Changes to Antenatal Pertussis Vaccination Recommendations

The National Health and Medical Research Council has updated recommendations on the timing of pertussis vaccination for pregnant women, expanding from 28-32 weeks to 20-32 weeks gestation. Pertussis vaccine is provided free under the National Immunisation Program for pregnant women during each pregnancy to provide protection to the infant by the transfer of antibodies through

Get the Facts About Patient Driving Safety & Opioid Treatment

Health professionals caring for patients who receive opioid agonist treatment (OAT) need to be aware of the potential impact of treatments and other factors on driving safety. The University of Sydney, NSW Ministry of Health and NSW Users & AIDS Association have collaborated to develop the Driving Safety: Sedating Medications and Opioid Agonist Treatment course.

Cancer Treatment Resources

eviQ is a free online resource of cancer treatment protocols developed by multidisciplinary teams of cancer specialists. eviQ provides evidence-based information to support health professional in the delivery of cancer treatments. It is part of the Cancer Institute NSW suite of websites. Their resources include GP fact sheets and they have just added four new

Attitudes of Health Professionals to Older Person Health Assessments

Dr Eleanor Mitchell and Mr Sai Ram Ramisetty from Monash University are conducting research into the attitudes of health professionals to older person health assessments. You are invited to participate if you are a general practitioner or practice nurse who has, or could potentially conduct, Medicare-funded older person health assessments. This online survey should take

Improving Outcomes for Adults with Atopic Dermatitis

Do you see adult patients with poorly controlled or persistent eczema? A free accredited e-module (developed in collaboration with the Australasian College of Dermatologists) works through a real patient’s experience with apparently refractory eczema. Find out what eventually worked, in the patient’s own words. Learn practical strategies to improve adherence and break the itch-scratch cycle, from

Don’t Let Suicide Kill You: 9 Stories of Survival and Recovery

In 2018, two mental health professionals and two authors facilitated a Story Circle writing group for people who have been suicidal and recovered. The aim of the Story Circle is to help participants share their stories of recovery with each other during the writing group, and then with the community by publishing a book. Don’t

New Service to Help GPs Support People With Mental Ill-Health

North Coast Primary Health Network (NCPHN) has joined with seven other NSW primary health networks to fund a psychiatry support line for GPs to access specialist advice for people under their care. The GP Psychiatry Support Line is free to use and connects GPs with a psychiatrist who can provide advice on diagnosis, investigation, medication

NCPHN Funds North Coast GP Training to Deliver Education Events

NCPHN is pleased to announce a new funding partnership with North Coast GP Training. GPs, practice nurses and allied health professionals are set to benefit from a range of local networking and education events. With an estimated 6,200 primary health care professionals working within the NCPHN footprint, North Coast GP Training will work closely with

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and the Hajj

Approximately 3,000 Australians travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia each year for the annual Islamic pilgrimage (Hajj, Aug 9-14).The Kingdom is experiencing an ongoing outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), associated with infections in health care facilities and exposure to camels and camel products. MERS is a viral respiratory illness caused by MERS

Hope for GP Recruitment

by Dr Dan Ewald, Lead Clinical Adviser, NCPHN Good news for recruiting more doctors to our region. The new area of need classification system used by the Commonwealth from July 2019 should help most of the NCPHN region with recruiting more GPs. It looks like many parts of our region now have a more favourable rating.

Chronic Pain Advice Line for GPs

The Royal North Shore Hospital Department of Pain Medicine is offering a free advice and consultation service for GPs and pharmacists on the Mid North Coast. You can contact the service for advice on the management of patients with chronic pain. Pain specialist, Dr Jane Standen, will answer your questions about: Opioid prescription dependence (for

Only One Place Left for the Next Free Chronic Pain Webinar

Free webinars are available for GPs and other health professionals in the Mid North Coast region to assist in the management of patients living with chronic pain. Priority placements are given to those working in Kempsey, Nambucca, Bowraville, Grafton, Wooli/Minnie/Ulmarra inner surrounds, Maclean, Yamba and Iluka. There is only one place left for the next