North East Valley DGP eNews

No 0825: July 24, 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/.
To subscribe to eNews click on subscribe. To be removed from the eNews distribution list click on Unsubscribe

 

In this issue:

Professional Development               CPD events          

HMR                                                 Dual diagnosis - Dementia, depression and more     

Immunisation                                   Hiberix Orders, Immunisation Stickers        

Information Management                Victorian Work Cover Certificates, Medical Director tips and New on the Web,

Items of interest                               Update from the Eye and Ear Hospital, GP Network News    

Mental Health                                  Primary Mental Health Team Training Calendar        

News for Practice Staff                    Preventing Osteoporosis and Reducing Fracture Risks, Spirometry Training Course, 4 Year Old Healthy Kids Check Update, ADGP Nursing News, APNA 2008 Best Practice Awards    

Paediatrics                                      Kids Connect, 4 Year Old Healthy Kids Check Update         

Women’s Health                              Anxiety and Depression in Pregnancy, Itchy Scratchy Issues - Vulval Disorders         

Positions vacant/wanted                     

Fun stuff                                              

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CPD

Spirometry Training Course

Saturday August 16, 9:00am – 4:30pm (Sit down lunch will be provided) at John Scott Meeting House, Latrobe University. Presented and funded by the Dept of Health and Ageing through the National Asthma Council. Target Group: GPs, Asthma Educators and Practice Nurses

Contact: Ms Janina De Silva on 9496 4333 Application Form, Participant Reading, Workshop Agenda

 

Term 3 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

July 29 - Emergency Procedures in General Practice - Dr Jim Goutzamanis

For full term Tuesday lecture program click here

 

Austin Health - Division of Medicine Grand Round

“The OSCE Roadshow” - Invited Speaker: Dr David Smallwood, Medical Education Fellow, University of Melbourne, Department of Respiratory Medicine and General Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital. Wednesday 30 July, 12:10pm at John Lindell Lecture Theatre, Level 4, Lance Townsend Building, Opposite Medical Library - followed by lunch in Zeltner Hall at 1:00pm

 

Dermatology Conference for General Practitioners

Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 August. Presented by the RACGP Victoria Faculty and the Skin and Cancer Foundation, this conference will address problems that are frequently seen in general practice. The conference program is designed to be highly interactive and will give GPs practical information on a range of common skin conditions. The optional practical procedures workshop on Friday night will provide participants with a refresher on practical procedures in dermatology. To register for the conference, please go to www.racgp.org.au/vic/events or for more information contact the faculty on 03 8699 0563 or email vic.events@racgp.org.au

 

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HMR

Home/Residential Medicines Review (HMR/RMMR) Group

Dual diagnosis - Dementia, depression and more... the Can Do program

Speakers: Prof Michael Woodward, Director Aged Care Austin Hospital, Prof Louis Roller Monash University, and Dr Jenny Gowan, NDGP.

Case study – HMR substance abuse and an older person, HMRs, RMMRs (Items 900, 903)

Wednesday 6 August,  7.00pm - 9:00pm. Refreshments from 6:15pm. Main speaker 7.30pm at Northern Division Training Room.

Enquiries to Jenny Gowan on Tel. 8480 4611. Flyer.

 

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Immunisation

Hiberix Orders

DHS is currently receiving a number of vaccine orders requesting Hiberix. These orders for Hiberix vaccine will not be processed and must be reordered after August 1st. Hiberix orders will be received and processed from 1st August 2008. All Hiberix vaccine orders received from this date will be delivered mid to late August.

 

Immunisation Stickers

The immunisation over stickers for the Child Health Record book are now available and can be ordered on line by emailing the Immunisation department at immunisation@dhs.vic.gov.au. When ordering these stickers please quote the following product code IMMUN0001. You must order a minimum of ten and no more than 20 per order. Please provide a phone number with the mailing address, without this information we will not be able to send out the stickers. These stickers are to be stuck over the first page of the existing immunisation record in the Child Health Record book when a baby presents for the first time. Please do not place this sticker over any existing documented immunisation history.

 

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Information Management

Victorian Work Cover Certificates (New July 2008)

These new MD versions, updated July 2008, should now be used. Delete old versions and re-install the new versions from the NEV Website – IM Resources – Medical Certificates.

 

Medical Director Tip - How to remove unprinted scripts

For all sorts of reasons you may have a long list of unprinted scripts, e.g. when you close a patient record you are prompted to print scripts and you may select Print later. These are stored so you can batch print scripts if you wish (handy before going out to nursing homes).

  • MD2 – Tools >Batch Print (or <F9>)
  • MD3 – Clinical >Prescription >Batch Print (or <F9>)

In MD3 you can only delete them one at a time by highlighting the script and clicking on the Delete button (the Delete key on the keyboard doesn’t work). In MD2 you are able to “bulk” delete the scripts. Click on the first script you wish to delete, hold down the Shift key and click on the last one you wish to delete – this highlights all the ones in between. Now click on the Delete button (the Delete key on the keyboard doesn’t work here either). You can also Control click to select a non-contiguous selection. You can also filter by individual GP, patient or date if you wish.

 

This weeks IM problem - Investigation requests not printing properly

Question: Our IT guy just upgraded our computers and since then the pathology requests don’t print in the right places. How do I fix this?

Answer: From the Tools menu select Options and click on the Investigations tab. Under Laboratories select the pathology company and then make sure there is a tick in the box: Use standard pre-printed form. You may have to check each computer on the network for this and check the other providers as well.

 

New on the Web

1. Victorian Statewide Referral Form+ Project – a completely new section on the website for those participating in the VSRF+ trial has been updated and ready for use. Found under VSRF+ Pilot project.

2. AGPN Nurses News, July 2008 – added to Practice Nurses Network – AGPN News

 

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Items of Interest

Update from the Eye and Ear Hospital

In a recent audit, we found that almost 20% of referrals to our Outpatient Booking Unit are missing essential patient details such as address, contact details, phone number and date of birth. This delays the allocation of an appointment to your patient. Please ensure you include this information for every referral to expedite this process. We would also be very grateful if you could include the patient’s Medicare number or mark as Medicare ineligible. Just over 70% of our referrals do not contain the Medicare information. Although our services are State funded, Medicare ineligible patients are not funded for services at this hospital. The sooner we are aware of this then the sooner we can discuss the options with your patient. If you prefer, you may like to use our referral template forms which can be downloaded from the health professional section of our website http://www.eyeandear.org.au/healthprofs/op_referral.pdf or hard copies may be ordered from our Outpatient Booking Unit, phone 9929 8500.

 

GP Network News

This edition contains AMA Council of General Practice (AMACGP) Meets in Melbourne; Diabetes Week; Medicare Online; Aged Care Access Initiative. Full version.

 

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Mental Health

Primary Mental Health Team Training Calendar July - November 2008

Training is provided by the North East & Northern Primary Mental Health Teams for primary care providers (Community Health Centres, NGO’s, GPs etc) in Banyule, Nillumbik, Darebin & Whittlesea. [Application Form]

 

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News for Practice Staff

Preventing Osteoporosis and Reducing Fracture Risks – Invitation to Practice Nurses

Dr Mary Levidiotis, NPS Program Coordinator for NEVDGP & NDGP will present an interactive workshop for practices nurses focusing on the patient population over the age of 60. One in two women and one in three men are at risk of an osteoporotic fracture.  A ‘real case’ study will be discussed. This workshop will be held on Thursday 7th August, from 6:45pm, Start 7pm to 8.30pm at John Scott Meeting House, Latrobe University. For further information and registration click here or contact Janina on 9496 4333

 

Spirometry Training Course

See under CPD

 

4 Year Old Healthy Kids Check Update

See under Paediatrics

 

ADGP Nursing News July 2008

This includes Medicare Item 16400 – Practice Nurses as Providers of Antenatal Services: Pilot Training Program; New MBS Healthy Kids Check; New MBS Item - Type 2 Diabetes Risk Evaluation; Practice Nurse Leadership and Development Program; Stories from the Frontline RCNA - General Practice Nurse Conference; Development and Delivery of an e-Learning Training; Package to Support Medicare Item 10997; National Resource Library (NRL); APNA National Conference

Click here for full article.

 

The Australian Practice Nurses Association 2008 Best Practice Awards Applications Are Now Open!
The APNA 2008 Best Practice Awards seeks to identify and pay tribute to those nurses working in general practice who are ‘champions’ in any one of the award categories. The Awards are open to all APNA members who can either be nominated by their peers or self-nominated. All nominations are judged by an independent panel of industry experts and the two finalists for each Award are invited to attend the APNA Best Practice Awards Presentation Dinner, where the winners are announced. The Presentation Dinner is attended by practice nurses, sponsors, government officials and other key stakeholders with an interest in practice nursing. In 2008 the Best Practice Awards will be offered in six categories:

·         Immunisation

·         Chronic Disease Management

·         Innovation and Commitment to Nursing in General Practice

·         Wound Management

·         Women’s Health

·         Quality Improvement

The winner of each Award category will receive between $1000 - $5000 to contribute towards the further development of their careers. Please see the nomination forms for each Award for further terms and conditions http://www.apna.asn.au

 

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Paediatrics

Kids Connect

For the July update bulletin from Kids Connect (for GPs, practice nurses, paediatricians, MCHN’s and other community healthcare providers) please click here.

 

4 Year Old Healthy Kids Check Update

The Get Set 4 Life Guide has been developed as an interactive book that provides practical information to assist parents/carers to interact with their child in developing healthy habits.  Combined with practical information for parents/carers and animated illustrations to which children can relate, this guide has been designed to support parents/carers in their child’s development and to reinforce the importance of establishing healthy life habits. A list of useful resources for parents/carers to obtain further information regarding the health and development of their children is provided at the back of the Guide.

The Get Set 4 Life Guide is to be provided to parents/carers as part of the Healthy Kids Check for all Australian children at four years of age. It is a compulsory part of the Healthy Kids Check and as such, copies of the Guide are available individually.

If GPs and Practice Nurses wish to undertake the Healthy Kids Check and do not yet have copies of the 'Get Set 4 Life - habits for healthy kids' Guide, the Check can be undertaken and a copy of the guide provided to the patient's parent or guardian at a later date.

Hard copies can be obtained by emailing requests to resourcekits@health.gov.au The Guide is provided to Practices on request and free of charge. At present the Get Set 4 Life Guide is only available in English.

 

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Women’s Health

Anxiety and Depression in Pregnancy

Tuesday 29th July 6.30- 9pm at Rydges Hotel, 205 Bell St Preston – dinner included. Northpark Private invite you to attend an interesting and informative evening with Professor Anne Buist (Psychiatrist) who will provide new insights in the treatment of Anxiety and Depression in Pregnancy and PND.

Group 2 CPD points for attending GPs. Contact Elle Foster on 9467 6022 to reserve your seats

 

Itchy Scratchy Issues - Vulval Disorders
Dr Kathy Cook - Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Mercy Hospital for Women.

Tuesday 5th August. 7-9pm (Registration & Refreshments from 6.30pm) Level 4 Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg.
Registrations: Merran McDonald 8458 4833 / mmcdonald@mercy.com.au or click here for the registration flier

 

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Positions vacant/wanted

Please note: only new ads, paid ads or resubmitted ads will be posted here. All other ads can be found on the website

 

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 or peterenten@bigpond.com

 

Ivanhoe Medical Clinic - sessions for female VR GP. Modern, large group with supportive colleagues and full time nurses, computerised, CDMs, mixed billing, flexible, friendly, no A/H, good remuneration. Contact Dr.Stephen Smith or Dr.David Doig on 03 9499 1245.

 

KensingtonDoutta Galla Community Health Centre Medical Clinic is seeking VR GPs, part-time and flexible sessions available. Particularly focussing on Youth and Young Adults. 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  

 

Watsonia - Part-time GP required. Sessions negotiable. No after hours or week-end work. Practice Nurse, Fully computerised. Contact Dr F O'Donnell 9435 1191.

Practice Staff

Clifton Hill Medical Group - seeks a Div 1 Practice Nurse for three days per week. Job share position with flexibility to work extra shifts an advantage.  Immunisation certificate required. Duties include patient liaison, assessments & care planning, triaging, immunizations, wound management, assisting doctors and management of medical stock & supplies. Friendly and supportive work environment. Please e-mail C.V. to Rosemary Russo – rosemary@chmg.com.au or telephone 0417 306 385 during business hours.

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Humour

The Bottle of Wine
Mary was driving home from one of her business trips in Northern Arizona when she saw an elderly Navajo woman walking on the side of the road. As the trip was a long and quiet one, she stopped the car and asked the Navajo woman if she would like a ride.
With a silent nod of thanks, the woman got into the car.
Resuming the journey, Mary tried in vain to make a bit of small talk with the Navajo woman. The old woman just sat silently, looking intently at everything she saw, studying every little detail, until she noticed a brown bag on the seat next to Mary.
'What in bag?' asked the old woman.
Mary looked down at the brown bag and said, 'It's a bottle of wine. I got it for my husband.'
The Navajo woman was silent for another moment or two

Then speaking with the quiet wisdom of an elder, she said:
'Good trade.....'

 

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