Welcome to Brisbane South PHN's weekly newsletter for primary health care providers. If you would like to get in contact with us, please email support@bsphn.org.au
Happy reading! |
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IMPORTANT: The official guidance underpinning the health advice in this publication is rapidly evolving; in some rare instances information may be already out of date at the time of publication. Please always check links provided for the latest information. |
This week at Brisbane South PHN, we are: |
- distributing the ‘Ask the question’ influenza and COVID-19 resource pack
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updating general practices on the free flu vaccine initiative.
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‘Ask the question’ flu and COVID-19 winter wellness campaign |
General practices and pharmacies will soon receive their ‘Ask the question’ resource kit. The kit includes resources that remind general practice and pharmacy staff to ask every patient/customer ‘have you been vaccinated against flu and COVID-19?’. When you receive your kits, we encourage you to stick the reminders on your monitors and point of sale, and ask every patient ‘have you been vaccinated?’. |
ATAGI recommendations for use of a first booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine in higher-risk adolescents aged 12 to 15 years |
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommends that a first booster dose of the Comirnaty (Pfizer) COVID-19 vaccine may be given to the following adolescents aged 12-15 years who have completed a primary course of vaccination 3 or more months ago: - those who are severely immunocompromised
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those who have a disability with significant or complex health needs
- those who have complex and/or multiple health conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19.
ATAGI recommends a 3-month interval between a recent confirmed SARS CoV-2 infection and a scheduled dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
ATAGI does not recommend that a first booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine be given to all adolescents aged 12 to 15 years at this stage. |
COVID-19 and influenza testing over winter |
There has been an early rise in influenza cases this year, as well as ongoing widespread community transmission of COVID-19 in Queensland. Co-infection of influenza and COVID-19 may be associated with an increased risk of severe disease. Queensland Health recently released a Public Health Communique that provides further information on: -
laboratory testing recommendations
- laboratory testing results
- where to find further information on clinical criteria for severe COVID-19.
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COVID-19 Testing Framework Implementation Plan updated |
The COVID-19 Testing Framework Implementation Plan has been updated to reflect changes to recommendations in relation to diagnostic testing. It is recommended that polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostic testing is prioritised for symptomatic people who are: - at risk of severe disease or likely to benefit from disease-modifying therapies
- in close contact with those at high risk of severe disease
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in need of hospital admission.
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Changes to hospital visitor restrictions |
General practice and community fit testing |
The Clinical Skills Development Service (CSDS) based at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) is offering quantitative fit testing for general practice and community-based health professionals. This service will be provided free of charge until mid-August 2022.
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Multicultural COVID-19 communication resource update |
The updated resource pack contains in-language communication resources on when to get your COVID-19 vaccine after testing positive to the virus, COVID-19 vaccine dosage intervals, staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations, and using rapid antigen tests (RATs). Resources include an animation, social tiles, posters and fact sheets.
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Update on influenza in Queensland: Online Forum for Immunisation Providers, Monday 13 June 2022, 1 pm |
Queensland Health’s COVID-19 Response Division invites you to a briefing on influenza cases in Queensland, and the progress of the influenza vaccination program for immunisation providers.
The following Queensland Health representatives will provide briefings and take questions: Dr John Gerrard, Chief Health Officer Dr James Smith, Deputy Chief Health Officer, Public Health Response
Sean Birgin, COVID-19 Health System Response Lead Scott Brown, Acting State Director, COVID-19 Vaccination Taskforce
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Missed a COVID-19 webinar update for GPs? |
Queensland PHNs host regular webinars, providing updates on the current COVID-19 situation in Queensland. If you have missed a webinar, you can still watch the recording. |
RACGP Long form White Book updated |
The RACGP White Book has recently been updated to reflect the most current evidence. This useful guide offers health practitioners evidence-based guidance on appropriate identification and response in clinical practice to patients experiencing abuse and violence.
It provides practical recommendations and knowledge on topics such as interpersonal violence, safety and risk assessment, perpetrators, child abuse, elder abuse, and how domestic and family violence impacts vulnerable populations such as First Nation's communities, people with disabilities, and migrant and refugee communities.
This resource is available for all general practice staff and is informed by subject-matter experts and available evidence. |
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Free education webinar on self-collection cervical screening, Wednesday 15 June 2022, 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm |
Brisbane North PHN, in partnership with Queensland Health, is inviting GPs, practice managers and practice nurses in the Brisbane and Moreton Bay regions to participate in a short, free online webinar, that will discuss how to get ready for changes to the National Cervical Screening Program.
Who should attend: - GPs, practice managers and practice nurses.
By attending this webinar participants will be able to: -
understand changes to the National Cervical Screening Program guidelines on cervical screening self-collection
- identify practice-based enablers to offering self-collection
- understand the clinical pathway for self-collected cervical screening results.
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Managing care for the older population |
As Australia’s population ages, the demand for quality health care for older people will increase and become a key offering for all health practitioners.
The older person online learning module on DiscoverPHN offers:
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a greater understanding of aspects of an older person's health and wellbeing within general practice
- greater confidence in conducting older person's health assessments, providing education and playing an active role in collaborative health management
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basic knowledge of supporting structures and services for older people such as My Aged Care.
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Express your interest in registering for DiscoverPHN here. If you already have access to DiscoverPHN, log in here. |
CAT4 data cleansing training |
Have you reviewed your practice patient data recently? Do you know how to ensure your data is accurate to meet ongoing accreditation and PIP QI requirements? If the answer is 'no', these sessions give you the opportunity to review your practice data on CAT4 and make any improvements during the session. There is a maximum of 15 participants per session so register as soon as possible. Who should attend: Practice managers, nurses and receptionists Session 1 - Overview of CAT4, archiving inactive patients
Register for Tuesday 14 June 2022 or Wednesday 15 June 2022
Session 2 - Identify patients missing clinical/accreditation items
Register for Monday 20 June 2022 or Tuesday 21 June 2022
Session 3 - Reviewing your patients with indications of chronic conditions with no diagnosis
Register for Monday 20 June 2022 or Wednesday 22 June 2022
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Queensland Health Cancer Screening Program – 2022, key changes to practice, Thursday 9 June 2022, 6.30 pm to 8.00 pm |
2022 marks the beginning of some key quality improvement updates within the 3 national cancer screening programs. Updates to the Queensland Health Cancer Screening Program have resulted in significant impacts for general practice and their patients. This webinar will provide general practices with key updates on cervical, breast and bowel cancer screening, including important updates on the Breast Cancer Screening Program, cervical cancer screening self-collection for patients and the new implementation of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program alternative access model.
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Training opportunity: Health responses to domestic and family violence in the context of culture and identity |
New training is being offered as part of the Recognise, Respond, Refer program, focusing on responding to domestic and family violence (DFV) through a trauma-informed, culturally aware and intersectional lens. This is a Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) 40 CPD point accredited activity for completion of all 4 fortnightly sessions and activities. It is open to all general practice staff and it is possible to attend individual sessions (4 RACGP CPD points).
Tuesday evening virtual sessions:
- Lived Experience of Disability, Tuesday 21 June 2022, 6 pm to 8 pm
- Lived Experience of LGBTI Sistergirl and Brotherboy Communities, Tuesday 5 July 2022, 6 pm to 8 pm
- Culturally and linguistically Diverse Communities, Tuesday 19 July 2022, 6 pm to 8 pm
- First Nations Communities, Tuesday 2 August 2022, 6 pm to 8 pm
For more information, view the flyer.
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Free webinar series to enhance person-centred quality improvements |
Brisbane South PHN has partnered with Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited (AGPAL) to provide free, 1-hour evening webinars from May to July, to help practices better understand and implement person-centred quality improvements. These webinars support accreditation preparation, and meeting PIP QI requirements, as well as provision of person-centred care. Who should attend: practice staff, including clinicians and practice managers
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Workforce development and training |
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Understanding trauma-informed care to address domestic and family violence |
Domestic and family violence has a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of survivors and witnesses, and the effects go beyond physical marks and injuries. The mental and emotional consequences can endure long after bruises have healed, and even after the abusive relationship has ended.
Brisbane South PHN, with contributions from Dr Johanna Lynch, Metro South Hospital and Health Service, Children’s Health Queensland teams, Queensland Centre for Perinatal and Infant Mental Health and the Centre for Children’s Health and Wellbeing, has developed a quality improvement toolkit that assists general practices to review systems for trauma-informed care.
This toolkit is to be used in general practice to: - increase understanding of trauma-informed care
- increase understanding of the impact of adverse childhood experiences
- identify screening tools and referral pathways.
To request practice support contact the quality improvement team at support@bsphn.org.au. |
To access the PDF-fillable version on Brisbane South PHN's DiscoverPHN Learning portal, log in via the DiscoverPHN page. If you do not already have access, register for DiscoverPHN.
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New quality improvement toolkit – visiting Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF) |
Brisbane South PHN’s new quality improvement toolkit assists GPs to complete quality improvement activities and improve patient information in medical records.
This toolkit is a step-by-step guide which people can work through at their own pace. It is designed to encourage GPs who currently visit RACFs to review their systems to ensure maximum benefit for the resident, facility and GP. It is also is a step-by-step guide for GPs to identify opportunities to commence providing care to RACFs.
To receive support that is tailored to your practice, please email support@bsphn.org.au. |
To access the PDF-fillable version on Brisbane South PHN's DiscoverPHN Learning portal, log in via the DiscoverPHN page. If you do not already have access, register for DiscoverPHN.
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Urinary incontinence in men – SpotOnHealth HealthPathways |
Did you know that people who have previously resided in the Balkans are at increased risk of urinary tract malignancy due to an endemic carcinogen found in the local wheat?
Find out more about urinary incontinence in men on SpotOnHealth HealthPathways.
If you are a clinician working in the Brisbane south, Redlands, Logan or Scenic Rim catchments, request the SpotOnHealth HealthPathways username and password by calling 07 3156 4346 (Monday to Friday) or request access online.
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Using lived experience to bring about change |
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Brisbane South PHN's Recognise, Respond, Refer (RRR) program trains and assists general practices to identify and support people experiencing domestic and family violence (DFV) through localised, place-based solutions that ensure no-one falls through the cracks.
Over the past 4 years, we have trained primary health care workers; facilitated partnerships with social services and those with lived experiences, and have engaged all levels of government to secure funding for an expanded national rollout.
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Bec Fullbrook is a valued advisor on the RRR program, leveraging her own lived experience of domestic violence to collaborate with others impacted by DFV as part of an ongoing consultation and design process. Brisbane South PHN is fiercely committed to making a meaningful and measurable impact through collaboration and partnership with people with lived experience.
The RRR program is the result of ongoing engagement with a range of people impacted by DFV who courageously share their personal experiences to bring about change and strengthen the program.
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We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work, and of the many different nations across the wider Brisbane south region. We pay our respects to the Elders, past, present and emerging, as the holders of the memories, the traditions, the culture and the spiritual wellbeing of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the nation. We acknowledge any Sorry Business that may be affecting the communities as a whole. In the spirit of reconciliation, partnership and mutual respect, we will continue to work together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to shape a health system which responds to the needs and aspirations of the community.
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This information is accurate as of the publication date listed. All information and content in this newsletter is produced in good faith by Brisbane South PHN and is based on sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of development. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure information and content is up to date and accurate, viewers/readers should not rely on the data cited but treat it as indicative only. Brisbane South PHN does not accept any responsibility or liability for any loss or damage as a result of any errors, inaccuracies, incompleteness or any discrepancies in the data, nor does Brisbane South PHN guarantee or make any representations in the data.
While the Australian Government has contributed funding for this material, it has not reviewed the content and is not responsible for any injury, loss or damage however arising from the use of, or reliance on, the information provided herein. |
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