Managing anxious and demanding patients in general practice during COVID-19
Healthy North Coast understands that the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for our community, and can cause increased stress and anxiety in general practice. At times, community demand for a COVID-19 vaccine has been higher than the current supply. Mid North Coast and Northern NSW residents are being asked to be patient as vaccine supplies
Recommended AstraZeneca dosage interval during a COVID-19 outbreak
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has released a statement clarifying the dosage interval for COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca in the context of a COVID-19 outbreak. Key points include: The recommended interval between first and second doses of AstraZeneca is between 4 and 12 weeks. In non-outbreak situations, the preferred interval between doses remains at 12 weeks. 
New pathway for over 60s to access Pfizer vaccine
The Mid and North Coast HealthPathways website now includes a simple way for over-60s who are contraindicated for the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to access the Pfizer vaccine. The Mid North Coast and the Northern NSW Local Health Districts have both implemented the referral process. Further information is available on the COVID-19 Vaccination Information HealthPathway under
COVID-19 Temporary MBS items have been extended, plus changes effective 1 July
Temporary COVID-19 MBS telehealth items that commenced on 13 March 2020 have now been extended to 31 December 2021. This latest extension was announced as part of the Australian Government’s 2021–22 Budget. What’s changing? From 1 July 2021, the previous broad range of temporary telephone services will be replaced with a smaller number of MBS
Are you set up to use the Service NSW QR code?
From Monday 12 July, use of the Service NSW QR code will be mandatory at all workplaces. This includes primary health care services and organisations. Staff and other visitors will need to register on entry but patients do not have to register. If you have not yet registered, visit the NSW Government website — Register for
Pick your own quality improvement activity
Photo: The team at Lennox Head Medical Centre. You know your practice and patients best. We recognise that when it comes to quality improvement, you know which initiatives you are ready to take on, and the importance of shaping your own quality improvement. To assist your practice with your own quality improvement activity, we have
COVID-19 restrictions affecting our area
COVID-19 restrictions are now in place for regional NSW including limits on the number of visitors people can have at home, and mandatory mask-wearing on public transport, in non-residential indoor areas (including workplaces), at airports and on commercial flights. There are also travel restrictions for entering NSW and entering Queensland. Stay at home orders Due
Indemnity scheme for GPs advising patients about COVID-19 vaccines
National Cabinet has announced a COVID-19 professional indemnity scheme for healthcare practitioners who provide advice to people in relation to COVID-19 vaccination. The scheme covers COVID-19 vaccines approved by the TGA and approved for use in the vaccine program. GPs can administer AstraZeneca to Australians under 60 years of age with informed consent. The indemnity
GPs – urge your patients aged over 60 to get vaccinated
The latest outbreak of COVID-19 community transmission in Sydney is a grim reminder that we aren’t immune to this pandemic. Please urge your patients aged 60 and over to book their AstraZeneca vaccine – whether it be for their first dose or a strong reminder for their second dose. For those due for their second
ATAGI changes Pfizer preference to 59 years and under
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) today recommended the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine be preferred for adults aged 59 and under. Up until 17 June, ATAGI’s advice had been the Pfizer vaccine be preferred for adults aged 49 and under. This was based on evidence related to the incidence of the very rare blood-clotting
Local medical centre celebrates 2,000 COVID-19 vaccines
Family Medical Centre in Ballina this week celebrated a significant milestone – delivering their 2,000th COVID-19 vaccination. The medical centre team commenced COVID-19 vaccinations in the first week of the vaccine rollout and have been going strong ever since. The centrepiece of their morning tea marking 2,000 jabs was a syringe-shaped cake baked by the
New vaccination clinical guidance
Seasonal influenza vaccines ATAGI has issued updated advice on the relative timing of administering influenza vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines in 2021. The preferred minimum interval between a dose of influenza vaccine and a dose of either Pfizer vaccine or AstraZeneca vaccine is now 7 days (previously 14 days). In some situations, a shorter interval (including
