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Primary Health News
You are welcome to submit items to the Primary Health News.
Please note: The Primary Health (PH) News (formerly Primary Health Bulletin) is an information sharing service for primary health providers in Victoria. It does not represent the policies or views of the Department of Health and is not used for recruitment purposes. Contributions from both internal and external staff/organisations to the PH News are welcome. To submit an article, please complete the template and submit it via email to ph.news@health.vic.gov.au.
Primary Health News template
You may also use this email address for adding or removing yourself from the subscriber list.
PH News will be published fortnightly depending upon the number of appropriate articles received from contributors.
For further information please contact:
Email: ph.news@health.vic.gov.au
20 May 2013
- Leading health groups call on Victorians to bone up on vitamin D knowledge
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SunSmart, Osteoporosis Australia and Arthritis and Osteoporosis Victoria are joining together to raise awareness around the importance of vitamin D for healthy bones and in the prevention of osteoporosis.
SunSmart Manager, Jen Makin, said: “Vitamin D is crucial for bone and muscle development and in the prevention of osteoporosis, yet the Victorian Health Monitor Report revealed that over 50% of Victorians are low in vitamin D during winter.”
“Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is two and a half times higher in winter (53%) as compared to summer (20%), highlighting the impact of seasonal variability in ultraviolet (UV) radiation on vitamin D levels. As the colder weather approaches, now is the time when Victorians need to start paying attention to their sun exposure and getting the balance right."
“We are encouraging Victorians to get outside in the midday sun over winter and roll up their sleeves and expose their arms or legs to the sun. From May to August, its important that Victorians with fair to olive skin get approximately two to three hours of midday winter sun exposure to the face, hands and arms (or equivalent area of skin) spread over the week. That’s about 20 minutes a day. Sun protection is not required unless near highly reflective surfaces such as snow, outdoors for extended periods or the UV index reaches three and above.”
To help monitor sun exposure for vitamin D, SunSmart has developed a vitamin D tracker tool that allows users to find out if they are getting enough sun to help with vitamin D levels. The tracker is available on the free SunSmart app for smartphones and at sunsmart.com.au.
Cairín Conway, SunSmart Media & Communications Advisor
Telephone: 0406 524 562 / 03 9635 5271
Email: cairin.conway@cancervic.org.au
Web site: www.sunsmart.com.au - Heart Foundation Walking
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The Heart Foundation partners with Area Coordinators to establish walking groups in their local community. Area Coordinators may come from health or community centres, councils or workplaces. Area Coordinator training will provide new Area Coordinators with the information and resources to implement the program in their region, so that they can start fun and sustainable walking groups.
This workshop will familiarise Area Coordinators with the program tools and resources and find out about ways of engaging their community in walking group activities.
Target Group: Health professionals and organisations who are wanting to facilitate and implement walking groups.
Where: Heart Foundation Victoria, Level 12/ 500 Collins Street, Melbourne
When: Thursday 6 June, 2013, 10am – 2.30pm
Cost: Free
Tara Henderson
Telephone: 03 9321 1515
Email:Tara.henderson@heartfoundation.org.au
Web site: www.heartfoundation.org.au/walking - Foundation House Trauma-focused Counselling Course
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Foundation House Learning and Professional Development is offering a 2 day course in Trauma focused Counselling, in Brunswick.
This course is for people working as counsellors for clients including refugees and asylum seekers. Participants should also have completed an introductory Foundation House course, though if you have experience with refugee issues you can contact Serena Everill on 9489 8972 to discuss an exemption from the prerequisite.
Trauma focused Counselling is a 2 day course for people currently working as counsellors. It provides additional skills in working with refugee survivors of torture and trauma
Cost: $330.
Venue: Foundation House, 6 Gardiner St. Brunswick,
Dates: Thursdays 2 and 9 May, 9.30am – 4pm
Kerry Munnery
Telephone: 9389 8965
Email: pdregistrations@foundationhouse.org.au
Web site: Please book through Trybooking: www.trybooking.com/CFOG - Family Violence Risk Assessment and Management Framework training (also known as the CRAF training)
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Half-day training in identifying family violence and responding consistently and appropriately to clients who are experiencing family violence including where to refer to and where to get further information.
The CRAF is Victoria’s statewide family violence framework and was developed through extensive consultation with specialists upon national and international research. It is used by family violence services and others including housing, Maternal Child and Health Nurses, court registrars, police officers, Child Protection and family services.
The Family Violence Risk Assessment training is for professionals in a range of sectors who may be providing support and services to clients who may also be experiencing family violence (for example mental health, drug and alcohol workers, nurses, allied health sector workers, as well as other areas such as counsellors, legal or disability service providers).
Half-day Family Violence Risk Assessment training sessions are available for staff who will work with victims of family violence but who do not have responses to family violence as a core element of their role. These staff may the need to undertake initial risk assessments with victims of family violence and refer clients to specialist family violence services.
This training covers:- shared understanding of family violence (including the impact of family violence);
- use of Preliminary assessment tool to assess for presence of evidence-based risk factors;
- safety planning; and
- information sharing and effective referral
Further information, the training calendar and enrolment forms are available on http://www.tafe.swinburne.edu.au/CRAF/trainingdelivery.htm - PERSONAL ALERT VICTORIA eLearning Tool for Assessors
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Personal Alert Victoria eLearning Tool is available for assessors and allied health staff of Community Health Services, HACC Assessment Services and Rehabilitation services
Did you miss the recent face to face training for PAV assessors?
Are you new to PAV assessment, or do you need to refresh your knowledge about certain aspects of the PAV service and assessment?
A web based self paced training tool has been developed to enable flexible access to training in PAV assessment, assist staff to make appropriate assessment decisions, and understand key assessment practices as well as the technical side of PAV. It’s fun and intuitive and will complement existing staff induction.
Go to this link to start the training now http://elearning.health.vic.gov.au/pav/
Sonya Ellmers
Telephone: 0390968770
Email: Sonya.ellmers@health.vic.gov.au
Web site: http://elearning.health.vic.gov.au/pav/
23 April 2013
- Lunchtime webinars: MBS service models
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This 6 part webinar series provides ideas and strategies to assist Community Health Services to extend client services through Medicare using a team approach.
The Department of Health has provided funding to General Practice Victoria for the presentation of a series of webinars on service models supported by the MBS. Peter Larter, a primary health care consultant, will be presenting six webinars at lunchtimes (12.30pm – 1.15pm) on Tuesdays, beginning April 30th.
This is a unique opportunity for all agencies to learn more about the successful implementation of MBS service models or to update their knowledge on specific operational aspects.
The webinars are free and registration can be made online at: https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/127115727
Rosie Oldham, Internal Support Officer, General Practice Victoria
Telephone: (03) 9341 5224
Email: r.oldham@gpv.org.au - Get involved in MedicineInsight – new research to improve general practice
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NPS MedicineWise, a Commonwealth-funded, not-for-profit organisation, is seeking expressions of interest from general practices (including community health general practices) to be involved in an exciting new national program called MedicineInsight.
MedicineInsight will seamlessly collect non-identifiable patient information from existing practice software, providing for the first time, a long-term and comprehensive picture of prescribing and clinical activity.
Practices will benefit by receiving:- free tailored reports highlighting prescribing behaviour within the practice and population information
- the opportunity to compare data and collaborate with peers across Australia
- free data quality improvement training by NPS, specifically focused on the practice’s needs
- NPS interventions aimed at improving prescribing behaviours, hosted by expert educators
- group one credits toward continuing professional development
- financial incentives.
Target Group: General practitioners, general practice staff and management from community health services
MedicineInsight information line
Telephone: 1300 721 726
Email: medicineinsight@nps.org.au
Web: www.nps.org.au/medicineinsight - 9th Annual Australian Disease Management Association Conference
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Chronic Disease Management: Innovation, Adaptation & Evolution
Date: Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd August, 2013,
Location: Sydney, NSW
Deadline for Submitted Abstracts: 26 April 2013
Cost: Earlybird rate= $770
Target Group: Health professionals, clinicians, managers and senior professionals from Health, Aged Care, Community Care and General Practice, Policy and Administration as well as industry groups.
Helen Sinnott
Telephone: 03 9076 4125
Email: info@adma.org.au
Web: www.adma.org.au - Health and Community Services Survey: Cultural Competency
- State-wide cultural competency needs analysis of the health and community services sectors involving an online survey and sector consultations.
The Centre for Culture Ethnicity and Health (CEH) is undertaking a needs analysis of Victoria’s health and community service sectors to identify good practice, challenges and gaps in the delivery of services to culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Focus groups will be held with Primary Care Partnership networks and an online survey will be promoted to a range of health and community services across the state. The findings will be used to assist CEH to design tailored projects, initiatives and training programs as well as create partnerships with key stakeholders to strengthen culturally responsive service provision.
Please take the time to complete the survey by clicking on the link: http://tiny.cc/hsdsurvey. Your contribution is important as it will help shape the direction of CEH programs and the development of innovative initiatives to improve practice. By participating you will also have the chance to win a free place to a 2013 CEH training workshop of your choice. Please visit our website www.ceh.org.au to view our training program.
Key outcomes of the survey will be available on the CEH website later in the year.
Mary Gavranic
Telephone: 9418 9910
Email: Maryg@ceh.org.au
Web: www.ceh.org.au - Arthritis Victoria – Tai Chi for Arthritis Leader Training
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Tai Chi for Arthritis (TCA) is a modified version of Tai Chi designed to provide a gentle form of mind-body exercise to promote general health and wellbeing.
TCA was developed by Dr Paul Lam who led a team of Tai Chi experts and medical professionals in the development of the program. This leader training program enables participants to learn how to safely and effectively conduct Tai Chi for Arthritis (TCA) classes for people with musculoskeletal conditions.
Dates: Saturday 4 – Sunday 5 May 2013, 9:00am-5:00pm, Elsternwick
Friday 14 – Saturday 15 May 2013, 9:00am-5:00pm, Bendigo
Saturday 17 – Sunday 18 August 2013, 9:00am-5:00pm, Warragul
Saturday 14 – Sunday 15 September 2013, 9:00am-5:00pm, Elsternwick
Location: refer to www.arthritisvic.org.au
Cost: $412 (Refer to the Arthritis Victoria website for other prices)
Target group:- Health professionals (such as Occupational Therapists, Exercise Physiologists and Physiotherapists)
- Nurses
- Fitness instructors
- Tai Chi teachers and advanced Tai Chi students
- People without a formal qualification in health or exercise who have current and comprehensive experience in conducting exercise classes under the supervision of a relevant health or exercise professional are encouraged to contact Arthritis Victoria to discuss their eligibility.
Telephone: 03 8531 8000 or Toll free 1800 011 041
Email: programs@arthritisvic.org.au
Web: www.arthritisvic.org.au - Living Well With Arthritis
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Are you living with a chronic musculoskeletal condition? Do you want to develop the skills needed to improve your health?
This workshop will be of benefit to anyone living with a chronic musculoskeletal condition wanting to implement lifestyle changes. Friends, family and support people are welcome to attend.
This interactive workshop will provide you with an overview of the tools you can use to take control of your health. You will leave with some strategies to put your knowledge into action.
Date: Tuesday 30 April 2013
Time: 12:30pm – 3:00pm
Registration: 12:15pm
Location: Arthritis Victoria, 263-265 Kooyong Road, Elsternwick
Cost: $10 Arthritis Victoria Members
$15 Non-members
Programs Administrator
Telephone: 03 8531 8000, Toll Free 1800 011 041
Email: programs@arthritisvic.org.au
Web: www.arthritisvic.org.au - Current topics in hospital falls prevention: Accreditation standards, managing delirium, patient engagement and education
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The seminar will focus on current topics in hospital falls prevention, including:
- Managing delirium and cognitive impairment
- Initiatives for preventing falls in the confused patient
- Patient education, participation and engagement in falls prevention activities
- An overview of the new accreditation standards for hospitals and understanding Standard 10, “Preventing Falls and Harm from Falls”
- Tips for implementation the new standards in your hospital
Venue: The State Library (Conference Centre), Entry to the Conference Centre is via
entry 3, which is located at 179 La Trobe Street.
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/visit/how-get-here
Date: Thursday 13th June, 2013
Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm (registration opens at 8:30am)
Cost: $350 pp (incl. of GST) - Individual registration
$295 pp (incl. of GST) - Registration for 2 or more delegates*
*2+ delegates MUST register at the same time to receive discount (this cannot be processed retrospectively)
Target Group: This seminar is aimed at clinical leaders in nursing, medical and allied health who are responsible for falls prevention.
Stacey Keenan
Telephone: 99030199
Email: Falls6pack.depm@monash.edu
Web: http://www.med.monash.edu.au/sphpm/creps/seminars.html - Advocacy in Health Promotion Workshop
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The workshop will place advocacy and lobbying as legitimate health promotion activities. It will provide a framework and tools for developing an advocacy campaign and highlight the essential elements of successful advocacy.
The workshop will cover:- What is advocacy and how does it fit into health promotion practice?
- Where should advocacy be targeted for the best results?
- Developing an advocacy campaign
- Techniques for advocacy – what to expect, practical tips
Date: 29 May 2013
Time: 9.30am – 3pm
Location: Women’s Health Victoria
Level 8/ 255 Bourke St Melbourne
Cost: $99 (incl. GST) standard rate or $55 (incl. GST) student/unemployed
Please register by completing and submitting an Event Registration Request via the WHV
website: http://whv.org.au/contact-us/event-registration-request
Please indicate any requirements for assistance such as attendant care, interpreting and any special dietary requirements.
Pam Rugkhla
Telephone: (03) 9664 9300
Email: Pam.Rugkhla@whv.org.au
Web: http://whv.org.au/what-we-do/workshops/advocacy-in-health-promotion - Partnership Research Project addresses knowledge gaps in female genital cutting
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North Yarra Community Health (NYCH), the University of Melbourne's Centre for Women's Health, Gender and Society, Melbourne Law School and the Royal Women's Hospital have developed a collaborative partnership to develop a new research project to increase understanding about female genital cutting (FGC) and inform health services.
The project aims to address identified gaps in local information, for example on attitudes to FGC in Melbourne within new communities, and changes in people’s countries of origin in relation to FGC. Limited current data on the practice for communities in Australia has made it difficult to design and deliver appropriate health and support services.
Bich Ha, NYCH Manager of Health Promotion and Community Building, hopes the research project, engaging community members in Carlton, Collingwood and Fitzroy, will help contribute to more informed discussion about the issue. "We have been trying to get a better understanding of women’s health needs in relation to FGC for a long, long time."
There's a clear understanding among the partners that it's not necessarily that women can’t access the available clinical services, but these don’t always meet patient needs. The project’s partnership focus has gained strong support as a potential model for participatory community-based research, and will help all partners in addressing FGC-related health needs for women, using the project’s research findings to inform contemporary health promotion programs and clinical services.
The Lead researcher for the project is Dr Cathy Vaughan, Lecturer, Centre for Women’s Health, Gender and Society at the University of Melbourne.
Target Group: Health Practitioners and community agencies working with communities who engage in female genital cutting.
Maria Ibrahim,
Telephone: 03 9349 7333
Email: Maria.ibrahim@nych.org.au
Web: http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/voice/getting-healthcare-right-for-women-affected-by-genital-cutting-20130404-2h8pb.html
15 March 2013
- A guide for health professionals caring for women with female genital mutilation/cutting
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A new guide is available to support General Practitioners (GPs) and other health professionals working with women who have undergone female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C).
GPs and other health professionals are working with migrant and refugee women that may have undergone a form of “female circumcision” or FGM/C, but lack specific knowledge about which women might be affected and how to start a conversation about this delicate topic and its impact on her health.
Nearly 98% of women and girls from Somalia aged 15-49 years have undergone a type of FGM/C. In 2006, there were more than 29,000 people living in Victoria who were born in countries that practice FGM/C and this figure is increasing.
While FGM/C often becomes apparent when impacted women are pregnant, the practice has health implications for affected women of all ages. It is vital that primary care health professionals are equipped to discuss it with their patients.
Family Planning Victoria, in consultation with other health providers, has written a guide for GPs and other health care workers who come into contact with migrant and refugee women to provide a better health service to a woman who has undergone FGM/C.
The resource comes in two parts: a concise desktop guide that outlines the different degrees/types of FGM/C, the countries and the extent to which it is practiced and tips on how to start up a conversation with women of all ages about FGM/C. The second part is “Service Coordination Guide” that offers more detailed information about FGM/C, where and why it is practiced, its legal status in Australia, and information about referral services.
To access a copy of the guide please contact Family Planning Victoria. Contact details below
Family Planning Victoria
Telephone: 03 9257 0100
Email: resources@fpv.org.au - Audit... why, using what and for what purpose?
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The National Standards demand that quality managers and clinical leaders have good knowledge of tools and techniques for audit, and how to incorporate it in a clinical governance framework. After this education session we anticipate that you will have enhanced skills to determine what needs to be audited and how to go about it.
Target audience: Quality Managers, Auditors, Health Information Managers, Clinical Heads of Department
Date: Friday 22nd March, 2013
Venue: The School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University,
Level 6, The Alfred Centre, 'B' Lobby (via Centre Lane), 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne Vic 3004
Cost: $75 per person (inclusive of GST) - VHQA member
$130 per person (inclusive of GST) - Non-member
Victorian Healthcare Quality Association
Email: vhqasn@gmail.com
Web site: http://www.med.monash.edu.au/sphpm/creps/seminars.html - Heart Foundation Heartmoves Training: 22nd-23rd March
- Heartmoves is a gentle physical activity program designed to be safe for people with stable long term health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis and obesity. Heartmoves is also suitable for anyone who hasn't exercised in a while and is ideal for falls prevention. We offer training for fitness professionals so that they can modify their fitness programs to cater for participants who haven’t exercised for a while or are deconditioned.
Date: 22-23rd March 2013
Location: William Angliss Institute, 555 La Trobe St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Cost: $580/HCI funded
Target audience: Fitness professionals, Chiropractors, Physiotherapists
Kamilla Haufort
Telephone: (02) 9219 2479
Email: kamilla.haufort@heartfoundation.org.au
Web site: http://heartmoves.heartfoundation.org.au/ - Nationally Accredited Qualifications in Health Consumer Leadership and Engagement – Enrolments for our 2013 Courses - Now Open
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Health Issues Centre will be once again offering these accredited, innovative training programs for consumer leaders and health service staff in 2013.
The Course in Consumer Leadership (22095VIC)
This 3-day course provides consumer representatives/leaders the foundation skills and knowledge to work in partnership in a range of healthcare settings to facilitate and promote consumer engagement to consumers and health service personnel.
This course is run twice a year in May and October, subject to numbers.
The Vocational Graduate Certificate in Consumer Engagement (22092VIC)
This 4-day course provides consumer leaders and health service staff the advanced skills and knowledge to work collaboratively in a range of settings to provide strategic consumer engagement services to consumers, health services and government and non-government bodies.
This course is run twice a year in March/April and August/September, subject to numbers.
Places in both courses are limited.
For further information including course outline and registration form please visit www.healthissuescentre.org.au
Tere Dawson
Telephone: (61 3) 9664 9343
Email:t.dawson@healthissuescentre.org.au
Web site: http://www.healthissuescentre.org.au - Cancer Council Victoria’s Community Speakers Program
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Volunteer Health Professionals Wanted
WHO: We are looking for volunteers who work in the health sector to represent Cancer Council Victoria.
WHAT: We need health professionals to deliver cancer prevention messages to community organisations, workplaces and business groups, with the aim of better educating the community on healthy lifestyle decisions to reduce cancer risk factors.
You will receive comprehensive training about the latest, evidence based cancer prevention strategies and screening programs, as well as information on the work of Cancer Council Victoria, and how we can service the community.
You will be offered ongoing support that can help expand your expertise and provide diverse professional development and networking opportunities.
Katie Rogerson
Telephone: 03 9635 5251
Email: Katie.rogerson@cancervic.org.au
15 February 2012
- Launch of the 2013 Minister for Health Volunteer Awards
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The Minister for Health Volunteer Awards is an annual program and is now in its fifth year. They are designed to recognise and pay tribute to the many Victorians who are committed and dedicated to volunteering in Victoria’s health and wellbeing sector.
Target group: Any organisation providing publicly funded health and/or wellbeing services utilising volunteers
Nominations are called for publicly funded organisations across the Victorian healthcare sector. Entries open on 25 February and close on 25 March.
The 2013 'Outstanding Volunteer Achievement' Awards will be presented at a special ceremony on 15 May by the Minister for Health.
Paula Marsh
Telephone: 90967742
Email: volunteer.awards@health.vic.gov.au
Web site: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/volunteerawards/ - Sub Acute Stroke Care Forum: Improving care for people with complex needs following a stroke
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The Victorian Stroke Clinical Network would like to invite Primary Health clinicians working with people who have complex needs following a stroke to a 1 day forum.
The forum aims to provide an opportunity to improve outcomes for stroke survivors through smoothing the pathways and enhancing the connections between Sub Acute and Primary Care services.
The experience of clinicians working across the continuum of care is that supporting people with complex needs to achieve positive outcomes in their transition back into the community is challenging. This is particularly in the areas of mood, sexuality and intimacy, and longer term management.
Forum details:
Date: Friday, 1 March 2013
Time: 9.30am to 4.00pm
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) Melbourne
Cost: FREE
Target audience Sub Acute and Primary Health clinicians working with people who have complex needs, following a stroke
Registration is required.
Sonia Thomas, Program Manager – Victorian Stroke Clinical Network
Telephone: 9096 1297
Email: stroke.clinicalnetwork@health.vic.gov.au
Web site: For further information and to register please visit:
http://health.vic.gov.au/clinicalnetworks/stroke/sasc-forum.htm - Chronic Care- Training Needs Analysis Toolkit
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The Chronic Care Training Needs Assessment (CC-TNA) Tool has been developed to assess knowledge and skills relating to the provision of chronic care. It collects data about non-clinical care offered by health providers assisting consumers with chronic conditions better manage their health and care. The CC-TNA Tool provides a mechanism for health providers and organisations to identify practice strengths and opportunities for professional development.
Uses for the Tool
- Health providers – may use this Tool to identify their own training needs;
- Organisations – may use this Tool to identify team training needs; and/or
- Regional partnerships – may use this Tool to identify common training needs across organisations to inform regional or sub-regional workforce development planning.
Download the CC-TNA Now! Go to http://www.iepcp.org.au/chronic-care-training-needs-assessment-toolkit
Raymond Burnett
Telephone: 61 3 8822 8423
Email: info@iepcp.org.au
Web site: http://www.iepcp.org.au/chronic-care-training-needs-assessment-toolkit - GP Skin Cancer Workshop Sat 23, Sun 24 March 2013
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Two day General Practitioner Skin Cancer Workshop - developed by Specialist Dermatologist Educators at Skin and Cancer Foundation in Association with the Department of General Practice, Monash University.
Whilst dermoscopy is a most useful tool in differentiating between benign and suspicious skin lesions, it can be challenging to learn. Managing skin cancers (melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers) can also have its challenges.
Specialist Dermatologist Educators at Skin and Cancer Foundation, in association with the Department of General Practice, Monash University, have developed a GP workshop on Skin Cancer including Dermoscopy teaching and practical hands-on interactive sessions using pigskin.
This two-day workshop is suitable for all GPs and GP registrars,
Location: Monash University, Clayton
Date: Saturday 23/3/2013 and Sunday 24/3/2013
Cost:. $500+$50 GST for Day 1, $600+$60 GST for Day 2 and $1000+$100 GST for both days.
Participants can attend either day 1 or 2 or both days. Please note that day 2 is limited to a maximum of 40 participants.
Day 1 is a lecture-based program with expert teaching on dermoscopy and skin cancer management (12 Cat 2 RACGP points).
Day 2 is an interactive ALM, using pigskin (or equivalent), covering biopsy techniques, simple elliptical excisions and flaps and grafts (40 Cat 1 RACGP points and approved for a 1 day procedural grant in surgery).
This workshop is supported by SunSmart.
For queries, please contact
Pearl Noronha: + 61 03 9902 4495, pearl.noronha@monash.edu, or
Heather Grusalskas: heather.grusauskas@monash.edu or
Dr Alvin Chong: alvin.chong@svhm.org.au.
Web site: http://www.med.monash.edu.au/general-practice/news/cancer-workshop.html - Victorians adolescents and young adults are the focus of a melanoma awareness campaign this summer
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From mid-December SunSmart is running the Dark Side of Tanning (DSOT) advertisements on television for the fourth consecutive season in Victoria and for the second season the Wes Bonny story will be played at cinemas and online.
DSOT is designed to challenge the myths around tanning and skin cancer by challenging the misconception that a tan looks healthy and graphically illustrating how a melanoma can spread throughout the body.
The television commercials will feature on metro and regional TV commencing on Sunday 16 December and will be supported by radio, outdoor print advertisement on trams, buses and ‘gateways’ to Victoria’s beaches.
The Wes Bonny story was launched in Victoria last summer. Wes Bonny was a young man diagnosed with a melanoma at 23 who died in March 2010, aged 26. The Wes Bonny story is an emotionally confronting testimonial campaign told by friends and family of Wes Bonny. It will appear at cinemas across the state from Thursday 20 December and will be supported by online advertising.
The Dark Side of Tanning and Wes Bonny campaigns complement each other. Dark Side of Tanning continues to build a platform of awareness of the dangers of tanning and the severity/nature of melanoma. Wes’s story personalises the issue, focusing on perceived susceptibility and young people’s ability to protect themselves from melanoma.
The campaign will run until the end of February 2013. View the TV commercials and find out more about UV, skin cancer, sun protection and vitamin D at sunsmart.com.au.
Cairin Conway
Telephone: 03 9635 5271
Email: cairin.conway@cancervic.org.au
Web site: www.sunsmart.com.au - Dr Sajeev Koshy receives Victorian Multicultural Commission Award for Excellence 2012
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Plenty Valley Community Health wishes to congratulate
Dr Sajeev Koshy, Clinical Director Dental Services on successfully being nominated to receive a Victorian Multicultural Commission Award for Excellence 2012.
The Award is a Victorian Government initiative and recognises the achievements and services of individuals and organisations that have actively supported cultural diversity and made a real impact in promoting harmony in our community.
Dr Koshy’s leadership and service to Dentistry is well recognised and this Award emphasizes his dedication and commitment not only to the clients of Plenty Valley Community Health but to the wider community for outstanding services to Victoria’s Multicultural Community.
Dr Koshy was presented with his Award along with other successful recipients at a ceremony hosted by the Governor of Victoria at Government House on 18 December 2012.
Ms Ros Russell, Senior Executive Assistant to the CEO
Telephone: 8401 1362
Email: Roslyn.russell@pvch.org.au - Gender, Food and Physical Activity Workshop
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The Women’s Health Victoria new full-day Gender, food and physical activity workshop explores how gender impacts on some of the key women’s health challenges in Victoria today. It aims to increase the capacity of community and health promotion planners and practitioners to plan and deliver food, nutrition and physical activity strategies in their community. Women’s Health Victoria promotes a gender sensitive approach to program planning so that the different needs of men and women are effectively addressed.
Date: 20 March 2013
Time: 9.30am – 3pm
Location: Women’s Health Victoria,
Level 8/255 Bourke st. Melbourne
Cost: $99 (incl. GST) standard rate or $55 (incl. GST) student/unemployed rate
Target audience: community and health promotion planners and practitioners, women’s health services.
Bronwyn Upston or Rose Durey
Telephone: 9664 9300
Email: Bronwyn.upston@whv.org.au
Web site: http://whv.org.au/what-we-do/workshops - Issues Paper: Women and Genital Cosmetic Surgery
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This Issues Paper critically explores female genital cosmetic surgery in the Victorian context: to better understand what it is, who is undertaking it, and their reasons for doing so.
The incidence of female genital cosmetic surgery appears to be increasing. This trend has been the subject of substantial analysis and opinion, but there is a lack of rigorous evidence on risks, efficacy, complications, and patient satisfaction. This Issues Paper considers how both individual and sociocultural factors are likely to contribute to the emerging trend, and how professional bodies, health professionals, and advocates might respond. It is intended as a starting point for further conversation, evidence-gathering, and action.
Target audience:
- Health professionals
- Women’s health
- Community health
- Health and social policy
Jessica Malone
Telephone: 9664 9300
Email: whv@whv.org.au
Web site: http://whv.org.au/publications-resources/publications-resources-by-topic/post/women-and-genital-cosmetic-surgery-issues-paper/ - Nationally Accredited Qualifications in Health Consumer Leadership and Engagement – Enrolments for our 2013 Courses - Now Open
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Health Issues Centre will be once again offering these accredited, innovative training programs for consumer leaders and health service staff in 2013.
The Course in Consumer Leadership (22095VIC)
This 3-day course provides consumer representatives/leaders the foundation skills and knowledge to work in partnership in a range of healthcare settings to facilitate and promote consumer engagement to consumers and health service personnel. This course is run twice a year in May and October, subject to numbers.
The Vocational Graduate Certificate in Consumer Engagement (22092VIC)
This 4-day course provides consumer leaders and health service staff the advanced skills and knowledge to work collaboratively in a range of settings to provide strategic consumer engagement services to consumers, health services and government and non-government bodies. This course is run twice a year in March/April and August/September, subject to numbers.
Places in both courses are limited.
For further information including course outline and registration form please visit www.healthissuescentre.org.au
Tere Dawson
Telephone: (61 3) 9664 9343
Email: t.dawson@healthissuescentre.org.au
Web site: http://www.healthissuescentre.org.au - Free Introductory and tailor made student supervision training
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Student supervision training available to health professionals and social workers working within the Northern Metropolitan Clinical Placement Network Region (NMCPN)
Introduction to student supervision is a half day workshop teaches the fundamentals of being a student supervisor. It is suitable for staff wanting to get involved in student supervision or already involved and wanting to consolidate their skills. Topics covered include:
• planning for student placements
• adult learning principles
• fostering clinical reasoning
• supporting learners
• feedback and assessment
The workshop can be run within an organisation, or interested staff members may choose to attend one of the workshops held at the Broadmeadows Health Service:
28 February 2013
13 March 2013
3 April 2013
23 April 2013
15 May 2013
Target audience: Organisations in the Northern Metropolitan Clinical Placement Network (NMCPN) region. This includes the LGA’s of: Hume, Whittlesea, Darebin, Yarra, Banyule, Moreland, Nillumbik and Boroondara.
Tailor made training
Project educators are available for consultation and delivery of training suitable to your organisation and staff needs. Tailor made training utilises modules from the highly respected teaching on the run program, developed by University of Western Australia and delivered face to face and through online learning. This training is suitable to participants who have baseline knowledge and prior experience with student supervision, but wish to explore particular areas in greater depth.
All training is free and available until the end of May 2013. This project is part of the Clinical Supervision Support Program and was made possible due to funding made available by Health Workforce Australia and the Department of Health, Victoria.
Jude Czerenkowski
Telephone: 83455539
Email: cssp@nh.org.au - Training available for Personal Alert Victoria assessment staff
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New and experienced assessment officers from designated Personal Alert Victoria (PAV) assessment agencies are invited to PAV assessment training.
This is part of an ongoing strategy to ensure appropriate assessment for Personal Alert Victoria. The Department of Health has scheduled the training over March and April 2013.
Target audience: Staff of Community Health Services, Home and Community Care Assessment Services
Visit http://www.health.vic.gov.au/agedcare/services/pav/ to see the training session timetable and where sessions are being held in your area.
Sonya Ellmers, Department of Health
Telephone: 9096 8770
Email: Sonya.ellmers@health.vic.gov.au
Web site: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/agedcare/services/pav/ - Foundation House Seminars: Refugee and Asylum Seeker issues
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Foundation House Learning and Professional Development is offering Evening Seminars in March, on Refugee and Asylum Seeker issues. You may be interested in one or both.
Target audience: Anyone interested refugees or asylum seeker issues would benefit from these seminars, particularly those working in health, housing, counselling, material support and education.
Precarious Lives, Uncertain Futures
Migration status and issues of safety for refugees or asylum seekers and their loved ones means that uncertainty dominates the client experience and their relationships with workers. This seminar will explore and identify ways of responding to refugees and asylum seekers who are impacted by ongoing uncertainty.
When: Wednesday March 6, 4pm – 7pm
Where: Foundation House, 6 Gardiner St. Brunswick
Cost: $50
BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL: Please book through Trybookings: at www.trybooking.com/CGAH
The Impact of Long-term Detention
This seminar will provide an overview of current research and explore the impact of detention and the asylum seeking process for refugee survivors of torture and trauma.
When: Wednesday March 20, 4pm – 7pm.
Where: Foundation House, 6 Gardiner St. Brunswick
Cost: $50
BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL: Please book through Trybookings at www.trybooking.com/BNLR
Kerry Munnery
Telephone: 9389 8965
Email: pdregistrations@foundationhouse.org.au
Web site: www.foundationhouse.org.au
22 January 2013
- Victorian Service Coordination Practice Manual 2012
- The Victorian Service Coordination Practice Manual (VSCPM) 2012 defines practices which support Victorian service providers to work together in a coordinated way, to give consumers a consistent and integrated response. Copies of the VSCPM 2012 are now available for Victorian service providers.
The VSCPM has been developed as a reference guide for managers responsible for leading and managing service coordination and for practitioners involved in the implementation of service coordination.
As part of a continuous improvement and revision process, the VSCPM has been updated in 2012 and aligns with the release of the Service Coordination Tool Templates (SCTT) 2012. The VSCPM, its associated resources and the SCTT have been updated in accordance with a three year improvement cycle, to reflect the multitude of services participating in service coordination. This latest review involved consultation with a broad range of service delivery areas including Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, the disability sector, mental health, family violence and homelessness sectors.
The VSCPM 2012 includes the following suite of resources:
- Victorian Service Coordination Practice Manual
- Good Practice Guide
- Continuous Improvement Framework
Please contact your local Primary Care Partnership to obtain a hard copy of these resources.
Grant Hamilton, Statewide PCP Executive Officer
Telephone: (03) 9389 2261
Email: GrantH@inwpcp.org.au
Web site: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/pcps/publications/sc_pracmanual.htm - Tool kit for MBS service models
- A selection of resources have been developed by agencies/organisations involved in establishing MBS allied health/mental health service models.
These resources are useful to those community health agencies that are planning, or currently operating, an allied health/mental health service model supported by the MBS.
A substantial number of agencies have been funded by the Victorian Department of Health to undertake service development work based on opportunities available through the MBS. Over time, funded agencies, industry advisors and the Victorian Department of Health have developed a range of resources which can be used in the various stages of operating these service models.
A selection of these resources has been compiled and is known as the Tool kit for MBS service models. This kit is now available on the web (see web link below).
Diana Herd
Telephone: (03) 9096 9838
Email: diana.herd@health.vic.gov.au
Web site: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/pch/gpp/toolkit.htm - Heart Foundation Walking
- The Heart Foundation partners with Area Coordinators to establish walking groups in their local community. Area Coordinators may come from health or community centres, councils or workplaces. Area Coordinator training will provide new Area Coordinators with the information and resources to implement the program in their region, so that they can start fun and sustainable walking groups.
This workshop will familiarise Area Coordinators with the program tools and resources and find out about ways of engaging their community in walking group activities.
Who: Health professionals and organisations who are wanting to facilitate and implement walking groups.
Where: Heart Foundation Victoria
Level 12/ 500 Collins Street, Melbourne
When: Wednesday 20 February, 2013 10am – 2.30pm
Cost: Free
Tara Henderson
Telephone: 03 9321 1515
Email: Tara.henderson@heartfoundation.org.au
Web site: www.heartfoundation.org.au/walking - New SunSmart campaign targets Victorian blokes
- Cancer Council Victoria today released new statistics revealing melanoma incidence rates among Victorian men continues to rise increasing by 2.5% per year during the last three decades but over the last two years, a decline across all age groups could indicate the beginning of a downward trend.
SunSmart Manager, Jen Makin, said: “Although we are starting to see promising signs of a decline over the last two years, the figures are still cause for concern. The fact that men are twice as likely as women to die of melanoma shows that they are not as good at protecting their skin in the sun and are presenting themselves to their GP at a later stage.”
“We know that some blokes think skin cancer can be cut out and it’s no big deal. But one damaged cell from that tan or sunburn can start a melanoma growing, which can quickly spread to your lung, liver or brain.”
To remind Victorian men to be sun safe this summer, SunSmart has launched a new radio campaign this summer.
“These ads remind blokes that skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers and can be successfully treated, if found early. At any age, covering up and using sunscreen and checking your skin regularly can reduce your risk.”
“Enjoy the beach and the backyard barbeques but just to remember to Slip on a shirt, Slop on SPF, Slap on a broad brimmed hat, Seek shade and Slide on sunnies while they you’re at it,” said Ms Makin.
“We are also encouraging blokes to get familiar with their skin. Check for new moles, or changes in the shape, colour or size of the ones you already have. See your GP immediately if you notice any changes.”
The ads will air on 3AW over the month of January. For more information, go to sunsmart.com.au.
Cairin Conway
Telephone: 03 9635 5271
Email: cairin.conway@cancervic.org.au
Website: www.sunsmart.com.au - Stroke sub-acute forum 1 March 2013
- The Victorian Stroke Clinical Network is pleased to advise you of an upcoming forum on sub-acute and community care for stroke patients with complex needs.
‘Managing the patient with complex needs post stroke along the care continuum - sub-acute to the community’.
Who: clinicians working in Sub Acute Inpatients, Sub Acute Ambulatory Services and Community Health.
When: Friday, 1 March 2013, 9.30am to 4.00pm
Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) Melbourne
For more information please contact Rosa Rocca.
Rosa Rocca
Telephone: 03 9096 2017
Email: rosa.rocca@health.vic.gov.au - Free Introductory and tailor made student clinical supervision training
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Student supervision training is available to health professionals and social workers working within the Northern Metropolitan Clinical Placement Network Region (NMCPN). This includes the LGA’s of: Hume, Whittlesea, Darebin, Yarra, Banyule, Moreland and Nillumbik.
Introduction to student supervision is a half day workshop and teaches the fundamentals of being a student supervisor. It is suitable for staff wanting to get involved in student supervision or already involved and wanting to consolidate their skills. Topics covered include:
- planning for student placements
- adult learning principles
- fostering clinical reasoning
- supporting learners
- feedback and assessment
28 February 2013
13 March 2013
3 April 2013
23 April 2013
15 May 2013
Tailor made training
Project educators are available for consultation and delivery of training suitable to your organisation and staff needs. Tailor made training utilises modules from the highly respected teaching on the run program, developed by University of Western Australia and delivered face to face and through online learning. This training is suitable to participants who have baseline knowledge and prior experience with student supervision, but wish to explore particular areas in greater depth.
All training is free and available until the end of May 2013. This project is part of the Clinical Supervision Support Program and was made possible due to funding made available by Health Workforce Australia and the Department of Health, Victoria.
Contact the project team to register or to discuss your training needs.
Jude Czerenkowski
Telephone: 83455539
Email: cssp@nh.org.au
05 December 2012
- Service Coordination On-line Learning Module
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The Service Coordination On-line Learning module is now available for health and community services providers. This course has been developed by the Victorian Department of Health and the Primary Care Partnerships to support the practice of Service Coordination in Victoria http://www.health.vic.gov.au/pcps/workforce/index.htm.
To achieve better consumer outcomes and gain organisational efficiencies we need an integrated health and human service system. Services need to work together if we are to provide Victorians with a streamlined, coordinated and effective approach to their care. This module provides participants with an understanding of person centred care including identifying needs beyond presenting issue, care planning, consent to share information, health literacy and supporting access to services.
This elearning module is designed for participants to improve their understanding of service coordination and reflect on how this practice is implemented in their organisation. Organisations are encouraged to use this module for orientation and professional development for their staff to enhance Service Coordination practice.
Shelly Lavery
Telephone: 9096 1322
Email: shelly.lavery@health.vic.gov.au
Web site: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/pcps/workforce/index.htm - For consultation: Draft PCP Abridged Program Logic 2013-17
- The Department is currently seeking consumer and sector feedback on the draft 2013-17 PCP Abridged Program Logic. Feedback is required by COB Friday 21st December by email to partnerships.primary@health.vic.gov.au or by post (details in consultation document).
The Department is currently developing the PCP program logic to guide activity in 2013-17 and have released a Draft PCP Abridged Program Logic for 2013-17 for consultation (to be available at http://www.health.vic.gov.au/pcps/about/prr.htm).
Highlights of this document include: the abridged 2013-17 PCP Program Logic for consultation as well as proposed PCP Guiding Principles and Priority Health Conditions/Prevention Priorities. The final PCP Program Logic for 2013-17 is expected to be released following consideration of all feedback received in early 2013.
The Draft Abridged PCP Program Logic has been drafted to be complementary to other current policy initiatives including the Victorian Health Priorities Framework (2012-2022), national primary health reforms as well as current Victorian primary health directions and community health service improvement initiatives.
If you are experiencing any difficulties downloading the document, please email partnerships.primary@health.vic.gov.au and a copy will be emailed to you.
Carly Muller (Mon and Wed) on 9096 8593 or Paul Maher on 9096 7424
Email: Partnerships.primary@health.vic.gov.au
Website: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/pcps/about/prr.htm - Tailor made student clinical supervision training
- Free student clinical supervision training available to health professionals and social workers supporting student placements within the Northern Metropolitan Clinical Placement Network Region (NMCPN).
This is for Organisations in the Northern Metropolitan Clinical Placement Network (NMCPN) region. This includes the LGA’s of: Hume, Whittlesea, Darebin, Yarra, Banyule, Moreland, Nillumbik.
Delivered by an experienced clinical educator, this half day workshop teaches the fundamentals of being a student supervisor. It is suitable for staff wanting to get involved in student supervision or already involved and wanting to consolidate their skills. Topics covered include:- planning for student placements
- adult learning principles
- fostering clinical reasoning
- supporting learners
- feedback and assessment.
Training is available until the end of May 2013. This project is part of the Clinical Supervision Support Program and was made possible due to funding made available by Health Workforce Australia and the Department of Health, Victoria. Contact the project team for dates and further information.
Jude Czerenkowski
Telephone: 83455539
Email: cssp@nh.org.au
- Primary and Secondary Prevention of Chronic Disease: Emerging Evidence
- Topics Include: Sedentary Behaviour & Physical Inactivity, the link between nutrition, lifestyle & disease, impact of sleep on health, oral health & chronic disease & diet as a risk factor in depression & anxiety
Target audience: Health Professionals
Date: Friday 22nd February 2013 (ADMA 1 Day Seminar)
Time: 9.30am – 3.30pm
Location: Lecture Theatre, AMREP, The Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road,
Prahran, Melbourne.
Cost: Registration $176 per person
Helen Sinnott
Telephone: 03 9076 4125
Email: info@adma.org.au
Website:http://www.adma.org.au/ - Breast cancer screening - overview of the current evidence
- The Cancer Council Victoria recently held an information session on breast cancer screening. The aim was to provide an overview of the current evidence on population breast cancer screening and over-diagnosis.
The presentation was filmed and it is available to watch on our website here: http://www.cancervic.org.au/for-health-professionals/vcog-page/vcog-blog/vcog-blog-2012/breastcancerscreening
Prof Dalllas English presented:- Part One:’ Does mamographic screening save lives'?
- Part two: 'Are women treated for cancer unnecessarily'?
Esther Sadek, Project and Communications Officer
Telephone: 03 9635 5246
Email: Esther.sadek@cancervic.org.au
Website: http://www.cancervic.org.au/for-health-professionals/vcog-page/vcog-blog/vcog-blog-2012/breastcancerscreening - Advocacy in Health Promotion Workshop
- The workshop will place advocacy and lobbying as legitimate health promotion activities. It will provide a framework and tools for developing an advocacy campaign and highlight the essential elements of successful advocacy.
The workshop will cover:- What is advocacy and how does it fit into health promotion practice?
- Where should advocacy be targeted for the best results?
- Developing an advocacy campaign
- Techniques for advocacy – what to expect, practical tips
Date: 30 Jan 2013
Time: 9.30am-3pm
Location: Women’s Health Victoria, L8/255 Bourke St, Melbourne, 3000
Cost: $99 Full, $55 Student/unemployed
This workshop draws on Women's Health Victoria's experience of advocacy to prevent the objectification of women in media and advertising, and during the campaign for abortion law reform in Victoria.
Register by Wednesday 23rd January at http://whv.org.au/contact-us/event-registration-request
Jessica Malone
Telephone: 03 9664 9300
Email: whv@whv.org.au
Website: http://whv.org.au/what-we-do/workshops/advocacy-in-health-promotion - North Yarra Community Health launches History book
- North Yarra Community Health launched its History book publication, “Missionaries, Radicals, Feminists: A History of North Yarra Community Health”, Thursday 25th October at its AGM.
Missionaries, Radicals, Feminists is the story of North Yarra Community Health (NYCH). Established by John Singleton in 1869 in gold rush Melbourne, the Collingwood Free Medical Dispensary was among the first of its kind in Australia, and drew on a ‘social model of health’. The mission provided medical and social services over the next 140 years along with radical political action and advocacy against poverty, homelessness, discrimination and substance abuse.
Singleton’s was the first place in Australia to employ women doctors and was associated with many other reforms in health care. Later amalgamations with Carlton and Fitzroy Community Health Centres created today’s North Yarra Community Health.
The book reflects the traditions, triumphs and struggles of a Community Health Centre in providing quality clinical services while building community trust and participation, enabling the empowerment of women, reducing barriers to care, and advocating for prevention and health promotion legislation.
The book was successfully launched at the NYCH AGM by Caroline Hogg, a former Minister of Health who has a long involvement in community health in Victoria. The book is available to buy from North Yarra Community Health for $20.00. Copies can be purchased in person from the Collingwood Site at 365 Hoddle Street, Collingwood, 3066, or via email at info@nych.org.au
Caitlin Phillips-Peddlesden
Telephone: 03 9411 4348
Email: c.phillipspeddlesden@gmail.com
05 November 2012
- Using data to drive practice change and improve patient outcomes Seminar
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This seminar has been developed to provide clinicians and quality staff with up-to-date information on best practice for using data to effectively drive practice change and improve patient outcomes. The seminar will address a broad range of clinical areas including intensive care, geriatric medicine and general medicine.
Who should attend: This seminar is aimed at clinical leaders in nursing, medical, allied health and quality staff.
Date: Thursday 6th December, 2012
Location: The Alfred Medical Research and Education Precinct (AMREP) Lecture Theatre, 75 Commercial Rd, The Alfred, Melbourne Vic 3004
Cost: $299 per person (inclusive of GST) - Individual registration / $250 per person (inclusive of GST) - Registration for 2 or more delegates
Megan Ambrens
Telephone: 9903 0199
Email: Meghan.ambrens@monash.edu
Website: www.med.monash.edu.au/sphpm/creps/seminars.html - Women's Health Victoria Applied Gender Analysis workshop
- The Applied Gender Analysis workshop is an introductory level one-day interactive learning opportunity with a focus on practical skills to equip professionals with skills in the design, delivery and evaluation of gender sensitive programs and services.
The workshop is recommended for practitioners in local government, community and women’s health organisations.
Workshop topics- Gender key concepts
- Gender and the social determinants of health
- Understanding the power of data
- Gender analysis processes
- Employing a step-by-step approach to gender sensitive program planning
Date: 13 November 2012
Time: 9.30am – 3.30pm
Location: Women's Health Victoria, Level 8/255 Bourke St, Melbourne
Cost: $99 (incl. GST) standard rate or $55 (incl. GST) student/ unemployed rate. Morning tea and lunch provided
Please register by completing and submitting an Event Registration Request via the WHV website: http://whv.org.au/contact-us/event-registration-request. Please indicate any requirements for assistance such as attendant care or interpreting and any special dietary requirements.
Pam Rugkhla
Telephone: 03 9662 9300
Email: whv@whv.org.au
Website: http://whv.org.au/ - Women's Health Victoria Women and Food Issues Paper
- The Women's Health Victoria Women and Food Issues Paper explores various aspects of women’s health relating to food. These include the impacts of nutritional deficiency, the links between nutrition and chronic disease, women's roles in relation to food, how a woman’s relationship with food affects her psychosocial health and the socio-economic factors that impact on access to nutritious food.
Controversy exists in public health and health promotion about the approach and key messages that should be adopted in relation to food-related behaviours and body size to promote 'health' and prevent illness for women. This paper outlines various perspectives in this discourse and highlights some principles for managing health risks of public messages.
The Women and Food Issues Paper is available from the WHV website: http://whv.org.au/publications-resources/publications-resources-by-topic/post/women-and-food-ip/
Rose Durey or Bronwyn Upston
Telephone: 03 9662 9300
Email: whv@whv.org.au
Website: http://whv.org.au/ - Heart Foundation Walking
- The Heart Foundation partners with Area Coordinators to establish walking groups in their local community. Area Coordinators may come from health or community centres, councils or other workplaces. Area Coordinator training will provide new Area Coordinators with the information and resources to implement the program in their region, so that they can start fun and sustainable walking groups.
This workshop will familiarise Area Coordinators with the program tools and resources and find out about ways of engaging their community in walking group activities.
Who: Health professionals and organisations who are wanting to facilitate and implement walking groups.
Location: Swan Hill Town Hall, 53-57 McCallum Street (crn McCallum & Beveridge St)
Date: Thursday 15 November, 2012 10am – 2.30pm
Cost: Free
Tara Henderson
Telephone: 03 9321 1515
Email: Tara.henderson@heartfoundation.org.au
Website: www.heartfoundation.org.au - Victorian Male Health Gathering
- This two day conference aims to bring together individuals, services, agencies and organisations that are engaged, or with a keen interest, in the health and wellbeing of men and boys. It provides a wonderful professional development opportunity for staff within a range of agencies throughout Victoria.
Who: Organisations with an interest in male health and wellbeing activity.
Date 19& 20th November
Location: Hemisphere Conference Centre in Moorabbin.
Keynote speakers include Paul Henley (Pathways Foundation), Celia Lashlie (Researcher and Author on male adolescence), Gary Misan (Institute of Male Health & Studies) and Stu Willder (Western District Health Service). A number of other workshop sessions are included in the program with diverse themes such as:- 'Helping men rebuild after crisis'
- 'Putting the spotlight on male help seeking behavious'
- 'The Men’s Shed Movement - where's it at and where's it heading?'
- 'Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health'
- 'How much is male socialisation a determinant of poor health outcomes for men?'
- Learnings from male health promotion and community events'
- 'Unsafe consumerism in male reproductive health'
- 'Doing mindfulness - exercises to do now and teach later'
A services expo will also be held together with a number of networking opportunities. For all details including pricing, full program, venue and registration, please refer to http://www.malehealthvic.org.au/.
Brian Mier
Telephone: 0418 326 670
Email: info@malehealthvic.org.au
Website: http://www.malehealthvic.org.au/ - Policies and professionals promoting mental health
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A new mental health promotion policy guide has been released. This is a revised and updated edition of Using policy to promote mental health and wellbeing: An introduction for policy makers (2010). The mental health promotion online MHpro has reached a significant membership milestone.
Using policy to promote mental health and wellbeing - a guide for policy makers has been updated and reissued to reflect the latest data and reiterate the importance of broad cross-sectoral involvement in promoting all aspects of health. The guide encourages Victorian policy makers to consider the social and environmental determinants of mental health when developing or reviewing policy. The guide can be downloaded from: www.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealthpromotion/resources.htm
The mental health promotion online network MHpro reached a significant milestone in May, welcoming its 500th member. The network, established in 2010, enables professionals with an interest in mental health promotion to connect and gain access to the latest information and resources. In a recent user feedback survey, the majority of members found membership of the network useful in day-to-day work, and 80 per cent of members would definitely or probably recommend the forum to others.
Ming Ding (Senior Policy Officer, Health and Wellbeing Strategy, Department of Health)
Telephone: 03 9096 5035
Email: ming.ding@health.vic.gov.au
Websites: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealthpromotion/resources.htm
http://mhpro.health.vic.gov.au/login.asp?target=default.asp - Physical Activity for Older People Workshop
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Presenting research-based evidence & recommendations on physical activity for healthy ageing including;
- clinical & laboratory assessment methods
- effects of community-based strength-training programs on functional status and quality of life
- goal-setting
- practical demonstrations of interventions such as Feldenkrais & Tai Chi.
Interactive workshop
Who: The workshop is important to all health professionals who provide care to community dwelling older people.
Date: Wednesday 14th November 2012
Time: 8.45am - 4.30pm
Venue: Seminar Room, Building 9, National Ageing Research Institute Ltd,
Gate 4, 34-54 Poplar Road, Parkville, VIC
Cost: $385.00 (Includes morning & afternoon teas, lunch and materials)
($20 discount for multiple registrations same organisation)
Lynette Bon (Register using combined Registration/Tax Invoice form)
Telephone: 03 8387 2148
Email: l.bon@nari.unimelb.edu.au
Website: www.nari.unimelb.edu.au (for registration form & detailed information) - Preventing falls in the hospital setting seminar
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Researchers from the Centre of Research Excellence in Patient Safety are currently conducting the world’s largest hospital falls prevention trial—the 6-PACK trial. In undertaking this project there have been many learnings about the challenges and facilitators to achieving successful falls prevention in the hospital setting. This seminar has been developed to provide clinicians and quality staff with up-to-date information on best practice for minimising falls and related harm in hospitals.
Who: This seminar is aimed at clinical leaders in nursing, medical and allied health who are responsible for falls prevention.
Date: Friday 7th December, 2012
Venue: The Alfred Medical Research and Education Precinct (AMREP) Lecture Theatre, 75 Commercial Rd, The Alfred, Melbourne Vic 3004
Cost: $330 per person (inclusive of GST) - Individual registration / $280 per person (inclusive of GST) - Registration for 2 or more delegates
Jessica Callaghan
Telephone: 03 9903 0218
Email: Jessica.callaghan@monash.edu
Website: http://www.med.monash.edu.au/sphpm/creps/seminars.html - Missioncraft in Disaster Relief Operations Workshop 2013
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Missioncraft is the art and science of preparing and conducting field operations. This 1-week intensive workshop presents best practices for health personnel in international disaster relief operations.
The workshop is offered to selected medical and public health professionals who deploy to disasters as full-time, field-based, hands-on providers. The workshop aims to enhance skill sets required in leadership roles such as organisational team leader or medical coordinator. It is designed for experienced professionals in pursuit of mastery, and is not intended for medical tourists.
Potential participants:- Health care workers with current board certification or specialty society fellowship in clinical medicine or public health
- Disaster management professionals with authority to lead health teams from governmental (civil or military), nongovernmental, Red Cross, or UN agencies
- Humanitarian professionals with 1 year or more of disaster field experience
- Persons anticipating future deployment to disasters
Catherine Pound
Telephone: 03 9903 0891
Email: Catherine.pound@monash.edu
Website: http://www.med.monash.edu.au/sphpm/creps/seminars.html - Introduction of the new Loddon Mallee Regional Palliative Care Consultancy Service.
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The aim of the new service is to provide a specialist palliative care service for complex patients to enhance their care in the Region by supporting current providers of Palliative Care Services.
In 2010-11 the Department of Health provided funding for the Loddon Mallee Region to establish a new Regional Palliative Consultancy Service. Aspex Consulting was contracted to consult, investigate best practice and suggest models for the new consultancy service.
Since January this year Bendigo Health has been working with a regional steering committee to establish the service and engage the team. It has been a very busy and exciting time and we are pleased with the progress of the service to date. There is still a lot of work to be done and the service will evolve as we progress with its establishment.
Our highly specialised and competent team consist of Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Consultants, Administrative Assistant and Project Manager. The Service has two sub-regions: Northern (Mildura LGA & Robinvale) and Southern (remainder of the LGA’s in the Loddon Mallee Region). Team members will be contacting services in the near future to schedule an introductory visit from one/some of the team members to explain how the team can be accessed.
For further information please feel free to contact us on 54546262 or email lmrpccs@bendigohealth.org.au. We look forward to working with you all to provide an enhanced Palliative Care Service around the Loddon Mallee Region.
Lee McNally (Project Manager)
Telephone: 03 5454 6262
Email: lmrpccs@bendigohealth.org.au
10 September 2012
- Victorian Seniors Festival - Celebrating 30 Years!
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The Victorian Seniors Festival is celebrating it 30th year on 7 - 14 October 2012. Older Victorians will once again be spoilt for choice from amongst more than 1,000 events taking place across the State. The Victorian Coalition Government has funded each of the 79 Victorian councils to ensure that they can offer events in their local communities.
Highlights of this year’s Festival program include:- Opening day celebrations at Federation Square on Sunday 7 October
- 'Celebrating good eating' events hosted by many local councils
- Melbourne Festival Hub at the Melbourne Town Hall
- Special 30th year Festival Hubs at Bendigo and Ballarat
- A 30th year Celebration performance tour
- Veterans Golf Classic
- Tennis Victoria Open Door Days
- Bowls Victoria Open Days
FREE copy of program - full details of Festival events are available from the Victorian Seniors Festival’s 120 page program, available from all Coles stores, libraries, your local council, neighbourhood Houses, University of the Third Age offices or Life Activity Victoria clubs.
You can also call Seniors Information Victoria on 1300 135 090 to request a copy of the Festival program be sent to you or visit www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au to browse the online Festival Calendar.
FREE public transport - to facilitate commuting to and from events, metropolitan rail, tram and bus services and regional town bus services will be free for all Victorian Seniors Card holders from 7 - 14 October 2012. There are also 5 days of free V/Line services for Victorian Seniors Card holders on 9, 10, 11, 13 and 14 October 2012.
Seniors Information Victoria
Telephone: 1300 135 090
Email: seniorsfestival@health.vic.gov.au
Website: www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au - Everyone's Business - Workplace Prevention of Violence Against Women Workshop
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This one-day workshop will inform the practice of primary prevention of domestic violence within the context of private business and the workplace. Based on Women’s Health Victoria’s experience with its Take a Stand Against Domestic Violence© program1, the workshop will provide participants with the necessary theoretical base and practical skills to start planning and implementing their own workplace program aimed at the primary prevention of violence against women.
The workshop will cover:- The rationale for the primary prevention of domestic violence using the workplace as a setting
- Considerations for designing, planning, implementing and evaluating your program
- Ways of maximising engagement and sustaining relationships with business
- Handling resistance to change
Participants will receive an Everyone’s Business workplace program guide and membership of a newly established Everyone’s Business community of practice for ongoing support.
Date: Tuesday 2 October 2012
Time: 9.30am – 3.00pm
Location: Women’s Health Victoria, Level 8/ 255 Bourke St, Melbourne
Cost: $99 (incl. GST) standard rate or $55 (incl. GST) student / unemployed rate.
Morning tea and lunch provided.
Rose Durey
Telephone: (61 3) 9664 9300
Email: whv@whv.org.au
Website: http://whv.org.au/what-we-do/workshops/everyone-s-business-violence-prevention - Online Learning Module for Practice Nurses
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The Australian Practices Nurses Association Inc (APNA) and the Heart Foundation have worked together to develop an online learning module for Practice Nurses. The aim of this training module is to educate Practice Nurses about Absolute Cardiovascular Disease Risk assessment and management.
This online learning module is free for APNA members and will take approximately 1.5 hours to complete. The module has been endorsed by APNA, and builds on the National Vascular Disease Prevention Alliance Guidelines for the Management of Absolute Cardiovascular Disease Risk, released in May 2012.
Alice Houghton
Telephone: (61 3) 9669 7400
Email: education@apna.asn.au
Website: www.apna.asn.au/onlinelearning - Nationally Accredited Qualifications in Health Consumer Leadership and Engagement - Training Program
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Health Issues Centre will be offering a number of training programs for consumer leaders and health service staff in 2012. Courses are being offered under the following streams:
- The Course in Consumer Leadership (22095VIC) provides consumer representatives/leaders and health service staff the foundational skills and knowledge to work collaboratively in a range of settings to facilitate and promote consumer engagement to consumers and health services personnel (commencing November 2012).
- The Vocational Graduate Certificate in Consumer Engagement (220929VIC) provides senior consumer leaders and health service staff the advanced skills and knowledge to work collaboratively in a range of settings to provide strategic consumer engagement services to consumers, health services, and government and non-government bodies (commencing October 2012).
Places in both courses are limited.
Closing date for registration: Friday, 28 September 2012
For further information, including training program details, outline of courses and to download a Registration Form please visit the website.
Costs apply. Group discount is available. Health services and organisations who have a group of 10 or more consumers or staff members wishing to do one of the courses can have it delivered on site for a substantial discount.
For further information, please the Health Issues Centre or visit their website.
Nicky Barry
Telephone: (6 13) 9479 5827
Email: n.barry@healthissuescentre.org.au
Website: http://www.healthissuescentre.org.au/ - The Forgotten Cancers Project – calling for Participants
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Less common cancers account for 54% of all cancer deaths in Australia.
The Forgotten Cancers project that is being undertaken by the Cancer Council Victoria (CCV) focuses on the less common cancers, identified as: non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukaemia, multiple myeloma, kidney, bladder, stomach, brain, liver, oesophagus, pancreas, endometrium, thyroid, gallbladder, small intestine and bone cancer, as well as other rare cancers. This project aims to better understand the causes of these less common cancers and deliver better outcomes for patients and their families. By discovering which lifestyle and genetic factors increase the risk of less common cancers, CCV hopes to generate information to inform better prevention strategies to reduce people’s risk.
In the past 30 years the majority of cancer research has focused on the five most common cancers – prostate, bowel, breast, lung and melanoma – leading to better understanding of what causes these cancers and in most cases, better outcomes for people diagnosed with these cancers. However, more than half of all cancer deaths are due to less common cancers.
Cancer Council Victoria is seeking participants in a survey on the 15 target cancers that have been identified as a priority to research over the next three years. Participants over 18 years of age who have had any of these less common cancers can take part in the study by visiting the CCV website and completing an online questionnaire.
Further information or hardcopies of the survey can be obtained by contact Cancer Council Victoria on 1800 068 289 or via email forgottencancers@cancervic.org.au.
Cancer Council Victoria Forgotten Cancers team
Telephone: 1800 068 289
Email: forgottencancers@cancervic.org.au
Website: www.forgottencancers.com.au
21 August 2012
- Immunisation - Parents urged to get their two year olds free vaccine
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The Department of Health is promoting the free, one-off dose of the improved pneumococcal vaccine (Prevenar13®) to parents and carers of two year olds. The purpose of this free dose for toddlers is to cover those still in the age group considered vulnerable to pneumococcal disease who received all their pneumococcal immunisations before the vaccine was updated last year. The improved vaccine has been administered to all babies at their two, four and six month immunisations since 1 July 2011.
Pneumococcal bacteria can cause illnesses such as middle ear infection, pneumonia, bloodstream infection and meningitis.
Victoria's data shows 24-35 month olds are not receiving the vaccine. Parents are advised to arrange for their eligible toddler to visit their doctor or attend a council vaccination session as soon as they can as this free dose offer ends 30 September 2012.
If you have any questions please contact the Immunisation Section of the Department of Health.
Immunisation Section, Department of Health
Telephone: 1300 882 008 between 9am-12pm and 2pm-3pm Monday to Friday
Email: immunisation@health.vic.gov.au
Website: http://ideas.health.vic.gov.au/resources-immunisation.asp - Victorian health policy and funding guidelines 2012-13
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The Victorian health policy and funding guidelines 2012-13 has now been released. The health policy and funding guidelines articulate the performance and financial framework within which state government-funded health sector entities operate.
There are three parts to the Victorian health policy and funding guidelines:- Part one: Key changes and new initiatives
Provides an overview of the 2012-13 health budget and new program, policy and funding changes. - Part two: Health operations
Outlines the specific policy, funding and reporting requirements for funded organisations. - Part three: Technical guidelines
Provides the technical aspects of the operation of hospital funding models and payment rates
Funding & Information Policy branch, Department of Health
Telephone: National Relay Service 13 36 77 if required
Email: pfg@health.vic.gov.au
Website: www.health.vic.gov.au/pfg - Part one: Key changes and new initiatives
- National Stroke Week: 10 - 16 September 2012
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The National Stroke Week is an annual event run by the National Stroke Foundation to increase people’s awareness about stroke.
1 in 6 people will have a stroke in their lifetime.
Statistics indicate that every 6 seconds someone, somewhere, regardless of age or gender will die from a stroke. Stroke can happen to anyone but many strokes are preventable.
The National Stroke Foundation is urging all Australians to follow these 6 steps to reduce the risk of stroke:
- Know your personal risk factors: high blood pressure, diabetes and high blood cholesterol
- Be physically active and exercise regularly
- Avoid obesity by keeping to a healthy diet
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Avoid cigarette smoke. If you smoke, seek help to stop now
- Learn to recognise the warning signs of stroke and act FAST
F.A.S.T is an easy way to remember and recognise the signs of stroke:- Face – Has their mouth drooped?
- Arms – Can they lift both arms?
- Speech – Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
- Time – Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call 000 now
Order a FREE Stroke Week pack online, which includes a list of activity ideas, or call StrokeLine on 1800 787 653.
Kristine Sparrow
Telephone: 1800 787 653
Email: strokeweek@strokefoundation.com.au
Website: http://strokefoundation.com.au/national-stroke-week/
2 August 2012
- Public Consultation - Draft Skin Cancer Prevention Framework
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A draft five year plan to improve coordination of skin cancer prevention efforts is now open for public consultation.
The draft Skin Cancer Prevention Framework 2012-2016 aims to establish ways in which the Department of Health, the health sector, private sector, researchers and local communities can work together over the next five years to reduce the incidence of and mortality from skin cancer in Victoria.
The draft framework is the result of several years of consultation and valuable input from key organisations and individuals concerned with skin cancer prevention in Victoria.
Statistics identify that "Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world with two in three Australians being diagnosed with the disease before the age of 70."
The public consultation is open until 3 September 2012.
Feedback on the draft framework will help to shape skin cancer prevention, early detection and research activities in Victoria over the next five years and beyond.
All interested organisations and individuals are invited to provide feedback on the draft Skin Cancer Prevention Framework. Access the document and consultation package online at www.health.vic.gov.au/prevention/skin-cancer.
Sally Doncovio, Senior Project Officer, Screening and Cancer Prevention, Department of Health
Telephone: (03) 9096 0399
Email: scpf.consultation@health.vic.gov.au
Website: www.health.vic.gov.au/prevention/skin-cancer - Victorian Public Healthcare Awards 2012
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The Victorian Public Healthcare Awards (the Awards) are Victoria's most prestigious health Awards program and are proudly presented by the Premier of Victoria, the Minister for Health, the Minister for Mental Health and the Department of Health Secretary. The Awards are the Victorian Government's annual account of excellence and innovation in public health, health services and service initiatives that deliver innovative, informed and effective healthcare.
The Awards program is strongly aligned with the Victorian Health Plan to enable recognition across all parts of the public healthcare system including health promotion and disease prevention, primary healthcare, secondary care and tertiary care. There are 17 Awards to bestow, including the Health Lifetime Achievement Award, Health Leader's Awards and Healthcare Innovation Awards. This is a great opportunity to nominate Victorians who are healthcare providers and celebrate their leadership, innovation and excellence in service.
When: Nomination is now open and closes on 27 August 2012
For a full list of awards and categories, please go to our website: www.health.vic.gov.au/healthcareawards or contact us at healthcareawards@health.vic.gov.au.
Don't miss this opportunity to enter the 2012 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards - celebrating home-grown and unique programs and extraordinary leadership - responding to Victorian healthcare needs, now and into the future.
Paula Marsh, Senior Advisor, Awards Secretariat
Telephone: (03) 9096 7742
Email: healthcareawards@health.vic.gov.au
Website: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/healthcareawards/ - Heart Foundation Walking
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The Heart Foundation partners with Area Coordinators to establish walking groups in their local community. Area Coordinators may come from health or community centres, councils or workplaces. Area Coordinator training will provide new Area Coordinators with the information and resources to implement the program in their region, so that they can start fun and sustainable walking groups.
This workshop will familiarise Area Coordinators with the program tools and resources and find out about ways of engaging their community in walking group activities.
Where: Heart Foundation Victoria, Level 12/ 500 Collins Street, Melbourne
When: Monday 13 August, 2012 10am – 2.30pm
Cost: Free
For information on regional opportunities, please contact Tara Henderson.
Tara Henderson
Telephone: (03) 9321 1515
Email: Tara.henderson@heartfoundation.org.au
Website: www.heartfoundation.org.au - National Primary Health Care Conference 2012
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The National Primary Health Care (NPHC) Conference "From Transition to Action: Integrating Primary Health and Social Care" will showcase the best in primary health care development and delivery.
When: Thursday 8th November - Saturday 10 November
Where: Adelaide Convention Centre
Cost: Varies, please check registration details
For more information, go to the web link provided.
Australian Medicare Local Alliance
Telephone: (02) 6228 0800
Email: nshepherd@amlalliance.com.au
Website: http://amlalliance.com.au/events/national-conference - Workshop: Introducing Medicare Locals - 15 August 2012
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General Practice Victoria will be conducting a half a day introductory workshop aimed at providing an overview of Medicare Locals. This workshop will be of interest to organisations and staff who are seeking to strengthen their understanding of and links with Medicare Locals.
When: Wednesday 15 August 2012, 10.00am to 12.30pm
Registrations commence at 9:30am
Where: General Practice Victoria, Level 4, 458 Swanston Street, Carlton 3053.
Cost: Free. Lunch will be provided following the workshop.
On-line registration via GPV's website: http://www.gpv.org.au/event_details.asp?view=15-8-2012&event=404
Megan Buick
Telephone: (03) 9341 5200
Email: m.buick@gpv.org.au
Website: http://www.gpv.org.au/event_details.asp?view=15-8-2012&event=404
