Fire ants in NSW
Red imported fire ants have been detected for the first time in Northern NSW, after three nests were located in South Murwillumbah, 13 kilometres south of the Queensland border. On average, 14 million people are stung each year from fire ants worldwide, with 25,000 requiring medical attention*. Medical practitioners must immediately notify the NSW Department
Change to referral process for child and adolescent mental health services in NNSWLHD
There are some important changes to how children and young people will be referred to NNSWLHD Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHs). There is now a new single point of entry for CAMH services across NNSWLHD with the establishment of a Child and Adolescent Assessment and Triage Service (CAATS). This new service commenced operations
Changes to National Immunisation Program – shingles vaccine
From 1 November 2023, the shingles vaccine Shingrix® has replaced Zostavax® on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule for the prevention of shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia. It is available for eligible people most at risk of complications from shingles. A 2-dose course of Shingrix® is available for free for anyone who is: 65 years and
Feedback wanted on wound care initiative
Featured image: Dr Sarah Mollard, Healthy North Coast; Linda Kay, Mid North Coast LHD; Victoria Smyth, Healthy North Coast; and Fiona Ryan, Mid North Coast LHD. (Not present: Clinton Gibbs, Mid North Coast LHD). The Agency for Clinical Innovation has partnered with Healthy North Coast and Mid North Coast LHD to improve collaboration for wound
Policy update on prescribing Schedule 8 psychostimulant medicines
The NSW Ministry of Health has updated the requirements to prescribe Schedule 8 psychostimulant medicines (dexamfetamine, lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate). These changes recognise the scope of practice and expertise of psychiatrists, paediatricians and neurologists and are intended to reduce burden on patients, carers and families. Key changes From 13 November 2023 psychiatrists, paediatricians and neurologists
Building Nurse Capacity program – expressions of interest open!
Are you a nurse working in primary health care with a big idea for improving the health and wellbeing of your patients, but are not sure where to start? The Building Nurse Capacity (BNC) program, run by the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA), supports nurses to deliver nurse-delivered, team-based models of care –
New Voluntary Assisted Dying training and information
Approval management functionality coming to SafeScript NSW
SafeScript NSW was launched in May 2022 to provide real-time information about the prescribing and dispensing history of patients for certain high-risk medicines to improve clinical decision-making and patient safety. Since then, more than 25,000 health practitioners have registered for SafeScript NSW. From mid-November 2023, SafeScript NSW will be introducing new functionality that will enable
Help us improve the Blue Book
The Blue Book (My Personal Health Record) is given to parents and carers in NSW to record their child’s health, development and immunisations from birth to 5 years. The Blue Book aims to assist parents, carers and health professionals with assessment of children’s health and development. NSW Health is now reviewing the Blue Book to
New NNSWLHD Surgical Services Plan launches
The population of Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) is growing, including an increasing aged cohort. Recent factors such as floods and the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted services, adding to the challenges of meeting community needs. In this context, NNSWLHD Executive have recognised the need for an integrated, long-term plan for surgical services across the
Creating a Healthier North Coast: Register for the Chronic Disease Clinical Society Forum
Register for the Healthy North Coast Chronic Disease Clinical Society Forum 2023 MNC: 9am – 5pm, Saturday 4 November 2023 – Port Macquarie NNSW: 9am – 5pm, Sunday 19 November 2023 – Lismore Healthy North Coast warmly invites you to join us at the Chronic Disease Clinical Society Forum in Port Macquarie or Lismore this November.
Individual logins on HealthPathways – let us know what you think!
Are you a Health Professional who uses HealthPathways? We want to know what you think! Mid and North Coast Community HealthPathways are considering a new feature to enhance your HealthPathways experience. This feature would allow you to create an individual profile, providing a more personalised interaction, including a usage log for recording CPD.
