Primary Care Impact: Final Instalment on Influenza Immunisations for 2020
The July count of recorded immunisations from data-sharing practices is now available in Primary Care Impact. It shows that data-sharing general practices across our region delivered 143,000 influenza immunisations during (despite!) COVID-19. While the data has not been adjusted for increases in the number of data-sharing practices year on year, it still looks to be
COVID-19 Telehealth Items Guide
The Department of Health has developed a COVID-19 telehealth items guide, which includes the most commonly asked questions from health professionals and responses. Examples: Click here to download the new guide Since March 2020, new temporary MBS telehealth items have been available to help reduce the risk of community transmission of COVID-19. These items, and
Updated Online Fitness to Drive Forms
Health professionals play a key role in keeping our roads safe, including determining people’s fitness to drive. Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has recently updated and simplified its online fitness to drive forms. GPs, specialists, optometrists and allied health professionals use the forms. The changes include two forms replaced by 12 specialist-focused online forms. Previous assessment
COPD HealthPathways Reviewed
The following COPD HealthPathways have been updated: COPD Diagnosis and Initial Management Medications in COPD Differentiating COPD from Asthma. Stable COPD Management and Review Acute Exacerbation of COPD End-stage/Palliative COPD Management The COPD HealthPathways provide best practice guidelines on how to identify COPD in your patients and offer guidance on assessment and management. The referral
New Resource on Pain Management for Spinal Cord Injuries
The Agency for Clinical Innovation has produced a new resource to assist health professionals when managing pain in patients with a spinal cord injury (SCI). The online tool will assist clinicians to access information in a timely manner (e.g. during consults). It addresses different types of pain and populates a printable plan that directs clinicians
Updated Guidelines for Distribution of Surgical Masks
Healthy North Coast has access to a limited supply of surgical masks from the National Medical Stockpile for distribution to general practice, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, community pharmacy and allied health providers. Guidelines for the distribution of personal protective equipment were updated on 5 August 2020 to reflect changes in advice on wearing masks
Book Your Virtual Visit to a Primary Care Wound Clinic
A Healthy North Coast Workforce Event Healthy North Coast invites GPs and Registered Nurses to learn more about complex wound management at a free online Wound Busters webinar. The online clinic, run by Cheryl Frank and Dr Stephen Yelland, should be of great interest to those working in primary care, community and aged settings. The
Queensland Border Closing to NSW and ACT Residents
The Queensland border will be closed to all NSW and ACT residents from 1am on Saturday 8 August. Both states have been declared ‘hotspots’ by Queensland’s Chief Health Officer. The Queensland Government has released its Border Restrictions Direction (No. 11), which will affect all persons who arrive in Queensland from a place outside of Queensland. From tomorrow, residents
GP eReferrals Trial Has Started in Northern NSW
Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) is trialling GP eReferrals to two of their services. If you adopt electronic referrals when referring to NNSWLHD’s or the Lismore Pain Clinic: 1. You receive an electronic acknowledgement that your referral was received. 2. You are updated electronically via secure message delivery: when the referral is being triaged
COVID-19 Testing Locations
Testing is key to preventing the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19, no matter how mild, is encouraged to get tested. Free COVID-19 testing is available at NSW Health and general practice respiratory clinics across the North Coast. Our interactive map contains North Coast clinic locations, booking details and opening
If Your Patients Attend a Mid North Coast LHD Service, You May Receive a Notification
A new hospital admission and discharge notification pilot designed by eHealth NSW’s Integrated Care Program in partnership with the Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) will be launching soon. It is designed to help shape a future statewide solution. Notifications, sent as an event summary, will be delivered from MNCLHD hospitals to the patient-nominated
COVID-19 Amber Alert: Advice for Private and Independent Providers
Following the adoption of amber alert COVID-19 measures by NSW Health, the Clinical Excellence Commission has published new FAQs: COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control: Response and Escalation Framework – FAQs (PDF) In short, they advise that the escalation to amber alert applies to surgical mask use within 1.5 metres of patients in all health care
