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 Transition to Practice Program for registered nurses, Monkeypox, TGA’s approval of a COVID-19 vaccine for 12–17-year-olds, Strengthening Medicare Taskforce, CHN educational events and more.
Capital Health Network - Transition to Practice Program.
Capital Health Network Nurse Immuniser Scholarship Program
Department of Health and Aged Care - Monkeypox
Department of Health and Aged Care - Monkeypox - Patient referral and testing guidance fact sheet
Department of Health and Aged Care - Monkeypox - Patient referral and testing guidance poster
Department of Health and Aged Care - Monkeypox - Patient referral and testing guidance video
Department of Health and Aged Care - Strengthening Medicare Taskforce appointed
Department of Health and Aged Care - Strengthening Medicare Taskforce communique – 29 July 2022
Services Australia - Health Professional Education Resources
Capital Health Network – PPE request form
Questions? Contact our Primary Care Team via email and we'll be in touch.
primarycare@chnact.org.au
Welcome to the five-minute catch up my name is Greta Welin from the Quality Improvement Team, and this is your weekly Check-up.
In this week’s podcast we will discuss the Transition to Practice Program for registered nurses, monkeypox, TGA’s approval of a COVID-19 vaccine for 12–17-year-olds, Strengthening Medicare Taskforce, CHN educational events and more.
To start things off,
We have an exciting opportunity for nurses new to Primary Care: Capital Health Network, ACT’s PHN, in partnership with APNA, will be supporting nurses in the ACT who are new or transitioning to General Practice nursing, to complete APNA’s Transition to Practice Program or TPP. The 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. There are two program options, depending on the level of support required and CHN is providing the Program at no cost to successful applicants. Places are limited and we are now accepting Expressions of Interest for places in the October intake of the Program.
Places are also available on Capital Health Network’s nurse immuniser scholarship program. This is a wonderful opportunity for registered nurses working in ACT general practices to gain skills to administer some immunisations without a standing order. Further information for both programs is available in the links below or by emailing: primarycare@chnact.org.au
On to Monkeypox news: There are now 45 cases (confirmed and probable) of Monkeypox in Australia, and this week the Chief Medical Officer has declared monkeypox a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance. ATAGI has released guidance on the use of smallpox vaccine for protection against Monkeypox virus infection.
Also, The Department of Health and Aged Care has produced a fact sheet and a number of resources about Monkeypox for patients and for health professionals. Links to the statement, ATAGI guidance and resources are available below.
The TGA has provisionally approved the COVID-19 vaccine, NUVAXOVID, for use in individuals aged 12-17 years old. The vaccine was previously approved for adults. This is now being considered by ATAGI who will provide advice to the Government in the coming weeks.
The Strengthening Medicare Taskforce has been appointed and met for the first time on 29th August. The Taskforce, made up of leaders across the health professions, includes consumer, rural and regional and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives. They will identify and provide recommendations on the highest priority improvements to primary care. These include: improved patient access to general practice, after-hours care and GP-led multidisciplinary team care; greater patient affordability, better management of ongoing health conditions and decreased pressure on hospitals. A link to the press release and meeting communique is available below.
The ongoing COVID-19 and influenza infection and hospitalisation rates highlight the need for COVID safe practice. Please continue to encourage your patients to wear a mask when they can’t physically distance - and to practice COVID safe behaviours to help protect themselves from the risk of contracting COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. This helps to not only protect ourselves and the community but also helps keep the pressure off our hospitals and health system
Now it’s time for the titbits…
GPs are invited to attend a free 90-minute training on August 8th to hear key findings from the 2022 Australasian COVID-19 conference. This webinar is open to all, with a focus on general practice, see the link below to register.
Services Australia's redesigned Health Professionals Education Resources website went live on August 1st, comprising eLearning modules and other education resources. See the link below for details.
A reminder that Living with COVID Bundles are still available until 30 September 2022, there is a link below to the order forms.
Finally,
We have some exciting Capital Health Network events coming up covering a range of subjects: Canberra Script Digital Health, Women Health Services, Monkey Pox, and Vascular Education. Look out on our website for details 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.
LINKS
Capital Health Network - Transition to Practice Program.
Capital Health Network Nurse Immuniser Scholarship Program
Department of Health and Aged Care - Monkeypox
Department of Health and Aged Care - Monkeypox - Patient referral and testing guidance fact sheet
Department of Health and Aged Care - Monkeypox - Patient referral and testing guidance poster
Department of Health and Aged Care - Monkeypox - Patient referral and testing guidance video
Department of Health and Aged Care - Strengthening Medicare Taskforce appointed
Department of Health and Aged Care - Strengthening Medicare Taskforce communique – 29 July 2022
Services Australia - Health Professional Education Resources
Capital Health Network – PPE request form
Questions? Contact our Primary Care Team via email and we'll be in touch.
primarycare@chnact.org.au