Are you confident in providing end of life care for older Australians?

In Sunshine Coast by PHN Communications

How do you know if your older patient is nearing death? How can you better manage their symptoms and help them die well? End of Life Directions for Aged Care (ELDAC) is a free, government-funded resource designed to connect you with evidence-based tools and resources in palliative care and advance …

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New sessions to support families affected by alcohol and drugs

In Sunshine Coast by PHN Communications

Gympie families can access new support sessions to help them through the issues caused by the problematic misuse of alcohol and drugs, such as methamphetamine. Over the past 20 years Family Drug Support (FDS) has provided support to thousands family members across Australia. When someone in the family has problematic …

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Grants to aid further study in Parkinson’s care

In Wide Bay by PHN Communications

The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) is now offering a Postgraduate Unit of Study Parkinson’s Care. This is a national initiative that highlights the importance of the role of Parkinson’s Nurse Specialists across communities, especially in regional areas where access to  neurology services is limited. Parkinson’s Queensland Inc (PQI), has …

Public Health Advisory to GPs in Wide Bay Food recall – potential Listeria contamination

In Central Queensland, Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay by PHN Communications

There is a current trade recall of frozen vegetables due to concerns about possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.  The recall is a precautionary measure following an investigation in Europe of an outbreak of a specific strain of L. monocytogenes with 47 cases across 5 EU countries.  The outbreak, dating back …

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Public health alert – Measles in Sunshine Coast area

In Sunshine Coast by PHN Communications

Sunshine Coast Public Health Unit has been notified of a confirmed case of measles in a Sunshine Coast resident. The infection was acquired overseas. There is a low risk of further cases of measles. When a patient with measles attends a medical facility, other patients, visitors and staff are at …

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Smoking cessation on the road to saving 10000 lives

In Sunshine Coast by PHN Communications

Research shows the most effective way to quit smoking is to use nicotine replacement therapy or quit smoking medication in combination with support from a GP or health professional. Quitline is offering smokers in Central Queensland a tailored, quit smoking program with 12 weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy mailed …

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Taking a look at maternal care in the context of rural health

In Central Queensland by PHN Communications

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 …

A new MBS rebate structure is coming with the financial year

In Central Queensland, Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay by PHN Communications

The Australian Government is introducing new Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item fee arrangements for non-vocationally recognised general practitioners (non-VR GPs). The new arrangements will affect claims for services provided by these doctors from 1 July 2018. The changes will ensure that MBS fees payable reflect recognised levels of expertise, reward …

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New hepatitis C treatments achieving incredible results

In Sunshine Coast by PHN Communications

When the new treatments for chronic hepatitis C were released in 2016 they were touted as a game-changer. Many of us watched with cautious optimism. Would the Department of Health’s expensive gamble to eradicate hepatitis C pay off? The fact is, the new Direct Acting Antivirals (DAAs) are achieving incredible …

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Have the CHAT with your patients

In Central Queensland, Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay by PHN Communications

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) exacerbations are the second leading cause of preventable hospitalisations in Australia. Research shows that your patients with COPD are more likely to have an exacerbation (flare-up of symptoms) during the winter months. ‘Have the CHAT’ is Lung Foundation Australia’s COPD exacerbation campaign for primary care …