unmet medical need in PAH is the delayed time to a confirmed diagnosis, with …
9 out of 10 Australians will now have a My Health Record
The Australian Digital Health Agency has announced that nine out of 10 Australians now have a My Health Record following the creation of records after the opt-out period ended. What does this mean for GPs? As part of a consult, GPs can activate a patient’s My Health Record through the …
Volunteer StrokeSafe speakers share their journeys with community groups
In Australia, a stroke occurs every nine minutes – but what most people don’t know is that more than 80% of strokes can be prevented. The Stroke Foundation has passionate volunteer StrokeSafe speakers available to present to community groups. Many have personal experience with stroke and are willing to share …
Asthma experts call for new way forward to improve asthma outcomes in Australia
Australia’s leading asthma experts have called for a rethink of current asthma management practices in a new discussion paper released by the National Asthma Council Australia. The paper ‘Current practice and new approaches in asthma: perspectives of asthma practitioners and patients’ is a collective response from top asthma health professionals, researchers and …
Increased risk for asthma flare-ups in children during back to school
For the one in nine Australian children living with asthma, going back to school can increase the likelihood of an asthma attack. Studies in Australia and the UK have shown asthma hospitalisations surge during the first month of the school year, with cases in Australia rising as much as threefold …
GPs and health providers invited to participate in SISTAQUIT trial
The SISTAQUIT™ trial aims to improve health providers’ skills when offering smoking cessation care to pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Pregnancy is an important window of opportunity for GPs and health providers to help smokers quit. This intervention provides webinar-based training in evidence based and culturally competent smoking …
Non-VR Fellowship Support Program
The Non-Vocationally Registered Fellowship Support Program is a financial contribution of up to $15,000 which will be applied to ACRRM’s Independent Pathway as part of the Commonwealth’s Stronger Rural Health Strategy. The Independent Pathway is an established Australian Medical Council accredited education and training program which offers flexibility and recognition …
Teddy bears take the sting out of immunisation
Staff at the Central Queensland Family Practice in Mount Morgan have created an inspirational Share and Care Bear Project to take the ‘sting’ out of immunisations or other unavoidable painful experiences for children and their parents.
Fellowship applications now open
Applications are now open for the Australian Mental Health Leaders Fellowship, a prestigious program for emerging leaders who have a passion and commitment to improving outcomes for people with lived experience of mental health issues.
New forms to make it easier to apply for Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme
The new Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme forms will make it easier for patients and clinicians by reducing the duplication of information required for each application.
2019 AAPM webinar series
The Australian Association of Practice Management webinar series offers 20 one-hour online seminars which cover a variety of topics to assist you and your team in the day-to-day practice activities.
New General Practice Insights Report reveals most frequent reasons why patients visit GP
A new report shows the three most frequent reasons why patients go to a doctor are to obtain a prescription, for review of their conditions, and for upper respiratory tract infections.
New resource explains latest treatment options for patients with severe asthma
The National Asthma Council Australia has released a new evidence-based resource for primary care health professionals to help explain the latest treatment options for patients with severe asthma. The Monoclonal antibody therapy for severe asthma information paper was developed based on the latest available evidence and implications for practice in primary care. …