N.B. Applications have now closed CCQ (the PHN) is seeking expressions of interest from general practitioners to join an existing GP-led, multidisciplinary Clinical Council in Wide Bay. The PHN is seeking GP members who can act in a strategic advisory capacity to the CEO and Board of the PHN. The aim …
Updated pneumoccoccal table
The Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service notes recent updates to the Adult Pneumococcal Recommendations in the Australian Immunisation Handbook are slightly different to the information shared in recent issues of CQ & CW Public Health Bulletin, which have now been updated and reissued here.
Sinemet supply shortage position statement
The Australasian Neuroscience Nurses Association Movement Disorder Chapter & The Movement Disorder Society of Australia and New Zealand have released a joint position statement advising of a Sinemet shortage. Sinemet (levodopa/carbidopa) is a medication commonly used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease as well as other neurological disorders. From 23 …
New resources: pregnancy and alcohol
General Practitioners (GPs) are often the first health professional a woman goes to when she is either planning a pregnancy or thinks she may be pregnant. Because of this GPs have an important role in providing the best possible information for women to have a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby. …
Top tips to help your patients access the NDIS
The clinical experience of general practitioners is crucial in helping people with disability access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), to confirm a person’s disability is permanent and significant. The NDIS was never intended to replace health responsibilities for diagnosing and treating medical conditions, so the most important way GPs …
Advancing kidney care plan
In response to a statewide review of kidney care services, Queensland Health developed a plan setting out the priority actions to improve kidney health and kidney health services in Queensland’s public health system. A a June meeting, the Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services released the Advancing Kidney …
New measles resource
The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance has released a measles vaccination catch-up guide for Australian immunisation providers. The one-page pdf is available here and via the NCIRS website.
To scope, or not to scope
Have you heard of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care? Well, it’s a thing. The Commission has been developing national clinical standards for several high-impact conditions and interventions. These standards aim to improve the appropriate use of evidence-based clinical interventions. The Commission has published a Colonoscopy …
StepCare service extended for another year – get involved.
The PHN is extending the StepCare service for an additional year and is welcoming practices from anywhere across the region – Central Queensland, Wide Bay or the Sunshine Coast to register their interest. StepCare has already proven to be a great quality improvement initiative, helping patients to access the right …
Lung Foundation launch COPD campaign
This Winter, Come Prepared That’s the message from the Lung Foundation, who have launched their winter campaign encouraging health professionals and people living with COPD to Come Prepared and prevent a COPD flare-up by developing a COPD Action Plan. During the winter months there are lots of people around who may …
Improving health communications with older Australians
Queensland Health recently released a summary of findings into its research on improving communications with older Australians. The primary objective of this research was to establish a greater understanding of the ways in which Queensland Health can provide Older Queenslanders, and those that influence their decision making (e.g. families and …
Professional development for nurses
The Nursing CPD Institute (NCI) provides continuing professional development online and on demand. Nurses: register for NCI online education through CCQ and gain access to: A series of custom designed wound management related webinars delivered as live webinars. These webinars will attract CPD points. An extensive library of continuing professional …
Help Close the Gap early on Indigenous health
In the wake of last week’s National Reconciliation Week, now is an ideal time to reflect on the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians, and the sobering reality that the mortality rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children is currently 2.4 times the mortality rate for non-Indigenous children. The …
Nurse practitioner awareness campaign
The Australian College of Nurse Practitioners, the peak body for nurse practitioners and advanced practice nurses in Australia, is running a national campaign to raise the profile of nurse practitioners in Australia. The Transforming Health Care initiative aims to provide valuable information to the public about the benefits of having …
Mental health service for young adults opening soon
Referrals are now being accepted for the first dedicated private mental health service for young adults to open in Queensland. Opening 24 June 2019, the Mater Young Adult Health Centre Brisbane’s Emotional Health Unit is where 16-25 year olds will be provided with specialist mental health care through the three …
Public health notice – listeria
Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria which causes Listeriosis, has been detected in a batch of commercial sliced ham served to patients and families in the Queensland Children’s Hospital between 10 and 20 May 2019. Listeria is a common bacteria found widely in the environment (soil, water, vegetation) and rarely causes serious …
Health alert – dengue fever
Locally acquired case of Dengue in Central Queensland As of 24 May 2019 Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service has confirmed Dengue in a Rockhampton resident who has not travelled overseas, nor to Far North Queensland. Central Queensland Public Health Unit (CQPHU) is investigating this case and the place of …
Applications open for primary health care nurse mentorship program
CCQ is partnering with the Australian Practice Nurse Association (APNA) to fund the mentorship of six (6) nurses across our region who are new to primary care practice. Transition to Practice is a 12-month education, support and mentoring program starting September 1, 2019. For new nurses, the program includes access …
World Asthma Day
7 May 2019 is World Asthma Day. To mark the day, the National Asthma Council has released and answered Australians’ top 6 questions about asthma – from using spacers to asthma diagnosis in older Australians; how to manage asthma when pregnant and the effect of fragrances on asthma and allergies. …
Public health alert: syphilis outbreak in Central Queensland
Outbreak of infectious syphilis in Central Queensland Attn: All clinicians in Central Queensland There has been an increase in cases of infectious syphilis in Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service area where it’s considered to be an outbreak. The recent syphilis cases in the region appears to be mainly in …