From the CEO - Gretchen Scinta

It’s time again for the meeting of the General Practice Network Leadership Group, so Mike Beckoff and I are off to Canberra on Thursday for two days. I’ll be providing a full update to the Division Network at the upcoming Division Executives Network (SA) meeting on 24 September.

GPSA has been working closely with SA Health to coordinate communications about the rollout of the H1N1 vaccine and our collective efforts are starting to deliver good results. We are in weekly contact with SA Health to ensure that information to Divisions and GPs is timely, accurate and consistent. We would appreciate any feedback from Divisions to assist with improvements in this area.

Next week, we’ll be looking forward to meeting with the Division Board Chairs and CEOs at our AGM. Following the AGM we’ll be discussing opportunities for South Australia that are emerging within the current health reform environment.

Alerts

GPSA Quality Training – Quality Training (with GPSA funding one person per Division) is confirmed for 28, 29 and 30 October 2009, to be held at GPSA. Further details will be sent to Divisions within the next week.

Program Updates

Introduction of National Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza Vaccination Program – The Australian Government is planning to introduce a vaccination program in response to the H1N1 influenza pandemic. The vaccine is expected to be available in late September or early October 2009. For information click here

H1N1 Influenza Vaccination Distribution for 2009 – Registered immunisation providers will automatically receive the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine. Providers not currently registered can now apply: contact the SA Health Immunisation Section on (08) 8226 7177

GPSA Information Services Team – This team is involved in: leading the e-Health and Health Provider Registry Programs and development of an integrated information system. For details click here

Upcoming GPSA Supported Events

The 9th National GP Liaison Officer Conference 2009 – Friday, 11 September 2009, hosted by GPNS. For details click here

General Practice Network Leadership Group, Canberra – 10-11 September 2009

GP Forum – 18 September 2009

General Practice SA AGM and Network Meeting – 18 September 2009, 5.45 to 9.00pm.

Divisions Executive Network SA – 24 September 2009

Rural Doctors Workforce Agency AGM – 25 September 2009

AGPN National Forum – 4-7 November 2009. Australia’s premier primary health care forum click here

GP Week 2009, QEH, 27-28 November 2009. For details, including Bonus Offers, click here

Tour Down Under Challenge Tour – 22 January 2010. To join the General Practice SA Team please contact Dr Alison Edwards. Registrations close 30 November 2009. For details click here

Communiqués

GPSA Quarterly meetings – 20 August 2009: SA Health, Country Health SA, Department of Health and Ageing

Items of Interest

Guide for Doctors to Help Treat Depression – beyondblue has developed an evidence-based guide to managing depression in primary care. The guide is available from beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or via its website click here

SA Dental Service' Lift the Lip' – Screening and Referral Tool for children aged 6 months to 5 years suffering decay (Early Childhood Caries). For information click here

Guidelines for Mandated Notifiers – This guideline booklet sets out the roles, responsibilities and legal requirements for mandatory notification in South Australia. For information click here

Painxchange Online Clinical Audit Tool – This comprehensive clinical audit is designed to assist GPs in optimising analgesic therapy as part of an overall strategy to control pain and improve mobility, function and quality of life of patients with Osteoarthritis (OA). For information click here

ADAM Project – SA Health Arthroplasty Demand and Allocation Management (ADAM) project has developed universal referral tools and assessment protocols to improve patient outcomes and service delivery: See ADAM: Executive Summary, GP Referral to Hip and Knee Clinics and RGH Referral and Management Guidelines: Arthritis of the Hip/Knee

New Palliative Care Report of Death Deposition – The Palliative Care Council of SA would like to advise general practitioners that a Palliative Care Report of Death – Medical Practitioners Deposition Pathway has been developed with the State Coroner’s Report and is now effective. For more information click here

Community Events

Safeguarding the Person with Dementia Who Wanders – 16 September 2009. For workshop details click here plus pre-reading

Wheezing in Childhood – 22 September 2009 and 23 September 2009. Live interactive, case-history based webinars, RACGP and ACRRM accredited. For details click here

Together! 2009 – 24-27 September 2009 Conference sessions cover many different aspects of palliative care, and feature both local and international presenters. For details click here

Mental Health Research Day 2009 – 8 October 2009. The major theme is ‘evidence in practice’ and will provide an opportunity for practitioners to share their success, new initiatives, research and challenges. For details click here

28th Diabetes Refresher Day – 4 December 2009, Adelaide Convention Centre. Hosted by Flinders Medical Centre. For details contact Collette Hooper via email or phone (08) 8204 5681.