1. health and fitness

Monday Mail
Monday, 5 January 2015
frontdesk@gvml.com.au – www.gvml.com.au – (03) 5831 5399
ALERTS
Medicare Card Expiry – Community Based Asylum
Seekers
All community based asylum seekers’ Medicare cards
expired on 31 December 2014 (there may be a few
exceptions however these would have been an oversight).
Under the Health Insurance Act, the Health Minister needs
to provide allowance for non-citizens to have access to
Medicare by way of a limited “order”. The “order” for the
asylum seeker cohort expired on 31 December 2014.
What does this mean?
All community based asylum seekers who have valid
bridging visas and expired Medicare cards will need to go to
Medicare after 1 January 2015 to have their cards reissued.
Please call 5823 3200 and ask Red Cross if you require
further information.
Medicine Recall – CARTIA (aspirin) 100mg Tablets –
Sample Pack of 7’s
A recent manufacturing issue with CARTIA 100mg tablets
(sample packs only) has resulted in the wrong expiry date
printed on the carton and blister foil of CARTIA 100mg
tablets (sample pack), batch BX134.
GVML CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
Current Approaches to Prevention and Management
of Mastitis in Breastfeeding Women
Heather Harris, Midwife and Lactation Consultant, is
presenting a CPD event in Wallan titled Current
Approaches to Prevention and Management of Mastitis.
This education session will cover:
 Causes and basic management
 Types of mastitis
 When to use antibiotics and when to avoid
 Role of probiotics
 Outcomes of poorly managed mastitis and how to
avoid / manage
Date:
Saturday 14 February, 2015
Time:
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Venue:
Wallan GP Super Clinic
7-11 High Street, Wallan
RSVP:
frontdesk@gvml.com.au
This event is aimed at GPs and Practice Nurses.
See the flyer for more information.
The incorrect date is February 2019. The current expiry date
should be February 2016.
GVML Basic CPR Training
Arrow Medical sales representatives will contact GP
surgeries to check if there is any stock left. Staff are
requested to put these aside and do not give them out to
patients. Sales representatives will visit each surgery to
collect the quarantined packs.
Date:
Wednesday, 13 May 2015
Time:
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Venue:
Goulburn Valley Medicare Local
226 Wyndham Street, Shepparton
No other batches of CARTIA sample tablets are affected.
This recall does not affect any commercial batches sold in
pharmacies.
RSVP:
frontdesk@gvml.com.au
It is important to note there is no safety issue associated with
this batch.
Aspen Pharmacare apologises for the inconvenience this
issue may have caused and would like to assure the
community that they are committed to providing all their
customers with safe, effective and quality products.
If you have any questions please contact Mr Robert Drew on
(02) 8436 8321.
The next Basic CPR Training Session is:
The training session is open to all GPs and health service
professionals and is free of charge. Numbers are strictly
limited and you must have registered for this event in
order to attend.
This session is presented by Dr Carolyn Kamenjarin.
This unit of competency describes the skills and
knowledge required to perform cardiopulmonary
resuscitation in line with the Australian Resuscitation
Council Guidelines.
This activity has been approved by the RACGP QI & CPD
Program. Total 5 Category 2 points.
For more information, including information regarding
other basic CPR training providers, please contact Val
Petrovski on 5831 5399.
CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS
New ‘Common Eye Conditions’ Free Online Module for GPs Now Available
A new version of the ThinkGP online education module titled ‘Common Eye Conditions’ has been released and is now available
to access for free.
The module includes up-to-date information on eye health and vision care and now includes a section on ‘red eyes’.
Originally launched in 2009, this module is accredited (RACGP 4 CPD, ACRRM 2 CME PD) and is specifically designed to
meet the needs of GPs.
As a GP, you have an important role to play in your patients’ eye health and vision care. You can treat minor eye problems,
identify patients who are at-risk of eye disease, and educate patients about the importance of regular eye examinations. You
can also help those who are experiencing vision loss to access low vision and rehabilitation services and ensure they adjust
to their vision loss.
This education module discusses the common causes of vision loss and common eye conditions, the presenting features,
diagnostic assessments, and management. Indications for referral and the content of referral letters to an optometrist /
ophthalmologist are detailed.
The Common Eye Conditions ThinkGP education module enables participates to:
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Recognise common causes of vision loss and common eye conditions including red eye
Discuss the symptoms of the various causes of vision loss and common eye conditions including red eye
Describe the management of the common causes of vision loss and common eye conditions include red eye
Identify the appropriate situation to refer to an optometrist or ophthalmologist and what to include in referral letters
Ensure patient safety by indicating the conditions requiring urgent referral for specialist care.
For further information visit the ThinkGP website, or contact the Vision Initiative team at
visioninitiative@vision2020australia.org.au or call (03) 9656 2020.
Australia’s Healthy Weight Week
Run by the Dieticians Association of Australia, this important week is all about getting the right advice and supporting those
looking to be a healthy weight
Date: 16 – 22 February, 2015
Australia’s Healthy Weight Week falls at an ideal time with many Australians aspiring to eat better in the New Year. The 2015
campaign aims to get more people cooking at home and eating the right foods in the right portions.
For more information visit www.healthyweightweek.com.au
Helping Your Patients Who are Drinking at Risky Levels
Alcohol kills 15 Australians every day and 5,554 each year. It hospitalises 430 Australians daily and 157,132 over the year.
This harm is entirely preventable. GPs are uniquely placed to identify and intervene with patients whose alcohol use is
hazardous through screening and brief interventions.
This webinar provides the opportunity for GPs to ask questions on how to screen for and conduct brief interventions around
risky drinking.
Date: Tuesday 17 February, 2015
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Presenters:
Dr Paul Grinzi & Dr Hester Wilson
For further information or to register for the webinar click here.
Integrated Care for Older People Seminar
The Respecting Our Loved One’s Wishes: Delivering Integrated, Consumer Directed Where, When, and How It’s Needed is
on 26 and 27 February 2015 at Melbourne Olympic Park.
This practical seminar focuses on integration for older people and respecting their wishes in terms of where, when, and how
their care is delivered.
Date: 26 – 27 February, 2015
Venue: Melbourne Olympic Park
Further information including registration information is available at www.changechampions.com.au
Diabetes Study Day for Enrolled and Registered Nurses
This study day, with Kathy Mills, RN, Med, Dip Business, Credentialled Diabetes Educator, is for enrolled and registered nurses
and covers contemproary and evidence based research on dietary, exercise, psychological and pharmacological management
of diabetes mellitus.
Date:
Friday 6 March, 2015
Time:
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Venue:
Inner East Melbourne Medicare Local
6 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East
Cost:
$220.00 – early bird registration (before Friday 20 February 2015)
$250.00 – full registration
RSVP:
diabetes.ed@optusnet.com.au
This study day is eligible for 6 hours professional eduation.
Morning tea, lunch, and notes are provided.
For further information download the flyer or contact Kathy via email at diabetes.ed@optusnet.com.au
B-Informed – Hepatits B Workshop
In collaboration with St Vincent’s and Hepatis Victoria, the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity & Health will be holding workshops for
the B-Informed – Addressing Hepatitis B Within a Community Context.
Date:
Tuesday, 24 March 2015
Tuesday, 26 May 2015
Tuesday, 25 August 2015
Time:
9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Venue:
Training Room
North Richmond Community Health
23 Lennox Street, Richmond, 3121
For futher information about the workshop or to book a place in one of the sessions, visit the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity &
Health website.
REFERRALS AND SERVICES
OTHER INFORMATION
Diabetes Essentials – Group Education Program for
People with Type 2 Diabetes
Dietitans Association of Australia – Make a Pledge
for Health Success in 2015
Diabetes Essentials is a comprehensive four week education
program conducted quarterly in Seymour and Wallan by the
experienced diabetes team from NEXUS Primary Health.
With many Australians turning their thoughts to eating
better and living healthier in the New Year, the nation’s
peak nutrition body is urging Australians to take this to
the next level by making a health ‘pledge’.
To be eligible, patients must have:
 Type 2 diabetes
 A GP Management Plan in place
 A GP referral – MBS Type 2 Allied Health Groups form)
 An exercise clearance form
Patients must complete an individual assessment prior to
participation. Out of pocket costs to patients are:
The Dietitans Association of Australia’s (DAA) ‘Make a
Pledge’ campaign kicked off on 1 January with nine
pledges to select and commit to in 2015.
A copy of the media release outlining the nine pledges
can be found online here.
To ‘Make a Pledge’, visit the Health Weight Week
website.
$09.10 – for the assessment
$10.00 – per group session (total of $40)
$10.00 – resource fee for Diabetes Australia resources
and exercise band
Sessions will re-commence in Term 1. For more information
or to make a referral call 1300 773 352.
BreastScreen Victoria Stakeholder Update
The December 2014 – February 2015 update is now
available online.
GP Co-payment Information from AMA Victoria
AMA Victoria has information and fact sheets on the
announced revamp of the GP co-payment plan available
on their website and will be updating the information as
more is released.
RESOURCES
HIV and Mobility in Australia: A Road Map for Action
In the last five to ten years there has been an increase in HIV
diagnoses among people and their partners travelling to and
from regions of high HIV prevalence. Approaches used in
the past need to be adapted to respond to a context where
people are more mobile. Additionally, current investment in
health and support services for mobile and migrant
communities is often ad hoc and a ‘one size fits all’ approach.
Designed to support the strategic direction of the Seventh
National HIV Strategy (2014-2017), the HIV and Mobility in
Australia: A Road Map for Action report shines a spotlight on
the context and types of mobility, differences in HIV
diagnoses across Australia relating to migrant and mobile
populations, and the need for more targeted responses.
Migration Consultant Now Available at African
House
Lorna Gillespie, Migration Consultant with Australian
Migration Options Pty Ltd, is now available at African
House every Thursday to provide ethical and
professional advice, training, advocacy, and assistance
in the role of migration and refugee law.
Days:
Every Thursday, expect public holidays
Time:
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Last appointment at 4:00 pm
Venue:
African House
Situated at the back of the Lutheran Church
54 Poplar Avenue, Shepparton
Contact:
Lorna Gillespie, Migration Consultant
0428 661 975
The report can be downloaded from siren.org.au or from
latrobe.edu.au.
Working Together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Mental Health and Wellbeing Principles and Practice
2014
Following the success of their first edition, Telethon Kids
Institute has developed a second edition of Working
Together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental
Health and Wellbeing Principles and Practice 2014, edited
by Pat Dudgeon, Helen Milroy and Roz Walker. This edition
is now available in both hard copy and online. The book was
developed as an information source for health professionals
working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in
social and emotional wellbeing and contains comprehensive
and culturally appropriate information to educate and assist
health professionals who work with Indigenous clients.
Visit the Working Together website for further information
and to order copies of the book.
www.gvml.com.au
226 Wyndham Street Shepparton VIC 3630
PO Box 1074 Shepparton VIC 3632
(03) 5831 5399 – (03) 5831 5396
frontdesk@gvml.com.au
Goulburn Valley Medicare Local (ABN 35 062 463 097)