Member Bulletin

General practitioners have a key role to play in the provision of primary health care services in the event of an emergency in Victoria. During and after the 2009 Victorian bushfires the Victorian Department of Health established field primary care clinics at a number of sites to provide primary care services to affected communities where access to usual care was limited or nonexistent. 

Nurse News

Nurse News includes; Reaccreditation for Nurse Immunisers, Seasonal Flu Vaccine in 2010, HPV Catch-Up Program and much, much more…..

Member Bulletin

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) met in Brisbane on Monday 7 December 2009 to discuss options for health reform within Australia. At this meeting COAG agreed that national health reform would be a central priority for 2010. Two other key health issues discussed during the meeting were e-health and the National Partnership Agreement on Elective Surgery.

Graduate Certificate in Nursing (General Practice)

The Graduate Certificate in Nursing (General Practice) is a collaborative joint venture of the University of the Sunshine Coast and the Australian General Practice Network (AGPN). The Graduate Certificate is designed specifically for Practice Nurses to develop knowledge and skills to assist them to practice competently within the challenging and constantly evolving general practice environment.

Increased Medicare compliance audit initiative

As part of the 2008-09 Federal Budget, the government announced an increase in Medicare Australia’s Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) compliance activities and proposed amendments to Medicare Australia’s audit powers.

Christmas / New Year Arrangements for Eastern Health Acute Sites 2009/2010

The following arrangements will apply during the Christmas / New Year holiday period:

Panavax H1N1 Vaccine - Product Information

Today the TGA has announced that children between 6 months and 9 years of age are approved to receive the Panvax H1N1 vaccine.

Quality use of over-the-counter codeine

Given reports of escalating Emergency Department presentations for gastric ulcer perforation secondary to excessive ibuprofen-codeine use there is a need for action in this area.
So, the National Prescribing Service has just (December 2009) released a position statement on codeine

Referrals Open to BOiMHC

ERGPA have a total of 55 referrals to BOiMHC available between now and the end of December 2009, which we have been advised MUST be used by this time.

HealthSmart

Eastern Health has stated to roll out HealthSMART, an upgraded computer system that will enable GP’s to electronically receive a discharge summary for their patients when discharged from an Eastern Health hospital.

Initially the new system will be for Box Hill hospital and will be introduced to other Eastern Health sites early in 2010.