Have Your Say on the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
Last year, the Department of Health commissioned Deloitte Access Economics to undertake a review of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. The review will explore aspects related to the implementation and delivery of the program, as well as the outcomes achieved for consumers, providers, and the broader health care system. The review is seeking your
Parkinson’s Specialist Nursing Service for Northern NSW
Rebecca Manners is the new Parkinson’s Clinical Nurse Consultant for the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD). Rebecca moved from New Zealand for the new role, where she previously worked at Auckland City Hospital as the Movement Disorder Nurse Specialist. Parkinson’s disease is the second-most common neurological condition in Australia. The number of Australians affected
BreastScreen Mobile Screening in Ballina
The BreastScreen NSW mobile unit will be visiting Ballina from 1 December 2020 until 21 January 2021. 1 in 7 women living in NSW will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. A screening mammogram offers the best chance of early detection. The screening program is especially recommended for women aged 50 to 74. Book your
Engaging With Primary Health Workers About National Screening Programs
The University of Melbourne is inviting the primary health workforce to take part in a qualitative study. The study aims to evaluate ways to engage with health workers about national screening programs (bowel, breast and cervical). Findings from this study thus far have led to the development of communication materials to assist in boosting participation,
Breast and Cervical Screening Test Reminder
General practitioners are encouraged to remind eligible women about their regular breast and cervical screening tests during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. A recent Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report noted that screening rates were down for both types of cancer screening during 2020 compared to earlier years. In the case of breast cancer
Coffs Harbour Pilot Program Aims to Beat Bowel Cancer
The Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) has begun a pilot program in Coffs Harbour for people who may have bowel cancer. The Direct Access Colonoscopy (DAC) program triages and prioritises patients who have returned positive faecal occult blood tests. Referrals to the program are either through GP assessment or via a person’s participation
New Lung Cancer Resource for GPs
Diagnosing lung cancer at an earlier stage leads to better outcomes for patients, however diagnosis can be challenging. Symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath are often non-specific, and imaging results are not always definitive. General practitioners play a key role in identifying lung cancer, as the majority of patients first present to primary
DiRECT-AUS Diabetes Remission Replication Project Expansion
We are pleased to announce that the DiRECT-Aus Diabetes Remission Replication Project has expanded to the Clarence Valley and Ballina/Byron regions. Dietitians are a key role in the DiRECT-Aus project. We have been fortunate to employ three dietitians for the study, allowing us to expand the project. Visit the Primary Care Impact site for more
Direct Access Colonoscopy – Mid North Coast Local Health District
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) provides free screening using an immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT) to men and women aged 50–74 years every two years. Those who receive a positive bowel screening test result are recommended to undergo further assessment, which usually involves having a colonoscopy. There is a substantial shift towards
Bowel Screening Results and My Health Record
The Department of Health has advised that commencing Monday 13 July 2020, participants in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program will have their screening results uploaded to My Health Record (MHR). To opt out, patients can tick a check box on the last page of the revised ‘Participant Details’ form. If participants do not have
Applications for the 2020 PC4 Training Award Now Open
The Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group (PC4) is offering up to $5,000 for nurses, GPs, clinicians and researchers who have a new research idea relating to cancer in primary care. With the goal to support research development skills, the money can be used to undertake a systematic review, early intervention design or a
Book a Date with a Friend That Could Save Both Your Lives
BreastScreen NSW is encouraging women to get together with a friend to book a mammogram to boost screening rates and save lives. More than one in eight women in NSW will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, but almost half of women aged 50-74 are not having their recommended mammograms every two years.
