5-Minute Catchup

The Check-Up | 18 August 2022

Episode Summary

The Check-Up is a weekly news segment of the 5-Minute Catchup, bringing notable news in a convenient medium. In this week’s podcast we will discuss the COVID vaccination rollout for under 5s, Monkeypox vaccines, APNA’s Transition to Practice Program, DVA Quick Guides, CHN events and more.

Episode Notes

Department of Health and Aged Care - COVID-19 response update for primary care – 18 August 2022

National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance - Vaccines for Australian adults

ACT Health - Monkeypox information for health professionals and community service providers

Department of Health and Aged Care - ATAGI clinical guidance on vaccination against Monkeypox

Capital Health Network - Transition to Practice Program

DVA Basics Quick Guide

DVA Claiming Quick Guide

Department of Health and Aged Care - wearing a mask video

Department of Health and Aged Care - practice behaviours video

Department of Health and Aged Care - COVID-19 oral treatments video.

Capital Health Network – PPE request form

Capital Health Network - Events

Questions? Contact our Primary Care Team via email and we'll be in touch.
primarycare@chnact.org.au

Episode Transcription

Welcome to the five-minute catch up my name is Kate Aigner from the Quality Improvement Team, and this is your weekly Check-up.

In this week’s podcast we will discuss the COVID vaccination rollout for under 5s, monkeypox vaccines, APNA’s Transition to Practice Program, DVA Quick Guides, CHN events and more.

To start things off, The Department of Health and Aged Care has issued the following advice on COVID vaccines for under 5s:

Given the very strong interest across Australia from primary care sites wishing to administer Moderna 6 months to under 5 years, and to ensure equitable geographical distribution and access for all eligible patients not all primary care sites were able to be selected to administer the vaccine at this stage.

This vaccine should only be used for children aged 6 months to under 5 years with severe immunocompromise, disability, and those who have complex and/or multiple health conditions which increase the risk of severe COVID-19

The practices selected for onboarding in the ACT are Next Practice Deakin, Kenolta Medical Centre, HealthFount Medical Centre and Fadden Medical Centre.

The Moderna vaccine for this cohort will be included in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program from 5 September 2022.

A new resource has been developed to assist immunisation providers identify vaccines that can be co-administered in people aged 18 years and older. The guide should be used in conjunction with the Australian Immunisation Handbook. Links to the resource and details to register for the next COVID-19 Response Primary Care webinar update are available below.

Now on to Monkeypox: There are now 70 cases (confirmed and probable) of Monkeypox in Australia. ACT health have received a small initial supply of the JYNNEOS vaccine, which is available from this week. These vaccines will be prioritised for individuals who meet the initial priority criteria. The Canberra Sexual Health Centre will be the ACT’s initial vaccination site.

Links to the ACT Health information, including priority criteria and referral, as well as ATAGI recommendations can be found below.

Capital Health Network in partnership with APNA, is excited to announce that we will be supporting nurses working in the ACT who are new or transitioning to General Practice nursing to complete APNA’s Transition to Practice Program or TPP.

TPP is a 12-month program that aims to build the knowledge, skills and confidence of nurses who have moved into a new primary health care setting, through an evidence-based supportive program. More information on the Program and a link to complete an expression of interest are below.

Now it’s time for the titbits…

DVA has developed two quick guides for general practices caring for veterans and their family members. The DVA Basics Quick Guide and DVA Claiming Quick Guide. These tools are designed to prompt clinicians to ask patients if they have served, provide information on the types of cards, what they cover and the supports and programs available to veterans.
The Department of Health and Aged Care has published additional videos, for use in your practice, on mask wearing, practicing COVID safe behaviours and COVID-19 oral treatments.
And Living with COVID PPE Bundles are still available from Capital Health Network until 30 September 2022, a link to all these resources can be found below.

Finally, we have some exciting Capital Health Network events coming up including Canberra Script Digital Health on September 15th, Women’s Health Services, Monkeypox, and Vascular Education. Look out for details on our website in the coming days.

And that wraps up your weekly check-up. Did you know that Capital Health Network is always available to answer your queries? If you have any questions about any of the information in this podcast, get in contact with us via email at primarycare@chnact.org.au

Our Quality Improvement Team here at Capital Health Network can assist you and your practice in developing QuIK Cycle Activities – a Plan-Do-Study-Act Quality Improvement Activity which could award participating General Practitioners with RACGP CPD Points by undertaking Self-Directed Quality Improvement. Get in contact with our team to discuss your opportunities for Continuous Quality Improvement.

On behalf of everyone here at Capital Health Network through the ACT’s PHN Program we thank you for tuning in and we’ll see you next Thursday for your next Check-up.

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