Latest COVID-19 vaccination updates
5 to 11 year olds due for second dose Many children aged 5 to 11 who received their first COVID-19 vaccination earlier this year are now eligible for their second dose. Two doses are recommended, eight weeks apart. Immunisation providers are encouraged to send reminders to parents and carers who have children due for immunisation.
Get ready for Heart Week
This Heart Week (2-8 May) presents an opportunity for health professionals and the Australian public to start a conversation about heart health and take steps to reduce their risk of heart disease. The Heart Foundation is encouraging GPs, nurses and general practice staff to deliver Heart Health Checks for more eligible Australians. Since April 2019
Reducing landfill in general practice
Authored and submitted by Dr Paddy McLisky, FRACGP. If you have an article or a letter that you would like to submit for publishing consideration, please click here. As a General Practitioner working primarily in Skin Cancer Medicine (First Light Healthcare, Ballina), I am disheartened by the amount of waste I produce at work every day.
End-of-life care for diverse communities
A new training module for health professionals ‘End-of-life care for diverse communities’, recognises that some people in Australia may hesitate asking for help from health care services and hospitals. Are you open to difference in people, patients, and colleagues? Individuals and organisations can have an enormous influence enabling inclusive care. Mistrust may lead to avoidance
Embed falls screening and prevention into general practice during April Falls Month
In support of April Falls Month, Healthy North Coast has launched a new Primary Care Impact initiative to improve falls awareness and response in general practice. One in three people aged 65 and over fall every year. It is the leading cause of hospitalisation in older adults (41%) and costs an estimated $3.9 billion nationally
DVT and associated pathways contain updated information
Every year, thousands of Australians develop thrombosis, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Among the causes of DVT are: being in bed for long periods, such as when in hospital being inactive and sitting in a cramped position, such as during a long flight having recent major surgery having an injury, such
New federal funding to protect workers from dust diseases
New federal funding aims to better protect workers from silicosis and other dust diseases, as well as improve supports for affected workers and their families. In the recent Budget, the Government announced $11 million over 4 years to support the recommendations from the National Dust Disease Taskforce Final Report. On 4 April 2022, the All of Governments’ Response to the
How the Head to Health service can help your patients
Healthy North Coast has established the Head to Health service in collaboration with the Department of Health (DoH). The free mental health service includes a 1800 helpline to help support local intake, assessment and referral, plus a new Head to Health Hub located at Lismore’s Primary Health Precinct at the Southern Cross University Campus. Head
Lismore Primary Health Precinct spaces are still available
Expressions of interest for free temporary clinical space at the Lismore Primary Health Precinct are still open to flood-affected primary care providers. Register your details here. There are currently 15 services listed and around 25 practitioners providing services from the precinct. The service directory provides information about the precinct and each primary care service. The
Become a Healthy Minds provider – request for tender closing Monday
Psychologists, mental health social workers, mental health occupational therapists and mental health nurses (credentialed) are invited to apply to become a Healthy Minds provider. Tenders close at 5pm on Monday 11 April. The Healthy Minds program provides psychological therapies to people residing in North Coast NSW and who are unable to access Medicare Benefit Schedule
HealthPathways updated advice for 2022 ’flu jab
The HealthPathways team has recently updated the Influenza Immunisation HealthPathway with the latest information for 2022. The pathway stresses the importance of immunisation against influenza and includes links to key advice and information. ‘There’s a concern that with the reopening of international borders, we will see a surge of influenza as the winter flu from
New information to help support COVID-19 boosters
EVA will help you make your booster appointment The Easy Vaccine Access (EVA) service offers a simple new way for people who haven’t yet had their COVID-19 booster shot to book a vaccination. Text ‘Hey EVA’ to 0481 611 382. EVA will then ask you for your: name preferred language preferred date and time to
