North East Valley DGP eNews

No 0840: November 20, 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                                          The NEW PRIMARY HEALTH CARE STRATEGY AND YOU          

Aged Care                                       Changes to the D800 claim for travelling expenses form for DVA clients        

Professional Development           CPD events         

HMR                                                Final Session - Cardio-vascular interventions (emphasis on medication)        

Immunisation                                 Immunisation Data, Nillumbik Immunisation Service 2009, RACGP Pandemic flu kit, Incorrect notifications, SAEFVIC Important Correction        

Information Management            includes General Computer Tip, Medical Director Tips and New on the Web

Items of interest                            GP Network News          

News for Practice Staff                 Practice Managers final meeting for 2008, Medicare 4 year old Health Checks training, Graduate Certificate in Nursing for 2009, Call for abstracts for the National Divisions NiGP Forum in March 2009 

Positions vacant/wanted                

Fun stuff                                            

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A Word from the Editor

The NEW PRIMARY HEALTH CARE STRATEGY AND YOU

The Australian Government has committed to the development of Australia’s first National Primary Health Care Strategy. Developing the Strategy will require consideration of a wide range of issues associated with the current planning, delivery, governance and financing of primary healthcare services in Australia, some of which cut across Commonwealth, state and territory responsibilities.

Future directions and reforms, to be identified through the Strategy, will need to recognise and build on the many aspects of our system which are working well. Importantly, the Strategy needs to recognise the critical contribution of the many dedicated health care professionals who are delivering services in our communities.

A Discussion Paper intended to provide a broad framework and basic information on key issues impacting on primary health care has been developed. Its purpose is to stimulate input and comment to assist in the development of the Strategy.

This Paper proposes 10 elements which could underpin a future primary health care system and for each one provides a snapshot of:

What happens now?

What does this mean for the community and health consumers?

What does this mean for health professionals?

Where could changes be made?

* Each week for the next few weeks the Division will be introducing one or more of the 10 elements for your consideration and/or comment – the first of which is below. You can view the entire document here.

Comments can be made to the Division OR www.health.gov.au/primaryhealthstrategy OR emailed to: nphcs@health.gov.au  

Hard copy submissions should be sent to: National Primary Health Care Strategy, Secretariat, MDP 94, GPO Box 9848. Canberra. ACT 2601

 

All Australians should have access to primary health care services which keep people well and manage ill-health by being:

Element 1. Accessible, clinically and culturally appropriate, timely and affordable;

Questions

How can we ensure appropriate services for all geographical areas and population groups?

How could primary health care services/workforce be expanded to improve access to necessary services?

What more needs to be done for disadvantaged groups to support more equitable access?

With limited public health dollars, how could priorities for accessing primary health care services be determined and targeting of public resources improved?

 

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Aged Care

Changes to the D800 claim for travelling expenses form for DVA clients

DVA has developed a new version of the D800 Claim for Travelling Expenses form.  This form is used for veteran travel relating to treatment, a Disability Claim or an Income Support Claim. The new D800 has changes to its layout and a reduction in the number of visits from five to three. 

The new form is in circulation and it is preferred that this form be used for all future travel claims - available here.  For assistance, contact the DVA on 1300 550 454 (metropolitan) or 1800 550 454 (country).

 

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CPD

Term 4 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

November 25 - Stenting Update - Dr Robert Chan

For full term Tuesday lecture program click here

 

gplearning Case of the Month – young person’s health with a twist…

Amy, aged 14, is brought to see you by her mother who is concerned by recent changes in Amy’s behaviour. Something is going on, but you’re not quite sure what. How does any GP manage a young person’s problems in an increasingly changing world? This month’s case is moderated by gplearning educator Dr Deborah Hawthorne. This activity has been approved for RACGP QA&CPD Category 2 points. Visit www.gplearning.com.au or access via MyGeneralPractice.

 

APNA Online Immunisation Course

RACGP in association with the Australian Practice Nurses Association (APNA) and the Australian Department of Health and Ageing has launched six new online learning activities aimed at practice nurses and other members of the practice team.  The activities are free and available through RACGPs online education portal GP learning at www.gplearning.com.au/

The modules provide an interactive and practical approach to managing immunisation in general practice.  Doctors can also undertake them as they attract Category 2 cpd points. The topics include: pre and post vaccination, vaccination administration, reminder and recalls, Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule, travel health, medico legal issues, item numbers, developing vaccination policy and program for your medical practice.

 

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HMR

Final Session - Cardio-vascular interventions (emphasis on medication)

Wednesday December 3, 6.30pm – 9.00pm (Sit down dinner provided) – At John Scott Meeting House Latrobe University. Presenter: Prof Omar Farouque (Head cardioilogy Austin Health) Target Group: GPs, Pharmacists and Practice Nurses 

Contact: Dr Jenny Gowan 9416 7689

 

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Immunisation

Immunisation Data

There has been a delay in posting 36A data to practices for the month of November. The issue has now been dealt with and data should be available to practice managers early next week. November is the completion of the GPII quarter for achieving 90% or greater. Use your 36A data from the Division to audit your records and ensure all encounters for the last 3 months have been reported to ACIR.

 

Nillumbik Immunisation Service 2009

Nillumbik Shire Council has signed the contract for Nillumbik Immunisation Service, which is based at the Nillumbik Community Health Service in Main Road Eltham, to continue to deliver the Immunisation Program. The program will be delivered via 4 'Open' sessions and two 'appointment ' only sessions per week. The ‘open’ sessions are all now of 2 hours in duration plus the appointment only sessions, which are primarily targeted at new parents and children attending with 'catch-up' programs, as well as others eligible for the NIP.

 

RACGP Pandemic flu kit – in practices soon

The RACGP Pandemic flu kit, launched at the combined RACGP ASC and Wonca conference, will be distributed to general practices within the next three weeks. The online version is now available at www.racgp.org.au/pandemicresources . For more information please contact standards@racgp.org.au.

 

Incorrect notifications

Some notifications of child vaccination of Infanrix hexa IPV are being reported as Infanrix (polio dose 4) and this is having an impact on the 72-75 month cohort. Children are then recorded as overdue and no GP II payments made to practices. Please ensure you document Infanrix hexa IPV and include the “IPV” component in the notification.

 

SAEFVIC (Surveillance of Adverse Events Following Vaccination in the Community) Important Correction

The contact number for SAEFVIC printed in the 9th edition Immunisation Handbook is incorrect. The correct details are: Telephone: 1300 882 924 between 10am -3.30pm All other times, please leave details on the answering machine and SAEFVIC nurses will return your call as soon as possible. Fax: 9345 4163 (24 hours).

 

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Information Management

General Computer Tip - Inserting a picture

1.   Insert the cursor on the page where you wish to insert the picture.

2.   From the Insert menu select Picture, then From file…

3.   Navigate your way to where the picture is stored. Select the picture and click on the Insert button.

 

Medical Director Tip - Time to change to MD3

From now on MD tips will be for MD3 versions only. Development in MD2 has virtually ceased so you should be migrating to MD3 ASAP.

 

This weeks IM problem - Adding smear results

Question: Is there a way for pap smears to automatically populate the "pap smear" tab?  I am currently entering manually (sigh) as I like to have it in this spot - then it prints automatically when I do the next request.

Answer: Unfortunately the MD pap smear database can’t be populated automatically. The best way to do it is while checking the result in the holding file. When the pap smear result is on the screen go to the File menu and select Add smear result; here you can add the result and recall at the same time.

 

New on the Web

1.   PEN Clinical Audit Tool User Guide - the most up-to-date guide for CAT users - Version 2-2 November 2008. Warning: 3 Mb file. Found under Information Management – PEN Clinical Audit Tool

2.   Identifying patients at risk of type 2 diabetes using the PEN Clinical Audit Tool – theses instructions have been modified to better identify diabetes "at risk" patients. Found under Information Management - PEN Clinical Audit Tool

 

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Items of Interest

GP Network News

The latest edition can be found here.

 

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News for Practice Staff

Practice Managers final meeting for 2008

Thursday 4th December 6.30-9pm (dinner provided) - “Celebrating Success" & "Comedy from the bedside". At John Scott Meeting House, Latrobe University. Contact Noel on 9496 4333 [Flyer]

 

Medicare 4 year old Health Checks (only thirty places)

 We have finally got some training dates for practice nurses to do the 4 year old health check training. The training will be offered through Ausmed.

·         Each training session will be limited to thirty places

·         Nurses will have to pay the course fee up front, they will need to put in a claim form (available soon) to reclaim the 50% subsidy offered through GPV on completion of the training

·         Ausmed are willing to run further courses. There will be more courses on offer in Melbourne early next year. Cynthea Wellings -  Ausmed Conferences cwelling@ausmed.com.au M: 0414 785 505 Office: (03) 9375 7311 can be contacted if you would like this course to be run through your rural division.  

Training Dates - MelbourneTuesday 13th January, Tuesday 20th January, and Thursday 29th January 09. Venue: The Nurses Memorial Centre, Suite 11, 431 St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Flyer & registration

 

Graduate Certificate in Nursing (General Practice) for 2009  

Information on the 2009 Graduate Certificate is available on the GPV website. This is unique opportunity for nurses to develop knowledge and skills to assist them working in the general practice environment. GPV offers the first three courses in this certificate at a heavily reduced rate.  See the information flyer for more information. If you have any questions on the program please direct them to Nicole Toon on 9341 5243 or n.toon@gpv.org.au

 

Call for abstracts from Divisions for papers for the National Divisions NiGP Forum in March 2009 
This is an important opportunity for the network to share key experience and knowledge with others. We are aware that there are many innovative and important programs being provided to support nurses in general practice, so we encourage divisions to share this work.

Abstracts will close on 9 January 2009. Information relating to the forum can be found here

 

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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

Bundoora - University Hill, F/T-P/T GP position in fully accredited, computerised practice. Outer metro grant available, good remuneration. Contact Dr Ravi Pachauri on 9467 4222

 

Ivanhoe Medical Clinic - sessions for PT or FT 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.

 

Northcote – F/t P/T VR GP or Subsequent Trainee GP position. Fully accredited, computerised, long established doctor owned practice in a new purpose built facility with a fabulous work environment. Ancillary Health , Pharmacy and Pathology  services on site. Inquiries Diane Cronin (Practice Manager) 9481 1214. Visit our website www.doctorsofnorthcote.com  

 

 

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Humour

Clever website

You can't order anything and it's in Dutch but open the following website, wait a couple of seconds and watch what happens.

http://producten.hema.nl/

 

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And remember……

 

            ….. plan to be spontaneous tomorrow.