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 …
Nurse Navigator – assistance for GPs
The nurse navigator and the co-ordination of care – how it works The Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service model of care depicts the general practitioner as the central case manager. The nurse navigator’s role is to assist with the provision of services for patients who have complex health …
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 …
New Diabetes Directory for the Sunshine Coast and Gympie
Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS) has worked with the local Diabetes Prevention Partnership (DiPP) to create a Diabetes Directory, linking residents with diabetes to local services and support networks. Robyn Tindal, co-author and diabetes consumer said: “The directory is designed to take the hard work out of finding …
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 …
HITH – referrals welcome
Have you considered which of your patients might be suitable for Hospital in the Home (HITH) services? HITH provides eligible patients acute hospital level care in their homes (including nursing homes), and importantly, enables patients to bypass admission to the emergency department. Patients with the following conditions are particularly suited …
Strengthening health outcomes for children in out-of-home care
Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast PHN is working with GPs, child safety officers, foster and kinship care services, health & wellbeing services, carers and parents in Maryborough and Hervey Bay to improve the health outcomes of children in out-of-home care. Funded by the Department of Child Safety, Youth and …
Gympie Health Hub grand opening
Gympie residents can now access a range of vital health and community support services all under the one roof, with the official opening of the new Gympie Health Hub. Located behind headspace Gympie at 4 Horseshoe Bend in the refurbished Baptist Church, the Gympie Health Hub has been made possible …