March 2020

As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, your patients may experience heightened stress, anxiety, or other mental health concerns. PORTS provides online and telephone psychological services to WA residents, 16+ years, with symptoms of low mood, depression, stress, anxiety, or substance use problems. GPs can refer patients to PORTS to receive expert assessment and treatment. PORTS can be accessed by people who are affected by COVID-19 and are experiencing stress and anxiety.  Visit https://ports.org.au/ or the PORTS COVID-19 information page. You can also refer patients or they can self refer to Mindspot, e-headspace, and the Head to Health website and…

TODAY! Lunch & Learn - Covid 19 & Telehealth   Tue, Mar 31, 2020 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM AWST   Live webinar with Katrina Otto, Principal & Owner of Train IT Medical. Katrina is one of Australia's leading Practice Management Consultants and a highly respected and recommended medical software trainer.   Learning Objectives: 1. Prepare your software 2. Develop an understanding of new COVID-19 telehealth and telephone MBS item numbers 3. Consider practicalities of telehealth and clinical documentation (including consent). 4. Learn Tips & tricks from experienced telehealth practitioners. 5. Engage your practice team.   Register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4057367637099491083

The Advance Project is a free, evidence-based toolkit and training package specifically designed to support GPs, nurses and practice managers to initiate advance care planning conversations and assess patients’ and carers’ palliative and supportive care needs. WA Primary Health Alliance is working with HammondCare to support Western Australian general practices to implement a team-based approach to initiating advance care planning and palliative care into everyday clinical practice. For further information please contact The Advance Project Lead, Roseanne Adamson via mobile on 0418 636 753 or by email Roseanne.Adamson@wapha.org.au. Alternatively, please contact you WA Primary Health Alliance facilitator or Primary Health Liaisons. Please click…

GPs will be able to bulk bill phone or video consultations with all patients from next week in a bid to help contain the rapid spread of coronavirus, AAP has reported.   The Federal Government has expanded the eligibility criteria to include all GPs, specialists, and mental health and allied health professionals. ‘This has been one of the most significant changes we’ve seen in Australian general practice in my working lifetime of 35 years,’ Professor Michael Kidd, Principal Medical Adviser to the Department of Health, said. The reform follows continued advocacy from the RACGP, and other medical and patient groups, who…

Applications for the applications for the Health Workforce Scholarship Program are now open.  Applications will be accepted from March 25th 2020 to 24th April 2020. Late or incomplete applications will not be assessed. At this time, applications for online professional development and training courses will be given priority. If you have any questions regarding eligibility or application requirements please read the Frequently Asked Questions online or visit https://www.hwsp.com.au/. Access the application form here

The first regional COVID-19 clinic will open at Bunbury Health Campus today (March 19) to test and support people at risk of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).   The clinic will operate from 10am-4pm, seven days a week and will be operated by clinicians and support staff who will follow strict infection prevention controls.   Located within an existing building at the health facility, the clinic has been established to provide support to those in the South-West who meet the clinical criteria and require testing.   COVID-19 testing at clinics in Western Australia is only available to individuals who have a fever…

Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM) is pleased to invite you to a webinar briefing on COVID-19, being held jointly with AFAO and Hepatitis Australia. The briefing will be held on Thursday 19th March 2020 from 12:00 - 1:00 pm AEDT via Zoom. The purpose of the briefing is to provide the most up to date information on COVID-19 from scientific, clinical, and public health perspectives. In particular, we will be focusing on what COVID-19 means for our communities. We will be joined by: Professor Sharon Lewin: Infectious Diseases Physician and Director, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and…

17 March @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm CPD Activity – 2 points General Practitioners stand on the front line in the fight against the COVID-19 global health emergency. Soon GPs will face the additional challenge of the Influenza season. This workshop delivers the latest evidence on both the COVID-19 and the influenza viruses. RACGP WA together with WA Health present this informative workshop, designed to help GPs manage these two viruses. Presented by Professor Paul Effler, Senior Medical Advisor, Communicable Disease Control Directorate, Department of Health Western Australia, this workshop will discuss the current status of COVID-19 in Australia, as well…