Message from the CEO
As we come to the end of another challenging year for our North Coast community, I would like to pay tribute to the incredible dedication and professionalism of our wonderful GPs, pharmacy staff, Aboriginal medical service staff, allied health and all our other primary health care providers. The pressure on our region’s healthcare frontline has
Disaster and emergency planning for the holidays
A range of up-to-date resources are available to primary health practitioners this holiday season, should a natural disaster occur. GPs and other health practitioners can access a Primary Care Impact quality improvement topic covering emergency preparedness for general practices. Use the updated HealthPathways for messaging and information on Disaster Management and Disaster Management – Mental Health. Username: manchealth Password: conn3ct3d In
Mental health support for the holidays
Taking care of your mental health can be a challenge during the busy holiday season. A number of organisations offer support and education for people with mental ill-health, their families and carers throughout Australia. With the holiday season upon us, Healthy North Coast has compiled a list of mental health support services you can refer
Telehealth Medicare items made permanent
The Department of Health has announced plans to make telehealth item numbers permanent, with $106 million being invested over four years. Telehealth has been recognised for the critical role it has played in ensuring continuity of care for hundreds of thousands of Australian patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, protecting the health of patients and health
We Are Open – extended hours support for general practices and AMSs
Emergencies and natural disasters can disrupt access to health care facilities, reduce the availability of the health workforce and cut off essential utilities such as electricity, water and telecommunications. In rural areas particularly, there is also the potential for natural disasters and emergencies to exacerbate existing workforce shortages. The ‘We Are Open’ initiative provides temporary
HealthPathways team says ‘thanks’
This has been a difficult year for many people – learning to live with COVID-19 while facing uncertainty and a seemingly constantly changing landscape. The HealthPathways team thanks our health workforce for your efforts and dedication and wishes you a happy holiday season. We hope you have an opportunity to recharge your batteries and return
Changes to accessing Service Australia services
Services Australia is upgrading the technology they use across digital health and aged care channels. From 13 March 2022, organisations must use compatible software to access Services Australia web services for digital health and aged care. PRODA will be used to securely access the following channels for web services: Medicare Online Department of Veterans Affairs
Northern Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service at Ballina District Hospital
The Northern Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service at Ballina District Hospital has updated its service model. Download their new flyer (PDF, 147KB). The service currently has capacity to take appropriate new referrals. If you have any questions or would like to discuss a possible referral, contact the Northern Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service on 02 6620 6361.
Project helps people newly diagnosed with dementia find their way forward
Around 60,000 Australians are diagnosed with dementia each year. Dementia is outpacing cancer as the most feared disease. Many people feel overwhelmed when first diagnosed with dementia. They despair of their future, lose hope and don’t know what to do next. People newly diagnosed are often not ‘ready’ for traditional aged care services following diagnosis,
Holiday arrangements for ordering COVID-19 vaccines
With the holiday season fast approaching, practices should begin planning for the number of COVID-19 vaccines needed from mid-to-late December 2021 to mid-January 2022. When ordering, consider the additional stock and consumables needed to meet demand over the holiday period. The table below provides key dates for ordering and deliveries over the Christmas/New Year period.
Updates to NASH PKI certificates
The Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) is upgrading the National Authentication Service for Health (NASH) to strengthen security when accessing digital health services. These upgrades will provide enhanced security protection of healthcare information and ensure Australians can continue accessing digital health services safely and securely. Organisations should upgrade their software to a NASH SHA-2 ready product by 13
Primary Care Impact: 2021 highlights and national comparisons
It has been a big year for Healthy North Coast’s popular quality improvement program, Primary Care Impact (PCI). PCI has launched 59 region-focused quality improvement activities, and 117 local practices have engage with the initiative. Thank you to all who have been involved and contributed to PCI’s exciting growth. In what has been a challenging year,
