RACGP guide focuses on optimising patient care
First do no harm: A guide to choosing wisely in general practice, is a new evidence-based resource from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners that focuses on reducing patient harm and avoiding low value care. It provides GPs with QR codes linking to patient-facing information, allowing GPs to talk through tests and treatments with
Coffs Community Health curtails referrals over holiday period
Due to reduced capacity, the Coffs Harbour Community Nursing Service will not accept new referrals over the upcoming Christmas and New Year period. The service will not accept any new referrals between Monday, 19 December 2022 and Tuesday, 3 January 2023. Home visits will not be available. In exceptional circumstances, an appointment may be available
New framework to guide health literacy improvement on the North Coast
Healthy North Coast’s Northern NSW Health Literacy Framework 2022-2025 will guide health literacy improvement on the North Coast for the next three years. It builds on the health literacy work we have done in partnership with Northern NSW Local Health District since 2016. We know that health literacy is essential ‘for all people in Northern NSW to
The importance of vaccination following recent Meningococcal disease cases
Meningococcal disease is caused by a bacterial infection and can lead to serious illness. Three people have died from meningococcal disease this year in NSW, two of whom were aged 15-25 years. Infants, small children, adolescents and young adults are most at risk of meningococcal disease. People with meningococcal disease can become extremely unwell very
Healthy North Coast announces appointment of new Chief Executive
Healthy North Coast, which delivers the Australian Government’s Primary Health Network program in our region, announces Monika Wheeler’s appointment as their new Chief Executive. Ms Wheeler brings 20 years of experience working in primary healthcare and social policy across the local, state, and national levels of government and the not-for-profit sector. Some of these roles
GP feedback required on skin cancer prevention and early detection project
With summer almost here, it’s worth noting that our North Coast community has one of the highest incidences of melanoma in the country. Healthy North Coast is working with the Cancer Institute NSW (CINSW) and Skin Check Champions to develop a skin cancer prevention and early detection initiative. As most skin cancers in Australia are
Webinars explore diabetes support for health carers
Healthy North Coast has engaged Diabetes Australia to deliver two webinars exploring diabetes support for health care practitioners. The webinars will be delivered on Monday, 5 December and Monday, 12 December 2022. Diabetes Australia is one of Australia’s leading supporters of diabetes research. Established in 1984, it offers a range of programs and services to
Dr Caroline West discusses preventive health care
General practitioner and host of ABC TV’s Ask the Doctor, Dr Caroline West, facilitated Healthy North Coast’s recent Back to Health conference, discussing how we can improve our approaches to preventive health care on the North Coast. Dr West recognises that despite evidence of how to prevent chronic disease in primary health care, there remain gaps
Blood donors needed – here’s how to refer your patients
With Lifeblood seeing a drop in blood donations over the past year, it’s important to encourage anyone who can donate to do so at a Lifeblood centre. Before Lifeblood can withdraw blood, a patient’s doctor needs to refer the patient digitally via the High Ferritin app, ‘My Iron Manager’. Once information has been added in
Lower uptake for HPV vaccination a concern
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is a safe and reliable way to protect young people from getting a range of HPV-related cancers and diseases, including cancers of the cervix, anus, penis and throat, and genital warts. School vaccination clinics were interrupted during 2020-21, and despite catch-up vaccinations being offered, there has been lower uptake and completion
Monash survey focuses on women with refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds
Monash University is gathering research to look at access to preventive care for women from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds. The project seeks primary health care professionals’ views and experiences of providing sexual and reproductive health care to this group of women. Findings from the survey will be used to inform the service provision and
Older People’s Mental Health scholarships now open
Health Education and Training Institute (HETI) is offering Older People’s Mental Health scholarships in courses or units within its Applied Mental Health Studies framework for Semester 1, 2023. The scholarships cover 75% of the cost of study and are supported by the NSW Ministry of Health’s Mental Health Branch. The scholarships are open to: NSW
