North East Valley DGP eNews

No 0907: March 12, 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/.
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                                                Amendments to the Schedule 8 permit and notification requirements

Immunisation                                 Immunisation Questions from a GP, Pertussis Alert     

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

Items of interest                            Austin Health High Risk Foot Clinic, Chronic heart failure information in 16 community languages, Austin Health Non-Emergency Ambulance Bookings, Medpedia           

News for Practice Staff                 Practice Managers and Nurses Network Meeting, Useful Links           

NPS                                                 1st NPS Audit for NEW QPI PIP year, NEW NPS Program – Treating the Symptoms of Dementia

Paediatrics                                     Eat Well Play Well - Childhood Nutrition Education Program   

Women’s Health                            Medical & Psychiatric Interventions to Improve Perinatal & Maternal Outcomes               

Positions vacant/wanted                

Fun stuff                                            

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CPD

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

March 17 - Shoulder Pain - Mr Trung Nguyen

For full term Tuesday lecture program click here

 

St Vincent’s GP education: GP Workshop in Skin Cancer Basic Techniques: a hands-on practical workshop

Saturday, 2nd May, 8.45 am-4pm. Strictly 28 places only so get in early. Learning Objectives: Punch biopsy, shave biopsy, excisional biopsy, cryotherapy, curettage & diathermy, simple ellipses, topical treatments including photodynamic therapy. Accommodation deal available at Metropole Apartments for rural GPs and/or families. See www.svhm.org.au/gp for flyer or contact Paul Williamson on 9288 2986 or paul.williamson@svhm.org.au

 

Prostate Cancer management in General Practice

North Eastern Metropolitan Integrated Cancer Services together with Eastern Health GP Liaison program are holding an education evening for GPs and practice nurses.

There will be presentations & case study discussions facilitated by experts in the area from Eastern Health. Speakers include: Mr Paul Ruljancich - Urologist, Dr Farshad Foroudi – Radiation Oncologist, Dr Rowan Doig - Medical Oncologist, Pam McMahon & Lynda Hardy Urology Nurses, Dr Geoff Broomhall – GP, Dr Manfred Spanger – Radiologist & Ian Roos – consumer advocate. Topics will include diagnosis and detection of prostate cancer, treatment options and supportive care needs of patients.

Tuesday 31st March  from 6.30pm at Wantirna Health – Wantirna. (Meal & CPD points provided). Register with Alisha at Melbourne East GP Network on 8878 3755 or email ajackson@megpn.com.au

 

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HMR

Amendments to the Schedule 8 permit and notification requirements

From 1 March 2009, amendments to the Schedule 8 permit and notification requirements under the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 come into effect.

For a summary of the amended requirements and the implications for those practitioners click here.

If you have any queries in relation to the matter or require more information, please contact John McCormack, Senior Policy Officer, on tel 9096 5069, or Keith Moyle Manager, Drugs and Poisons Department of Human Services on tel 9096 5066.

 

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Immunisation

Immunisation Questions from a GP

This segment is available for your questions. Send to Dr Peter Eizenberg at petere@dr131.com.au and he will respond directly and eNews will publish each week.

Question: What year was boostrix (I should say the adult dTpa!) introduced to Australia?

Answer: Re Adolescent/Adult DTPa. Included in funded program from 2004. I believe it was available in Australia sometime prior (I think around 2002, from memory, or maybe a year or 2 earlier).

 

Pertussis Alert

The number of notified cases of pertussis (whooping cough) has increased sharply in Victoria. Babies are at risk from birth as no protection is passed on from the mother and a child who has received less than three doses of a pertussis containing vaccine should be considered at risk. Protection is not life long and begins to wane after 6-10 years. An adult pertussis booster vaccine should be encouraged for adults planning a pregnancy and for adults working with young babies. The full alert may be found on the GPV website.

 

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Information Management

General Computer Tip - Creating an email group

How often to do you receive (or send) an email where in the To: box there is a long list of email addresses. It is much better to create a group (or “Distribution List, as it is known)

1.   On the File menu, select New and then click Distribution List.

2.   In the Name box, type a name, such as Tennis Club Group

3.   Click Select Members and in the Show names from the: list, click the address book that contains the e-mail addresses you want in your distribution list.

4.   In the Type name or select from list: box, type a name you want to include. In the list below, select the name, and then click Members ->. Do this for each person you want to add to the distribution list, and then click OK. 

When you want to send an email to this group simply type the name of the group (Distribution list) in the To: box.

 

Medical Director Tip - Preventive Health window

Once in a patient record you may wish to see a list of the preventive health measures that need to be taken. Simply click on the Summaries tab and this displays the windows for Family History, Social History, Past History, Immunisations, Medications and Preventive Health.

 

This weeks IM problem - Changing the Custom web buttons

Question: At the bottom right of the MD patient screen there are 2 “Custom” buttons. When I click on them they take me to the HCN website. Can I change one of them to go to the North East Valley Division website?

Answer: Yes you can. From the Tools menu select Options and then click on the General tab (if necessary).

·        for Custom Web button Caption type NEVDGP

·        for URL type www.nevdgp.org.au

Click on Save – now when you click on the custom button it will take you to the NEVDGP website.

 

New on the Web

1.      New doctor checklist – found under Practice Managers' Resources - What to do with a new doctor

 

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Items of Interest

Austin Health High Risk Foot Clinic

Interdisciplinary management of Foot Ulcers and other Diabetic (primarily) foot complications at risk of amputation.  Fax detailed referral to Repatriation Outpatients Department on 9496 2097 or phone clinic on 9496 2017. Manager: Julie Miller, Podiatrist. GP's are welcome to visit the HRFC by arrangement.

 

Chronic heart failure information is now available in 16 community languages

This information sheet for people with heart failure and their carers includes information on how to minimise the symptoms of heart failure and stay healthy; and has an 'action plan', listing the important things to do every day and when to call a health professsional or an ambulance. This information sheet is based on the Heart Foundation booklet 'Living well with chronic heart failure', (available in English, free for single copies - call 1300 36 27 87).

For professional heart health information, click here

 

Austin Health Non-Emergency Ambulance Bookings

The Austin Health Non-Emergency Ambulance Service is experiencing continued difficulty in meeting the current demand for transport in relation to outpatient and allied health appointments.  Whilst the service attempts to action all requests it receives, some bookings could be avoided by making alternative transport arrangements via veteran cars, volunteer services, taxis with an escort, or simply by family, carers and friends. These options could prevent unnecessary delays for a patient and assist the service to provide much needed transport for the elderly, disabled and unwell patients requiring medical support during travel. Your assistance in the screening of your patients and exploring other avenues of transport would be greatly appreciated. and assist us to provide an efficient and effective response to those in need of our service. Contact John Thornton, Business Manager - Sub Acute Services john.thornton@austin.org.au 

 

Medpedia

GPs and other health professionals may be interested to learn of a new website called Medpedia, an online medical encyclopaedia.

Entries can only be made by approved contributors – GPs and people with PhDs. http://www.medpedia.com/

 

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News for Practice Staff

Practice Managers and Nurses Network Meeting

Sterilization/Infection Control Update and IM Update: Thursday March 19, 6.30 pm – 9:00 pm at John Scott Meeting House. Flyer or register by emailing Noel

 

Useful Links

Department of Human Services – Summary of New Medicare Benefits (MBS) item numbers: General Practice and Allied Health. Click here

 

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NPS

1st NPS Audit for NEW QPI PIP year

The 1st paper clinical audit for the new QPI PIP year 1 May 2009 - 30 April 2010 is now available for online enrolment (www.nps.org.au), enrolment using paperwork in PPR 44 or alternatively you may use the divisional flyer to enroll. The topic is Clinical audit: Antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy in stroke prevention and is approved by RACGP for 40 category 1 points in the 2008-2010 triennium. Enrolments close on Friday 10 April 2009 and completed audit packs MUST be submitted to the NPS by Friday May 8th 2009.

 

NEW NPS Program – Treating the Symptoms of Dementia

The first NPS program for 2009 on ‘Treating the symptoms of Dementia’ has commenced.  One to one practice visits and case study meetings for groups of 3 or more GPs are available.  Sessions award 2 RACGP points (category 2 points). The program will run until end 30th June 2009. The program discuses the limited benefits of the dementia medications (cholinesterase inhibitors & memantine), use of antipsychotics medications in dementia and more ….see program flyer. If you or your practice regularly participates in NPS divisional activities, do nothing and we will contact YOU to organise your visit(s).  If you have never taken part in an educational session and are interested in this topic please contact Dr Mary Levidiotis on 9496 4333 or email mary@nevdgp.org.au or contact Ms Melanie Hay on 9416 7689 or email Melanie.Hay@ndgp.org.au or use the attached form to contact us.

 

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Paediatrics

‘Eat Well Play Well’ – Banyule Community Health Childhood Nutrition Education Program

Paediatric Dietitian Nathalie Cook APD, runs nutrition education sessions for parents and carers of children 0-5 year at the Greensborough and West Heidelberg Community Health Centres.  Topics covered include: Introducing Solids; Healthy Eating and Active Play for Toddlers; Nutrition and physical activity for mums after pregnancy; Healthy eating and active play for children starting kinder of school. The aim of the program is to establish healthy eating early in childhood to prevent overweight and obesity. Cost: A gold coin donation. Call 9490 4222 for session times and dates and to book in.

 

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Women’s Health

Medical & Psychiatric Interventions to Improve Perinatal & Maternal Outcomes

Assoc Prof Sue Walker, Perinatal Medicine Consultant & Dr Megan Galbally, Consultant Psychiatrist, Mercy Hospital for Women.

Tuesday 24th March. 7.00-9.00pm (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 flyer.

 

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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

Thornbury - VR GP, F/T or P/T required for accredited long established friendly family practice.  Mixed billing. Nursing support.  Fully computerised.  Please contact our Practice Manager

Evelyn on 9484 7762 or 0408 100 279

 

Practice staff

Clifton Hill - Division 1 Nurse with Immunisation Certification required for busy family general medical practice - 8am to 4.30pm three days per week -  job share arrangement.  On the job training provided.  Must be computer literate & a team player.  Challenging and varied role.  Please forward CV to Practice Manager - Rosemary Russo Fax 9486 1571 or e-mail rosemary@chmg.com.au 

 

Positions wanted

Nillumbik area - GP available for work. Hours flexible. Able to start immediately. Contact Dr Farhat Arjmand on 0412 419 340

 

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Humour

Wife vs. Husband
A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word.
An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position.
As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, "Relatives of yours?"

"Yep," the wife replied, "in-laws."

 

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And remember

 

            …to steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.