Strong Partnerships Helping to Support Older Australians
North Coast PHN is working closely with the Northern NSW and Mid North Coast Local Health Districts, public health units and the aged care sector to keep older people safe in their own homes, no matter where they live. Routine meetings and updates are occurring across the sectors. Sharing of information, resources and support is
Update on General Practice Respiratory Clinics
General Practice Respiratory Clinics are being established at six North Coast NSW sites: Murwillumbah, Ballina and Yamba in Northern NSW Nambucca, Kempsey and Wauchope in Mid North Coast The clinics will assess, test and diagnose people with mild to moderate respiratory symptoms that could be consistent with COVID-19 infection. Yamba Respiratory Clinic will open on
COVID-19 Impacting Community Mental Health
COVID-19 distancing measures will have a big impact on community mental health, according to Dr Richard Tranter. Dr Tranter is a psychiatrist and the District Medical Director for Mental Health Services at the Mid North Coast Local Health District. He sat down with us to answer some COVID-19 questions in our latest practitioner video. “We
Updates to the PIP and WIP
Arrangements for the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) and Workforce Incentive Program (WIP) were updated on 24 April. These measures are designed to make it easier for practices to continue to manage the impact of COVID-19. Download the updated COVID-19 Business Continuity Arrangements. (PDF)
Survey: Impacts of COVID-19 on Health Professionals
Researchers at Southern Cross University are interested in understanding the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic for people working in health care. If you are a health care professional working directly with patients in any health or allied health discipline, you are invited to participate in an anonymous online survey. If you have any questions or
Electronic Prescribing – Update for Prescribers
Recent legislation changes for electronic prescriptions have been fast-tracked as part of a national response to COVID-19. North Coast PHN is currently preparing to assist regional pharmacies and general practices with the expected introduction of a new ‘token model’ that will start to roll out progressively from late May. The Australian Digital Health Agency is hosting
Online Course: Communicating COVID-19
The University of Melbourne’s Mobile Learning Unit has launched a free ‘Communicating COVID-19’ online course. The course aims to: Provide expert-informed answers to questions Australian clinicians face surrounding COVID-19. Deliver digestible, focused knowledge on COVID-19 drawing on epidemiology, clinical science, ethics and legal expertise. The learning outcomes are: Appreciate the multifaceted nature of the COVID-19
Visit ADHA’s New Web Pages for the Latest Electronic Prescribing Information
Under the National Health Plan for COVID-19, the Australian Government has accelerated the delivery of electronic prescribing. The rollout of the token (or QR barcode) solution will be progressively available from the end of May 2020. Over the coming weeks, North Coast PHN staff will be working with general practices, AMS and pharmacies to help
Testing Criteria Widened in NSW
NSW Health has issued an update on widening the testing criteria. There is now laboratory capacity to double the volume of testing for COVID-19 in NSW. This will increase from 4,000 tests to 8,000 tests per day over the next week. All people with symptoms of an acute respiratory illness should get tested. This is
New Telehealth Guidance for Practitioners
New guidance outlines expectations on how registered health practitioners will use telehealth in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance from AHPRA and the National Boards discusses how the code of conduct is applied to consultations carried out via phone or video. Click here to download telehealth guidance for practitioners. Visit our COVID-19 page.
Drive-In Immunisation Clinics
NSW Health has developed guidelines to support practices considering drive-in immunisation clinics. Drive-in immunisation clinics are not routinely recommended, due to safety concerns for patients who may experience a rare adverse event following immunisation. Immunisation providers considering this option after reviewing existing advice for maintaining and implementing vaccinations clinics during COVID-19 should consider the guidelines.
Advice on Post-Vaccination Observation Time
The Australian Technical Advisory Group On Immunisation (ATAGI) has released advice on post-vaccination observation time in the context of COVID-19. The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends that individuals who receive a vaccination should remain under observation for at least 15 minutes. This allows for the observation of possible adverse effects, such as anaphylaxis and fainting. Where an
