Healthy North Coast Practitioner Newsletter by Healthy North Coast

March 2015| Edition 9

Healthy North Coast practitioner newsletter

North Coast Medicare Localâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier communication for General Practice, Aboriginal Medical Services, Aged Care, Pharmacy and Allied Health

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GP Focus

AMS Focus

AgedCare Focus

Pharmacy Focus

AlliedHealth Focus

inside 3. GP Focus 9. AMS Focus 10. Aged Care Focus 11. Pharmacy Focus 13. Allied Health Focus 14. News 16. Events 18. Classifieds

Would you like a hard copy of this newsletter? If so, please email your name and postal address to healthynorthcoast@gmail.com and write “Copy of Healthy North Coast Practitioner Newsletter” in the subject line.

GPFocus

PAL UPDATE Medicare - bulk bill incentives A range of Medicare bulk bill incentive items are available where: • •

• •

the service or services provided are an unreferred service the service or services are for a person who is under the age of 16 years or is a Commonwealth concession card holder the patient is not an admitted patient in a hospital, and both the service and associated additional item are bulk billed

For patients 16 years or older, health professionals must check the concessional entitlement of their patients before claiming the Medicare bulk bill incentive items. This can be done by sighting the patient’s concession card, confirming the patient is the person named on the card, and checking that the card has not expired. For a reference guide on claiming bulk bill incentives, go to http://ow.ly/JCjiY.

Medicare – electronic claiming choices The claiming channel you choose can make a big difference to productivity, cash flow and patient service. The benefits to using electronic claiming include: • • • • • 3

•

less paperwork faster payment streamlined billing processes increased cash flow automatic eligibility to the 90-day pay doctor cheque scheme greater patient satisfaction

Medicare offers a variety of ways to claim. Here’s how different channels compare: Medicare Online supports bulk bill and patient claiming, as well as Department of Veterans’ Affairs claims and the transfer of Australian Childhood Immunisation Register data. Many of your patients will usually receive their benefit the next working day. Medicare Easyclaim is used for Medicare bulk billing and patient claiming. It can be a standalone process via an EFTPOS device, or an integrated feature of some practice management software products. Medicare Easyclaim is simple to adopt, requires minimal training and is easy to use. You can use it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your patients will receive their benefit almost immediately after swiping their EFTPOS card.

To register for electronic claiming, or for more information about the best claiming options for your practice, contact the Medicare eBusiness Service Centre by phoning 1800 700 199 or emailing ebusiness@humanservices.gov.au.

Free professional development through TAFE NOW In partnership with the North Coast Allied Health Association, NCML is pleased to offer local health professionals free access to online professional development through the TAFE NOW website. There are a range of short courses available, which take about an hour to complete and are worth one CPD point per hour. There are over 130 topics available for health administration and health professionals, such as:

Electronic Claim Lodgement and Information Processing Service Environment (ECLIPSE) is an extension of Medicare Online claiming. ECLIPSE provides a secure connection between health professionals, public and private hospitals, private health insurers, billing agents, Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Medicare. Features include:

•

Find out how to access the TAFE Now website and start completing online CPD courses by visiting:

• • • •

one process for all private health insurers an easier way to obtain informed financial consent from patients paperless business transactions quicker processing times better data quality, leading to fewer errors and speedier resolution

• • • • • •

Management of Chronic Pulmonary Disease Mental Health Triage Pain Management in Palliative Care Work Health and Safety for Health Professionals Understanding Cultural Competence Defusing and De-escalating Aggression Team building

http://healthynorthcoast.org.au/cpd/ You can also exchange ideas with other health professionals by joining the North Coast Learning and Development Network. Visit www.healthynorthcoast.org.au.

GPFocus PAL UPDATE Have you created your Unique Student Identifier?

Adolescent Health GP Resource Kit – revised and updated

From January 1 2015, individuals – including health professionals and practice staff – undertaking nationally recognised training need to have a 10 digit Unique Student Identifier (USI). The USI is a Department of Education and Training initiative, and creates a secure online record of your nationally recognised training that is accessible anytime and anywhere, and is yours for life. Training organisations will only issue a training certificate or qualification to students and clients who have provided their USI.

The Adolescent Health GP Resource Kit guides GPs in providing quality health care for young people and was recently revised. The Adolescent Health Check Template, which supports psychosocial assessment of young people, now features:

To create a USI, go to: http://ow.ly/JCkG5

Medical and Forensic Management of Adult Sexual Assault: online education for doctors and nurses This is a basic education series intended for clinicians who may be called upon to provide forensic and medical services to adult victims of sexual assault. It is particularly suited to rural doctors who may not have the opportunity to attend a face to face course. The course material is aimed at the basic or beginner level practitioner. The course will run over four consecutive Wednesday nights.

• • •

a summary of the latest version of the HEEADSSS psychosocial screening assessment an improved risk assessment format an improved assessment of the young person’s care network

Visit http://ow.ly/JCjMF for more information. The Collaborative Care and Medicare chapter now contains revised and updated information on how to use the Medicare system in providing health care for young people and includes relevant item numbers. Visit http://ow.ly/JCjOD to learn more. The full guide is available on the NSW Kids and Families website: http://ow.ly/JCkwl

Keep Them Safe Mandatory Reporter Guide

Wed 11th March 6pm - 7.30pm Wed 18th March 6pm - 7.30pm Wed 25th March 6pm - 7.30pm Wed 1st April 6pm - 7.30pm

The 6th edition has been published with enhancements. This online guide assists with decision-making about whether or not a report to the Child Protection Helpline is appropriate under the new risk of significant harm reporting threshold.

If you are interested, register here: http://ow.ly/JEU3W

Find the guide at http://ow.ly/JF94A.

NCML PROGRAM UPDATE Colocation and Practice Nurse Home Visit Trial Information Sharing Session On 18 February 2015, an information sharing session was held in Lismore so that participating practices in the Practice Nurse Home Visit Trial and the Colocation Pilot Project could share their experience with Steering Committee members, Local Health District colleagues and NCML Executive and Board. Representatives from six participating practices throughout Northern NSW attended the session – McKid Medical Centre (Kyogle), Dr West (Casino), Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service (Ballina), Mullumbimby Medical Centre, Nimbin Medical Centre and Goonellabah Medical Centre. The two colocating Northern NSW Local Health District practitioners, Graeme Turner, Renal Nurse Practitioner and Anne-Maree Cheffins, Chronic Disease and Rural Emergency Nurse Practitioner, also attended. The experiences they shared demonstrated the unique way in which each practice implemented the pilot. Participants described the effort that had gone into overcoming obstacles and finding ways to make things work, and the discussion showed real 4

persistence and ability when it came to implementing change. Practices and practitioners alike spoke with enthusiasm about the benefits for patients when the practitioners and the practices provided services together from the same location. Many present on the night said they found real value in hearing first hand from the project implementers.

GPFocus IMMUNE RESPONSE Change in NCML Immunisation Officer position In late January, NCML Immunisation Project Officer Rachelle Deaker moved to the Public Health Unit and Sally Moore commenced in the role as the Senior Project Officer - Immunisation. The role is now the sole immunisation position for the NCML footprint, and with the change in the position come some changes to the role. Sally will take a more strategic approach, supporting the Provider Assistance Liaison team and practices through capacity development and sharing of information, as well as continued close collaboration with the Public Health Unit. Sally works three days a week (usually Monday to Wednesday) and is based in Lismore.

NEW - ACIR Overdue Children reports for practices (ACIR010A) The ACIR010A report will replace the ACIR 20A report, provided as part of GPII program which ceased in 2013. This report will provide information to general practitioners on child patients who are considered not fully immunised according to the ACIR due and overdue rules. The report will: • • •

be available electronically to all GPs in a Practice Incentives Program practice use MBS items to link a child to a practice for practice based reporting be available on the ACIR Secure Site - generated either once, monthly or on a quarterly basis, as per the GP’s request.

The fact sheet can now be accessed via the Immunise Australia website at: http://ow.ly/JClRX

Vaxigrants Vaxigrants are available again. The competition offers four $25,000 immunisation awards to a healthcare organisation that can make their “immunisation idea come to life”. For more information on how to apply, visit www.vaxigrants.com.au. Entries close 17th April, 2015. Insider Tip: keep applications simple, with one key focus.

Influenza vaccination The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended that trivalent vaccines for use in the 2015 influenza season (southern hemisphere winter) contain the following: • • •

an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus an A/Switzerland/9715293/2013 (H3N2)-like virusa a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus

Visit http://ow.ly/JNI8q for the full report. The 2015 southern hemisphere seasonal influenza vaccine will contain three seasonal influenza strains, with two strain changes from the 2014 vaccine. This double-strain change has caused manufacturing delays and the National Seasonal Influenza Immunisation Program for 2015 will therefore not commence on the usual start date of 15 March. The delay will not affect vaccine supply volumes, and no vaccine shortages are anticipated. It is anticipated that the supplies will be available in April 2015 and orders can still be submitted prior to this. Check NSW Health for further releases: http://ow.ly/JCmfE

NCIRS - Shingles, Herpes zoster fact sheet updated The NCIRS fact sheet Zoster vaccine for Australian adults has now been updated with the latest data from clinical studies of Zostavax and latest herpes zoster disease epidemiology in Australia. It is now available on the NCIRS website at http://ow.ly/JCmkx.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee Outcomes of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee’s (PBAC) meeting in November have been published. The PBAC is an independent expert body appointed by the Australian Government and has the primary role of recommending new medicines for government funding through the PBS (and NIP for vaccines). The PBAC considered two vaccines, both of which received a positive recommendation: Additional booster dose of DTPa (Infanrix®) at 18 months of age The PBAC recommended including an 18-month booster dose of the combined DTPa vaccine on the NIP. Zoster vaccine (Zostavax®) The PBAC recommended the listing of zoster virus vaccine on the NIP for immunocompetent persons aged 70 years, with a catch-up cohort of immunocompetent persons aged 71 to 79 years. Full details of the PBAC meeting outcomes are available at: http://ow.ly/JCmDB The PBAC recommendations still require consideration by the Australian Government before a decision is made on whether these vaccines will be included on the NIP.

GPFocus MENTAL HEALTH When is professional psychological support for children warranted?

Additionally, parents, family members and carers can attend sessions to assist them to better support the child.

The new school year can be a stressful time for many children, impacting on their feelings and behaviours. It is important to distinguish between a typical behaviour change associated with starting school and signs of a more serious issue. Children may express emotional or behavioural difficulties in many different ways including tearfulness, aggression, bed-wetting, and changes in appetite and sleep patterns.

Referrals to Healthy Minds can be made on the downloadable referral form available at http://ow.ly/JCndn and should be supported by a Child Treatment Plan.

Some mental conditions typically found in children are depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorder. Persistent feelings of sadness, experienced by approximately one in ten children between the ages of six and 12, can be an indicator of depression. Parents and GPs should be aware of the symptoms of depression in children as typically children are unable to express these feelings. Key behaviours that may indicate depression include an unexpected decline in school performance, outbursts of shouting or crying, refusal to cooperate and constant complaining of aching arms, legs or stomach with no explainable cause. ADHD, which is usually diagnosed between the ages of eight and 10 and is more common in boys than girls, presents through a variety of symptoms. Children with ADHD typically lack concentration and have difficulty completing classroom tasks, are excessively active and often at inappropriate times, don’t seem to listen and talk incessantly and may have specific learning problems. These symptoms can cause significant distress to the child, parents/carers and teachers. Undiagnosed conditions such as depression or ADHD may eventually lead to conduct disorder, where the child’s behaviour shows a persistent disregard for school rules and societal norms. Behaviours include constant lying, stealing, starting fights and missing school. GPs can refer children exhibiting symptoms of stress or anxiety, or behaviours consistent with common childhood disorders to Healthy Minds. For the child to be eligible for Healthy Minds, the child’s parents or carers must hold a Health Care Card or be in severe financial distress. Referrals are accepted for children up to 12 years of age who have, or are at risk of developing, a mild to moderate childhood behavioural or emotional disorder which causes dysfunction to everyday life. Cognitive and developmental assessment of the child is also available through the Healthy Minds program. 6

Healthy Minds provides the child with six sessions with a mental health professional such as a psychologist, accredited mental health social worker or credentialed mental health nurse. Listings of Healthy Minds practitioners who are qualified to provide services to children are available from NCML. A further six sessions can be provided to the child on completion of a treatment review. It is not only children that can be referred to Healthy Minds; Healthy Minds provides mental health services for people of all ages. For further information about Healthy Minds, including the Child and Family service and the conditions supported by the program, please call Healthy Minds on 1300 137 237.

GPFocus PREVENTATIVE HEALTH Get Healthy effective lifestyle modification program Providing continued support to your patient is as simple as referring them to a free effective lifestyle modification program. A recent systematic review of diabetes prevention programs confirmed that behaviour modification strategies, as used by the coaches at Get Healthy, are essential to an effective lifestyle modification program. This is good news for any health practitioner looking for a complementary program to support the advice they give a patient. The Get Healthy Information and Telephone Coaching service is provided by qualified health care professionals and designed to complement and build on the care you provide. The service offers free telephone based health coaching calls for all NSW residents aged 18 years and older. Each coaching program runs for six months, where patients are assisted with: • • • •

Developing personal goals Creating action plans Maintaining motivation Identifying problem areas and creating solutions for successful lifestyle change

The Get Healthy Information and Coaching Service is easy to refer patients to, using a faxed referral form with signed consent from the patient. Patients will then be contacted directly by the service and screened to ensure they are able to participate. Call Get Healthy on 1300 806 258 or visit http://ow.ly/JCodM to find the referral forms.

Online Course Exercise and physical activity in disease prevention Physical activity has wide-ranging health benefits across the lifespan: it promotes healthy development in children and young people, helps to prevent unhealthy mid-life health issues and is important for healthy ageing. It is estimated that worldwide, a third of the population are exposed to health risks due to inactivity. Physical inactivity is the fourth leading cause of all deaths worldwide - it is a risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) independent of poor diet, smoking and alcohol misuse. The University of Sydney Physical Activity Network (PLANET), the WHO Collaborating Centre for Physical Activity Nutrition and Obesity, in collaboration with the International Society for Physical Activity and Health, are providing an introductory course on the role of physical activity and exercise in chronic disease prevention. The course commences 9 March 2015 and runs for six weeks. Visit http://ow.ly/JCptw for more information.

CLINICAL TIP Wet combing: head lice Half of the people infested with lice do not scratch. All people in contact with an affected person should be manually checked for lice. Nit combs are available from pharmacies and some supermarkets. The teeth of the comb should be just wider than the hair. More than one comb may be necessary, starting with a wide-tooth comb and then moving to smaller and smaller combs. To perform wet combing using the Hill Trial1 method: 1. Wash the hair using an ordinary shampoo 2. Apply ample conditioner to aid straightening and detangling 3. Straighten and detangle the wet hair using a wide-toothed comb 4. Once the comb moves freely through the hair without dragging, switch to a detection comb 5. Make sure the teeth of the comb slot into the hair at the roots, with the deeply bevelled edge lightly touching the scalp, and draw the comb down to the ends of the hair with every stroke 6. Check the comb for lice after each stroke, and remove them by wiping or rinsing the comb 7. Work through the hair section by section 8. Rinse out the conditioner 9. Repeat the combing procedure in the wet hair to check for any lice that might have been missed the first time. Source: The HANDI Project The HANDI project is a commitment by the RACGP National Standing Committee for Quality Care to promote effective non-drug treatments, making them visible and easy to use. HANDI is an online formulary of non-drug interventions in health care, which have solid evidence of their effectiveness. All entries must be must be supported by at least 2 trials or 1 trial and supportive evidence.

GPFocus NEW TO HEALTHPATHWAYS – FEBRUARY 2015 • • • •

Medication Management Reviews Influenza Immunisation Drug & Alcohol Service Child or Young Person Protection Requests

HealthPathway Service of the Month – Drug & Alcohol

Visit the Mid and North Coast HealthPathways website: http://manc.healthpathways.org.au Username: manchealth Password: conn3ct3d

MID NORTH COAST

The Drug & Alcohol Service in the Mid North Coast Local Health District and Northern NSW Local Health District provides a range of services:

Work groups in Mid North Coast are currently localising the following pathways:

•

• • • • • • •

information, advice, assessment, treatment, and referral for patients consultation, information, education, and clinic support for health professionals opioid substitution treatment program, including case management outpatient withdrawal management counselling Telehealth via videoconferencing upon request outreach to smaller centres upon request GP Practice Team Education

Specific services also offered are: Cannabis Clinic, Drugs in Pregnancy, Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) Program and the Quit for New Life Program (this information can be found in the Smoking Cessation HealthPathway).

The clinics are staffed by qualified health professionals and supported by medical staff where required.

• • • • •

Cardiology: Atrial Fibrillation, Heart Failure, Acute Chest Pain Paediatrics: Child with a Limp, Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) Cancer: Prostate Cancer Mental Health: Depression, Mild Anxiety, Moderate Anxiety, Suicide Prevention Musculoskeletal: Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis, Acute Lower Back Pain Antenatal: Heart Conditions in Pregnancy, Skin Conditions in Pregnancy, Miscarriage

NORTHERN NSW Work groups in Northern NSW are currently localising the following pathways: • •

Mental Health: Psychosis, AntiPsychotic Depot Medication Renal: Haematuria

A work group to look at reviewing and pathway development for the Antenatal Routine Shared Care Model in NNSW LHD will be progressed, building on the pathway developed by the Coffs Harbour workgroup. Two work groups, who will work in conjunction, will be formed at Lismore Base Hospital and the Tweed Hospital. Other topics which are prioritised to be progressed are Telehealth, Dementia, Lung Cancer and Stroke. For further information, or to suggest a future pathway topic, please contact: Fiona Ryan (02) 6583 3600 fryan@ncml.org.au (Mid North Coast) Kerrie Keyte (07) 5523 5507 kkeyte@ncml.org.au (Northern NSW) The program is seeking expressions of interest from Senior GPs to become involved. Visit http://ow.ly/JCqab for more information.

Background Artwork by Alison Williams

AMSFocus PAL UPDATE Integrated Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Strategic Plan The Northern NSW Local Health District has developed an Integrated Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Strategic Plan (the Plan) in collaboration with the North Coast Medicare Local, Aboriginal Medical Services, government and non-government organisations. In Northern NSW, Aboriginal people have three times the rate of low birth weight babies, with 14% of all Aboriginal babies being low birth weight, more than twice the rate of premature babies, with 13% of all babies born to Aboriginal women in Northern NSW being premature compared to 6% for non-Aboriginal women. The plan sets out the actions required to close the gap in health outcomes for Aboriginal peoples on the North Coast. The plan was developed in consultation with Aboriginal people and communities. The goal of the plan is to work in partnership with Aboriginal people to achieve the highest level of health possible for individuals, families, and communities. The plan is being released for public consultation through March 2015. For information on how to provide input, please visit: http://nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/about/planning/ (NOTE: this link will not be active until 6 March 2015).

Indigenous Health Education The Department of Human Services supports health professionals providing services to improve health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with: Indigenous health services - eLearning program This program provides an introduction to the range of Medicare services to support Indigenous health. These services are available for health professionals to assist them to better manage and improve the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. Indigenous health services - guides • • • • •

Telehealth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessments and follow-up services Chronic Disease Management services Mental health services Closing The Gap - PBS Copayment Measure

Visit http://ow.ly/JEVWx for more information.

For information on Medicare Bulk Bill Incentives and an overview of Medicare electronic claiming choices, refer to page 3.

For a summary of updates to the Adolescent Health GP Resource Kit, refer to page 4.

For a staff update from the NCML Immunisation project, information about the new ACIR Overdue Children report and 2015 ‘flu vaccines, PBAC recommendations and more, refer to page 5.

AgedCareFocus PAL UPDATE Sector briefings for the 2015 aged care changes

Free professional development through TAFE NOW

Aged care reforms are being progressively implemented in Australia. Commencing 3 March 2015, the Department of Social Security (DSS) will be holding a series of briefings around the country regarding the 1 July 2015 changes. These sessions will be presented by staff from the DSS and the Department of Human Services (DHS).

In partnership with the North Coast Allied Health Association, NCML is pleased to offer local health professionals free access to online professional development through the TAFE NOW website.

The presentations will focus on key change areas such as Home Care Packages (including Consumer Directed Care), the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, and My Aged Care. The briefing is an all-day event (8 hours), but is broken into four separate sessions: • • • •

Session 1: Home Care Packages and Consumer Directed Care Session 2: DHS aged care update Session 3: My Aged Care changes in 2015 Session 4: Commonwealth Home Support Programme

Briefings will be held in Sydney Tuesday 3 March and Wednesday 4 March; Port Macquarie Thursday 5 March; and Brisbane Tuesday 31 March or Wednesday 1 April 2015. While registration will cover the whole day, attendees are welcome to attend all or part/s of the day. Visit http://ow.ly/JEXCE for more details, including further briefing locations.

Have you created your Unique Student Identifier? From January 1 2015, individuals – including health professionals and aged care staff - undertaking nationally recognised training need to have a 10 digit Unique Student Identifier (USI). The USI is a Department of Education and Training initiative, and creates a secure online record of your nationally recognised training that is accessible anytime and anywhere, and is yours for life. Training organisations will only issue a training certificate or qualification to students and clients who have provided their USI. To create a USI, go to: http://ow.ly/JCkG5

There are a range of short courses available, which take about an hour to complete and are worth one CPD point per hour. There are over 130 topics available for health administration and health professionals, such as: • • • • • • •

Aged Care Funding Instrument Assessment of Pain in the Elderly with Dementia Pain Management in Palliative Care Assessment of the Older Person Post Fall Dehydration in the Elderly Defusing and De-escalating Aggression Team building

Find out how to access the TAFE Now website and start completing online CPD courses by visiting: http://healthynorthcoast.org.au/cpd/ You can also exchange ideas and thoughts with other health professionals by joining the North Coast Learning and Development Network. Visit: www.healthynorthcoast.org.au

IMMUNE RESPONSE Seasonal Influenza Vaccine The 2015 southern hemisphere seasonal influenza vaccine will contain three seasonal influenza strains, with two strain changes from the 2014 vaccine. This double-strain change has caused manufacturing delays and the National Seasonal Influenza Immunisation Program for 2015 will therefore not commence on the usual start date of 15 March. The delay will not affect vaccine supply volumes, and no vaccine shortages are anticipated. It is anticipated that the supplies will be available in April 2015 and orders can still be submitted prior to this. Check NSW Health for further releases: http://ow.ly/JEYZt

PharmacyFocus PAL UPDATE PBS Online Training

Free professional development through TAFE NOW

The Department of Human Services provides eLearning programs to assist pharmacists, pharmacy interns and students to understand dispensing and claiming requirements of the PBS. Visit http://ow.ly/JF1sb for more information.

In partnership with the North Coast Allied Health Association, NCML is pleased to offer local health professionals free access to online professional development through the TAFE NOW website.

Pharmacy Guild’s new course The Guild has partnered with Kos Sclavos in the development of ‘Know and love your top 100 customers’. This online training is designed to highlight the value your top 100 customers add to your business, providing recommendations on programs and services to help increase their engagement and loyalty. The course will enable you to identify these customers, products and services to improve their loyalty as well as the systems that need to be in place to ensure your initiatives are effective and well managed. Visit the ‘new courses page’ at www.mycpd.org.au for more information about the course. The course is free to all Guild members and their employee pharmacists. The course is available to non-members for $250, payable upon enrolment.

Mental Health Triage Defusing and De-escalating Aggression Managing Staff Performance Communication Skills for Health Professionals Immunisation for Health Professionals Understanding Cultural Competence Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

PharmacyFocus PAL UPDATE

NATIONAL PRESCRIBING SERVICE

Have you created your Unique Student Identifier?

NPS MedicineWise

From January 1 2015, individuals - including health professionals and pharmacy staff - undertaking nationally recognised training need to have a 10 digit Unique Student Identifier (USI). The USI is a Department of Education and Training initiative, and creates a secure online record of your nationally recognised training that is accessible anytime and anywhere, and is yours for life. Training organisations will only issue a training certificate or qualification to students and clients who have provided their USI.

NPS MedicineWise has released its seventeenth annual evaluation report, for the 2013-14 financial year. Key findings include: • •

To create a USI, go to: http://ow.ly/JCkG5 •

improvements in appropriate prescribing, such as a 10% relative decrease in prescribing of clopidogrel and a 4% reduction in prescriptions for antipsychotics in the elderly. high participation in NPS programs. More than 21,700 health professionals participated in NPS education during the year, including 3,533 pharmacists. 86% of GPs surveyed nationally reported that NPS MedicineWise has either strongly or moderately influenced their prescribing decisions. non-compliance amongst consumers. The NPS MedicineWise National Consumer survey 2014 of more than 1,500 people found 37% of participants reported they always, often or sometimes forgot to take medicines, 24% had taken less than instructed and 29% decided to miss out a dose.

Visit http://ow.ly/JF26T to view the Annual Evaluation Report 2013/14.

ABORIGINAL HEALTH Closing the Gap 19 March 2015 is National Close the Gap Day. The Pharmacy Guild of Australia reports that community pharmacies continue to make a significant contribution to the important national task of closing the gap in life expectancy and health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. For instance, community pharmacists have actively implemented the Close the Gap Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme arrangements since 2010. But the Guild believes pharmacy can do more. The Guild supports the following measures: •

• •

Maintenance and enhancement of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Programs in the Community Pharmacy Agreement, including the Quality Use of Medicines Maximised for Aboriginal Peoples program (QUMAX) and workforce programs Improvement of the integration between the Closing The Gap (CTG) PBS Co-Payment measure and the s100 Pharmacy Support Program Equitable remuneration for s100 funding arrangements where chronic disease medications are dispensed

If you’d like to mark Closing the Gap Day in your pharmacy, you may find suitable resources on the Australian Indigenous Health Infonet. Visit http://ow.ly/JF34y for more information. NCML’s Closing the Gap (CTG) program aims to reduce the gap in life expectancy between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-indigenous Australians. If you would like one of our friendly CTG Program Officers to visit your pharmacy to have an informal chat with you and your staff about the programs, please contact your local NCML branch. Tweed Valley: 07 5523 5500 Northern Rivers: 02 6622 4453 Mid North Coast: 02 6659 1800 Hastings Macleay: 02 6583 3600

AlliedHealthFocus PAL UPDATE Mid North Coast Musculoskeletal Primary Health Care Initiative Musculoskeletal conditions are conditions of the bones, joints and their attachments (e.g. muscles, tendons and ligaments), and are the most common chronic diseases in Australia affecting 6.1 million people, or 28% of the population. Musculoskeletal conditions contribute significantly to Australia’s burden of disease with direct health care costs of $5.7 billion. Contributing disproportionately to this burden of disease are three conditions: • • •

osteoarthritis osteoporotic re-fracture acute back pain

The Mid North Coast is one of only three trial sites in NSW selected to implement the Musculoskeletal Initiative for Primary Health Care pilot, led by the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation. Following on from successful trials in hospital settings, NCML and the Mid North Coast Local Health District are working together to trial three models of care in the primary care environment to improve patient outcomes and professional satisfaction in the treatment of these conditions. Primary sector service providers are invited to get involved in the project, which aims to embed evidence based care into general practice with a focus on improving the coordination of general practice with allied health services to support patient management.

A symposium was held in Port Macquarie in February, which highlighted the considerable burden of disease as well as the current constraints to providing evidence based coordinated care in the primary care environment. A second musculoskeletal symposium will be held in May, and will focus on the model of care for the management of acute low back pain, as well as the specifics of how the osteoarthritis and osteoporosis re-fracture prevention models will be rolled out in primary care. For further information, contact Project Officers: Coffs Harbour Fiona O’Meara fomeara@ncml.org.au 0409 613 976 Port Macquarie Martin Cushing mcushing@ncml.org.au 0418 316 648

HNCNews Networking Platform for Health Professionals

ealthy North Coast’s new online network allows you to communicate, network and collaborate in a private and professional environment, with colleagues from across the North Coast without leaving your office. The Healthy North Coast Network is based on the functionality of other familiar social networking platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. With over 130 regional and professionbased networks available, the Healthy North Coast Network is ready for you to join right now. Health professionals can register for the Healthy North Coast Network by visiting http://bit.ly/VsrO2s. Full instructions for the platform are available at http://bit.ly/1sJgRI7.

Watch for hepatitis symptoms, NSW Health warns NSW Health is warning people to watch for symptoms of hepatitis following cases of hepatitis A in Australia linked to Nanna’s frozen mixed berries. Dr Vicky Sheppeard, Director of NSW Health’s Communicable Diseases Branch, urged consumers to take heed of the recall of several lines of frozen berries sold under the brand names ‘Nanna’s’ and ‘Creative Gourmet’. “The NSW Food Authority advises consumers to return these products to the place of purchase for a full refund, or discard them,” Dr Sheppeard said. ”Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver that can be passed from person to person, or come from food or water contaminated with the virus. “Each year 40 to 80 cases are reported in NSW, however the infection is almost always acquired overseas as hepatitis A is common in most developing countries.” Read the full story at: http://healthynorthcoast.org.au/top-stories-260/

HNCNews 6.29 billion reasons youth mental health needs help Lost productivity amongst people with mental illness aged 12–25 costs Australia $6.29 billion per year, according to new data from ReachOut Australia and Ernst and Young (EY). Released today, the findings form part of a forthcoming report – A Way Forward: Equipping Australia’s Mental Health System for the Next Generation – which explores how the system might cost effectively connect more young people to the help they need. ReachOut Australia’s CEO Jono Nicholas recognises that young Australians are finding it harder than ever to secure and retain employment. For young people with a mental illness, the challenge becomes almost insurmountable. “The data clearly shows the urgent need to better support young people’s mental health if we are to prevent losing $780,000 per hour in lost economic productivity,” said Mr Nicholas. Read the full story at: http://healthynorthcoast.org.au/top-stories-263/

New resource shows what can improve the wellbeing of older people beyondblue has identified and rated the best activities for improving and protecting the mental health of older Australians, in a new booklet specifically for aged care workers, but also helpful for other carers.

Many people still don’t know that anxiety conditions are genuine mental health issues and do not realise how common they are, despite more than a quarter of Australians experiencing an anxiety condition during their lives.

Based on La Trobe University research, the booklet rates activities on a scale of zero to three for how effective they are at improving older people’s mental health.

The findings are contained in new analysis that shows thousands of Australians with these conditions don’t seek support because they don’t realise that what they’re experiencing is treatable.

Activities identified in the booklet include playing computer games, interacting with clowns, spending time with animals and singing in a choir, among others.

beyondblue CEO Georgie Harman said it indicates many people don’t recognise anxiety symptoms such as hot and cold flushes, racing heart, snowballing worries and compulsive behaviour are signs that they could be experiencing a mental health issue, and instead think the symptoms are just a part of their personality.

Most activities featured are accompanied by case studies from across Australia, providing real examples of how activities have been implemented and the impact they have had. beyondblue CEO Georgie Harman said the booklet, What works to promote emotional wellbeing in older people, is an invaluable resource for people who work with older adults in community or residential care.

beyondblue revives anxiety campaign to ensure people get treatment

She said this has prompted beyondblue to revive its national Get To Know Anxiety campaign to help people recognise the signs and symptoms so they can get treatment and get better.

“Around one in ten older adults experiences depression and a similar number experiences anxiety. Mental health conditions are even more common among older people in the community who are frail and need support to remain at home, and among those in residential care. Research shows nearly 35 per cent of people living in residential care facilities have depression,” she said.

“These findings are deeply troubling and show that more must be done to educate the Australian community about anxiety,” she said. “Anxiety is a debilitating condition that robs people of their peace of mind. It can stop people leaving their homes, holding down a job, maintaining relationships or doing everyday things because of irrational fears of what could happen. It’s a problem that can prevent people from living the life they want. No one should have to live with the relentless worrying, panic attacks or compulsive rituals that often characterise anxiety conditions.”

Read the full story at: http://healthynorthcoast.org.au/top-stories-265/

Read the full story at: http://healthynorthcoast.org.au/top-stories-264/

HNCEvents

March - May 2015 You can view the full North Coast Practitioner events calander at: www.healthynorthcoast.org.au/practitioner-events

Hastings-Macleay

Tweed

14/3/15 - Q&A Forum Dying with Dignity, Port Macquarie

7-8/3/15 - Minor Surgery Skills for Nurses, Gold Coast

14/3/15 - Health Forum, Port Macquarie

10/3/15 - ISBAR Workshop Series: Falls Prevention in Aged Care, Kingscliff

17/3/15 - Immunisation Update, Port Macquarie 19/3/15 - Immunisation Update, Kempsey 24/3/15 - Triage for General Practice Staff, Port Macquarie 25/3/15 - Triage for General Practice Staff, Kempsey

10/3/15 - Dementia Carer Education, Pottsville 12/3/15 - Triage Training for General Practice Staff, Tweed Heads 14/3/15 - Healthy Living w/ Diabetes - Managing Diabetes in General Practice for Practice Nurses, Tweed Heads 16/3/15 - Tweed Kaizen Meeting – Close the Gap 19/3/15 - ISBAR Workshop Series: Falls Prevention in Aged Care, Kingscliff

Mid North Coast

28/3/15 - Anatomy Wetlab Workshop for Primary Care Practitioners: Head and Neck, Gold Coast

9-14/3/15 - Eating Disorders Essentials, Course Coffs Harbour 10/3/15 - Triage Training in General Practice, Grafton

31/3/15 - Blood Pressure: What’s changing in how we measure and monitor (for Pharmacists and Pharmacy staff), Tweed Heads

11/3/15 - Immunisation Update, Coffs Harbour

8/4/15 - Tweed Valley Clinical Society Meeting

14/3/15 - Insulin Leadership Summit, Coffs Harbour 19/3/15 - ‘Sticky Stuff’ – Free Sexual Health Training, Coffs Harbour

16/4/15 - Healthy Living w Diabetes – Managing Diabetes in your Health Care Environment (for GPs, Pharmacists, RACF Nurses & Allied Health professionals), Tweed Heads

25/3/15 - CIS Breakfast, Coffs Harbour

17/4/15 - GP Breakfast Meeting, Murwillumbah

26/3/15 - ISBAR Workshop Series: Falls Prevention in Aged Care, Grafton

22/4/14 - Immunisation workshop - The Healthy Traveller, Tweed Heads

26/3/15- Triage for General Practice Staff, Coffs Harbour

14-16/5/15 - Brave to Bold - APNA National Conference 2015, Gold Coast

27-28/3/15 - North Coast Cancer Conference 2015, Coffs Harbour 27-29/3/15- NSW RDN/RDA Summer Refresher Conference, Coffs Harbour

18/5/15 - End Stage Palliation and Dementia, Tweed Heads

HNCEvents Northern Rivers

Other Events

3/3/15 - Eating Disorders: GP Information Dinner, Ballina

3/3/15 - Improvement Foundation Webinar: Close the Gap

4/3/15 - Introduction to Eating Disorders for Education Professionals, Goonellabah 4/3/15 - Northern Rivers Eating Disorders Forum, Ballina 11/3/15 - Triage Training in General Practice, Lismore

11/3/15 - Online Training: Introduction to the Medical and Forensic Management of Adult Sexual Assault 14/3/15 - iDEA15 – DEA’s Annual National Conference, Sydney

11-12/3/15 - Youth Mental Health First Aid, Alstonville

15/3/15 - Managing Pain: From Mechanism to Policy, Brisbane

12/3/15 - ISBAR Workshop Series: Falls Prevention in Aged Care, Ballina

18/3/15 - Rural Innovations Changing Healthcare Forum

12/3/15 - Coaching Essentials for Managers, Lismore

20/4/15 - Webinar: Understanding Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

14/3/15 - Inflammatory Arthritis is a medical emergency, Byron Bay

23-25/4/15 - Australian Telehealth Conference, Sydney

15/3/15 - Senior First First Aid for Primary Health Care Workers, Byron Bay 17/3/15 - GP NSW Allied Health Alliance Network Forum, Lismore 17/3/15 - Leadership frameworks for social development, Goonellabah 18/3/15 - ISBAR Workshop Series: Falls Prevention in Aged Care, Lismore 18/3/15 - Into the Job Market, Ballina 24/3/15 - Mental Health First Aid, Goonellabah 24/3/15 - ‘Sticky Stuff’ – Free Sexual Health Training, Lismore 25/3/15 - ISBAR Workshop Series: Falls Prevention in Aged Care, Casino 26/3/15 - Making funding proposals fly, Goonellabah 28/3/15 - Healthy Living with Diabetes – for Practice Nurses, Ballina 31/3/15 - Accidental Counsellor, Goonellabah 2/4/15 - Autism Awareness Expo, Goonellabah 4/4/15 - Shared Medical Appointments and how they increase efficiencies and outcomes: all you wanted to know, Byron Bay 17

March - May 2015 You can view the full North Coast Practitioner events calander at: www.healthynorthcoast.org.au/practitioner-events

HNCclassifieds JOB SHARE GP(s) WANTED - BALLINA VR GP or GPs for 3 days per week in four-doctor practice: Moon St Medical Centre. Busy practice, no on-call required, relaxed working environment and good remuneration, locum cover. MD3, fully computerised, Practice Nurses and Mental Health Nurse. Tuesdays/Thursdays + Fridays only. Suit doctors wanting to do 1-3 days per week. Contact Dr Jerome Mellor on 0435 068 079 or jeromemellor@bigpond.com or Tracey (PM) 02 6686 2611.

PSYCHOLOGIST POSITION TWEED HEADS Position available, would suit clinical or generalist psychologist, neurological background preferable. Brain Mind and Memory Centre, Tweed Heads. Contact Nerida Saunders on 07 55992220.

ROOMS AVAILABLE TWEED HEADS Professional rooms available for rent from April, located centrally in Tweed Heads. Contact Nerida on 07 55992220.

MID NORTH COAST ARTHRITIS CLINIC Dr Hanish Bagga and Dr Peter Wong from the Mid North Coast Arthritis Clinic will be out of the surgery from Friday 3rd of April til Monday 13th of April 2015 for the Easter period. We are advising all patients to contact their GP or present themselves to their local hospital if they are experiencing ill health during this time, as the clinic will be closed for over Easter. Warm regards, Trin Izzard, MNCAC, Practice Manager 18

SHOULDER AND HAND CLINIC COFFS HARBOUR After completing all the required examinations and clinical studies, I have recently earned my credentials as a Certified Hand Therapist [CHT] by HTCC [recognised specialist in Hand Therapy Certification worldwide], becoming the only such qualified therapist between Newcastle and the Gold Coast. A Certified Hand Therapist is recognised as an expert in Upper Limb Rehabilitation, having achieved the highest International recognition of competency in the profession. Working with a CHT gives assurance of the therapists’ skill and knowledge, and is thus highly beneficial to patients and physicians, as any loss of hand function through injury or disease can have devastating impact on lives. Skills include, but are not limited to, examination, diagnosis, treatment protocol development of: • • • • • • • • •

Multi-traumatic and post-surgical care: tendon repairs, fractures, dislocations etc Elective surgery: joint replacements, corrective surgery, etc Wound care; scar management; oedema control Tendonopathies of wrist, hand, elbow, shoulder Nerve repairs, entrapements [CTS, Cubital or Radial Tunnel Syndromes] Arthritis: bracing, management and advice CMC, wrist, RA hands etc Customised thermoplastic and soft splint fabrication Fracture casting and management: EXOS braces CRPS

For any specific problems, please contact: Faye Wiffen Certified Hand Therapist Master Health Science [Manip. Therapy] BaSc. [Physio] 175 Rose Ave Coffs Harbour 2450 Ph 02 66511745 Fax 02 66518029

Would you like to post a local classified ad in this newsletter? Email the details to healthynorthcoast@gmail.com before the 25th of each month. There is no cost associated with these ads.

HNCclassifieds TEAM LEADER RECEPTIONIST PORT MACQUARIE

SPEECH PATHOLOGIST NAMBUCCA VALLEY

An opportunity exists for a Team Leader to join Greenmeadows Medical, a modern, innovative and patient-focused medical centre located in beautiful Port Macquarie.

Jessica Clarke, Speech Pathologist, would like to notify that she has returned to work on a part-time basis in the Nambucca Valley from February 2015. Jessica will continue to see Paediatric clients.

We have a full-time position within our administration team for a motivated, friendly, customer-focused person with experience in supervising staff be our lead receptionist.

Jessica Clarke Speech Pathologist PO Box 583 NAMBUCCA HEADS NSW 2448 T: 0427 255 116 E: jessrclarke@gmail.com

Experience in general practice is advantageous but not essential. Applicants need to send a resume, including three referees, addressed to: The Practice Manager 152 Greenmeadows Drive, Port Macquarie NSW 2444 Visit www.greenmeadowsmedical.com.au to experience a virtual tour of our centre and meet the team.

NEW BOOK FOR DEMENTIA PATIENTS Caring for Somebody with Dementia, by Merideth Sindel, has been recommended by Carers NSW for people with dementia or people caring for dementia patients. Visit http://ow.ly/JF5xL for more information.

For enquiries, please contact Sue Mitchell – Practice Manager on 02 55251111 or email manager@greenmeadowsmedical.com.au.

SPECIALIST GYNAECOLOGIST - PORT MACQUARIE ACUTE CARE CENTRE PORT MACQUARIE The Acute Care Centre (ACC) at Port Macquarie Base Hospital is a GP run bulk billing practice situated in the Port Macquarie Base Hospital premises, open 7 days from 9:00am – 5:00pm. The centre offers a variety of services including: • • • • • • • •

Blood transfusions for stable patients Iron infusions or Ferinject IVIG infusions such Intragam, Octogam and Kliovig Monoclonal antibody infusions eg. Natalizumab, Infliximab Pleural and ascitic taps – both diagnostic and therapeutic Lumbar punctures – diagnostic, usually at the request of the neurologist Short Synacthen Tests Venesections for patients with established hemochromatosis – the patient must have been assessed by a haemotologist

Written referrals for all of the above procedures are required. Please contact the ACC on 5524 2252 for more information.

Specialist Gynaecologist Dr Fiona Leslie MBBS, BSc, FRANZCOG I am a new Gynaecologist in Port Macquarie, with admitting rights at Port Macquarie Base, Port Macquarie Private and Wauchope Hospitals. I have a keen interest in all areas of Gynaecology and would be happy to see women with any Gynaecological disorder. I will be leaving time for urgent appointments for women with abnormal PAPs, post (or peri) menopausal bleeding and ovarian masses. If your patient needs to be seen urgently please give my rooms a call and we can arrange an urgent review. My rooms are at the Macquarie Specialist Centre, Suite 6/10 B Highfields Cct, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444. PO Box 9090, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444. T: (02) 6581 4873 E: fiona@mncg.com.au

Contact NCML Head Office Suite 6, 85 Tamar Street Ballina NSW 2478 Phone: 02 6618 5400 Fax: 02 6618 5499 Email: enquiries@ncml.org.au Northern Rivers Tarmons House St Vincentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Campus 20 Dalley Street East Lismore NSW 2480 Phone: 02 6622 4453 Fax: 02 6622 3185 Email: nr@ncml.org.au Tweed Heads 8 Corporation Circuit Tweed Heads South NSW 2486 Phone: 07 5523 5501 Email: tv@ncml.org.au

Hastings Macleay 53 Lord Street Port Macquarie NSW 2444 Phone: 02 6583 3600 Fax: 02 6583 8600 Email: hm@ncml.org.au Mid North Coast Suite 6, 1 Duke Street Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450 Phone: 02 6659 1800 Fax: 02 6659 1899 Email: mnc@ncml.org.au