Dementia in Practice podcast
General practitioners play a vital role in supporting local communities to face all sorts of health challenges – they see and hear a lot. So, have you ever wondered what GPs have to say about dementia, one of the key health issues of our time? In Dementia in Practice, a new podcast series by Dementia
Consultation open for draft Opioid Analgesic Stewardship in Acute Pain Clinical Care Standard
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care is inviting comments on the draft Opioid Analgesic Stewardship in Acute Pain Clinical Care Standard. Comments are sought from healthcare professionals, peak healthcare and consumer organisations, consumers and any other interested parties. The development of national clinical care standards is a priority area in the
GP Direct Access Cancer Team
Chris O’Brien Lifehouse’s multidisciplinary cancer teams are available to triage newly diagnosed cancer patients and offer support to referring GPs and patients, putting in place a treatment plan as we all navigate through the COVID-19 crisis. Chris O’Brien Lifehouse is offering telehealth consultations across all cancer streams, including medical oncology and radiation oncology. The teams
Dr Marion Lynn giving old school care to rural and regional communities
Dr Marion Lynn is working hard to vaccinate difficult-to-reach patients and workers in rural and regional areas. Before the pandemic, the roving doctor established an outreach clinic in Comboyne, 57 kms south-west of Port Macquarie. One day a week she drives there from her Port Macquarie practice to ensure everyone in the town wanting a
New evidence about COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness
A recent study of UK data showed that both Pfizer and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines maintain high levels of effectiveness against the Delta variant after two doses. ‘This is good news for primary care, as we can be confident in advising patients of the benefits they will receive from the vaccines,’ says HealthPathways Clinical Editor Dr
COVID-19 vaccination rates growing in the North Coast
Nearly 195,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been given across the North Coast since the national vaccination program commenced. The North Coast is on par with state and national averages and it’s great to see vaccination rates have increased over the past week. The Australian Government’s most recent geographic vaccination rates show more than 45% of
Have your say on the proposed changes to the cervical screening self-collection policy
In May 2021, the Medical Services Advisory Committee recommended to government that self-collection be expanded to be offered as a choice to all people eligible for cervical screening. A decision on this recommendation is awaited, but the change could potentially be introduced sometime in 2022. Currently, the self-collection pathway is available to under and never-screened
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
Heart health: driving best practice CVD prevention
A recording of the Heart Foundation’s Heart Week 2021 webinar is now available. In this one-hour webinar, an expert panel chaired by Prof Garry Jennings, Chief Medical Advisor of the Heart Foundation of Australia, explores the latest evidence to support cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment and management in primary care, including an update on coronary
New vaccination clinical guidance
Seasonal influenza vaccines ATAGI has issued updated advice on the relative timing of administering influenza vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines in 2021. The preferred minimum interval between a dose of influenza vaccine and a dose of either Pfizer vaccine or AstraZeneca vaccine is now 7 days (previously 14 days). In some situations, a shorter interval (including
June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. Held by Bowel Cancer Australia, this annual initiative aims to raise awareness of Australia’s second deadliest cancer, which claims more than 100 Australian lives every week. If found early, bowel cancer is one of the most treatable types of cancer. While the risk increases significantly with age, the disease
Guide for GPs to manage work-related injury
GPs play a vital role in the rehabilitation and return to work of people who have been injured at work, including promoting the health benefits of good work and advising on work capacity. Comcare has recently published a guide to help GPs manage the recovery pathway for an injured worker and provide key timeframes to
