Presentation slides and the video recording of Primary Health Tasmania's immunisation webinar held on Thursday 26 March are now available to view or download via the button below (no login or account is required).
 
The webinar program was delivered in a format that allows GPs and other healthcare providers who were unable to attend to self-apply for CPD points.  

Primary Health Tasmania will enable eReferral for all computerised Tasmanian general practices on Monday 4 May. 

The expansion of the eReferral proof of concept is required to ensure that participating hospital departments receive a sufficient volume of eReferrals to be able to test their internal systems to triage and track eReferral.

eReferral is fully integrated with up-to-date versions of Best Practice and Medical Director. It uses secure HealthLink technology, which underpins electronic pathology and radiology results. 

To date, eReferral volumes have been lower than initially anticipated, with general practice responses to COVID-19 and Easter key factors.

Primary Health Tasmania will be contacting all general practices across Tasmania over the next two weeks to provide training and further information on how to access eReferral. 

New and updated Tasmanian Health Pathways include:

You can log into Tasmanian Health Pathways using the username: connectingcare and password: health.

Richmond Fellowship Tasmania has launched an Aged Care Resident Hotline, available from 8:30am to 4:30pm on weekdays, that connects eligible aged care residents with one of the organisation's clinicians.

The service is available to people living in Tasmanian residential aged care facilities who would benefit from emotional support as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is supported by funding from Primary Health Tasmania through the Australian Government’s PHN Program.

Medical journal The Lancet has created a Coronavirus Resource Centre that brings together content from across the publication's various journals. All of the COVID-19 content is free to access.

Health Translations - a Victorian Government initiative that provides free, multilingual health and wellbeing resources - has collated a range of resources in different languages, relevant to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Australian Asthma Handbook has been updated to include advice about managing asthma during the coronavirus pandemic, and other considerations for health professionals.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has released a clinical statement that outlines key points and updates for the 2020 influenza season, available vaccines, timing of vaccination and eligibility for free flu vaccine under the National Immunisation Program.

The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) have developed an FAQ resource answering 19 questions about influenza viruses and available vaccines, including the new influenza vaccine programs in 2020. 

Advance Care Planning Australia (ACPA) are hosting a free webinar for GPs and practice nurses on Tuesday 28 April from 6:30pm to 7:30pm.

The webinar will cover topics such as:

Applications are now open for APNA's Transition to Practice Program: an education, support and mentoring program for nurses new to primary health care.

The program provides an evidence-based framework of support over 12 months to nurses who have transitioned to primary health care and feel they would benefit from additional support. 

Applications close on 5 June.

Given the current demands on Tasmanian general practice staff in the COVID-19 response, we've decided to put The Check Up on hiatus for the foreseeable future. But, if you're inclined to nominate someone to be profiled down the line, please still get in touch!