The National Asthma Council Australia has released a major update of its online Australian Asthma Handbook, the national guidelines for diagnosis and management of asthma in primary care. Guidelines Committee Chair and general practitioner Professor Amanda Barnard says Handbook version 2.0, which was developed by an interdisciplinary team of clinical …
Important changes to the Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme
The Queensland Government has made important changes to the Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme which came into effect on 1 March 2019. These changes affect medical providers who provide examinations or health assessments for Queensland’s coal mine workers. From 1 March 2019, only providers who have been approved by the …
People living with epilepsy may be eligible for the NDIS
A person may be eligible for support under the NDIS depending on the functional impact that the epilepsy has on their life – in the areas of mobility, communication, social interaction, learning, employment, self-care or self-management. Accessing support If a person was previously receiving state-based funding, they may have a …
How GPs can help combat Australia’s second biggest cancer killer
Cancer Council is asking GPs to support a new national campaign, following research that shows they are a key source of information for patients eligible for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. The campaign, funded by a $10 million Australian Government grant, will be the biggest campaign run in Australia …
Publication documents latest indicators of health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
The most recent indicators of the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are documented in the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet’s latest publication, Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status 2018. The annual Overview contains updated information across many health conditions. It shows that despite some improvements, there …
Unexplained breathlessness might be Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a rare condition with high rates of morbidity and mortality, characterised by elevated pulmonary arterial pressure, increased pulmonary vascular resistance, and a normal pulmonary wedge pressure (1). A concerning area of unmet medical need in PAH is the delayed time to a confirmed diagnosis, with …
9 out of 10 Australians will now have a My Health Record
The Australian Digital Health Agency has announced that nine out of 10 Australians now have a My Health Record following the creation of records after the opt-out period ended. What does this mean for GPs? As part of a consult, GPs can activate a patient’s My Health Record through the …
Asthma experts call for new way forward to improve asthma outcomes in Australia
Australia’s leading asthma experts have called for a rethink of current asthma management practices in a new discussion paper released by the National Asthma Council Australia. The paper ‘Current practice and new approaches in asthma: perspectives of asthma practitioners and patients’ is a collective response from top asthma health professionals, researchers and …
Type 2 diabetes workshops
Have you been diagnosed by your GP with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes? Would you like to learn more about your condition and how to manage it? A series of free sessions will cover information on type 2 diabetes, self management practice, health professional care, healthy lifestyle behaviours, and further support in the community. …
Teddy bears take the sting out of immunisation
Staff at the Central Queensland Family Practice in Mount Morgan have created an inspirational Share and Care Bear Project to take the ‘sting’ out of immunisations or other unavoidable painful experiences for children and their parents.
Fellowship applications now open
Applications are now open for the Australian Mental Health Leaders Fellowship, a prestigious program for emerging leaders who have a passion and commitment to improving outcomes for people with lived experience of mental health issues.
New forms to make it easier to apply for Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme
The new Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme forms will make it easier for patients and clinicians by reducing the duplication of information required for each application.
2020 AAPM webinar series
The Australian Association of Practice Management webinar series offers 20 one-hour online seminars which cover a variety of topics to assist you and your team in the day-to-day practice activities.
New General Practice Insights Report reveals most frequent reasons why patients visit GP
A new report shows the three most frequent reasons why patients go to a doctor are to obtain a prescription, for review of their conditions, and for upper respiratory tract infections.
New resource explains latest treatment options for patients with severe asthma
The National Asthma Council Australia has released a new evidence-based resource for primary care health professionals to help explain the latest treatment options for patients with severe asthma. The Monoclonal antibody therapy for severe asthma information paper was developed based on the latest available evidence and implications for practice in primary care. …
AMAQ Regional Private Practice Series on this week
The AMA Queensland Regional Private Practice Seminar Series Two: Workplace policies and risk management will be hosted, on 5 & 6 December, in Bundaberg and Rockhampton this week. Join Michelle Cowan, Senior Industrial Officer, AMA Queensland and Paul Copeland, Director, William Buck to examine the set-up of a policy framework …
Queensland Health awards Referral contract
Queensland Health has awarded a contract to BPAC Informatics Pty to provide their eReferrals solution capability SeNT to be integrated as part of the Queensland Health Smart Referrals solution. The Smart Referrals solution is a key initiative of The Queensland Health Specialist Outpatient Strategy launched in 2016. The BPAC eReferral …
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners can supply and administer scheduled medicines
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners working in isolated practice areas in Queensland now have the authority to supply and administer scheduled medicines in accordance with amendments to the Health (Drugs and Poisons) Regulation 1996. These authorities apply to staff of both Hospital and Health Services and Aboriginal and …
Looking back on maternal shared care in Rockhampton
Dr Helen Wiltshire, Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast PHN’s GPLO for Maternity Care The inaugural GP Antenatal Shared Care workshop was held in Rockhampton on Saturday 20, October 2018. The update was presented by CCQ and the Rockhampton Hospital. It provided an update for GPs who wish to undertake …
Reflections of a QDHP phone counsellor
Dr Michael Kennedy reflects on his experience as a phone counsellor for the Queensland Doctor’s Health Programme, and encourages others to consider joining the team. Years ago an opportunity arose. It was akin to a tap on the shoulder. I began this job of taking the calls for DHAS(Q), now …