Sydney North Primary Health Network 2015/16 Annual Report

SNPHN have just released their inaugural 2015/16 Annual Report. The report reflects and documents a successful first year as a Primary Health Network across our four strategic priority areas including Commissioning, Building Primary Healthcare Capacity and Service Transformation. For a summary of our audited financial statement please see pages 54-66 of the Report.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT: Celebrating Our First Year

As the CEO of the Northern Sydney PHN (operated by the Sydney North Primary Health Network), it is a pleasure for me to report on the 2015/16 inaugural year. It has been an exciting year as we built on the strong foundations established by the two Medicare Locals, Northern Sydney and Sydney North Shore and Beaches.

As a new organisation this year we have put in place our corporate governance framework, undertaken an IT strategic roadmap, delivered strong healthcare campaigns and key messages, and built a strong commissioning organisation. We have a highly skilled and adaptable workforce to enable us to realise our strategic vision.

Our PHN has an important role to drive, support and strengthen primary healthcare in our region. Our aim is to simplify the healthcare system by providing better information, education and networking opportunities for health professionals, connections across the health system, a better experience for health providers and improved health for the Northern Sydney community.

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In this month's SNPHN News we bring you the following information:

• SNPHN Tenders are now open for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Integrated Team Care Services. 

• Last month, SNPHN held seven co-design workshops to inform the commissioning of services to support mental health, alcohol and other drugs in our region. Learn more about co-design and some of the key themes that came from the workshops. 

• SNPHN is seeking expressions of interest for three programs: Person Centred Medical Home, a Consultation Group for digital health solutions and Graduate Nurse Primary Care Transition Program.

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GP NEWS

In this month’s GP News we bring you the following information:

• New local Social Work GP Support and dementia support services are now available for your patients. 

• A consultation process for the re-design of the Practice Incentives Program is currently being undertaken by the Australian Government Department of Health. Health professionals are invited to have their say during this phase.

• SNPHN provides incentives to practices who have the CATPlus Tool installed and undertake Quality Improvement.

• The Department of Health has made a temporary amendment to the ePIP incentive.

• An important message for Shared Antenatal Care GPs about updating details on the SNPHN website. 

• The National Shingles Vaccination Program will commence from 1 November 2016. 

• Advance is a free toolkit of screening and assessment tools and a training package, designed to support practice nurses to work with GPs in advance care planning and palliative care. 

• The National Asthma Council Australia has launched version 1.2 of the Australian Asthma handbook. 

• Here is some of the advice and free in-service briefings that community care organisation CCNB can bring to your general practice.

• Requests for female genital cosmetic surgery are on the rise, and many GPs are feeling ill-equipped to provide advice on the surgery.

• Important information of new MBS Item numbers for Indigenous eye health program.

• Researchers at the University of Sydney invite general practitioners to participate in an Australia-wide survey on antibiotic use and resistance.

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CLINICAL NEWS

In this month’s Clinical News:

• Australians are not meeting their recommended daily dietary serves across the five food groups, with the number GP nutritional consultations steadily increasing. 

• A clinical hypnotherapy research update regarding anxiety disorders. 

COMMUNITY HEALTH NEWS

In this month's Community news, learn about:

• Did you know you can order free resources in English and five other languages to help you find a health service when your GP is closed?

• Upcoming NDIS information sessions that are being held in the region. 

• ACON and the Centre for Social Research in Health released a report detailing public health evidence and marriage equality. 

• What you need to know about advance care planning to take control over the end of your life.

• New resources have been released to help parents and families understand how the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can support children with developmental delay or disability.

• National Carers Week ran from 16-22 October, recognising and celebrating the outstanding contribution unpaid carers in Australia make in our community.

• Northside puts together a monthly e-Bulletin full of useful resources, events, training and news. 

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MENTAL HEALTH NEWS

In Mental Health News, we provide:

• Learn and grow is the theme of this year’s NSW Mental Health Month, with a focus on encouraging all of us to understand the factors that impact our own mental health and to take action to improve our wellbeing.

• The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) are running a series of capacity building workshops over the next few weeks.

• The October and November ATAPS referral numbers for GPs. 

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AGED CARE NEWS

My Aged Care Brochures

Get Involved with My Aged Care and ensure you have the up to date information to give to your 65+ patients. You can order free My Aged Care Brochures and display them in your practice waiting room. 

Alternatively you can order the brochures via email at health@nationalmailing.com.au quoting DSS1620A in the subject line. 

Enquiries: Please contact My Aged Care direct on 1800 200 422.

DIGITAL HEALTH NEWS

In this month's digital health news:

• As part of a new project, the Australian Digital Health Agency would like to engage with clinicians working in various healthcare settings to understand how they use medicines-related information.

• Clinical leaders Associate Professor Meredith Makeham and Dr Steve Hambleton have joined the Australian Digital Health Agency. 

EDUCATION EVENTS

Interested in continuing your education? Sydney North Primary Health Network is hosting CPD Education Events for GPs, Practice Staff and Allied Health Providers. To view the current schedule, CLICK HERE.

CLICK HERE to view other health professional education events.

HEALTH RECRUIT

SNPHN is committed to helping build primary health workforce capacity. To view current health related job vacancies in our region, CLICK HERE.

ADVERTISING

CLICK HERE to view animated advertisement. 

If you are interested in advertising your health or community care service to an audience of GPs, practice staff, allied health professionals and or other health professionals through our monthly eNews please contact the Communications team on communications@snhn.org.au or call 9432 8250.

ABOUT SYDNEY NORTH PRIMARY HEALTH NETWORK

SNPHN Ltd (ABN 38 605 353 884) trading as Sydney North Primary Health Network (SNPHN) is a local not-for-profit health organisation, established by the Australian Government to improve access to primary care services for patients, particularly those at risk of poor health outcomes, and improve coordination of care to ensure patients receive the right care in the right place at the right time. We are one of 31 PHNs. The SNPHN region spans 899 square kilometres, aligns with the Northern Sydney Local Health District and encompasses 11 Local Government Areas (LGAs): Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Ku-ring-gai, Lane Cove, Manly, Mosman, North Sydney, Pittwater, Ryde, Warringah and Willoughby.

SNPHN gratefully acknowledges the financial and other support provided by the Australian Government.