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. 

NSW Health invites you to join them for the NSW RSV prevention program 2025 webinar.

Date: Thursday 7 November 2024

Time: 6:00 - 7:00pm

This webinar will outline:

• the disease impact of RSV on infants

• vaccine efficacy of the maternal vaccination product Abrysvo

• the RSV prevention program in NSW and ACT

• practical tips on vaccination for midwives.

The webinar is for all clinicians involved in providing care to pregnant women in the antenatal and postnatal periods and caring for newborn infants and children with medical risk conditions for severe RSV disease. 

Audience members are encouraged to ask questions in the chat during the webinar; these will be answered either online or during the live question-and-answer panel at the end of the session.

The webinar will be recorded and made available on the NSW Health website in the days following the event. A link to the recorded presentation will be sent via email when it becomes available.

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. 

Online via Zoom

Enquiries contact primary.care@kidney.org.au

FREE event.

This session enhances knowledge of dementia through virtual reality technology that allows participants to see the world through the eyes of a person living with dementia.

You will gain knowledge in:

• the perspective and needs of a person living with dementia

• effective communication

• environmental changes to support a person to live well with dementia.

Suitable for: Family carers and family members of people living with dementia.

This program is not suitable for professionals employed in the health or aged care sectors or people living with Dementia. To explore Dementia Australia’s range of professional development please visit the Centre for Dementia Learning.

Dementia Australia's facilitators have specialist dementia knowledge, skills and experience. This session utilises Dementia Australia's unique experiential learning technology EDIE (Educational Dementia Immersive Experience).

Morning Tea will be provided. Please advise us of any dietary requirements in advance.

You are invited to the online launch of the first national Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Clinical Care Standard, hosted by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.

COPD is a progressive and debilitating respiratory condition that affects one in 13 Australians over the age of 40 years. It has a significant impact on quality of life and is a leading cause of potentially preventable hospitalisations.

The Standard aims to reduce hospital admissions and improve quality of life for people living with COPD by ensuring accurate diagnosis and best-practice management in both community and hospital settings.

Join our webcast to hear experts discuss the importance of accurate diagnosis with spirometry, pulmonary rehabilitation and a step-wise approach to pharmacotherapy.

Expert panellists

Award-winning science reporter Dr Jonica Newby will host an expert panel including: 

• Dr Lee Fong – Medical Advisor, Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care

• Professor Jennifer Alison – Professor of Respiratory Physiotherapy, University of Sydney

• Dr Kerry Hancock – General Practitioner and Chair, RACGP Respiratory Medicine Specific Interests Group

• Ms Mary Roberts – Respiratory Clinical Nurse Consultant, Westmead Hospital

• Associate Professor Natasha Smallwood – Consultant Respiratory Physician, The Alfred Hospital

 This event is relevant to all clinicians providing care to people with COPD, especially GPs, respiratory physicians, emergency physicians, infectious diseases physicians, nurses, physiotherapists and other allied health professionals.

Free dementia education series.

This session focuses on the health and wellbeing of those involved in caring for a person living with dementia, whether they live with you or elsewhere. Carers may include partners, family members and friends.

You will learn about the impact of dementia on carer wellbeing, the importance of self-care, managing stress, strategies for looking after yourself, and services and support. This is a group session where you will meet and talk to other carers, with an optional follow up call from the facilitators.

Suitable for: Partners, family carers, family members and friends of people living with dementia. This session is not suitable for professionals employed in the health or aged care sectors.

LOCATION: This event will be held online via zoom. The zoom link will be sent 24 hours prior to the event to the email address used for registration. If you don't receive the link, please check your junk/spam folder. The session will be recorded, and the link emailed to all registrants ASAP after the session.

WEBINAR: Treatments for borderline personality disorder (BPD) often focus on building mental capacities for self-understanding, self-regulation, and stable attachment to others, to reduce symptoms and bring about remission. Increasingly, we are understanding that reduction of BPD symptoms is not enough to secure functional gains. Research demonstrates that remission is vastly common in the naturalistic course of the disorder, but recovery can be more difficult to both achieve and maintain. However, recovery is possible and begins a cycle of change which enables people to be an active member of the community, occupy a visible and positive role, contribute in a way that promotes self-esteem, find purpose, and connect to others in a more stable, sustainable way. This webinar will address the existing science on recovery in BPD and current directions in treatment development that prioritises recovery as the aim of treatment. and self-validation. This event is being held as part of the activities for BPD Awareness Week in Australia.  BPD Awareness Week 

ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Dr. Lois W. Choi-Kain is the Director of the Gunderson Personality Disorders Institute (GPDI). The institute provides training and supervision for numerous proven treatments, including mentalization-based treatment (MBT), dialectical behavioral therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (DBT-PTSD), transference focused psychotherapy (TFP), and general psychiatric management (GPM). She works nationally and internationally to expand teaching efforts on borderline personality disorder and its evidence-based treatments and engages in research to study resources for training clinicians who need direction and patients who need access to informed care. With her mentor, John Gunderson, Dr. Choi-Kain developed a training program for GPM and has been expanding its applications.

Her aim as a researcher is to expand the scope and reach of effective interventions for BPD as a regular fixture of routine mental health care, to allow earlier intervention and facilitation of recovery before the burdens of illness too greatly diminish developmental opportunities critical to fostering healthy personality functioning.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

This webinar is for clinicians from a range of mental health and allied health sectors, as well as people living with BPD and their support community (friends, family, carers) who want to broaden their understanding of how to support a person living with BPD.

COST:

Clinician, health professional, corporate. government: $75.00
Lived experience peer worker/student: $25
Non-waged or receiving a Centrelink payment: $20

REGISTRATIONS: To register please visit : https://www.trybooking.com/CVOGW

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 

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

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

The Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) has advised that the planned changes to the MBS items have been postponed until 1 July 2025. Originally scheduled to commence on November 1 2024, the additional time will support practices and providers, including GPs and allied health providers, to be ready for the changes to these important services. Information about the changes to the chronic disease management framework and the amended timeframe can be found on DoHAC’s website.
 
As a result of this decision, the webinar will be postponed. RACGP will reschedule this event next year in advance of the new implementation date for the changes.

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. 

Through a case study, presentations, interactive quizzes and an online learning module, this online workshop will provide nurses and midwives with the introductory skills to incorporate STI and BBV screening within their workplace. This workshop is comprised of a mandatory online learning module, followed by an interactive live session.

Target Audience: Nurses, Nurse Practitioners and Midwives.

Speakers

• Cherie Bennett – Medical Educator, ASHM; Clinical Nurse Specialist, Sydney Sexual Health Centre

• Shannon Woodward – Nurse Practitioner, Canberra Sexual Health Centre

Course Components

• Part 1: Online learning module

• Part 2: Live workshop session

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the clinical presentation of common STIs and BBVs

2. Identify the priority populations for STI and BBV screening

3. Explain the importance of testing and screening for STIs and BBVs

4. Demonstrate confidence in offering STI and BBV screening to patients

5. Discuss the process for contact tracing and Identify resources to assist

While Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) is considered rare in Australia, disease burden is significant and prevalence is increasing year by year. Detection and diagnosis can be complex, particularly as signs and symptoms of PF mirror numerous other respiratory and cardiac conditions. Early and accurate diagnosis and referral is a critical step in optimising patient outcomes in this progressive disease. While there is no cure for PF, there are various evidence-based treatment options and management strategies to help slow or stop progression and manage symptoms.

To mark Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month this September, Lung Foundation Australia is proud to present this virtual learning event focussed on earlier detection, diagnosis and management of PF in primary care.

Ask our expert panel your questions at registration, or live during the Q&A session.
Learning outcomes:

• Outline the disease burden of Pulmonary Fibrosis in Australia.

• Discuss evidence-based practice to support earlier detection and diagnosis of Pulmonary Fibrosis.

• Identify support pathways and resources for best-practice management of Pulmonary Fibrosis in Australia.

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. 

Canberra Region Neurology and Pain Centre would like to invite you for its Neurology, Chronic pain & Neurosurgery Update 2024 

This educational event will provide latest updates on the diagnosis and management of common neurological, neurosurgical, and chronic pain conditions. 

Key Presenters and Topics: 

• Autoimmune Peripheral Neuropathies 

Dr Shaun Zhai 
MB, ChB, FRACP 
Consultant Neurologist and Neurophysiologist 

• Advanced therapies for Parkinson's disease 

Dr Yash Gawarikar 

MBBS, MD (Med), FRACP 

Consultant Neurologist 

• Management of Chronic joint pain 

Dr Roopa Gawarikar 
MBBS, FRANZCR, FFPMANZCA 
Interventional Pain Specialist and Radiation Oncologist 

• Neurosurgery Update 

Dr Zakier Hussain 
MCh, FRCS (SN), MSc (INR), FRACS, CIME 
Consultant Neurosurgeon 

• Management of Paediatric headache and migraine 

Dr Emily Innes 
MBBS (Hons), B App Sci (Phyt) Hons, DCH, FRACP 
Consultant Paediatric Neurologist 

Date and Time: 

Wednesday 25 September 
6.00- 9.00 PM 

Location: 

Ramada Encore Belconnen 
110 Benjamin Way, Belconnen, ACT, 2617 

RSVP: 20 September 2024 

To register for this event please click on the following link: 

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/educational-update-in-neurology-neurosurgery-and-chronic-pain-disorders-tickets-989694030487 

Professor Mackenzie is a consultant respiratory physician who has been in Wagga for the past 15 years. She is the Associate Dean and Head of School of Clinical Medicine (Rural) for the University of New South Wales and has an extensive background in medical education. Prior to commencing work in Wagga, she was the inaugural Network Director of Training at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

Professor Mackenzie has a passion for medical education, and completed a Masters in Medical Education in 2007.

She has held various supervisor and educational hospital roles over the past 17 years. She is currently the Chair of the HETI Physician Training Council. She has held numerous state and national positions in postgraduate specialist education including the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand.

Most importantly, over the past 17 years she has developed a love and deep respect for our regional and rural areas and their people. Professor Mackenzie has a strong commitment to regional and rural patients’ wellbeing and considers it a true privilege to be involved in their care.

To reserve your place at this meeting or if you have any questions regarding the event, please contact:

Erin Vineburg
eaprofmackenzie@riverinarespiratory.com.au
0418 292 417

Places for the short course on Forensic Geriatric Medicine for Clinicians is on Friday 20th September 2024 at the LaTrobe City Campus. Learn from the wealth of knowledgeable and experienced speakers; Judge John Cain State Coroner, Associate Professor Danny Sullivan, Mr Luke Wright, Associate Professor Dr Cate Banks, Associate Professor Nicola Cunningham, and Dr Angela Sungaila.