North East Valley DGP eNews

No 0902: February 5, 2009
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                                          New staff members       

Chronic Disease Management      Life! Taking Action on Diabetes

Professional Development           CPD events         

HMR                                                Identifying medication related problems in older persons, Free Dose Administration Aids for DVA patients    

Immunisation                                 HPV – Changes to Dates for ‘Free’ Vaccination Program          

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

Items of interest                            Hot Weather, Human Services Directory, St Vincent’s Community Rehabilitation Centre, BECC waiting times       

News for Practice Staff                 Associated Membership for Nurses and Practice Managers, National Clinical Skill Program for Nurses, 4 Year Old Health Check Workshops, Graduate Certificate in Nursing, Orientation Program for Nurses New to General Practice

Women’s Health                            Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Mercy Hospital for Women GP Hotline, Women’s Health in the North, Groups for Women With or At Risk of Ante/Postnatal Depression                    

Positions vacant/wanted                

Fun stuff                                            

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A Word from the Editor

NEVDGP New Staff members

The division welcomes two new staff members to the division:

Wendy Reid - a qualified Division 1 Nurse, immunisation provider and has an extensive background in division work (Melbourne GPN for 8 years). Wendy will take over Practice Accreditation, assist Janina in the Nurses network and work with Noel on the Pen Clinical Audit. Wendy can be contacted on Wednesdays.

Ken Luxmoore - a qualified psychiatric nurse who is joining the Mental Heath Team, working with Janine and Alison. Ken is fulltime at the division.

Alison Elliot - not really a new member as she has worked previously with the division so this is a welcome back. Alison is working in Mental Health and can be contacted on Tuesdays or Thursdays.

 

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Chronic Disease Management

Life! Taking Action on Diabetes

There are now patient and practitioner resources available to help promote the prevention of type 2 diabetes

To review the resources and/or order your material click here

 

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CPD

Immunisation Update,

Tuesday 24th February, 7.15- 8.45pm at John Scott Meeting House, Latrobe University.

GPs and nurses are invited to a comprehensive update on immunisation. Dr Peter Eizenberg will cover Childhood Vaccines, Measles Vaccination, HPV, Zoster, Flu, Pneumonia and the latest news on vaccines that could be available in the near future. Noel Stewart will demonstrate using HPV as an example, how the PEN audit tool can assist in the immediate identification of patients who qualify but have yet to receive the course of injections.

Click here for flier or ring John Fletcher on 9496 4333

 

The GPs role in personal injury matters – your questions answered

Thursday, 12th March 7 - 8.30pm at the John Scott Meeting House at Latrobe University

This is an open forum aimed at increasing the mutual understanding of the role that GPs and lawyers play in personal injury cases. Lawyers from Maurice Blackburn will be in attendance to facilitate the session. Flier

 

Australasian College of Skin Cancer

For the 2009 Calendar of Events click here or visit our website at: www.skincancercollege.com Ph 0414 910 355

 

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 10 - Management of Pelvic Pain - Prof. Sonia Grover

For full term Tuesday lecture program click here

 

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HMR

HMR meeting:  Identifying medication related problems in older persons

Wednesday 4 March, 6.30pm for 7pm start. At Northern Division Training room

Prof Michael Woodward Director Aged Care Austin Hospital, Mr Rohan Elliott, Aged Care Pharmacist, Austin Hospital  

Light meal provided. RSVP Cherry Braine 9416 7689

HMR or medication issues contact Dr Jenny Gowan 0417 506 944. Click here for flyer.

 

Free Dose Administration Aids for DVA patients

Have you identified all your patients in your surgery? The PEN toll is a great aid. All DVA patients may receive free weekly Dose Administration Aids. Details of the process – in case you have forgotten over Christmas, are available here. Strongly advised to request an HMR first to establish exactly what they are taking (or should not be taking). 

Further information available from Dr Jenny Gowan on 9416 7689. Jenny will be speaking to all RSL groups this year - make sure your patients know about this service now.

 

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Immunisation

HPV – Changes to Dates for ‘Free’ Vaccination Program and using PEN CAT to assist

The availability of free vaccine for 18 to 26 year old women has been extended by 6 months. All females in this age group who are as yet un-immunised need to receive their first dose of the vaccine by 30 June 2009, and must complete all three doses by 31 December 2009.

Note: HPV will continue to be provided free to Year 7 girls only from 2010 onwards as part of the National Immunisation Program schedule in Victoria.

This change adds 6 months life to the Gardasil searches of the PEN Clinical Audit Tool. Use the CAT to find those patients who have not had their first injection and recall them so that the first injection occurs before the end of June 2009. A special reminder letter to get the first Gardasil injection has been added to the Medical Director Templates – No 9 Other

 

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Information Management

Medical Director Tip - Deleting templates

Quite often the LetterWriter template list becomes clogged with non-used and obsolete templates so a “clean-up” is needed.

1.   Open LetterWriter and from the File menu select New or Modify template.

2.   Highlight the offending template and then press the DELETE key on the keyboard or click on the Delete button.

Warning: Be careful you don’t delete a colleague’s valued template, it’s best to check with colleagues before starting this exercise.

 

This weeks IM problem - Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale

Question: Can you create a template for the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale?

Answer: Sorry but No! MD has the Edinburgh Depression scale built into it.

MD2 – under the Tools menu

MD3 – under the Assessment menu

 

New on the Web

1.   Immunisation Update

      HMR – Identifying medication related problems in older persons

      The GP's role in personal injury matters

      See under CPD - Calendar of Events

2.   Nurses and Practice Managers Associate membership Forms – see under About Us/Contact Us – NEVDGP Welcome Kit

3.   Gardasil Reminder Letter – for those who have yet to have their first injection. See under IM Templates - Other

 

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Items of Interest

Hot Weather

For your information in the current hot weather the DHS website has some general info for the public about how to deal with the heat. You will see that it advises people who know someone suffering heat-related illness to encourage them to see their doctor, so there may be an increase in such calls to general practice.

 

Are your details up-to-date on the Human Services Directory?

The RCH and most Victorian hospitals use the Human Services Directory (HSD) to find up-to-date GP contact details for communication and for families seeking a local GP. It is therefore essential that you and your practice are listed on this directory.  To check whether you/your practice are listed, go to the HSD at www.humanservicesdirectory.vic.gov.au. If you are not listed or your details are out-of-date you can register or send changes directly via the website.

Note that:

1.      Hospitals have signed an agreement to only use your information for the purpose of sending clinical information (discharge summaries, etc).

2.      YOU can specify which information on the HSD can be viewed by hospitals, and which information is for the public to view. We encourage you to provide fax numbers and GP provider numbers to help us to communicate better; this information is not released to the public.

3.      Maintenance of information is YOUR responsibility

4.      Any new information/changes to details that you suggest via the website will be verified by phone before an update is made.

 

St Vincent’s Community Rehabilitation Centre

This centre has opened at the St Georges Hospital site in Kew, to provide rehabilitation services to people in the city of Yarra, and Boroondara. Call 9816 0660 or fax 9816 0661 to make a referral. This new centre replaces the Cambridge CRC and Boroondara CRC services.

 

BECC waiting times

Waiting times for new referrals to Bundoora Extended Care Centre Inpatient Admissions are currently approximately Gem > 5-7 days, Rehab 7-10 days. Any queries regarding our waiting times please contact Access BECC on 9495 3109

 

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News for Practice Staff

Associated Membership for Nurses and Practice Managers

We invite Practice Nurses and Practice Managers working at a general practice in the North East Valley Division to become an Associated Member of the Division and to be included on our distribution and invitation lists. This means you will be able to receive our newsletters and invitations to educational and networking events. As an Associate member you: add your support to a pro active and general practice focussed organisation, are welcome to our yearly AGM and will have access to focussed education & training offered by the division. There is a separate Application Form for Practice Managers and Practice Nurses - see under NEVDGP Welcome Kit

 

National Clinical Skill Program for Nurses

The Benchmarque Group is celebrating the launch of their 2009 National Clinical Skills Program, this program is a unique opportunity for nurse clinicians and non nursing staff to participate in a range of nationally recognised qualification courses. Places are strictly limited and are already starting to fill. To find out more go to www.ncsp.com.au. To find more about The Benchmarque Group - go to www.benchmarquegroup.com.au. The first newsletter for 2009 includes NEW Graduate Certificate in Continence Management, Places filling FAST at our National Clinical Skills Program 2009, Ear Irrigation Course improving Patient Outcomes. Click here to view the Newsletter.   

 

4 Year Old Health Check Workshops

Workshops are currently in progress and we have had very positive feedback from presenters and participants about the content. DHS have been involved in the workshops, which has been good to develop a link between the local material and child health services. Ausmed will be running 4 more workshops before June:- Melbourne - Monday 16th  March &  Tuesday 21st  April  at the Nurses Memorial Centre Melbourne. Please contact Janina for a copy of the flyer and registration forms.

 

Graduate Certificate in Nursing (General Practice).

Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) invites all registered nurses (Division one) working in general practice to enrol in the Graduate Certificate in Nursing (General Practice). Course information and enrolment forms can be obtained from AGPN website or call (02) 6228 0800.

 

Orientation Program for Nurses New to General Practice – Pilot Program

GPV will be coordinating two pilot programs for this new orientation program in two sites.  26th &17th February at GPV

This ‘new’ 2 day workshop will support those nurses who have been working in a medical practice for between 6 months and 12 months and are new to the nurse’s role in the general practice setting. Numbers will be limited to 20 people per program for the pilot.  If there are too many people enrolled for the first course, GPV are planning a second program in May so you will be placed on a waiting list. Once the pilot program has been evaluated this program will be offered state-wide after June. Course information and registration form

 

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Women’s Health

February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

For a variety of events promoting the awareness of ovarian cancer visit www.ovariancancer.net.au or call Ovarian Cancer Australia on 1300 660 334

 

Mercy Hospital for Women GP Hotline

Reminder: Mercy Hospital for Women GP HOTLINE 9458 4100 is for GP USE ONLY, in order to facilitate GP access for clinical enquiries. It should never be given out to women trying to make outpatient department appointment bookings as this results in increasing difficulty for GPs needing timely access. Please reserve this number for GP ONLY USE!
For any further information or comment please contact Dr Mary Anne McLean GP Liaison Unit on 8458 4831 or via email: mmclean@mercy.com.au  

 

Women’s Health in the North

In 2004, as part of WHIN's Information Service, we developed a women's specific Quick Reference Guide (QRG). This was an online database of programs and services in the northern subregion of Melbourne. An evaluation of the Information Service in 2008 resulted in WHIN's decision to withdraw it from circulation as the organisation not being considered the most appropriate to offer this information.

Click here to find a document that explains the steps undertaken to continue to facilitate women's ability to find the information they need from existing sources (the document on the left column - Quick Reference Guide Update). Note that some of the links may not work as they relate to documents on our server.

 

Groups for Women With or At Risk of Ante/Postnatal Depression

Banyule Community Health is offering quite a few group courses for women with or at risk of ante/postnatal depression starting within the next fortnight. These include Community Hugs – Happiness, Understanding, Giving and Sharing, Mum’s Wellbeing Exercise Group and Massage Sessions, Mum’s Wellbeing Homoepathy Course, New Mum’s Wellbeing Group.

Bookings are essential. Please contact Sharleen Cook (Women's Health Nurse) on 9433 5111 for more details. Or visit Banyule Community Health website.

 

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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

Darebin Community Health – East Reservoir - GP required full time or part time at the East Reservoir site of Darebin Community Health Service. This is a salaried position with flexible work hours, salary packaging and excellent facilities. We are seeking a compassionate, dedicated GP to join our team.  We have Practice Nurses, Refugee Health nurse, a Practice Manager and friendly colleagues. The practice is accredited and computerised. Please contact Vanessa Hogarth our Practice Manager on 8470 1109 to discuss further or email your resume to Vanessa.hogarth@dch.org.au.

 

GP Position - Global Life Insurer seeking a GP for permanent opportunity as internal consultant. Broad responsibilities providing: advice to claims & underwriting divisions; strategic input into product development; train / coach staff; & research emerging global health issues. Mon-Fri standard office hours. Contact Garry Medland on 03 9602 9900.

 

Kingsville 3012, April 2009 - Full/Part time VR GP required for an accredited family medical practice established 1987. Flexible sessions available. Mixed billing. Mixed residential and commercial location. Full ethnic mix of patients. Friendly, professional work environment. No AH.. Remuneration negotiable. Contact Dr. Sheila Rozario Tel: 96877 258 Fax: 9687 0485 or email rawetandrozario@iinet.net.au

 

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

Practice Staff

Bundoora – Practice Nurse Div 1 P/T required for busy family practice for 16-20 hours/week. Experience in Immunisation, Health Assessments and Care Plans preferred but not essential. Contact Jan Allen, Practice Nurse Coordinator, Andrew Place, on 9467 1444.

 

Northern Suburbs - Part time medical receptionist required for solo practice in Northern suburbs. Must be experienced and reliable. Available for approx 20+ hours per week. Please phone 9460 1083 from 9 - 1 pm Monday to Friday.

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Humour

Church Bulletins 

These sentences (with all the BLOOPERS ) actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services: 

·        The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals. 

·        The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'

·        Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.

·        Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you. 

·        Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help. 

·        Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.

·        For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

·        Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.

 

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And remember

 

            …some people have a veneer that comes off really easy with a bit of liquor.