Applications opening for the ‘Strengthening Medicare – GP Grants Program’
The Australian Government’s Department of Health and Aged Care has announced that Primary Health Networks will begin administering the Strengthening Medicare — General Practice Grants Program this week, and Healthy North Coast is pleased to support eligible local general practices in applying for the one-off grant of $25,000, $35,000 or $50,000. If you are a
Strengthening Medicare – General Practice Grants Program to launch in April 2023
General practices and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) will soon be able to apply for the Strengthening Medicare – General Practice (GP) Grants Program, as part of a $220 million investment to improve practices, expand patient access and provide high quality, safe, accessible care. Grant applications will open in April 2023, with GP grants
Wellmob offers culturally safe resources for First Nations people
WellMob is a free digital library of more than 260 mental health and wellbeing resources developed by and for First Nations Australians including websites, apps, videos, fact sheets, podcasts, pdfs, and social media. The landing page hosts a video to introduce the website and shows how best to search for a specific resource. There are also videos of five practitioners talking about
Telehealth consultations: seeking your feedback
The Medical Board of Australia has reviewed its existing guidelines for technology-based patient consultations and is seeking your feedback on proposed updates to its telehealth guidelines. Health professionals are invited to provide feedback on the draft revised document: Guidelines: Telehealth consultations with patients by close of business Friday 17 February 2023. Respond via email marked
‘Care in the Community’ supporting Mid North Coast acute respiratory patients
The Mid North Coast Local Heath District (MNCLHD) is running ‘Care in the Community’ (CiC) – an outpatient program for people with acute respiratory infections. CiC supports the management and monitoring of patients through virtual care delivered via telehealth. The program aims to assist people living in the Mid North Coast region who are experiencing
Port Base pathology services transferring to NSW Health Pathology
From 1 November 2022, pathology services at Port Macquarie Base Hospital (PMBH) will transfer to NSW Health Pathology (NSWHP). NSWHP is Australia’s largest public pathology provider and NSW Health’s preferred provider and commissioner of pathology services. NSWHP is working closely with Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) and the current private pathology provider, Laverty
A step closer to improving primary care access
Healthy North Coast’s Primary Care Access project has reached a significant milestone, with the recent awarding of two new contracts to Medibank Health Solutions and The George Institute for Global Health. The team at Medibank Health Solutions will be partnering with North Coast communities and clinicians to develop a new model of care aimed at improving access
‘Fitness to Drive’ medical assessments now faster and easier
Transport for NSW is introducing changes to make the process of submitting ‘Fitness to Drive’ medical assessments faster and easier. With the automation of HealthLink, patients’ medical information is now able to be submitted online direct to Transport for NSW. With these changes, paper forms will be discontinued from 31 July 2022. Customers will continue
SafeScript NSW launches next week
SafeScript NSW is launching 30 May 2022, here’s what you need to know.
Invitation to participate in research and help improve care for young people
The Black Dog Institute want to hear from GPs as they investigate whether digital interventions can assist youth awaiting access to mental health services.
Digital transformation of cancer screening
The National Cancer Screening Register’s (NCSR) new digital channels are significantly reducing the reliance of general practice on facsimile machines. Since the introduction of the digital channels in 2020 and 2021: fax requests to the NCSR for screening histories have dropped by 94% due to the release of secure online alternatives to access and submit
$5 million in grants to support mental health and wellbeing
21 April 2022 NSW Health media release Community Wellbeing and Resilience Flood Recovery Grants are now available to support the wellbeing and mental health of residents in flood impacted areas across Northern NSW. Minister for Regional Health and Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the grants will be allocated to non-government organisations to help

