September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Did you know that the North Coast NSW PHN region has the fifth highest rate of prostate cancer in Australia? Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men, with almost 20,000 diagnoses and close to 3,500 deaths each year. All men aged over 50 (or over 40 if they have a family
Optimal Care Pathway – Quality Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People with Cancer
Cultural understanding and respect are key to improving Indigenous cancer care and outcomes. Cancer Australia has released a new, first of its kind Optimal Care Pathway, which identifies core approaches to ensure quality care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer and improve their cancer treatment experience and outcomes. The Optimal Care Pathway
Reminder About Cervical Screening for Patients Under 25 Years
A diagram has been developed to assist women younger than 25 years of age to determine when they are due for routine cervical screening. The diagram can be found on the National Cervical Screening Program website along with a series of frequently asked questions. Click here to visit the HealthPathway for Cervical Screening. For a list
Lismore a Trial Site for New Treatment for Vascular Dementia
Eligible patients across the Northern Rivers are being enlisted to take part in one of the nation’s largest clinical trials investigating a novel Chinese herbal extract Sailuotong (SLT). Conducted by NICM Health Research Institute (NICM), the Phase III clinical trial is also taking place in Melbourne and Brisbane, with further sites planned for Adelaide and
Prep for PrEP: Prevent HIV from Your General Practice
HealthPathways has recently published the Pre-exposure Prophylaxis for HIV (PrEP) pathway. PrEP can reduce the risk of HIV infection in patients who don’t have HIV, but are at risk of infection. It is listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for prescription by GPs for eligible patients. NSW Health has a goal of ending HIV transmissions by
Liver Clinic Reminds GPs to Screen for HCV in Various Groups
Dr Iain Bruce of the Coffs/Clarence Liver Clinic has called on GPs to be diligent in screening patients who may have hepatitis C (HCV). Dr Bruce said that although more than 500 patients had been successfully treated in the Coffs/Clarence region since the new direct-acting antiviral drugs became available, the number of patients coming forward
CareSearch’s 10th Anniversary Emphasises the Importance of Evidence-Informed Palliative Care
CareSearch is celebrating its 10th anniversary in August 2018 to highlight the importance of evidence-informed palliative care. CareSearch is an online resource designed to help those needing relevant and trustworthy information and resources about palliative care. As the demand for palliative care in Australia increases, so too does the need to ensure that patients, their carers
Clinical Viewpoint on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment
by Dr Dan Ewald Lead Clinical Adviser, NCPHN In the July 2018 Journal of the American Medical Association United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) “concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of adding the ABI, hsCRP level, or CAC score to traditional risk assessment for CVD
Hepatitis Update
Primary Care Providers Have a Vital Role in Eliminating Viral Hepatitis in Australia With effective treatments available to help manage hepatitis B and cure hepatitis C, Australia is leading the way for a future without viral hepatitis, which is the theme of Hepatitis Awareness Week 2018 (23-28 July 2018). An estimated 237,894 Australians are living
Comprehensive Cancer Feature Coming In HealthSpeak
In the next issue of HealthSpeak magazine, we’ve talked to leading North Coast clinicians about exciting advances in treating cancer locally. Dr Adam Boyce brings GPs up to date with a roundup of advances in immunotherapy including the main drugs used and potential side effects and benefits. Dr Patrick Dwyer talks about how the uses
HealthPathways Update July 2018
Winter Strategy Sick Day Action Plans Please see below a list of updated and new Action Plans available for download in PDF, MD or BP formats. Please note that all PDFs have been converted to a fillable format. The plans can be accessed via the blue Action Plan icon on the homepage. Asthma Anaphylaxis Chest
Supporting Carers to Manage Breakthrough Symptoms Safely
caring@home aims to improve the quality of palliative care service delivery across Australia by developing resources that support people to be cared for and to die at home (if that is their choice). caring@home is a national project, led by the Brisbane South Palliative Care Collaborative, and funded by the Australian Government. It is producing
