Northern Sydney PHN commissions headspace for local youth mental health services

Northern Sydney PHN (operated by Sydney North Primary Health Network, SNPHN) is pleased to announce that the first youth and mental health service to be commissioned in Sydney’s north will be headspace, the early intervention mental health service for 12-25 year olds.
 
The arrangement will see SNPHN fund existing headspace centres in Chatswood and Brookvale and work in collaboration with Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD), headspace consortia partners and general practice to strengthen and support youth mental health in the region.
 
An estimated 176,522 people aged 12-25 years live in the Northern Sydney area and national statistics show as many as one in four young people can experience mental health illness.

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In this month's SNPHN News we bring you the following information:

• People currently taking two or more medications are being asked to take part in our online poll.

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GP NEWS

In this month’s GP News we bring you the following information:

• The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is encouraging GPs to send a letter to their patients before their 50th birthday asking them to complete the Bowel Cancer Screening test. 

• Our General Manager for Primary Care Advancement, Cynthia Stanton, is presenting at the upcoming GP Peninsular Education Program. 

• NSW Health has issued an update for clinicians on MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

• Family Planning NSW is running a midlife survey, to explore peoples' opinions about current gaps in health services, particularly in the 45-64 age group.

• Stay up-to-date with the latest changes to the Australian Immunisation Handbook.  

• New changes to the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 now mean health professionals in the private sector can exchange information.

• On 8 November, Mental Health Carers NSW are running Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders awareness training for clinicians, families, carers and consumers. 

• A new report from the Lung Foundation Australia is calling for action to make lung cancer a priority in Australia.

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CLINICAL NEWS

In this month’s Clinical News:

• The Northern Sydney Local Health District is changing the way they provide treatment to stroke sufferers. Learn more about the time critical therapies for eligible ischaemic stroke patients that will be implemented at Royal North Shore Hospital from September 19 2016.

• We provide information for clinicians and public health practitioners regarding a new Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) diagnostic tool. 

• The newly established Gamma Knife Fund enables eligible NSW patients who otherwise could not afford the Gamma Knife treatment to receive financial support for treatment at Macquarie University Hospital.

COMMUNITY HEALTH NEWS

In this month's Community news, learn about:

• September is Dementia Awareness Month, which aims to raise awareness of the supports and services available to people living with dementia and their carers. 

• The University of Sydney, Flinders University, Kolling Institute and NSLHD invite you to the Care and Support Directed by the Consumer Forum taking place on Wednesday, 12 October 2016 at the Northside Conference Centre, Sydney.

• Go4Fun is a free NSW Health program which aims to help children develop healthy eating habits, build self-confidence, and become more active.

• Foster Care Week ran from 11-17 September to celebrate and acknowledge the amazing work of NSW’s foster carers in the community. Learn more about foster care in NSW.

• Come along to a workshop on Wednesday 19 October, 2016 and learn from experts so that you can make wise lifestyle changes to live healthily in older age. 

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MENTAL HEALTH NEWS

In Mental Health News, we provide:

• Northern Sydney PHN recently reaffirmed its commitment to youth mental health ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day.

• The September and October ATAPS referral numbers for GPs. 

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AGED CARE NEWS

In Aged Care News, we provide the following information:

• Have your say to help inform the design of future aged care advocacy services that focus on individual advocacy support. 

• The Department of Health led an Ageing and Aged Care Reform 2016 stakeholder workshop on 5 September 2016 with aged care consumers and carers, peaks, providers and assessors.

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EDUCATION EVENTS

Interested in continuing your education? Sydney North Primary Health Network is hosting CPD Education Events for GPs, Practice Staff and Allied Health Providers. To view the current schedule, CLICK HERE.

CLICK HERE to view other health professional education events.

Coming up soon:

• Asthma Australia together with your local Asthma Foundation is pleased to present the 2016 Asthma Symposia series. They encourage health professionals involved in all aspects of asthma and allergy-related care to attend.

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HEALTH RECRUIT

SNPHN is committed to helping build primary health workforce capacity. To view current health related job vacancies in our region, CLICK HERE.

ADVERTISING

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If you are interested in advertising your health or community care service to an audience of GPs, practice staff, allied health professionals and or other health professionals through our monthly eNews please contact the Communications team on communications@snhn.org.au or call 9432 8250.

ABOUT SYDNEY NORTH PRIMARY HEALTH NETWORK

SNPHN Ltd (ABN 38 605 353 884) trading as Sydney North Primary Health Network (SNPHN) is a local not-for-profit health organisation, established by the Australian Government to improve access to primary care services for patients, particularly those at risk of poor health outcomes, and improve coordination of care to ensure patients receive the right care in the right place at the right time. We are one of 31 PHNs. The SNPHN region spans 899 square kilometres, aligns with the Northern Sydney Local Health District and encompasses 11 Local Government Areas (LGAs): Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Ku-ring-gai, Lane Cove, Manly, Mosman, North Sydney, Pittwater, Ryde, Warringah and Willoughby.

SNPHN gratefully acknowledges the financial and other support provided by the Australian Government.