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Issue 5, 29 April 2009 |
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IN THIS ISSUE: Alerts | Program Updates | Activities and Forums | Items of Interest | Community Events
From the Chair - Dr Mike Beckoff
'Swine 'flu', a new strain of influenza A (H1N1) has captured global interest currently, with confirmed reported cases and deaths in Mexico and confirmed spread to the US, Canada, UK, Spain and NZ. Australia has cautiously quarantined suspicious cases but as yet no confirmed cases have been recorded. As a precaution the CSIRO has already made preparations to develop an appropriate vaccine should the Australian Government approve and fund manufacture. We attach links to the relevant Public Health Alerts issued by SA Health, DoHA and WHO so that Divisions and their member practices are alerted and informed. See: Public Health Alert 30 April 2009, 28 April 2009, 27 April 2009, IMVS Specimen Collection, CDCB Health Update to Emergency Departments. For Public Health Alerts website, click here.
From the CEO - Gretchen Scinta
This week wraps up with a trip to Canberra to attend the General Practice Network Leadership Group face-to-face meeting with AGPN. Priority items for the two days include a half-day session to discuss the Health Reform agenda, and a visit from Department officials about the Closing the Gap initiative.
Back at GPSA, we are working through the transition process toward our new structure. The loss of several staff as a result of uncertainty around funding, combined with vacancies created by the restructuring, means that we are operating with limited resources. Two of our member Divisions have taken over service of our Immunisation and Nursing in General Practice contracts. On behalf of GPSA, I would like to extend our appreciation for this assistance and to the wider Network for your support during this time. We are actively recruiting to have all positions fully established and operational by 1 July 2009, and we will announce appointments as they occur. In the interim, we are aiming to ensure that service to Divisions is not impeded, so if there is any confusion about who to call on at GPSA, please direct queries about Mental Health to Sasha Padgham and any other matters to Cathy Zesers.
For details of positions advertised, click here.
Alerts
Training for Pandemic Preparedness – The RACGP’s GP Advocacy and Support Department will be providing training to assist in supporting GPs around pandemic preparedness. This training is being extended and offered to SA Division staff at no cost. Further details and confirmed dates will be provided in the next week. Learning objectives: to assist staff in understanding the current situation (worldwide and Australia); how to help practices prepare pandemic plans; correct use of personal protective equipment; how to protect your staff; business continuity planning.
Health Provider Registry – now in Tasmania. The Health Provider Registry is now working with General Practice Tasmania to supply the technical infrastructure and business procedures for their Tasmanian eHealth Directory (TeHD). For further information, click here
Mental Health Shared Care with General Practice – click here to view updates, including new sections on Documentation, Outcomes, Resources and Links, Training and Opportunities.
CDSM and Prevention – The Asthma Foundation of SA is visiting 600 practices over the next couple of weeks to distribute the NEW Asthma Control Packs. For more information click here.
CDSM – The Australian Practice Nurse Association and the Cancer Council of SA have joined forces to provide a free online learning module providing practice nurses comprehensive information about bowel cancer and the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. For more information click here.
Quality Use of Medicines – Sansom Institute, UniSA, invites GPs and pharmacists to attend an information evening on 'Post Hospital Management of Patients Initiated on Warfarin' on 18 May 2009 at the Rockford Hotel Adelaide. Attending GPs eligible for Category 2 CME points. For details click here
GPSA Scheduled Activities and Forums
GPSA Board meeting – 7 May 2009
Rural Divisions Group – 8 May 2009
GP Forum – 15 May 2009
SA Inner Country Health Network – Friday 15 May
GPSA Quarterly Meetings: Dept Health and Ageing; SA Health; Country Health SA; Minister Lomax-Smith – 21 May 2009
Division Executive Network SA – 28 May 2009
General Practice Alliance Adelaide – Friday 29 May
Australian General Practice Network Forum – 4-7 November 2009 at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre – Australia’s premier primary health care forum. The program is available later this month and registrations will open in mid May. For exhibition and sponsor information for the Forum, click here
New GP Resource on sentinel node biopsy in early (operable) breast cancer - a summary of National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC) existing clinical practice guideline, endorsed by RACGP, and designed to help general practitioners answer patients’ questions about sentinel node biopsy and manage follow-up care. For information on the resource, contact Jan Peterson or phone NBOCC on (02) 9357 9415.
2009 Nursing and Midwifery Symposium: Nurses and Midwives connected and energised by community involvement, 11 May 2009, Radford Auditorium, Art Gallery of South Australia. For details click here
Report by outcomes! Participatory Performance Story Reporting Technique. Australian Evaluation Society workshop, 13 May 2009, at Sunnybrae Function Centre, Regency Park, SA. For details click here
Young Refugees’ Experiences of Violence and Non-Violence, 9 June 2009, Women’s Health Statewide Monthly Tuesday Seminar. For details click here
