The Tasmanian Government advises the two free meningococcal ACWY vaccines must be administered according to the correct age range.
The two vaccines available for all Tasmanians aged between six weeks up to 21 years are:
- Nimenrix®, which is only to be used in those aged six weeks to 23 months of age;
- Menactra®, which is to be used for those aged 24 months and older.
To ensure all children in this age group are able to receive Nimenrix, please do not use Nimenrix outside of this age range.
Please refer to updated information about meningococcal vaccines on the NCIRS website by clicking the button below.
Vaccine can be ordered via the usual online ordering system. When placing an order for Nimenrix, please consider the number of children who attend the practice who are in the six weeks to 23 months of age cohort.
Please direct all enquiries to the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.
Practitioners are also strongly encouraged to bulk bill all children and young people who are eligible for this free vaccine.
A reminder there is a meningococcal Tasmanian HealthPathway, including up-to-date information about the vaccination program. Log in via the button below, using username: connectingcare and password: health.
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By General Practice Liaison Officers Dr Annette Barratt and Dr Liz Webber, Tasmanian Health Service (South)
Winter is upon us with its associated coughs, colds and flus. As GPs we all know the basics, however this short article might help put information in one place.
GPs have a critical role in prevention by ensuring that patients have the appropriate flu vaccine. You can use the vaccination visit as an opportunity to check the patient’s immunisation history and catch up on any that have been missed, such as Pneumovax in the over-65s and Zostavax in the over-70s, as well as checking on immunisation status of any children who present.
Remind patients about basic hygiene practices such as sneeze management and hand washing. Practices can have masks, tissues and hand sanitiser available in reception areas.
Encourage people to stay home from work and school when they are unwell, especially patients who work with vulnerable groups. Encourage people not to visit hospitals, nursing homes or large meeting areas when they are unwell.
Have suitable resources available to educate patients about cold and flu management, including why antibiotics are not necessary and could be harmful.
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The new My Health Record pathway on the Tasmanian HeatlhPathways website (username: connectingcare, password: health) provides information, links and resources to assist general practice with:
- registration
- practice essentials
- training and support
- advising patients
- the shared health summary – special consent requirement
- access in emergency situations.
A reminder there is also a list of responses to frequently asked consumer questions available from the Australian Digital Health Agency to assist healthcare providers, now the opt-out period has commenced.
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Researchers from the University of Tasmania are seeking GP feedback for a study on possible predictors of health practitioners' psychological outcomes associated with their work.
The results could increase understanding of the factors influencing the psychological wellbeing of Australia’s healthcare workforce, and inform interventions to support these individuals.
The survey takes about 30 minutes to complete and can be accessed via the button below.
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Are you a GP with experience of prescribing opioids to people with cancer and pain?
Researchers from the University of Technology Sydney are seeking participants for a qualitative study aimed at informing a balanced response to optimising benefits and minimising risks from opioids for people with cancer pain.
This involves a one-off 30 minute telephone interview, and participants will be reimbursed for their time.
For more information, please contact Dr Tim Luckett via the button below, or (02) 9514 4861.
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Painaustralia is seeking responses to a survey designed to inform a National Action Plan on Chronic Pain Management.
The National Action Plan is a critical step towards improving quality of life for the millions of Australians who live with chronic pain (daily pain that lasts three months or longer) and reducing the burden of pain which is increasingly impacting families, communities and the economy.
Painaustralia is keen to hear health workers' views about what they think will make the most difference for those living with or caring for people with chronic pain.
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Given recent media attention, health professionals seeking more information about Montelukast (available as brand name Singular) can find a fact sheet on the Asthma Australia website.
The Tasmanian HealthPathway for Asthma (Non-acute) in Children (username: connectingcare, password: health) also includes the following information:
Montelukast
- leukotriene inhibitors have a useful role in reducing inflammation in asthma
- may be particularly useful in atopic children
- available as a once a day oral chewable tablet for children two years and older
- can be easier to administer than inhaled medications, an advantage in some children
- usually well tolerated, however there is a potential association with neuropsychiatric adverse events. Monitor closely when starting Montelukast and cease if any adverse events noted
- see Leukotriene Receptor antagonists and their role in Childhood Asthma information paper
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Lung Foundation Australia is seeking feedback as it develops the first National Strategic Action Plan for Lung Conditions through funding from the Australian Government.
It will influence future decision making and resource allocation to improve the lives of all Australians through better lung health. To begin the consultation process, Lung Foundation Australia invites health professionals to complete a survey via the button below.
The survey will close on Sunday 12 August and a summary of the results will be published on Lung Foundation Australia’s website.
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Please note Primary Health Tasmania's Hobart office will be located at Level 2, 85 Collins Street, as of Monday 13 August. Existing phone numbers will apply to the new site.
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Do any of your older patients have a life-limiting condition? Do you know when and how to introduce palliative care?
The End of Life Directions for Aged Care (ELDAC) website contains a primary care toolkit developed by the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association with palliative care experts to connect people with current evidence-based tools and resources in palliative care and advance care planning.
Practitioners and their patients can use the toolkit to find tools and resources at every step of care at the end of life, or call the ELDAC Helpline (1800 870 155) for more information.
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The Immunisation Coalition will host a free evening webinar on 8 August about available vaccines for pneumococcal disease.
The session, which begins at 7:00pm (AEST), will cover topics such as the latest changes to the National Immunisation Program, high-risk groups and the Pneumosmart Vaccination Tool.
To register, click on the button below.
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A series of online mental health modules for nurses working in general practice or primary care is available for free until 31 December 2018.
The Mental Health Essentials eLearning program has been developed by the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses, with funding from the Australian Government.
It aims to support nurses working in general practice and primary care to develop their knowledge, skills and confidence to incorporate mental health into day-to-day practice.
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A set of RACGP-accredited online training modules are now available for practitioners wanting to learn more about influenza immunisation and pertussis prevention.
The available training modules are:
- influenza in older adults (activity number 127790)
- influenza in children under five (activity number 127846)
- pertussis identification (activity number 130720)
- pertussis vaccination (activity number 130799).
To find out more, click the button below.
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Dietitians at Population Health Services have developed free online nutrition training program for all staff and volunteers who work with older people living in the community.
The Malnutrition in Older People online training is interactive and includes instructional videos and fictional scenarios. The training takes just over an hour to complete, and is broken into two easy sections.
There is no enrolment key required to access the course. To access it, go to Health Learning Online via the button below and create a login (there is no restricted access) and then go to the Community and Cultural Care folder.
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Date: Tuesday 14 August
Time: 6:30pm - 9:30pm (dinner provided)
Location: Hobart
RSVP: 7 August
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Tasmania's chief psychiatrist Dr Aaron Groves will attend this forum, which is designed to collect the views and experiences of GPs regarding mental health services in southern Tasmania.
Click here to find out more.
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Date: Saturday 8 September
Time: 8:45am to 3.30pm
Location: Hobart
Cost: $35 for members, $50 for non-members
Host: Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Nurses Group
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A full-day program focusing on head and neck cancer, this education day provides comprehensive content from a multidisciplinary perspective.
Click here for more information.
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It is a truth universally acknowledged that every dedicated health worker must be in want of a work-life balance.
For registered nurse - and Nan to six "boisterous" grandkids - Sara Coates, this means complementing her four weekly shifts at Eastern Shore Doctors in Lauderdale with bush walking, gardening, movies, and the occasional stage performance.
"Recently I played the wonderful role of Mrs Bennet from Pride and Prejudice at the Playhouse Theatre. What a hoot that was!" she says.
Sara became a student nurse in 1979, when she was just 17 years old, having always wanted to follow her mother's footsteps into the profession.
"She was nursing in the days of having to leave when you got pregnant - so I ruined her nursing career!" Sara says. "I have never regretted being a nurse. In fact, I love being a nurse."
Here’s what else the multi-talented nurse told Primary Health Tasmania:
- On coming to Tasmania as a child: "I was born in England and came to Tassie in 1972 as a £10 Pom with my family. I was only 11 and instantly became an assimilated Australian. I have lived in and loved Tasmania ever since, I consider myself Australian now."
- What people get wrong about practice nursing: "One of the biggest misconceptions about being a general practice nurse is that it’s an easy, boring, monotonous job compared to that same role in the hospital system."
- On being part of a team - at work, and beyond: "I love all my fellow colleagues, I love being part of a medical team. I love learning new things and doing things in a more efficient and effective way. I especially enjoy the fact that I am seeing the same patients year in year out. In fact I’ve just started immunising some of my early patients' children! I think community and family is what life is all about. I enjoy that I live, work, play and go to church in my community. I like being a part of my patients' lives and interacting with them."
Do you know someone working in general practice who would be a good subject for The Check Up? Suggest them by clicking the button below and getting in touch!
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