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Issue 14, 22 October 2009 |
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IN THIS ISSUE: Alerts | Program Updates | Activities and Forums | Items of Interest | Community Events
From the CEO - Gretchen Scinta
While I’ve been away on leave, the team at GPSA delivered some key pieces of work, not the least of which included the first quarter report for the Mental Health Shared Care program. I would like to thank all of the Divisions for their ongoing contribution to the work on this important program. The database continues to grow as a result of the efforts of Division program managers and clinicians working in the program. We now have significant evidence to demonstrate the value this initiative brings to both GPs and their patients. I would also like to thank Sasha Padgham, Marcus Windle and Philip Carter for their work in delivering the most recent report. Next week, on Tuesday 27 October, the first Steering Committee meeting is being held for the current financial year, and we will report back to Division CEOs and EOs following the meeting.
The Network Services team is working to deliver the Divisions Primary Care Forum, hosted by GPSA, to be held on 7-8 December. Further details about the Forum will be provided in consultation with the Divisions early next week, so watch this space.
Alerts
Towards a blueprint for partnership-driven health reform and innovation through Australian Primary Health Care Organisations – The Blueprint document has been circulated directly to the CEO network from David Butt at AGPN. The key date for face-to-face discussion is 4 November 2009 at the AGPN conference in Sydney.
Expressions of Interest – Mind the Gap: a physical and mental health comorbidity education and training package. AGPN is seeking EOIs from network member organisations interested in holding this 2-hour workshop. Divisions will be funded $3,500 to hold a workshop. EOIs are due 30 November 2009, click here for information or contact Ngaira Smith at AGPN, ph 02 6228 0859
DoHA Measure Up Campaign – Free Resources. DoHA is providing free tape measures as part of the Measure Up Campaign to increase awareness that “a person’s waist measurement is strongly related to their chances of developing a chronic disease later in life”. See website or click here for more details.
Funding available from the Department of Health and Ageing, due for submission in November 2009:
1. Joint Round for Better Skills for Better Care Program (BSBC) – Round 6 click here
2. Community Aged Care Workforce development program training – Round 3 click here
3. Dementia Community Support Grants – Round Three click here
For additional information, advice or support in the application process, please contact Kelly Quinlan at GPSA.
National Bowel Cancer Screening Program – the Department of Health and Ageing has updated its website in relation to the recommencement of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program from 2 November 2009, click here
HealthChecks Conference Information – Thank you to those who participated in the collaborative conference with the Aboriginal Health Council last week. Presentations will be available shortly on the GPSA website – new Aboriginal Health pages.
eReferrals Uncertainty – There is some uncertainty within the network regarding the legal standing of an electronic referral sent by a GP to a specialist. To read more, click here
Upcoming GPSA Supported Events
AGPN National Forum – 4-7 November 2009, click here
AGPN Annual General Meeting – 4 November 2009
GPSA Board Meeting – 12 November 2009
Rural Divisions Group – 13 November 2009
Quarterly meetings – GPSA and Country Health SA, SA Health, Department of Health and Ageing, 19 November 2009
GP Forum – 20 November 2009
General Practice Network Leadership Group – 26-27 November 2009
GP Week 2009, QEH, 27-28 November 2009. For details click here
Quarterly meeting – GPSA and Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, The Hon Jane Lomax Smith, 2 December 2009
Divisions Executive Network SA (DENSA) – 10 December 2009
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
Items of Interest
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of South Australia (NMBSA) – Review of the Standard for Medicines Management
NMBSA is seeking assistance from key stakeholders to provide comment and feedback on the revised draft Standard, click here
Preventative Health: Australia's First Preventative Health Agency – The latest media information highlights the emergence of a new Prevention Agency, click here
Flinders University: Postgraduate Programs in Mental Health Sciences and Chronic Conditions Self Management. For Rural and remote allied health professionals SARRAH scholarship closes on 2 November 2009, click here
PAP News, Annual Newsletter of SA Cervix Screening, October 2009, click here
Managing advanced Parkinson’s disease including the ‘wearing off’ phenomenon – Monday, 26 October 2009. Parkinson's SA Inc presents Dr Simon Lewis, Head of the Parkinson’s Disease Research Clinic, Brain and Mind Institute, Sydney, click here
Health in Men Toolbox Meeting: Health-Checks and Self-Checks Prevention in Practice – 30 October 2009, click here
Addressing smoking in the general practice setting – Quit SA offers various courses to up skill health professionals, click here
Aboriginal Communities, Decision Making and the IAP2 Model – 11 November 2009. (gold coin donation appreciated). For details and registration contact IAP2 SA via email, click here
