Lismore a Trial Site for New Treatment for Vascular Dementia
Eligible patients across the Northern Rivers are being enlisted to take part in one of the nation’s largest clinical trials investigating a novel Chinese herbal extract Sailuotong (SLT). Conducted by NICM Health Research Institute (NICM), the Phase III clinical trial is also taking place in Melbourne and Brisbane, with further sites planned for Adelaide and
Nurse Wanted for Hockey Tournament
The Australian Men’s Masters Hockey Tournament will be played in Ballina from Sunday 23 September to Thursday 4 October 2018, with approximately 82 games. A defibrillator is being supplied by Hockey Australia for the tournament and they need someone qualified to use it. A total salary of $2,400 or $30/game is available. There is flexibility
Sepsis – the Silent Killer
Did you know that sepsis is estimated to contribute to six million deaths globally each year? Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s response to infection injures its own tissues and organs. In Australia, at least 18,000 people are treated for sepsis in intensive care units (ICU) annually, with around 5,000 losing their
New Opiate Treatment Guidelines Relax Prescribing Requirements
by Dr Dan Ewald Lead Clinical Adviser, NCPHN Recently new Opioid Dependence Treatment Guidelines were released by NSW Health. Click here to access the guidelines. After many years of waiting for such changes, the guidelines allow an unaccredited GP to prescribe methadone OTP for up to 10 patients, plus up to 20 buprenorphine-naloxone patients (Suboxone).
Australian Immunisation Register eLearning Program
If you’re a vaccination provider and would like to learn more about using the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) website, try these new education modules: Registering and requesting access to the AIR site Accessing the AIR for the first time Submitting information to the AIR Recording overseas immunisations Notifying AIR of immunisation medical exemptions Click here
Help the DVA Shape Its Future Online Education
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) is asking health professionals to provide them with feedback on their online education packages as part of a review into its online professional development. Many GPs and allied health professionals will have received educational packages from the DVA on topics relevant to veterans such as wound care, osteoporosis, mental
Prep for PrEP: Prevent HIV from Your General Practice
HealthPathways has recently published the Pre-exposure Prophylaxis for HIV (PrEP) pathway. PrEP can reduce the risk of HIV infection in patients who don’t have HIV, but are at risk of infection. It is listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for prescription by GPs for eligible patients. NSW Health has a goal of ending HIV transmissions by
Liver Clinic Reminds GPs to Screen for HCV in Various Groups
Dr Iain Bruce of the Coffs/Clarence Liver Clinic has called on GPs to be diligent in screening patients who may have hepatitis C (HCV). Dr Bruce said that although more than 500 patients had been successfully treated in the Coffs/Clarence region since the new direct-acting antiviral drugs became available, the number of patients coming forward
Update from the National Cervical Screening Program
Recording Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Status on Pathology Request Forms The National Cancer Screening Register Rules 2017 require the following information to be collected about all individuals who undergo Cervical Screening Tests: Indigenous status Country of origin Preferred language This information enables the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) to:
CareSearch’s 10th Anniversary Emphasises the Importance of Evidence-Informed Palliative Care
CareSearch is celebrating its 10th anniversary in August 2018 to highlight the importance of evidence-informed palliative care. CareSearch is an online resource designed to help those needing relevant and trustworthy information and resources about palliative care. As the demand for palliative care in Australia increases, so too does the need to ensure that patients, their carers
Clinical Viewpoint on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment
by Dr Dan Ewald Lead Clinical Adviser, NCPHN In the July 2018 Journal of the American Medical Association United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) “concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of adding the ABI, hsCRP level, or CAC score to traditional risk assessment for CVD
Hepatitis Update
Primary Care Providers Have a Vital Role in Eliminating Viral Hepatitis in Australia With effective treatments available to help manage hepatitis B and cure hepatitis C, Australia is leading the way for a future without viral hepatitis, which is the theme of Hepatitis Awareness Week 2018 (23-28 July 2018). An estimated 237,894 Australians are living
