Unlock the power of practical, patient-centred care plans with our Care Plan Training Workshop! Designed specifically for practice nurses, this workshop cuts through the complexities of care planning to provide you with real, actionable skills you can use immediately.

Our workshop offers:

• Techniques to integrate care planning efficiently into daily routines, saving time while maintaining high-quality care.

• Up-to-date information on regulatory requirements and innovative patient care strategies. Practical tools and techniques that participants can immediately apply in their roles.

• Strategies to help nurses communicate more effectively with patients, making care plans more collaborative and impactful.

• Access to resources, templates, and updates that provide continued guidance and support beyond the workshop.

Say goodbye to feeling overwhelmed or unsure—our step-by-step approach makes it easy to streamline your workflow, communicate confidently with patients, and enhance your impact in every interaction. Walk away empowered, equipped, and ready to transform your care plans into tools that truly make a difference in your patients' lives.

Join us and become part of a movement toward smarter, simpler, and more effective patient care!

Grief Australia are holding a FREE live webinar via Zoom on Thursday the 5th of December 5 – 630pm

For many, Christmas is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. But for those grieving the loss of a loved one can be a challenging time, navigating the complexities of loss and mourning.   

Join for a compassionate, supportive webinar led by grief professionals who understand the unique struggles of this season.

Our expert panel will explore gentle coping strategies, ways to honour your loved one’s memory and tips for finding comfort and connection, to help you navigate the season. 

What you'll learn

•            How to honour your loved one's memory in meaningful ways.

•            Tips for managing social events and setting boundaries.

•            Self-care strategies for emotional well-being during the holidays.

•            How to communicate your needs with family and friends.

•            Ways to cope with emotional triggers.

•            Creating space for your own healing during Christmas festivities.

Register to attend this webinar to hear our interdisciplinary panel of experts explore ways to to support infants and children following a disaster, by ensuring disruptions to the child’s ecology (their family, school and broader community) are considered in recovery interventions.
 

Please note: Registrations for this webinar are limited and will close at 4pm AEDT on the day of the broadcast.
 

Learning outcomes:

• Outline the benefits of considering and connecting with a child’s family, school/early learning service and community as part of disaster recovery approaches.

• Identify how disasters can impact the various aspects of a child’s ecology, and how this may increase the child’s risk of experiencing mental health difficulties in the immediate aftermath or longer term.

• Describe strategies that support children’s relationships, regulation, communication, meaning-making, self-expression, routines and support networks in different environments and contexts following a disaster.

• Discuss ways to involve children and the important adults in their life – their parents, extended family and kin, educators and community leaders – in recovery interventions.

Our interdisciplinary panel: 

• Christopher Gostelow, Psychologist, WA

• Tayla lellamo, Occupational Therapist, NSW

• Sarnia Ralston, Child and Family Partner, Qld

• Facilitator: Jacquie Lee, Practice Development Officer, Emerging Minds, SA

Tune in on Wednesday, 4 December from 7-8:30 pm AEDT, for the Heart Foundation’s final health professional clinical webinar of 2024. Accredited with the RACGP, ‘Let's get physical’ will showcase the crucial links between physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiovascular health.

The event will be chaired by Prof. Garry Jennings, Chief Medical Advisor of the Heart Foundation, and will be joined by a stellar panel featuring international expert Prof. Martin Halle (Germany) along with Australian experts. Watch live as they uncover the latest benefits of exercise in enhancing cardiovascular health, offer practical insights and explore strategies to enhance CVD risk factor management in primary healthcare settings.

See the details below on speakers and topics to be covered.
 
This webinar has been accredited with the RACGP for 1.5 hours.
 (Activity number: 1037982)

Webinar details

Title: Let’s get physical: The role of exercise in cardiovascular health

When and where: Wednesday, 4 December 2024, 7-8:30 pm AEDT

Live and recorded, free Zoom webinar 

Speakers 

• Prof. Martin Halle (Munich, Germany), Cardiologist and Medical Director of Preventive and Rehabilitative Sports Medicine, Technical University of Munich

• Prof. Andre La Gerche, Cardiologist and Laboratory Head, St Vincent’s Institute Medical Research

• Prof. Nicole Freene, Clinical Physiotherapist and Academic, University of Canberra

• Prof. Xiaoqui Feng, Professor of Urban Health and Environment, UNSW

• Dr Kuljit Singh, General Practitioner and Clinical Director Projects, KnG healthcare

• Prof. Garry Jennings (Chair), Chief Medical Advisor @ the Heart Foundation

Topics to be discussed

1.    Understanding physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness with related cardiovascular health implications.

2.    Exploring the role of physical activity and exercise in reducing CVD risk.

3.    Defining exercise induced cardiac remodelling.

4.    Evidence-based exercise interventions in cardiac rehabilitation for secondary prevention.

5.    Exploring the role of Social Prescribing physical activity, for increased quality of life, social connectedness and cardiovascular outcomes.

6.    Practical strategies for optimising physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness and CVD risk factor management within the primary care setting.

More than half a million Australians are exposed to silica dust in their workplace. Do you know which workers are at risk and how, when and why to monitor their lung health?

Recent years have seen the resurgence of accelerated silicosis linked to the cutting, grinding and polishing of engineered stone, which often contains a high percentage (>90%) of crystalline silica.

In a world-first decision, effective from 1 July 2024 the use, supply, and manufacture of engineered stone products was banned across Australia.

Whilst occupational and respiratory experts work to update clinical guidelines to reflect these landmark changes and progress in industry and evidence, how can at-risk Australian workers be identified and assessed for silica-related disease?

Hear from our panel of clinical experts on the most up-to-date evidence and the future of assessing, diagnosing and monitoring workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica dust. Submit your questions for our panel at registration, or during the live session. Register now to view live or on-demand from the following day.

URL: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4775599/13BF056644DA7CDD6478AD097411EC3D

As part of the Aboriginal Chronic Conditions Webinar series, Neura is joining us to yarn about their programs of work on Aboriginal Dementia and Healthy Aging.

For more info on Neura, please see neura.edu.au

Online event

Wed, 04 Dec

2:00 pm - 3:30 pm AEDT

Hosted by the Agency for Clinical Innovation and Health Education and Training Institute (HETI).

In collaboration with ACI's Aboriginal Chronic Conditions Network and Aged Care Network

The workshop is for anybody interested, particularly those working in Aboriginal health, aged health, and aged care.

Location: Intercontinental Hotel, Sydney (117 Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia)

Event Link: https://academy.myhealth.net.au/event/8

Registration Link: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1274905

Please join Murrumbidgee Local Health District for the 2024 Palliative Care Education sessions presented by Palliative Care Nurse Educator Stephanie Dunstall. 

These sessions will be held at 14:00 – 14:45 on the second Tuesday and the last Thursday of each month via Microsoft Teams and will cover a range of topics regarding Palliative Care. 

This online education series will inspire excellence in palliative and end of life care through learning, connection and innovation. 

Our first session will empower healthcare professionals to effectively discuss goals of care with patients and families. 

You will learn how to communicate clearly and compassionately, navigate complex decision-making processes, and deliver patient-centered care that aligns with the person’s values and wishes. 

Frontline workers in NSP settings  have a crucial and unique role to play in eliminating hep C.

Every day, you’re talking to people who might be living with hep C. By sharing messages about testing and treatment, you can support people to protect their health.  

The Hepatitis C in NSP Settings course will be delivered in two parts:  

• Part 1  consists of a 1-hour eLearning component introducing the learner to the topics of testing, management and treatment of HCV in addition to how to provide education in the NSP setting. 

• Part 2 consists of an interactive face-to-face workshop building on the knowledge and skills gained in Part 1 through practical case discussions and referral pathway mapping. 

Register here: https://ashm.org.au/training/nsw-hepatitis-c-in-nsp-settings/

Our next session on Friday 22 November, 2024 will be Disaster/Prehospital to be held in Rooms 5 and 6 on Level 3 of the WWBH Health Services Hub commencing at 8.30am.

For out-of-town attendees, the Microsoft Teams meeting link is as follows:

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 486 860 932 173
Passcode: jDanXn

Download Teams | Join on the web

The timetable for the session is set out below:

0830-0930: Acute Rental Failure

0930-1030: Preparation of a Patient for Transfer

1030-1045: Morning tea

1045-1145: Electrolyte Abnormalities

1145-1230: Kahoot – oncologic emergencies

1230-1330: Lunch

1330-1700 : Self-directed learning (online attendees)

Pre-reading:

• https://aci.health.nsw.gov.au/ecat/adult/unwell-immunocompromised-person - ECAT protocol for immunocompromised patient presenting unwell

• https://education.eviq.org.au/rapid-learning/oncological-emergencies - EVIQ Oncological Emergencies modules. Recommend SVCO, SIADH, Hypercalcaemia of malignancy, TLS, malignant spinal cord compression  (around 5 minutes / module). There will be a Kahoot based on these modules and the ECAT immunocompromised patient protocol.

• https://medschool.co/quizzes/abgquiz - Free ABG quiz (really VBG)

• https://geekymedics.com/hyponatraemia/ - Geeky medics hyponatraemia overview. A good synopsis that keeps it simple

• https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2021/july/care-for-survivors-of-acute-kidney-injury - RACGP article regarding management of patients who’ve experienced AKI and have recovered.

• https://litfl.com/vbg-versus-abg/ - LITFL a comparison of ABG vs VBG

To mark World COPD Day 2024, and in alignment with this year’s theme of Know Your Lung Function, Lung Foundation Australia presents this virtual learning event focusing on the guideline-recommended approach to early and consistent lung function testing in COPD. Our expert panel, including Dr Kerry Hancock and Dr Lee Fong will speak to evidence-based practice in COPD, in line with the COPD Clinical Care Standard, and updated COPD-X Handbook.

Topic: Clinical pain management – Part 2 – Psychosocial

Presenter: Dr. Odette Sprujit, Medical Director of the Tasmanian North SPCS

Case Discussion: Dr Sherina Mubiru

Please see attached the session agenda, curriculum with list of dates and topics and our Palliative Care ECHO digital flyer to share amongst your networks.

Presenter and Panellists for 19th November

Dr. Odette Sprujit - Dr Odette Spruijt was Director of the Peter Mac Department of Palliative Medicine from 1998-2014 and is now Medical Director of the Tasmanian North SPCS.  Following an early experience as a volunteer in India in 1987, she developed a commitment to the international development of palliative care and addressing the global access abyss (Lancet Commission 2018). She established Australasian Palliative Link International (APLI) and has been a Project Hamrahi mentor in India. She completed her PhD in 2020, a narrative exploration of the experiences of palliative care doctors in India and Australia, of the relief of patients’ suffering.  

Rosemary Ramsay - Dr Rosemary Ramsay is a General Practitioner and Palliative Care Specialist in North West Tasmania. She is a clinical senior lecturer at the Rural Clinical School in Burnie where she teaches undergraduates.  She is a member of the Australasian Chapter of Palliative Medicine and a supervisor with the RACP. She has developed the Rural Generalist Palliative Care Registrar post in NW Tasmania which is approved for GP training. Her interests are in service provision, the role of the GP in palliative care and teaching medical students in palliative care.

Benjamin Newman – Ben has been working as a pharmacist with the Sunshine Cost Specialist Palliative Care Rural Telehelath Service (SPaRTa) for the past 4 years, helping to integrate pharmacy services into virtual care. Previously, Ben worked as a cancer care pharmacist and helped to set up an oncology pharmacy service at small regional hospital.

If you have not already registered for this session you can do so with the link below. Once registered you will receive an email with connection details. 
https://uqz.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwvfuqgqjwoGtPThu8Cl2KOUTF8fJylmv9G

Perform a test call: If you’re unfamiliar with zoom or joining from a new device, perform a test call prior to the session with this link: https://zoom.us/test

Tech support: Check our tech support FAQ’s https://uqecho.org/help/  

Learn more: Palliative Care ECHO https://uqecho.org/pallcare-echo/ or email palliativecareecho@uq.edu.au

If you have a case, situation, or experience to share for discussion in a Palliative Care ECHO session, we’d love to hear from you!

If you would like to join one or all of these sessions, please register on the link below 

https://uqz.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwvfuqgqjwoGtPThu8Cl2KOUTF8fJylmv9G 

For further information or to contact the Palliative Care ECHO team 

E-mail: palliativecareecho@uq.edu.au Web: uqecho.org/pallcare-echo 

Lisa Garner 0408 181 351 or Dr Helen Haydon on 3176 4462 

In this 90-minute case discussion participants will discuss a range of hepatitis B case studies with a specialist or experienced HBV s100 prescriber, highlighting approaches to diagnosing, treating and managing people living with hepatitis B.

Date: Monday, 18 November 2024

Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm (AEDT)

Location: Online via Teams

Join RACGP Specific Interests for an engaging discussion on the important role of GPs in prescribing opioid dependence treatment (ODT). This session will explore and demystify ODT, demonstrating that incorporating it into your practice is easier than you might expect.
 
This insightful session will feature patient stories from those with lived experience of opioid dependence, and the positive impact that working with their GP has had on their recovery journey, and their lives. You’ll also hear first-hand experiences from three GPs who are new to prescribing ODT, offering unique insights into their real-world approaches, challenges, successes, and learnings from clinical practice.
 
This webinar is suitable for all GPs, particularly those who may only do a little or no work in addiction medicine and would like to learn more.

This Masterclass is a must for those looking to enhance their skills, knowledge and competence in the process of conducting a pain assessment for a palliative care patient

Program objectives - for attendees to:

• To understand the dynamic nature of history taking relevant to pain assessment 

• To understand the importance of communication skills for accurate pain assessment

This Masterclass will be delivered online - a link will be sent to registrants closer to the event.

Register to attend this webinar to hear our interdisciplinary panel of experts explore how to increase the knowledge, confidence and skills of mental health professionals when supporting the mental health of children living in out-of-home care.
 

Please note: Registrations for this webinar are limited and will close at 4pm AEDT on the day of the broadcast.
 

Learning outcomes:

• Describe ways in which out-of-home care can impact children’s sense of participation, identity and self-worth.

• Outline the importance of culture and identity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care.

• Identify how to confidently integrate approaches into current practice that enhance children’s sense of participation, identity and self-worth.

• Discuss how to recognise the importance of explaining to children why they are in care and how to discuss this with them sensitively and safely.

• Examine strategies that promote collaboration between services, biological parents and foster/kinship carers, understanding its significance for children’s mental health and wellbeing.

Our interdisciplinary panel: 

• Kate Headley, Speech Pathologist, NSW

• Candice Butler, Child Protection, Qld

• Felicity Kime, Peer Worker/Child and Family Partner, NSW

• Facilitator: Nicole Rollbusch, Practice Development Officer, Emerging Minds, SA

This webinar is open to all NSW GPs, Nurse Practitioners, Practice Nurses and Practice Managers.  Please share the below invitation to these groups and with any appropriate PHN staff who may be able to assist with promotion or would like to attend.

WEBINAR

Delivering Voluntary Assisted Dying Services in NSW: early experience and emerging understandings

OVERVIEW

Voluntary assisted dying (VAD) commenced in NSW on 28 Nov 2023 and, by the time of this webinar, will have been in operation for nearly a year.

This webinar offers an update on the first-year experience in delivering VAD services to patient and families from those at the forefront of its design and delivery.

Speakers will discuss how VAD is being integrated into end-of-life planning, including with palliative care; how to refer patients; some of the emerging trends in patients’ choices such as location and type of administration, and highlight the role and challenges for GPs.

SPEAKERS

Dr Sara Townend (Clinical Director, Access Service – NSW VAD Support Service and Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) VAD Local Support Team (VAD-LST), General Practitioner)

Dr Sara Townend is the Clinical Director of the medical outreach team within the NSW VAD Support Service, responsible for providing VAD services to patients across NSW, particularly those within regional and rural areas. She is an experienced GP who has worked in adult and pediatric palliative care, in addition to leading the Medical Evacuation Response Group (MERG), a coalition of organizations tasked with evacuating refugees in need of care from Manus and Nauru.

Dr Wade Stedman (Statewide VAD Medical Lead, Intensivist)

Dr Wade Stedman is a Senior Staff Specialist in ICU at RNSH in Sydney. He has a particular interest in End-of-Life Care, Cardiovascular ICU, Trainee wellbeing and education. Over the past 18 months, he has been the Medical Lead for the Implementation of Voluntary Assisted Dying in NSW and is also a VAD Authorised Practitioner. In this role, he was the chair of the NSW VAD Clinical Advisory Group.

Associate Professor Fiona Robinson (Authorised practitioner, Access Service in statewide NSW VAD Support Service)

Associate Professor Fiona Robinson is Head of the General Practice Clinical School within the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. She is the education lead for delivery of the GP curriculum in the Sydney Medial School. Her research interests include medication safety, transitions of care, patient education and end of life choices. Clinically she has worked in northern Sydney for many years as a GP and now as a VMO in the VAD statewide Access Service. She represents general practice on various committees, both at NSLHD and the SNPHN, including the clinical council and the education advisory group.

Hazel Blanco (Manager, NSLHD VAD-LST)

Hazel Blanco is Manager, NSLHD VAD-LST and was nursing co-lead for implementation of the VAD program in NSLHD. She has 13 years’ experience in the field of organ and tissue donation both in Australia and the UK in a variety of roles donor coordinator, education coordinator, A/Clinical Manager and A/Director of Nursing OTDS. Prior to this, she worked in ICU nursing in Australia and UK. She is passionate about end-of-life care and options available to patients.

TARGET AUDIENCE

General Practitioners, Nurse Practitioners, Practice Nurses, Practice Managers across NSW

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Understanding VAD integration: participants will gain insight into how VAD is being integrated into end of life planning, including its coordination with palliative care services

• Referral processes and trends: attendees will learn about the referral processes for VAD services, emerging trends in patient choices regarding the location and type of VAD administration, and the role of General Practitioners in these processes.

• Challenges and roles of authorized practitioners: the event will highlight the roles and challenges faced by authorized practitioners in delivering VAD services and discuss the necessary training and support required for effective implementation

COST

There is no cost for Practices and their staff across NSW to attend this training

ENQUIRIES

Robi Robinson, Education Program Coordinator – 9432 8250 or rrobinson@snhn.org.au 

REGISTER FOR WEBINAR

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vup_m9TvQFSeui3h1xqhiw#/registration

Please join Murrumbidgee Local Health District for the 2024 Palliative Care Education sessions presented by Palliative Care Nurse Educator Stephanie Dunstall. 

These sessions will be held at 14:00 – 14:45 on the second Tuesday and the last Thursday of each month via Microsoft Teams and will cover a range of topics regarding Palliative Care.