Best wishes for a Happy and Healthy Holiday -  from CEO Lynelle Hales

As the year draws to a close, and the holiday season approaches, our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have made our progress this year possible.  It is in this spirit we say simply but sincerely to all our partners, stakeholders and colleagues who have all contributed to make 2016 a tremendous year for Sydney North Primary Health Network, thank you and best wishes for the holiday season.  

During 2016, we have rolled out initiatives identified in our Strategic Plan 2015-18 through four strategic priorities. 

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

• SNPHN administers the Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) program and will be closed from 23rd December to the 3rd January. This article will provide information on how to refer to the program during this time, as well as the Mental Health Crisis services available throughout the holiday season 24/7.

• With mental health reform currently taking place across Australia, the ATAPS program will be changing in 2017. 

• SNPHN is currently in the process of finalising its first round of commissioning for mental health and alcohol & other drugs services. 

• After Hours resources are now available in Farsi and Tibetan. 

• SNPHN recently attended two community expos with After Hours stalls.

• Professor Simon Willcock Board Member and Chair of the Clinical Council, discusses the work of the Clinical Council.

• It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our colleague and dear friend, Philip Gandar. 

GP NEWS

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

• Some important information on vaccine availability and dosing recommendations, as well as information on Christmas vaccine deliveries. 

• NSW Health has released a Measles Alert due to three cases of measles being detected in Sydney in the last two weeks. 

• An update on when the Northern Beaches Mobile X-Ray will be closed over the holiday season. 

• Manly Waters Private Hospital on the Northern Beaches will be open over the holidays.

• Did you know you can apply for funding so that a patient with incontinence can access financial support?

• The WiSE clinic at Macquarie Park is a walk-in specialist emergency clinic, which is opening on 15 January 2017. 

• NSW Health would like your feedback on the NSW Child Personal Health Record (Blue Book).

• From 1 December, Australians will pay no more than $38.30 for a medicine to treat thyroid cancer that would cost a patient $117,000 without subsidised access through the PBS.

• To support the Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) blood testing program, new fact sheets have been released for consumers and GPs.

• The George Institute is inviting expressions of interest from general practices to participate in its INTEGRATE Study on cardiovascular disease.

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CLINICAL NEWS

In this month’s Clinical News:

• The hepatology unit at Royal North Shore Hospital provides a remote hepatology consultation to support GPs and other medical officers in prescribing HCV treatment to their patients in the community. 

COMMUNITY HEALTH NEWS

In this month's Community news, learn about:

• Until mid-December the Department of Health was sending tailored letters in stages to clients with an existing approval for home care.

• The ACCC has released a range of resources to help prepare and empower consumers when buying goods and services under the NDIS.

• A free online program has been developed to support carers of people with dementia navigate the respite system. 

• Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is a free Australian Government service providing you with direct access to maternal child health nurses on your journey from pregnancy to preschool.

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MENTAL HEALTH NEWS

In Mental Health News, we provide:

• The December ATAPS referral numbers for GPs. 

AGED CARE NEWS

• The Government has announced changes to the Residential Aged Care Funding Instrument which will take effect from 1 January 2017.

• Do you know the difference between traditional home care service delivery, person-centred care, and Consumer Directed care? 

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.

• The Diploma in Child Health (DCH) is a one year, annually updated course that reaches out to share expertise from The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network.

HEALTH RECRUIT

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

Graduate Nurse Primary Care Transition Program

SNPHN are seeking expressions of interest from General Practices who would like to participate in the Primary Care Graduate Nurse Transition Program, being offered in partnership with Primary and Community Care Services (PCCS). With a similar concept to GP registrar training, the Transition Program has been specifically designed for recently graduated Registered Nurses entering primary care directly from university studies. CLICK HERE for more information.

ADVERTISING

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.