North East Valley DGP eNews

No 0804: February 21st, 2008
eNews is a weekly electronic newsletter sent to all GP practices (with email addresses) within the NEV catchment. The aim is to provide up to date information relevant to GPs and to disseminate the latest activities and resources from the division. All feedback and enquiries welcome and should be addressed to Patty Marshall. You can also visit our website at: http://www.nevdgp.org.au/.
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In this issue:

Editorial                                           PEN offer to practices                              

Chronic Disease Management         CALD Lifescripts translated and adapted                

Professional Development               CPD events          

HMR                                                 Rheumatoid arthritis                                              

Immunisation                                   Immunisation Encounter Form, Fluvax Vaccine Supply, HPV Reminder

Information Management                includes Medical Director tips and New on the Web

Items of interest                               GP After Hour’s Clinic, Ear wax removal, GP Liaison officer,

Mental Health                                  The Management of Treatment Resistant Depression           

News for Practice Staff                    Professional Indemnity Insurance for Practice Nurses, A special issue of Contemporary Nurse, Ear Irrigation Training          

Positions vacant/wanted                                                         

Fun stuff                                                          

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A Word from the Editor

PEN offer to practices

The division has purchased an annual licence of the PEN Clinical Audit tool which allows you to analyse your clinical data and help with the necessary data cleansing of your clinical records. The response so far has been very encouraging, but we are still looking for more Practices to register. We can provide a practical demonstration of the program at your practice, if you so desire, at a time of your choosing. If you want to proceed, simply email Noel with the name of the principal contact (the person who will oversee the use of this tool). If that person is a GP, please include his/her provider number.

Once we hear from you we will organise the next steps.

 

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Chronic Disease Management

CALD Lifescripts translated and adapted

The Lifescripts script pads and consumer resources (posters, flyers and checklists) have been translated and adapted to better meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse patients. The resources have been translated into the six most commonly spoken languages other than English in Australia (Vietnamese, Cantonese, Italian, Greek, Mandarin, Arabic - Cantonese and Mandarin are written as standard Chinese). These resources are available through the Lifescripts Resource Library

 

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CPD

Spirometry

Thanks to the GPs and nurses who responded to the Division’s survey concerning the time to run a Spirometry education session. The most requested date was Saturday 10th May 2008 therefore pencil in your diaries the following details (to be confirmed by the National Asthma Council Australia )

Saturday, 10th May 2008 9.00am til 4.00pm at John Scott Meeting House, Latrobe University (Car Park 7)

Cat 1 points available for GPs and RCNA points for nurses. Attendance at this session will be limited to 20 as it has a significant amount of individual skill training included.

‘Expression of Attendance’ forms will be sent early in March

 

Term 1 GP Lecture Program

Meetings are held each Tuesday starting at 12.30 in the Lecture Theatre, Ground Floor, Pathology Building, Repatriation Hospital, Austin Health, West Heidelberg. Lunch is provided. Course Leader: Dr Vin Nursey Phone: 9457 1736

February 26 - Ante and Post Natal Depression - Dr Megan Galbally

For full term Tuesday lecture program click here

 

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HMR

Rheumatoid arthritis - and your questions about arthritis.

Wednesday 5 March 7.45pm (Light meal 6.30) at NDGP Training room with Dr Michelle Tellus, rheumatologist. See flyer or call Cherry Braine to register 9416 7678 or Email cherry.braine@ndgp.org.au

All HMR enquiries contact Jenny Gowan 0417 506 944 or jenny.gowan@ndgp.org.au

 

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Immunisation

Immunisation Encounter Form Post 1st March 2008

At the recent Immunisation Update session at Rydges a query about how to complete the IMMU 2 form for e.g. Infanrix-Hexa when earlier doses were given as Infanrix-IPV was tabled. For the correct answer see example here.

 

March schedule change

Have you placed your vaccine order for Infanrix hexa to start the new schedule form 1 March 2008?

Infanrix hexa is used for babies at 2, 4 and 6 months of age instead of Infanrix IPV and Comvax vaccines.

Comvax vaccine will be used at 12 months of age only while the stock lasts.

Infanrix IPV vaccine will still be used at 4 years of age.

The vaccine order form is faxed with this information or it can be downloaded at: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/immunisation

 

Fluvax Vaccine Supply – 2008 season

(CSL Biotherapies information dated 8th February 2008). CSL advise that as a result of manufacturing issues, the supply of Fluvax vaccine into the PBS and private market will commence in April, well before the influenza season begins. Supply of Fluvax vaccine to the Government for the Influenza Vaccine Program for Older Australians will commence in February as in previous years in order to make available influenza vaccine to those members of our community generally most at-risk: people aged 65 or over.

DHS advise that these manufacturing issues do not apply to the other suppliers

 

HPV Reminder

The funded HPV vaccine will be available for 18 to 26 year old women until June 30 2009.  As the course of the immunisation takes 6 months it is important to remind women in that age group to take advantage of the offer of the free vaccine as soon as possible.

 

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Information Management

Medical Director Tip - Stopping recalls from going to Outstanding Actions

In MD2 there is a tick box Add recalls to Action list so by unchecking this box you stop recalls from going to Outstanding Actions. MD3 does not have this checkbox.

The easiest way in both MD2 and MD3 is after you do the Recall Mailmerge you are given the choice of Update Remove or Cancel. By clicking on Cancel the recall stays on the Recall database and not shifted to the Outstanding Actions. In this way the next time you do a recall search the non-shows come up on the list again, provided the GPs have removed the recall when the patient presents.

 

This weeks IM problem - Finding ATSI patients

Question: How do I find the patients that have been recorded as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders?

Answer: Make sure that there is no patient record open.

MD2: From the Search menu select Databases

MD3: From the Search menu select Patient…

Place ticks in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boxes and then click on the Search button.

 

New on the Web

1. HMR Group - Rheumatoid arthritis session, evening of March 5, added to Calendar of Events.

2. Immunisation Encounter Form Post 1st March 2008 – founder under Immunisation – Latest immunisation updates and news

3. Two new IM cheatsheets – Pathology Management and Recall Management which show how to avoid using Outstanding Actions – Found under IM Resources – Publications and “How to” sheets.

 

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Items of Interest

GP After Hour’s Clinic

North East Valley Division of General Practice in conjunction with Austin Health, Mercy Hospital and Northern Division of General Practice, opened an on-site After Hour’s GP Clinic on January 29th 2008. The Clinic was opened in response to an increasing demand in the Emergency Department. The clinic is staffed by GP’s, a practice nurse, and a practice manager. Since opening, the clinic has treated 7-9 patients per night, with the number growing. The most common presentations have included fractures, lacerations and cases of gastroenteritis.

The clinic is open Monday to Friday from 7pm-11pm. There are plans for the clinic to be opened Saturdays and Sundays and public holidays in future.

 

Ear wax removal

After 25 yrs at the Eye & Ear Hospital, specialist ear nurse, Shelley Straw has recently opened a private clinic specialising in ear wax removal using suction technology and instruments, as recommended by ENT specialists. Crystal Clear Ear Clinic is located at iDental, 3 Belmore Rd, Balwyn North. Open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm. Ph: 9859 7859. Visit www.crystalclearclinic.com.au

 

GP Liaison officer

Dr Lina Nido is the recently appointed GPLO at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. She is looking at focusing on letters of communication to GPs from outpatient clinics and Emergency department, as well as opportunities for GP teaching at the hospital. She will be at the RVEEH on Tuesdays and Thursdays and can be contacted by email at lina.nido@eyeandear.org.au or phone on 9929 8216. Your suggestions, comments and queries will be most welcome.

 

BECC waiting times

Waiting times for new referrals to Bundoora Extended Care Centre inpatient admissions are currently approximately Gem 3 - 7 days, Rehab 7 - 10 days. Any queries regarding our waiting times please contact Access BECC on 9495 3109

 

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Mental Health

The Management of Treatment Resistant Depression (includes an overview of TMS*)

Tuesday 26th February 2008 - 6.30pm for 7pm at Rydges on Bell, 205 Bell Street, Preston with Dr Samir Ibrahim

Points for the RACGP QA and CPD Program have been applied for. RSVP to Elle Foster on 9467 6022 or email: Elle.Foster@healthscope.com.au by Monday 25th February.

*Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), the application of low-frequency magnetic pulses to the side of the head, is emerging as an effective non-invasive treatment for people with depression that to this point have not responded to medications or therapy. People who wish to find out more information about TMS at Northpark Private Hospital can contact the TMS Coordinator on: (03) 9467 6163

 

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News for Practice Staff

Professional Indemnity Insurance for Practice Nurses

Australian Practice Nurse Association (APNA) has appointed Mediprotect & Medisure Indemnity Australia (MIA), a leading health industry Insurance Intermediary and Underwriting Agency, to provide our members with an individual Professional Indemnity product. This is the only one of its kind in Australia with cover specific to the Practice Nursing profession. Click here or contact the office for a proposal form, or call John at Mediprotect for more details on (07) 4038 2460 click here for more industry news available through the APNA website.

 

A special issue of Contemporary Nurse

Contemporary Nurse is an international refereed journal for health care professionals and in August 2007 released a special issue titled Advances in Contemporary General Practice Nursing. The journal includes articles on the role of the practice nurse, professional issues, perspective on health professionals in the primary care setting and a way forward for practice nursing. Articles are written by a number of Australian authors including Julie Porritt, Sally Hall, Christine Phillips, Elizabeth Halcombe, Patricia Davidson,

Rosemary Bryant and Elizabeth Patterson. Copies of Contemporary Nurse can be obtained from eContent Management PTY LTD in Queensland at www.contemporarynurse.com or by phone on (07) 5435 2900.

 

Ear Irrigation Training

Saturday March 15 for Practice Nurses at La Trobe uni. Details and application forms can be found on the website

NB: The hours advertised on our website should read 9.00am - 3.00pm and not 8.45pm as previously mentioned.  

This will be the final GPDV sponsored Ear Irrigation Training offered for this year.

 

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Positions vacant/wanted

Positions vacant

Doctors

Cheltenham - We are looking for a VR GP to join our midsized accredited practice. Comfortable new rooms, fully computerised, flexible sessions, pathology, podiatry, physiotherapy and psychology all on site. Excellent remuneration, you will not be disappointed. Will suit subsequent trainees. For further information please phone Peter Enten on (03) 9584 9504

 

Kensington Doutta Galla Community Health Centre Medical Clinic is seeking VR GPs, part-time and flexible sessions available. In addition to general medicine other areas include Mental Health; Youth, Young Adults; Refugee and CALD communities. Fully accredited and computerised practice with Nurse Support: Practice, Community Health, Refugee Health and Mental Health Nurses on staff. Attractive salary including salary packaging or percentage of billings (excluding PIP). Research and special interests supported. Please contact: Janina on (03) 8378 1621 or email: janina.desilva@dgchs.org.au

 

Thornbury - We are seeking a VR GP either part-time or full-time for our very busy well established (45yrs) Practice. We are fully computerised and Accredited (9years). Our team of 4GP's, treatment room nurse, admin and reception staff are extremely friendly and supportive and work well together. On-site pathology. No after-hours on-call. Flexible hours. Secure carparkExcellent remuneration. Please contact Danny Lipson on 0419 332 119 or email dundasdr@bigpond.net.au for more information.

Practice Staff

Bundoora - Andrew Place Clinic requires an enthusiastic Practice Nurse, Div 1, 3-4 yrs experience. Partime position / possible fulltime later in the year, for busy family-friendly Practice. Experience in (but not essential) triage, health assessments, wound care, childhood immunisations, asthma education etc. If you would like to join our friendly team contact Jan Allen on 94671444, or email resume to janeta@andrewplaceclinic.com.au.  Job description can be emailed on request.

 

CBD - Community Health Nurse – Permanent 2 x 0.6 EFT (CHN 3B)

We are seeking an enthusiastic & experienced Div 1 Nurse for a Nurse Practitioner type role, with an understanding of the issues affecting marginalized communities, in particular people who inject drugs, people who are homeless and people with mental health issues. Within this position there is potential for a nurse to initiate or develop his or her own clinics, such as a liver health or reproductive health clinic. Located in the Melbourne CBD, a sound understanding of and commitment to community development, health promotion, harm reduction and primary health care is essential. A pre-employment police record check is mandatory. Salary packaging is available. For a copy of the position description please contact Silvia on 8327 1700 or by email: Silvia.Cicciarella@dgchs.org.au. For further information please contact Gavin Bussenschut Coordinator Complex Needs Program on 8327 1700. Cut off date: Monday 11th March 2008

Positions wanted

 

See the website for all other positions vacant and wanted

 

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Humour

Jesus Is Watching You
A burglar broke into a house one night. He shone his flashlight around, looking for valuables, and when he picked up a CD player to place in his sack, a strange, disembodied voice echoed from the dark saying, “Jesus is watching you."
He nearly jumped out of his skin, clicked his flashlight off, and froze. When he heard nothing more after a bit, he shook his head, promised himself a vacation after the next big score, then clicked the light on and began searching for more valuables. Just as he pulled the stereo out so he could disconnect the wires, clear as a bell he heard, "Jesus is watching you."
Freaked out, he shined his light around frantically, looking for the source of the voice. Finally, in the corner of the room, his flashlight beam came to rest on a parrot.
"Did you say that?" he hissed at the parrot. "Yep," the parrot confessed, then squawked, "I'm just trying to warn you." !
The burglar relaxed. "Warn me, huh? Who in the world are you?"
"Moses," replied the bird.
"Moses?" the burglar laughed. "What kind of people would name a bird Moses?"
"The kind of people that would name a Rottweiler Jesus."

 

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