No 1: January 31, 2008
eNews is a weekly electronic newsletter sent to all GP practices
(with email addresses) within the
Editorial A Word from the Editor
Chronic
Disease Management Neuropathy research,
Life! Taking Action on Diabetes – Media campaign to begin! Community Asthma
Program
Professional Development CPD events
HMR Smoking
cessation - Champix the latest
Immunisation Rotavirus, Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccine shortage, TGA update on HPV Vaccine, Changed childhood immunisation schedule from 1 March, Vaxigrip junior on the PBS
Information
Management includes Medical Director tips and New on the
Web
Items of
interest New Lymph
Node Diagnostic Clinics, Neurosurgeon at the
Mental Health Professional
Development training
News for
Practice Staff Ear Irrigation
Training, Diploma of Practice Management and Certificate III in Business
NPS Audit
Reminder, For Your Patients
Paediatrics New and updated factsheets from Kids Health Info, Kids Connect – RCH website for GPs
Women’s Health Pregnant and feeling depressed? Certificate in Sexual & Reproductive Health Course, Shared Maternity Care
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Welcome back. We hope
everyone had a restful break and that you’re ready to face the new year –
although not so new with one month down already.
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New research in a possible treatment for neuropathy associated with diabetes, using painless nerve stimulation. We are looking for patients to take part in a 12-week study. Inclusion criteria: • Between 55 – 75 years old • Have had diabetes for 10 years or less • Non-smokers • Peripheral neuropathy
The study takes place at the Endocrine Centre of Excellence,
The Life! Taking Action on Diabetes Program will be promoted to the general public from 4 February 2008. Radio and local newspapers will encourage people to complete the Diabetes Risk Test, and see their GP if they score above seven. If diabetes is excluded after a fasting blood glucose test, patients over 50 years may be eligible for the Life! diabetes prevention program in their local area. These programs will be available from March onwards. To pre register your patient for a Life! course please call the Diabetes Infoline on 1300 136 588.
Please be aware that the media campaign may increase the demand on your practice. For further information on the Life! Program or to order Diabetes Risk Tests or other resources to deal with this demand. Please call 1300 136 588 or visit www.diabetesvic.org.au
The CAP has now expanding to cover the areas of Stonnington, Port Philip, Boroondara & Richmond. CAP is a paediatric HARP-CDM program that provides support & education to children with asthma & their families in their home or community setting. During the six month program, educators also visit & liaise with GPs, childcare centres & schools, and other carers. Our educators are happy to work in collaboration with your practice, to support both practitioners & families, assisting with developing Written Asthma Action Plans and/or implementing the Asthma 3+ Plan. So if you have clients with chronic asthma and/or complex needs who would benefit from this program, please contact the CAP team on 9304-5327 or 9377-7190.
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Smoking Cessation – for GPs, Nurses and Pharmacists – at La Trobe Uni - Wed, Feb 6
Dementia – for GPs – Board Room NEVDGP – Tues. Feb 12
Scanning solutions and PEN Clinical Audit –
for GPs and Practice Managers - Moonee Valley Racecourse – Tues. Feb 19
Ear Irrigation Training – for Practice Nurses – La Trobe uni - Sat. March 15
Details and application forms can be found on the website under Calendar of Events.
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
5 - Aspergers Syndrome - Dr Lionel Lubitz
For full term Tuesday lecture program click here
The Department of Addiction Medicine and Translational Neurobiology invites you to attend their quarterly forum. Cannabis and the Brain - The neurobiology of cannabis and its implications for more effective treatment. Wednesday February 20th.
See website for flyer & RSVP details. www.svhm.org.au/gp
Tuesday
12th February, 2pm – 5pm. At The Nerve Centre,
Call Andrea Salmon on 9845 2765 or email asalmon@mssociety.com.au to register.
Run by GPV in consultation with the
The Centre is offering a varied set of programs of interest to GPs and practice nurses including:
Smoking Cessation Facilitators Course
Introductory Course in Asthma Education
Managing COPD – There is something you can do!
Further information is available at www.lunghealth.org
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Wednesday
6 February at John Scott House for a dinner meeting 6.30pm for 7pm dinner.
7.45pm main lecture. All the information on Champix, plus other strategies for
smoking cessation. Dr Chris Worsnop ,
Respiratory physician
All HMR enquiries contact Jenny Gowan 0417 506 944 or jenny.gowan@ndgp.org.au
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The long awaited Immunisation Provider Guidelines booklet is now available
in pdf form from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
Immunise
There is a temporary shortage of the JE vaccine in
The TGA has recently updated their information sheet on the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (Gardasil®). It can be found online here
Due to a manufacturing problem in the
Vaxigrip junior has been listed on the PBS for children up to 35 months of age who are at risk of adverse consequences from lower respiratory tract infections (chest infection) …. To provide doctors with a more convenient form of influenza vaccine for young children.
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Sometimes you need to reprint a recall list for a given period, after you have previously clicked on the “Update” or “Remove” buttons. To do this you need to set up the recall criteria gain but make sure that you place a tick in the “Include already recalled” box. This will re-generate the list. If you are re-generating the list at a later date select “Other” from the Select Interval panel and use the From and To calendars to backdate the period of the recall.
Question: The batch number for immunisations used to automatically appear. I have moved to a new practice and I now have to type in the batch number each time. How do I fix this?
Answer: The first time, or for a new batch you need to type in the batch number. Once this is done, if it is a childhood immunisation click on the “Record Batch Number” box. For other immunisations click on the “Store batch No” box. MD will then “remember” to autofill the batch number for subsequent immunisations. Remember however to check that the autofilled batch number is correct.
1. Tuesday Lecture Program Term 1, 2008 – found under Tuesday Lunchtime CPD Program.
2. 2008 Short Course in HIV Medicine – run by GPV in consultation with the Alfred Hospital and ASHM for interested GP’s, Allied Health Professionals and Nurses that have an interest in HIV Medicine and for those GPs that want to become s100 Prescribers for HIV medicines – Application Form found under CPD Calendar of Events – Other CPD Events.
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On January 14th 2008, new Lymph Node Diagnostic Clinics commenced operation at The Austin and The Northern Hospitals. These new clinics aim to expedite the investigation of those patients who present with suspicious lymphadenopathy; ensuring prompt diagnosis and where appropriate, prompt commencement of treatment in those patients with malignant causes. More information on these new clinics is being sent to all Division members; further information can also be found on the North Eastern Metropolitan Integrated Cancer Services website www.nemics.org.au in the ‘What’s New’ section.
Dr Kavar, a neurosurgeon at the
Waiting times for new referrals to Bundoora Extended Care Centre Inpatient
Admissions are currently approximately Gem > 14 days, Rehab 5 - 7 days. Any
queries regarding our waiting times please contact Access BECC on 9495 3109
Liquid Nitrogen Cannister; Examination couches (x3); Wooden steps (2); Examination light; Uninterrupted power supply machine for computer; Kitchen table and 6 chairs; Mercury sphymanometer (2); RACGP filing bay (3). Contact Michelle: 9434 4443
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GP - Psychiatry Liaison: getting it right. This session will promote awareness of new and updated psychiatry Medicare item numbers, facilitated small-group case study exercises, and will examine referral pathways and the requirements of mental health care plans and assessments. Wednesday 13 February, 2008 7-9pm (dinner 6.30pm) at Northern Division of General Practice 232 Plenty Rd Preston (corner of Plenty Rd and Bell St) Facilitators: Dr Lee Allen, Consultant Psychiatrist to the North East Primary Mental Health Team and Jan Riley, Psychologist Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule
Enquiries: Kay Dufty (NDGP) 8480 4609 after 29 January or Nicky Bisogni (NEVDGP) 9496 4333
Fax back registration to Northern Division of General Practice: 9416 7749 RSVP: by 8 February
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Ear Irrigation Training
See under CPD
Please find below a link to the invitation to attend a free seminar on the Diploma of Practice Management and Certificate III in Business (Medical Administration) being held in Melbourne on the 7th February 2008 from 6.30pm - 8pm. It's a unique opportunity to receive information on our courses and also a relaxed forum to ask any questions you may have. Click here
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Please note the closing date for the Clinical e-Audit for GPs on ‘Management of Hypertension is Friday February 1st 2008.
Your de-identified patient data can be submitted securely online by February 1 2008. The review phase will be due for completion by April 18 2008.
The January edition of RADAR contains a consumer version of RADAR entitled ‘Medicines Update’ which helps consumers to ask the right questions about new medicines, and helps them compare the potential benefits and harms of a new medicine with other medicines. This edition contains articles on: Alendronate (Alendro Once Weekly, Fosamax Once Weekly, Fosamax Plus) for osteoporosis in people at high risk of fracture, Fluticasone with salmeterol (Seretide) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and Varenicline (Champix) for smoking cessation.
You may wish to download copies of these articles for your waiting room by clicking here
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The RCH parent info website has new/updated factsheets including on nosebleeds, breath-holding, penis care, Gilbert’s syndrome, a cleft lip/palate series and pyloric stenosis. Please contact us if you want posters and/or business cards with the website address for your reception area. Visit www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo email: kids.info@rch.org.au or call Barbara Helmore 9345 4564 / Susan Jury 9345 4645
Bookmark www.rch.org.au/kidsconnect for pre-referral guidelines, OPD clinics list, generic referral form & fax number, paediatrician listing for private referral, parent factsheets and more. For clinical advice call switchboard on (03) 9345 5522 and ask for the relevant fellow or consultant on call. Kids Connect (Primary Care Liaison) tel (03) 9345 4645 / susan.jury@rch.org.au
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The Parent-Infant Research Institute is conducting a study to evaluate a new treatment program for women experiencing Antenatal Depression. This is a 7-week cognitive-behavioural therapy group program, facilitated by a psychologist. All participants will be linked with treating health professionals and provided a resource list of local support services. Half of the women participating will be offered the group program and half will be offered enhanced individual routine primary care. If you are pregnant and feel that you are struggling to cope or experiencing some depression, this program may be of benefit to you. For more information please visit our website www.piri.org.au or contact us on 9496 4496.
February
4th – 8th at Family Planning
This is a week long intensive course covering important specialist information on Sexual & Reproductive Health. The course is accredited nationally by SH&FPA (Sexual Health & Family Planning Australia). It is also accredited by the RACGP and ACRRM, and has two components, theory and practicum. Visit the FPV website for more information: www.fpv.org.au
The
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Doctors
Doctors
Eltham, Greensborough, Warrandyte area - VR GP available for locum work from February to June in 2-6 week blocks. Contact Gavin Andrews on 9439 4658 or at rachgav@dodo.com.au
Practice staff
RN Div 1 with over 20 yrs Aged Care experience available for CMA’s, Advance Care Planning & over 75yrs Health Assessments in the home ph Jeanette on 0412 547 491
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God
works in mysterious ways
A woman and a man are involved in a car accident on a snowy, cold Monday morning. Both of their cars are totally demolished but amazingly neither of them is hurt.
After they crawl out of their cars, the woman says, "So you're a man, that's interesting. I'm a woman. Wow, just look at our cars! There's nothing left, but we're unhurt. This must be a sign from God that we should meet and be friends for the rest of our days".
Flattered, the man replies, "Oh yes, I agree with you completely, this must be a sign from God!"
The woman continues, "And look at this, here's another miracle my car is completely demolished but this bottle of wine didn't break. Surely God wants us to drink this wine and celebrate our good fortune."
Then she hands the bottle to the man. The man nods his head in agreement, opens it and drinks half the bottle and then hands it back to the woman. The woman takes the bottle and immediately puts the cap back on.
The man asks, "Aren't you having any?"
The woman replies, "No. I think I'll just wait for the police...."
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