CPD education course for dietitians

GutSmart is a 15-hour CPD course for dietitians interested in providing targeted care to patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The course is being offered by Crohn’s & Colitis Australia (CCA). After completing this course, you will have the opportunity to join CCA’s health professionals directory, which will help promote your practice to the IBD

CPD events hit the right note

Healthy North Coast provides continuing professional development through 8 regional clinical societies, helping to build the capacity of our local primary health care workforce. In June we ran CPD education and networking evenings about dealing with difficult clients; eating disorders; clinician wellbeing; chronic pain; and navigating the NDIS.  Several of the events attracted more than 40 attendees, who enjoyed

NSW Health warns about potent powder posing as ecstasy

A drug that users may mistakenly think is MDMA (ecstasy) powder resulted in a number of people being admitted to hospital in June. NSW Health has warned that the drug — known as 25C-NBOMe (N-Bomb) — is a potent hallucinogenic and in Sydney had been misrepresented as MDMA. A stimulant, 4-fluoroamphetamine, has also been detected

New pathway for over 60s to access Pfizer vaccine

The Mid and North Coast HealthPathways website now includes a simple way for over-60s who are contraindicated for the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to access the Pfizer vaccine. The Mid North Coast and the Northern NSW Local Health Districts have both implemented the referral process. Further information is available on the COVID-19 Vaccination Information HealthPathway under

Nurses can earn CPD points with free online palliative care training  

Free palliative care online training is available for clinicians, carers and family members who want to build their knowledge and understanding in caring for someone with a life-limiting illness.  The Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association’s training website recently received a significant update, now offering increased mobile functionality.  The course has been endorsed by the Australian College

HealthPathways housing assistance and homelessness services in our region

Clinicians supporting patients presenting with homelessness concerns can find comprehensive local and statewide resources on the Mid and North Coast HealthPathways website. HealthPathways Clinical Editor Dr Sarah Mollard said the resources may prove invaluable when supporting patients facing issues like domestic violence, lack of housing security, or loss of job leading to financial hardship. ‘These events can all

Learn about Indigenous connection to spirituality and ancestors

The Centre for Healthcare Knowledge and Innovation is running a 5-part webinar series on the cultural determinants of health. So far, it’s explored a framework for the cultural determinants of health and social and emotional wellbeing, as well as connection to land and Country. If you missed the live webinars you can catch up on

Boosting bowel cancer screening in LGBTQ communities

Much-loved LGBTQ community figures are fronting a new bowel cancer screening awareness campaign targeting people of diverse sexualities and genders. Get Your Kit Together aims to raise awareness of bowel cancer and the importance of regular bowel screening, and increase screening rates among LGBTQ people aged 50–74 in NSW. https://youtu.be/vm7TXz16bNw Adopting a fun and engaging

NAIDOC Week 2021

Each year, Australians come together to celebrate NAIDOC Week and honour the history, culture, contribution and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  NAIDOC celebrations are centred on a theme chosen by the national organising committee. This year’s theme — ‘Heal Country’ — calls for all of us to continue to seek greater protections for

A safe alternative treatment to resistive depression now available at Bangalow

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is now available at Currumbin Clinic’s Bangalow private practice as an outpatient. rTMS is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in the frontal lobe. Patients spend 20 to 30 minutes seated in a comfortable chair with a small magnetic coil placed close to the scalp

COVID-19 Temporary MBS items have been extended, plus changes effective 1 July

Temporary COVID-19 MBS telehealth items that commenced on 13 March 2020 have now been extended to 31 December 2021. This latest extension was announced as part of the Australian Government’s 2021–22 Budget. What’s changing? From 1 July 2021, the previous broad range of temporary telephone services will be replaced with a smaller number of MBS

Are you set up to use the Service NSW QR code?

From Monday 12 July, use of the Service NSW QR code will be mandatory at all workplaces. This includes primary health care services and organisations. Staff and other visitors will need to register on entry but patients do not have to register. If you have not yet registered, visit the NSW Government website — Register for