(4757,154032,1,'2021-05-04 03:59:16','2021-05-04 03:59:16','71697b56-599e-42c5-b41e-ac8320f0beae','<p><strong>This year’s Heart Week, that runs from 3-9 May 2021, presents an opportunity for healthcare professionals to engage with patients about their risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). </strong> </p>\n<p>Heart Foundation Senior Heart Health Coordinator Andrea Love, said it is vital to prioritise heart health this week and every week. </p>\n<p>“76,500 CVD-related events could be prevented with a heart health check,” Ms Love said. <br /></p>\n\n<p>The Heart Foundation’s focus this Heart Week is on supporting health professionals to deliver more Heart Health Checks to eligible patients, a vital step to empower people to look after their heart health. </p>\n<p>“Within general practice the Heart Health Check is a relative new item number and takes about 20 minutes to complete,” Ms Love said. </p>\n<p>From 1 April 2019, two MBS items were introduced to allow GPs and medical practitioners (other than a specialist of consultant physicians) to conduct a heart health check. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the COVID-19 pandemic had made people more aware of how important health is—and makes a case for the prevention of chronic disease. </p>\n<p>“People who live with cardiovascular disease have increased vulnerability to severe complications of COVID-19 and the issues we had (during the height of the pandemic) were people avoiding regular consultations.” </p>\n<p>“Now we have the vaccine rollout and people are coming into their GPs to be vaccinated. They could also ask about a heart health check in order to maximise on visits to primary care.” </p>\n<p>On Wednesday 5 May, the Heart Foundation will host the Heart Week webinar, <em>Driving Best Practice CVD Prevention in a Post-COVID World</em>. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the webinar would be relevant to all clinicians. </p>\n<p>“We have a really great panel and the main topic will be how COVID-19 has impacted CVD health and the strategies that complement the CVD risk approach,” she said. </p>\n<p>One of the complementary strategies that GPs are encouraged to talk to at-risk patients about, is the <a href=\"http://www.myhealthforlife.com.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>My health for life</em> program,</a> designed to help Queenslanders stay well and lessen their risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said <em>My health for life</em> offers patients a lifestyle-based intervention that complements other therapies that their clinicians might suggest. </p>\n<p>For more information on the Heart Foundation webinar, visit the <a href=\"https://heartfoundation-au.zoom.us/webinar/register/5916189736296/WN_Nl-0JVlBSkCU72j7sNBttA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zoom registration page</a>. </p>\n<p>On Thursday 13 May, the PHN is also hosting a CVD-focused quality improvement webinar<em>,</em> Cardiovascular Disease in Primary Care, for practice staff. For more information, <a href=\"https://brisbanenorthphn.org.au/events/quality-improvement-focus-cardiovascular-disease-in-primary-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">visit the PHN website</a>. </p>\n<p>Health professionals can download the Heart Foundation’s Heart Health Check Toolkit <a href=\"https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Bundles/Heart-Health-Check-Toolkit/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">from their website</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4759,154035,1,'2021-05-04 04:00:20','2021-05-04 04:00:20','1c4284a1-f871-4aaf-9d5c-554bb39357ad','<p><strong>This year’s Heart Week, that runs from 3-9 May 2021, presents an opportunity for healthcare professionals to engage with patients about their risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). </strong> </p>\n<p>Heart Foundation Senior Heart Health Coordinator Andrea Love, said it is vital to prioritise heart health this week and every week. </p>\n<p>“76,500 CVD-related events could be prevented with a heart health check,” Ms Love said. <br /></p>\n\n<p>The Heart Foundation’s focus this Heart Week is on supporting health professionals to deliver more Heart Health Checks to eligible patients, a vital step to empower people to look after their heart health. </p>\n<p>“Within general practice the Heart Health Check is a relative new item number and takes about 20 minutes to complete,” Ms Love said. </p>\n<p>From 1 April 2019, two MBS items were introduced to allow GPs and medical practitioners (other than a specialist of consultant physicians) to conduct a heart health check. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the COVID-19 pandemic had made people more aware of how important health is—and makes a case for the prevention of chronic disease. </p>\n<p>“People who live with cardiovascular disease have increased vulnerability to severe complications of COVID-19 and the issues we had (during the height of the pandemic) were people avoiding regular consultations.” </p>\n<p>“Now we have the vaccine rollout and people are coming into their GPs to be vaccinated. They could also ask about a heart health check in order to maximise on visits to primary care.” </p>\n<p>On Wednesday 5 May, the Heart Foundation will host the Heart Week webinar, <em>Driving Best Practice CVD Prevention in a Post-COVID World</em>. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the webinar would be relevant to all clinicians. </p>\n<p>“We have a really great panel and the main topic will be how COVID-19 has impacted CVD health and the strategies that complement the CVD risk approach,” she said. </p>\n<p>One of the complementary strategies that GPs are encouraged to talk to at-risk patients about, is the <a href=\"http://www.myhealthforlife.com.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>My health for life</em> program,</a> designed to help Queenslanders stay well and lessen their risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said <em>My health for life</em> offers patients a lifestyle-based intervention that complements other therapies that their clinicians might suggest. </p>\n<p>For more information on the Heart Foundation webinar, visit the <a href=\"https://heartfoundation-au.zoom.us/webinar/register/5916189736296/WN_Nl-0JVlBSkCU72j7sNBttA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zoom registration page</a>. </p>\n<p>On Thursday 13 May, the PHN is also hosting a CVD-focused quality improvement webinar<em>,</em> Cardiovascular Disease in Primary Care, for practice staff. For more information, <a href=\"https://brisbanenorthphn.org.au/events/quality-improvement-focus-cardiovascular-disease-in-primary-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">visit the PHN website</a>. </p>\n<p>Health professionals can download the Heart Foundation’s Heart Health Check Toolkit <a href=\"https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Bundles/Heart-Health-Check-Toolkit/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">from their website</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4760,154037,1,'2021-05-04 04:00:20','2021-05-04 04:00:20','601b8ee2-3dda-46aa-9321-44c51dd3fb5a','<p><strong>This year’s Heart Week, that runs from 3-9 May 2021, presents an opportunity for healthcare professionals to engage with patients about their risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). </strong> </p>\n<p>Heart Foundation Senior Heart Health Coordinator Andrea Love, said it is vital to prioritise heart health this week and every week. </p>\n<p>“76,500 CVD-related events could be prevented with a heart health check,” Ms Love said. <br /></p>\n\n<p>The Heart Foundation’s focus this Heart Week is on supporting health professionals to deliver more Heart Health Checks to eligible patients, a vital step to empower people to look after their heart health. </p>\n<p>“Within general practice the Heart Health Check is a relative new item number and takes about 20 minutes to complete,” Ms Love said. </p>\n<p>From 1 April 2019, two MBS items were introduced to allow GPs and medical practitioners (other than a specialist of consultant physicians) to conduct a heart health check. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the COVID-19 pandemic had made people more aware of how important health is—and makes a case for the prevention of chronic disease. </p>\n<p>“People who live with cardiovascular disease have increased vulnerability to severe complications of COVID-19 and the issues we had (during the height of the pandemic) were people avoiding regular consultations.” </p>\n<p>“Now we have the vaccine rollout and people are coming into their GPs to be vaccinated. They could also ask about a heart health check in order to maximise on visits to primary care.” </p>\n<p>On Wednesday 5 May, the Heart Foundation will host the Heart Week webinar, <em>Driving Best Practice CVD Prevention in a Post-COVID World</em>. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the webinar would be relevant to all clinicians. </p>\n<p>“We have a really great panel and the main topic will be how COVID-19 has impacted CVD health and the strategies that complement the CVD risk approach,” she said. </p>\n<p>One of the complementary strategies that GPs are encouraged to talk to at-risk patients about, is the <a href=\"http://www.myhealthforlife.com.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>My health for life</em> program,</a> designed to help Queenslanders stay well and lessen their risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said <em>My health for life</em> offers patients a lifestyle-based intervention that complements other therapies that their clinicians might suggest. </p>\n<p>For more information on the Heart Foundation webinar, visit the <a href=\"https://heartfoundation-au.zoom.us/webinar/register/5916189736296/WN_Nl-0JVlBSkCU72j7sNBttA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zoom registration page</a>. </p>\n<p>On Thursday 13 May, the PHN is also hosting a CVD-focused quality improvement webinar<em>,</em> Cardiovascular Disease in Primary Care, for practice staff. For more information, <a href=\"https://brisbanenorthphn.org.au/events/quality-improvement-focus-cardiovascular-disease-in-primary-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">visit the PHN website</a>. </p>\n<p>Health professionals can download the Heart Foundation’s Heart Health Check Toolkit <a href=\"https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Bundles/Heart-Health-Check-Toolkit/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">from their website</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4761,154039,1,'2021-05-04 04:00:23','2021-05-04 04:00:23','88949617-022c-4cd5-8238-6c470bd953b2','<p><strong>This year’s Heart Week, that runs from 3-9 May 2021, presents an opportunity for healthcare professionals to engage with patients about their risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). </strong> </p>\n<p>Heart Foundation Senior Heart Health Coordinator Andrea Love, said it is vital to prioritise heart health this week and every week. </p>\n<p>“76,500 CVD-related events could be prevented with a heart health check,” Ms Love said. <br /></p>\n\n<p>The Heart Foundation’s focus this Heart Week is on supporting health professionals to deliver more Heart Health Checks to eligible patients, a vital step to empower people to look after their heart health. </p>\n<p>“Within general practice the Heart Health Check is a relative new item number and takes about 20 minutes to complete,” Ms Love said. </p>\n<p>From 1 April 2019, two MBS items were introduced to allow GPs and medical practitioners (other than a specialist of consultant physicians) to conduct a heart health check. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the COVID-19 pandemic had made people more aware of how important health is—and makes a case for the prevention of chronic disease. </p>\n<p>“People who live with cardiovascular disease have increased vulnerability to severe complications of COVID-19 and the issues we had (during the height of the pandemic) were people avoiding regular consultations.” </p>\n<p>“Now we have the vaccine rollout and people are coming into their GPs to be vaccinated. They could also ask about a heart health check in order to maximise on visits to primary care.” </p>\n<p>On Wednesday 5 May, the Heart Foundation will host the Heart Week webinar, <em>Driving Best Practice CVD Prevention in a Post-COVID World</em>. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the webinar would be relevant to all clinicians. </p>\n<p>“We have a really great panel and the main topic will be how COVID-19 has impacted CVD health and the strategies that complement the CVD risk approach,” she said. </p>\n<p>One of the complementary strategies that GPs are encouraged to talk to at-risk patients about, is the <a href=\"http://www.myhealthforlife.com.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>My health for life</em> program,</a> designed to help Queenslanders stay well and lessen their risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said <em>My health for life</em> offers patients a lifestyle-based intervention that complements other therapies that their clinicians might suggest. </p>\n<p>For more information on the Heart Foundation webinar, visit the <a href=\"https://heartfoundation-au.zoom.us/webinar/register/5916189736296/WN_Nl-0JVlBSkCU72j7sNBttA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zoom registration page</a>. </p>\n<p>On Thursday 13 May, the PHN is also hosting a CVD-focused quality improvement webinar<em>,</em> Cardiovascular Disease in Primary Care, for practice staff. For more information, <a href=\"https://brisbanenorthphn.org.au/events/quality-improvement-focus-cardiovascular-disease-in-primary-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">visit the PHN website</a>. </p>\n<p>Health professionals can download the Heart Foundation’s Heart Health Check Toolkit <a href=\"https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Bundles/Heart-Health-Check-Toolkit/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">from their website</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4766,154047,1,'2021-05-04 04:02:34','2021-05-04 04:02:34','c1956495-ffca-4f02-a5c5-398658c2a7d7','<p><strong>Dr Jim Rowan-Parry recently spoke to the PHN’s Digital Health Officers about his experience using GP Smart Referrals software, introduced within Queensland general practices during 2020.</strong> </p>\n<p>GP Smart Referrals allows general practices to send referrals electronically through to Metro North Hospital and Health Service. </p>\n<p>This enables faster, streamlined management and less double handling of referrals across our health service. </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan Parry, a GP at Medical Matters in Murrumba Downs, had adapted quickly to using GP Smart Referrals, and said it was intuitive and allowed him to more efficiently process referrals. <br /></p>\n\n<p>“Once you are comfortable with the layout it becomes very easy to know where the important bits are and where to add the information you are trying to communicate,” said Dr Rowan-Parry. </p>\n<p>“It has helpful prompts as to what information should be included in the referral,” he said. </p>\n<p>“GP Smart Referrals boasts an improved ability to attach pictures and ECGs to referrals. It also has a helpful feature to park a referral if I’m waiting for more information prior to sending it.” </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan-Parry said that he is able to identify the specialist and hospital that matches the condition he is referring for; a function that saves him time but also means that patient referrals are handled more efficiently. </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan-Parry also had a helpful hint for any new uses of GP Smart Referrals. </p>\n<p>“Don’t open another patient’s notes midway through a referral as it confuses the software,” he said. </p>\n<p>“If you do, when the prompt box tells you it is going to close (the initial patient’s record) as it recognises you’re on the wrong patient, switch to the correct patient again and select cancel, you can then continue to work on the referral without losing your prior work.” </p>\n<p>For more information or request assistance using GP Smart Referrals contact the PHN’s Digital Health Officers via <a href=\"mailto:GPSR@brisbanenorthphn.org.au\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GPSR@brisbanenorthphn.org.au</a>. </p>\n',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4767,154049,1,'2021-05-04 04:02:34','2021-05-04 04:02:34','19f67a0d-ed4e-484e-95d7-1e9c9db0bd0e','<p><strong>Dr Jim Rowan-Parry recently spoke to the PHN’s Digital Health Officers about his experience using GP Smart Referrals software, introduced within Queensland general practices during 2020.</strong> </p>\n<p>GP Smart Referrals allows general practices to send referrals electronically through to Metro North Hospital and Health Service. </p>\n<p>This enables faster, streamlined management and less double handling of referrals across our health service. </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan Parry, a GP at Medical Matters in Murrumba Downs, had adapted quickly to using GP Smart Referrals, and said it was intuitive and allowed him to more efficiently process referrals. <br /></p>\n\n<p>“Once you are comfortable with the layout it becomes very easy to know where the important bits are and where to add the information you are trying to communicate,” said Dr Rowan-Parry. </p>\n<p>“It has helpful prompts as to what information should be included in the referral,” he said. </p>\n<p>“GP Smart Referrals boasts an improved ability to attach pictures and ECGs to referrals. It also has a helpful feature to park a referral if I’m waiting for more information prior to sending it.” </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan-Parry said that he is able to identify the specialist and hospital that matches the condition he is referring for; a function that saves him time but also means that patient referrals are handled more efficiently. </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan-Parry also had a helpful hint for any new uses of GP Smart Referrals. </p>\n<p>“Don’t open another patient’s notes midway through a referral as it confuses the software,” he said. </p>\n<p>“If you do, when the prompt box tells you it is going to close (the initial patient’s record) as it recognises you’re on the wrong patient, switch to the correct patient again and select cancel, you can then continue to work on the referral without losing your prior work.” </p>\n<p>For more information or request assistance using GP Smart Referrals contact the PHN’s Digital Health Officers via <a href=\"mailto:GPSR@brisbanenorthphn.org.au\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GPSR@brisbanenorthphn.org.au</a>. </p>\n',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4768,154051,1,'2021-05-04 04:02:37','2021-05-04 04:02:37','81c65f29-0855-4aed-91d7-10d4c0e8dd4c','<p><strong>Dr Jim Rowan-Parry recently spoke to the PHN’s Digital Health Officers about his experience using GP Smart Referrals software, introduced within Queensland general practices during 2020.</strong> </p>\n<p>GP Smart Referrals allows general practices to send referrals electronically through to Metro North Hospital and Health Service. </p>\n<p>This enables faster, streamlined management and less double handling of referrals across our health service. </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan Parry, a GP at Medical Matters in Murrumba Downs, had adapted quickly to using GP Smart Referrals, and said it was intuitive and allowed him to more efficiently process referrals. <br /></p>\n\n<p>“Once you are comfortable with the layout it becomes very easy to know where the important bits are and where to add the information you are trying to communicate,” said Dr Rowan-Parry. </p>\n<p>“It has helpful prompts as to what information should be included in the referral,” he said. </p>\n<p>“GP Smart Referrals boasts an improved ability to attach pictures and ECGs to referrals. It also has a helpful feature to park a referral if I’m waiting for more information prior to sending it.” </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan-Parry said that he is able to identify the specialist and hospital that matches the condition he is referring for; a function that saves him time but also means that patient referrals are handled more efficiently. </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan-Parry also had a helpful hint for any new uses of GP Smart Referrals. </p>\n<p>“Don’t open another patient’s notes midway through a referral as it confuses the software,” he said. </p>\n<p>“If you do, when the prompt box tells you it is going to close (the initial patient’s record) as it recognises you’re on the wrong patient, switch to the correct patient again and select cancel, you can then continue to work on the referral without losing your prior work.” </p>\n<p>For more information or request assistance using GP Smart Referrals contact the PHN’s Digital Health Officers via <a href=\"mailto:GPSR@brisbanenorthphn.org.au\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GPSR@brisbanenorthphn.org.au</a>. </p>\n',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4769,154053,1,'2021-05-04 04:05:11','2021-05-04 04:05:11','36ba9591-bbf4-4b19-9618-6a0a591f1cfa','<p><strong>This year’s Heart Week, that runs from 3-9 May 2021, presents an opportunity for healthcare professionals to engage with patients about their risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). </strong> </p>\n<p>Heart Foundation Senior Heart Health Coordinator Andrea Love, said it is vital to prioritise heart health this week and every week. </p>\n<p>“76,500 CVD-related events could be prevented with a heart health check,” Ms Love said. <br /></p>\n\n<p>The Heart Foundation’s focus this Heart Week is on supporting health professionals to deliver more Heart Health Checks to eligible patients, a vital step to empower people to look after their heart health. </p>\n<p>“Within general practice the Heart Health Check is a relative new item number and takes about 20 minutes to complete,” Ms Love said. </p>\n<p>From 1 April 2019, two MBS items were introduced to allow GPs and medical practitioners (other than a specialist of consultant physicians) to conduct a heart health check. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the COVID-19 pandemic had made people more aware of how important health is—and makes a case for the prevention of chronic disease. </p>\n<p>“People who live with cardiovascular disease have increased vulnerability to severe complications of COVID-19 and the issues we had (during the height of the pandemic) were people avoiding regular consultations.” </p>\n<p>“Now we have the vaccine rollout and people are coming into their GPs to be vaccinated. They could also ask about a heart health check in order to maximise on visits to primary care.” </p>\n<p>On Wednesday 5 May, the Heart Foundation will host the Heart Week webinar, <em>Driving Best Practice CVD Prevention in a Post-COVID World</em>. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the webinar would be relevant to all clinicians. </p>\n<p>“We have a really great panel and the main topic will be how COVID-19 has impacted CVD health and the strategies that complement the CVD risk approach,” she said. </p>\n<p>One of the complementary strategies that GPs are encouraged to talk to at-risk patients about, is the <a href=\"http://www.myhealthforlife.com.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>My health for life</em> program,</a> designed to help Queenslanders stay well and lessen their risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said <em>My health for life</em> offers patients a lifestyle-based intervention that complements other therapies that their clinicians might suggest. </p>\n<p>For more information on the Heart Foundation webinar, visit the <a href=\"https://heartfoundation-au.zoom.us/webinar/register/5916189736296/WN_Nl-0JVlBSkCU72j7sNBttA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zoom registration page</a>. </p>\n<p>On Thursday 13 May, the PHN is also hosting a CVD-focused quality improvement webinar<em>,</em> Cardiovascular Disease in Primary Care, for practice staff. For more information, <a href=\"https://brisbanenorthphn.org.au/events/quality-improvement-focus-cardiovascular-disease-in-primary-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">visit the PHN website</a>. </p>\n<p>Health professionals can download the Heart Foundation’s Heart Health Check Toolkit <a href=\"https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Bundles/Heart-Health-Check-Toolkit/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">from their website</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4771,154060,1,'2021-05-04 05:32:10','2021-05-04 05:32:10','1ca5199f-df29-411e-9d06-33c55d37bf97','<p><strong>Dr Jim Rowan-Parry recently spoke to the PHN’s Digital Health Officers about his experience using GP Smart Referrals software, introduced within Queensland general practices during 2020.</strong> </p>\n<p>GP Smart Referrals allows general practices to send referrals electronically through to Metro North Hospital and Health Service. </p>\n<p>This enables faster, streamlined management and less double handling of referrals across our health service. </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan Parry, a GP at Medical Matters in Murrumba Downs, had adapted quickly to using GP Smart Referrals, and said it was intuitive and allowed him to more efficiently process referrals. <br /></p>\n<p>“Once you are comfortable with the layout it becomes very easy to know where the important bits are and where to add the information you are trying to communicate,” said Dr Rowan-Parry. </p>\n<p>“It has helpful prompts as to what information should be included in the referral,” he said. </p>\n<p>“GP Smart Referrals boasts an improved ability to attach pictures and ECGs to referrals. It also has a helpful feature to park a referral if I’m waiting for more information prior to sending it.” </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan-Parry said that he is able to identify the specialist and hospital that matches the condition he is referring for; a function that saves him time but also means that patient referrals are handled more efficiently. </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan-Parry also had a helpful hint for any new uses of GP Smart Referrals. </p>\n<p>“Don’t open another patient’s notes midway through a referral as it confuses the software,” he said. </p>\n<p>“If you do, when the prompt box tells you it is going to close (the initial patient’s record) as it recognises you’re on the wrong patient, switch to the correct patient again and select cancel, you can then continue to work on the referral without losing your prior work.” </p>\n<p>For more information or request assistance using GP Smart Referrals contact the PHN’s Digital Health Officers via <a href=\"mailto:GPSR@brisbanenorthphn.org.au\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GPSR@brisbanenorthphn.org.au</a>. </p>\n<p><em>Pictured: Dr Jim Rowan-Parry of Medical Matters</em></p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4772,154062,1,'2021-05-04 05:32:10','2021-05-04 05:32:10','a802053d-0e81-43e2-8857-baf36ddb31ea','<p><strong>Dr Jim Rowan-Parry recently spoke to the PHN’s Digital Health Officers about his experience using GP Smart Referrals software, introduced within Queensland general practices during 2020.</strong> </p>\n<p>GP Smart Referrals allows general practices to send referrals electronically through to Metro North Hospital and Health Service. </p>\n<p>This enables faster, streamlined management and less double handling of referrals across our health service. </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan Parry, a GP at Medical Matters in Murrumba Downs, had adapted quickly to using GP Smart Referrals, and said it was intuitive and allowed him to more efficiently process referrals. <br /></p>\n<p>“Once you are comfortable with the layout it becomes very easy to know where the important bits are and where to add the information you are trying to communicate,” said Dr Rowan-Parry. </p>\n<p>“It has helpful prompts as to what information should be included in the referral,” he said. </p>\n<p>“GP Smart Referrals boasts an improved ability to attach pictures and ECGs to referrals. It also has a helpful feature to park a referral if I’m waiting for more information prior to sending it.” </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan-Parry said that he is able to identify the specialist and hospital that matches the condition he is referring for; a function that saves him time but also means that patient referrals are handled more efficiently. </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan-Parry also had a helpful hint for any new uses of GP Smart Referrals. </p>\n<p>“Don’t open another patient’s notes midway through a referral as it confuses the software,” he said. </p>\n<p>“If you do, when the prompt box tells you it is going to close (the initial patient’s record) as it recognises you’re on the wrong patient, switch to the correct patient again and select cancel, you can then continue to work on the referral without losing your prior work.” </p>\n<p>For more information or request assistance using GP Smart Referrals contact the PHN’s Digital Health Officers via <a href=\"mailto:GPSR@brisbanenorthphn.org.au\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GPSR@brisbanenorthphn.org.au</a>. </p>\n<p><em>Pictured: Dr Jim Rowan-Parry of Medical Matters</em></p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4773,154064,1,'2021-05-04 05:32:14','2021-05-04 05:32:14','77e696b5-2736-404f-891f-74be94e28093','<p><strong>Dr Jim Rowan-Parry recently spoke to the PHN’s Digital Health Officers about his experience using GP Smart Referrals software, introduced within Queensland general practices during 2020.</strong> </p>\n<p>GP Smart Referrals allows general practices to send referrals electronically through to Metro North Hospital and Health Service. </p>\n<p>This enables faster, streamlined management and less double handling of referrals across our health service. </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan Parry, a GP at Medical Matters in Murrumba Downs, had adapted quickly to using GP Smart Referrals, and said it was intuitive and allowed him to more efficiently process referrals. <br /></p>\n<p>“Once you are comfortable with the layout it becomes very easy to know where the important bits are and where to add the information you are trying to communicate,” said Dr Rowan-Parry. </p>\n<p>“It has helpful prompts as to what information should be included in the referral,” he said. </p>\n<p>“GP Smart Referrals boasts an improved ability to attach pictures and ECGs to referrals. It also has a helpful feature to park a referral if I’m waiting for more information prior to sending it.” </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan-Parry said that he is able to identify the specialist and hospital that matches the condition he is referring for; a function that saves him time but also means that patient referrals are handled more efficiently. </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan-Parry also had a helpful hint for any new uses of GP Smart Referrals. </p>\n<p>“Don’t open another patient’s notes midway through a referral as it confuses the software,” he said. </p>\n<p>“If you do, when the prompt box tells you it is going to close (the initial patient’s record) as it recognises you’re on the wrong patient, switch to the correct patient again and select cancel, you can then continue to work on the referral without losing your prior work.” </p>\n<p>For more information or request assistance using GP Smart Referrals contact the PHN’s Digital Health Officers via <a href=\"mailto:GPSR@brisbanenorthphn.org.au\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GPSR@brisbanenorthphn.org.au</a>. </p>\n<p><em>Pictured: Dr Jim Rowan-Parry of Medical Matters</em></p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4775,154067,1,'2021-05-04 05:32:37','2021-05-04 23:37:47','79cdf038-692b-443e-923b-9ba87488b342','<p><strong>This year’s Heart Week, that runs from 3-9 May 2021, presents an opportunity for healthcare professionals to engage with patients about their risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). </strong> </p>\n<p>The Heart Foundation’s focus this Heart Week is on supporting health professionals to deliver more Heart Health Checks to eligible patients, a vital step to empower people to look after their heart health.<br /></p>\n<p>Heart Foundation Senior Heart Health Coordinator Andrea Love, said it is vital to prioritise heart health this week and every week. </p>\n<p>“76,500 CVD-related events could be prevented with a heart health check,” Ms Love said.<br /></p>\n<p>“Within general practice the Heart Health Check is a relative new item number and takes about 20 minutes to complete,” Ms Love said. </p>\n<p>From 1 April 2019, two MBS items were introduced to allow GPs and medical practitioners (other than a specialist of consultant physicians) to conduct a heart health check. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the COVID-19 pandemic had made people more aware of how important health is—and makes a case for the prevention of chronic disease. </p>\n<p>“People who live with cardiovascular disease have increased vulnerability to severe complications of COVID-19 and the issues we had (during the height of the pandemic) were people avoiding regular consultations.” </p>\n<p>“Now we have the vaccine rollout and people are coming into their GPs to be vaccinated. They could also ask about a heart health check in order to maximise on visits to primary care.” </p>\n<p>On Wednesday 5 May, the Heart Foundation will host the Heart Week webinar, <em>Driving Best Practice CVD Prevention in a Post-COVID World</em>. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the webinar would be relevant to all clinicians. </p>\n<p>“We have a really great panel and the main topic will be how COVID-19 has impacted CVD health and the strategies that complement the CVD risk approach,” she said. </p>\n<p>One of the complementary strategies that GPs are encouraged to talk to at-risk patients about, is the <a href=\"http://www.myhealthforlife.com.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>My health for life</em> program,</a> designed to help Queenslanders stay well and lessen their risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said <em>My health for life</em> offers patients a lifestyle-based intervention that complements other therapies that their clinicians might suggest. </p>\n<p>For more information on the Heart Foundation webinar, visit the <a href=\"https://heartfoundation-au.zoom.us/webinar/register/5916189736296/WN_Nl-0JVlBSkCU72j7sNBttA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zoom registration page</a>. </p>\n\n<p>On Thursday 13 May, the PHN is hosting a complimentary quality improvement focused webinar, <em>Cardiovascular Disease in Primary Care</em>, for practice staff. Registration is essential. For more information, <a href=\"https://brisbanenorthphn.org.au/events/quality-improvement-focus-cardiovascular-disease-in-primary-care\">visit the PHN website</a>.</p> \n<p>Health professionals can download the Heart Foundation’s Heart Health Check Toolkit <a href=\"https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Bundles/Heart-Health-Check-Toolkit/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">from their website</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4776,154069,1,'2021-05-04 05:32:37','2021-05-04 05:32:37','6e43f518-4bd9-466f-9efe-8118376f1a1f','<p><strong>This year’s Heart Week, that runs from 3-9 May 2021, presents an opportunity for healthcare professionals to engage with patients about their risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). </strong> </p>\n<p>Heart Foundation Senior Heart Health Coordinator Andrea Love, said it is vital to prioritise heart health this week and every week. </p>\n<p>“76,500 CVD-related events could be prevented with a heart health check,” Ms Love said. <br /></p>\n\n<p>The Heart Foundation’s focus this Heart Week is on supporting health professionals to deliver more Heart Health Checks to eligible patients, a vital step to empower people to look after their heart health. </p>\n<p>“Within general practice the Heart Health Check is a relative new item number and takes about 20 minutes to complete,” Ms Love said. </p>\n<p>From 1 April 2019, two MBS items were introduced to allow GPs and medical practitioners (other than a specialist of consultant physicians) to conduct a heart health check. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the COVID-19 pandemic had made people more aware of how important health is—and makes a case for the prevention of chronic disease. </p>\n<p>“People who live with cardiovascular disease have increased vulnerability to severe complications of COVID-19 and the issues we had (during the height of the pandemic) were people avoiding regular consultations.” </p>\n<p>“Now we have the vaccine rollout and people are coming into their GPs to be vaccinated. They could also ask about a heart health check in order to maximise on visits to primary care.” </p>\n<p>On Wednesday 5 May, the Heart Foundation will host the Heart Week webinar, <em>Driving Best Practice CVD Prevention in a Post-COVID World</em>. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the webinar would be relevant to all clinicians. </p>\n<p>“We have a really great panel and the main topic will be how COVID-19 has impacted CVD health and the strategies that complement the CVD risk approach,” she said. </p>\n<p>One of the complementary strategies that GPs are encouraged to talk to at-risk patients about, is the <a href=\"http://www.myhealthforlife.com.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>My health for life</em> program,</a> designed to help Queenslanders stay well and lessen their risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said <em>My health for life</em> offers patients a lifestyle-based intervention that complements other therapies that their clinicians might suggest. </p>\n<p>For more information on the Heart Foundation webinar, visit the <a href=\"https://heartfoundation-au.zoom.us/webinar/register/5916189736296/WN_Nl-0JVlBSkCU72j7sNBttA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zoom registration page</a>. </p>\n<p>On Thursday 13 May, the PHN is also hosting a CVD-focused quality improvement webinar<em>,</em> Cardiovascular Disease in Primary Care, for practice staff. For more information, <a href=\"https://brisbanenorthphn.org.au/events/quality-improvement-focus-cardiovascular-disease-in-primary-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">visit the PHN website</a>. </p>\n<p>Health professionals can download the Heart Foundation’s Heart Health Check Toolkit <a href=\"https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Bundles/Heart-Health-Check-Toolkit/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">from their website</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4777,154071,1,'2021-05-04 05:32:40','2021-05-04 05:32:40','801998d4-f3e9-46e3-ba95-a71f12a6efd0','<p><strong>This year’s Heart Week, that runs from 3-9 May 2021, presents an opportunity for healthcare professionals to engage with patients about their risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). </strong> </p>\n<p>Heart Foundation Senior Heart Health Coordinator Andrea Love, said it is vital to prioritise heart health this week and every week. </p>\n<p>“76,500 CVD-related events could be prevented with a heart health check,” Ms Love said. <br /></p>\n\n<p>The Heart Foundation’s focus this Heart Week is on supporting health professionals to deliver more Heart Health Checks to eligible patients, a vital step to empower people to look after their heart health. </p>\n<p>“Within general practice the Heart Health Check is a relative new item number and takes about 20 minutes to complete,” Ms Love said. </p>\n<p>From 1 April 2019, two MBS items were introduced to allow GPs and medical practitioners (other than a specialist of consultant physicians) to conduct a heart health check. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the COVID-19 pandemic had made people more aware of how important health is—and makes a case for the prevention of chronic disease. </p>\n<p>“People who live with cardiovascular disease have increased vulnerability to severe complications of COVID-19 and the issues we had (during the height of the pandemic) were people avoiding regular consultations.” </p>\n<p>“Now we have the vaccine rollout and people are coming into their GPs to be vaccinated. They could also ask about a heart health check in order to maximise on visits to primary care.” </p>\n<p>On Wednesday 5 May, the Heart Foundation will host the Heart Week webinar, <em>Driving Best Practice CVD Prevention in a Post-COVID World</em>. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the webinar would be relevant to all clinicians. </p>\n<p>“We have a really great panel and the main topic will be how COVID-19 has impacted CVD health and the strategies that complement the CVD risk approach,” she said. </p>\n<p>One of the complementary strategies that GPs are encouraged to talk to at-risk patients about, is the <a href=\"http://www.myhealthforlife.com.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>My health for life</em> program,</a> designed to help Queenslanders stay well and lessen their risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said <em>My health for life</em> offers patients a lifestyle-based intervention that complements other therapies that their clinicians might suggest. </p>\n<p>For more information on the Heart Foundation webinar, visit the <a href=\"https://heartfoundation-au.zoom.us/webinar/register/5916189736296/WN_Nl-0JVlBSkCU72j7sNBttA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zoom registration page</a>. </p>\n<p>On Thursday 13 May, the PHN is also hosting a CVD-focused quality improvement webinar<em>,</em> Cardiovascular Disease in Primary Care, for practice staff. For more information, <a href=\"https://brisbanenorthphn.org.au/events/quality-improvement-focus-cardiovascular-disease-in-primary-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">visit the PHN website</a>. </p>\n<p>Health professionals can download the Heart Foundation’s Heart Health Check Toolkit <a href=\"https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Bundles/Heart-Health-Check-Toolkit/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">from their website</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4778,154081,1,'2021-05-04 05:45:53','2021-05-04 05:45:53','e1c6a0c5-bdde-4376-bd63-3dbdbffe3063','<p><strong>This year’s Heart Week, that runs from 3-9 May 2021, presents an opportunity for healthcare professionals to engage with patients about their risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). </strong> </p>\n<p>Heart Foundation Senior Heart Health Coordinator Andrea Love, said it is vital to prioritise heart health this week and every week. </p>\n<p>“76,500 CVD-related events could be prevented with a heart health check,” Ms Love said. <br /></p>\n\n<p>The Heart Foundation’s focus this Heart Week is on supporting health professionals to deliver more Heart Health Checks to eligible patients, a vital step to empower people to look after their heart health. </p>\n<p>“Within general practice the Heart Health Check is a relative new item number and takes about 20 minutes to complete,” Ms Love said. </p>\n<p>From 1 April 2019, two MBS items were introduced to allow GPs and medical practitioners (other than a specialist of consultant physicians) to conduct a heart health check. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the COVID-19 pandemic had made people more aware of how important health is—and makes a case for the prevention of chronic disease. </p>\n<p>“People who live with cardiovascular disease have increased vulnerability to severe complications of COVID-19 and the issues we had (during the height of the pandemic) were people avoiding regular consultations.” </p>\n<p>“Now we have the vaccine rollout and people are coming into their GPs to be vaccinated. They could also ask about a heart health check in order to maximise on visits to primary care.” </p>\n<p>On Wednesday 5 May, the Heart Foundation will host the Heart Week webinar, <em>Driving Best Practice CVD Prevention in a Post-COVID World</em>. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the webinar would be relevant to all clinicians. </p>\n<p>“We have a really great panel and the main topic will be how COVID-19 has impacted CVD health and the strategies that complement the CVD risk approach,” she said. </p>\n<p>One of the complementary strategies that GPs are encouraged to talk to at-risk patients about, is the <a href=\"http://www.myhealthforlife.com.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>My health for life</em> program,</a> designed to help Queenslanders stay well and lessen their risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said <em>My health for life</em> offers patients a lifestyle-based intervention that complements other therapies that their clinicians might suggest. </p>\n<p>For more information on the Heart Foundation webinar, visit the <a href=\"https://heartfoundation-au.zoom.us/webinar/register/5916189736296/WN_Nl-0JVlBSkCU72j7sNBttA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zoom registration page</a>. </p>\n<p>On Thursday 13 May, the PHN is also hosting a CVD-focused quality improvement webinar<em>,</em> Cardiovascular Disease in Primary Care, for practice staff. For more information, <a href=\"https://brisbanenorthphn.org.au/events/quality-improvement-focus-cardiovascular-disease-in-primary-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">visit the PHN website</a>. </p>\n<p>Health professionals can download the Heart Foundation’s Heart Health Check Toolkit <a href=\"https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Bundles/Heart-Health-Check-Toolkit/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">from their website</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4779,154083,1,'2021-05-04 05:46:03','2021-05-04 05:46:03','60d9f2ac-8a0f-45e6-ba82-76ace2c3b684','<p><strong>This year’s Heart Week, that runs from 3-9 May 2021, presents an opportunity for healthcare professionals to engage with patients about their risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). </strong> </p>\n<p>Heart Foundation Senior Heart Health Coordinator Andrea Love, said it is vital to prioritise heart health this week and every week. </p>\n<p>“76,500 CVD-related events could be prevented with a heart health check,” Ms Love said. <br /></p>\n\n<p>The Heart Foundation’s focus this Heart Week is on supporting health professionals to deliver more Heart Health Checks to eligible patients, a vital step to empower people to look after their heart health. </p>\n<p>“Within general practice the Heart Health Check is a relative new item number and takes about 20 minutes to complete,” Ms Love said. </p>\n<p>From 1 April 2019, two MBS items were introduced to allow GPs and medical practitioners (other than a specialist of consultant physicians) to conduct a heart health check. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the COVID-19 pandemic had made people more aware of how important health is—and makes a case for the prevention of chronic disease. </p>\n<p>“People who live with cardiovascular disease have increased vulnerability to severe complications of COVID-19 and the issues we had (during the height of the pandemic) were people avoiding regular consultations.” </p>\n<p>“Now we have the vaccine rollout and people are coming into their GPs to be vaccinated. They could also ask about a heart health check in order to maximise on visits to primary care.” </p>\n<p>On Wednesday 5 May, the Heart Foundation will host the Heart Week webinar, <em>Driving Best Practice CVD Prevention in a Post-COVID World</em>. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the webinar would be relevant to all clinicians. </p>\n<p>“We have a really great panel and the main topic will be how COVID-19 has impacted CVD health and the strategies that complement the CVD risk approach,” she said. </p>\n<p>One of the complementary strategies that GPs are encouraged to talk to at-risk patients about, is the <a href=\"http://www.myhealthforlife.com.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>My health for life</em> program,</a> designed to help Queenslanders stay well and lessen their risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said <em>My health for life</em> offers patients a lifestyle-based intervention that complements other therapies that their clinicians might suggest. </p>\n<p>For more information on the Heart Foundation webinar, visit the <a href=\"https://heartfoundation-au.zoom.us/webinar/register/5916189736296/WN_Nl-0JVlBSkCU72j7sNBttA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zoom registration page</a>. </p>\n<p>On Thursday 13 May, the PHN is also hosting a CVD-focused quality improvement webinar<em>,</em> Cardiovascular Disease in Primary Care, for practice staff. For more information, <a href=\"https://brisbanenorthphn.org.au/events/quality-improvement-focus-cardiovascular-disease-in-primary-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">visit the PHN website</a>. </p>\n<p>Health professionals can download the Heart Foundation’s Heart Health Check Toolkit <a href=\"https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Bundles/Heart-Health-Check-Toolkit/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">from their website</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4780,154085,1,'2021-05-04 05:46:14','2021-05-04 05:46:14','05e644dc-8875-4dfa-9428-671036ed5de7','<p><strong>Dr Jim Rowan-Parry recently spoke to the PHN’s Digital Health Officers about his experience using GP Smart Referrals software, introduced within Queensland general practices during 2020.</strong> </p>\n<p>GP Smart Referrals allows general practices to send referrals electronically through to Metro North Hospital and Health Service. </p>\n<p>This enables faster, streamlined management and less double handling of referrals across our health service. </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan Parry, a GP at Medical Matters in Murrumba Downs, had adapted quickly to using GP Smart Referrals, and said it was intuitive and allowed him to more efficiently process referrals. <br /></p>\n<p>“Once you are comfortable with the layout it becomes very easy to know where the important bits are and where to add the information you are trying to communicate,” said Dr Rowan-Parry. </p>\n<p>“It has helpful prompts as to what information should be included in the referral,” he said. </p>\n<p>“GP Smart Referrals boasts an improved ability to attach pictures and ECGs to referrals. It also has a helpful feature to park a referral if I’m waiting for more information prior to sending it.” </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan-Parry said that he is able to identify the specialist and hospital that matches the condition he is referring for; a function that saves him time but also means that patient referrals are handled more efficiently. </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan-Parry also had a helpful hint for any new uses of GP Smart Referrals. </p>\n<p>“Don’t open another patient’s notes midway through a referral as it confuses the software,” he said. </p>\n<p>“If you do, when the prompt box tells you it is going to close (the initial patient’s record) as it recognises you’re on the wrong patient, switch to the correct patient again and select cancel, you can then continue to work on the referral without losing your prior work.” </p>\n<p>For more information or request assistance using GP Smart Referrals contact the PHN’s Digital Health Officers via <a href=\"mailto:GPSR@brisbanenorthphn.org.au\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GPSR@brisbanenorthphn.org.au</a>. </p>\n<p><em>Pictured: Dr Jim Rowan-Parry of Medical Matters</em></p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4781,154087,1,'2021-05-04 05:46:57','2021-05-04 05:46:57','e13c96ea-59cc-46a0-9fc3-6dc050f27212','<p><strong>This year’s Heart Week, that runs from 3-9 May 2021, presents an opportunity for healthcare professionals to engage with patients about their risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). </strong> </p>\n<p>Heart Foundation Senior Heart Health Coordinator Andrea Love, said it is vital to prioritise heart health this week and every week. </p>\n<p>“76,500 CVD-related events could be prevented with a heart health check,” Ms Love said. <br /></p>\n\n<p>The Heart Foundation’s focus this Heart Week is on supporting health professionals to deliver more Heart Health Checks to eligible patients, a vital step to empower people to look after their heart health. </p>\n<p>“Within general practice the Heart Health Check is a relative new item number and takes about 20 minutes to complete,” Ms Love said. </p>\n<p>From 1 April 2019, two MBS items were introduced to allow GPs and medical practitioners (other than a specialist of consultant physicians) to conduct a heart health check. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the COVID-19 pandemic had made people more aware of how important health is—and makes a case for the prevention of chronic disease. </p>\n<p>“People who live with cardiovascular disease have increased vulnerability to severe complications of COVID-19 and the issues we had (during the height of the pandemic) were people avoiding regular consultations.” </p>\n<p>“Now we have the vaccine rollout and people are coming into their GPs to be vaccinated. They could also ask about a heart health check in order to maximise on visits to primary care.” </p>\n<p>On Wednesday 5 May, the Heart Foundation will host the Heart Week webinar, <em>Driving Best Practice CVD Prevention in a Post-COVID World</em>. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the webinar would be relevant to all clinicians. </p>\n<p>“We have a really great panel and the main topic will be how COVID-19 has impacted CVD health and the strategies that complement the CVD risk approach,” she said. </p>\n<p>One of the complementary strategies that GPs are encouraged to talk to at-risk patients about, is the <a href=\"http://www.myhealthforlife.com.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>My health for life</em> program,</a> designed to help Queenslanders stay well and lessen their risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said <em>My health for life</em> offers patients a lifestyle-based intervention that complements other therapies that their clinicians might suggest. </p>\n<p>For more information on the Heart Foundation webinar, visit the <a href=\"https://heartfoundation-au.zoom.us/webinar/register/5916189736296/WN_Nl-0JVlBSkCU72j7sNBttA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zoom registration page</a>. </p>\n<p>On Thursday 13 May, the PHN is also hosting a CVD-focused quality improvement webinar<em>,</em> Cardiovascular Disease in Primary Care, for practice staff. For more information, <a href=\"https://brisbanenorthphn.org.au/events/quality-improvement-focus-cardiovascular-disease-in-primary-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">visit the PHN website</a>. </p>\n<p>Health professionals can download the Heart Foundation’s Heart Health Check Toolkit <a href=\"https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Bundles/Heart-Health-Check-Toolkit/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">from their website</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4783,154109,1,'2021-05-04 06:17:55','2021-05-04 06:17:55','f7bc0ad0-6dc3-44b4-b4ca-f0837e7d5f39','<p><strong>Dr Jim Rowan-Parry recently spoke to the PHN’s Digital Health Officers about his experience using GP Smart Referrals software, introduced within Queensland general practices during 2020.</strong> </p>\n<p>GP Smart Referrals allows general practices to send referrals electronically through to Metro North Hospital and Health Service. </p>\n<p>This enables faster, streamlined management and less double handling of referrals across our health service. </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan Parry, a GP at Medical Matters in Murrumba Downs, had adapted quickly to using GP Smart Referrals, and said it was intuitive and allowed him to more efficiently process referrals. <br /></p>\n<p>“Once you are comfortable with the layout it becomes very easy to know where the important bits are and where to add the information you are trying to communicate,” said Dr Rowan-Parry. </p>\n<p>“It has helpful prompts as to what information should be included in the referral,” he said. </p>\n<p>“GP Smart Referrals boasts an improved ability to attach pictures and ECGs to referrals. It also has a helpful feature to park a referral if I’m waiting for more information prior to sending it.” </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan-Parry said that he is able to identify the specialist and hospital that matches the condition he is referring for; a function that saves him time but also means that patient referrals are handled more efficiently. </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan-Parry also had a helpful hint for any new uses of GP Smart Referrals. </p>\n<p>“Don’t open another patient’s notes midway through a referral as it confuses the software,” he said. </p>\n<p>“If you do, when the prompt box tells you it is going to close (the initial patient’s record) as it recognises you’re on the wrong patient, switch to the correct patient again and select cancel, you can then continue to work on the referral without losing your prior work.” </p>\n<p>For more information or request assistance using GP Smart Referrals contact the PHN’s Digital Health Officers via <a href=\"mailto:GPSR@brisbanenorthphn.org.au\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GPSR@brisbanenorthphn.org.au</a>. </p>\n<p><em>Pictured: Dr Jim Rowan-Parry of Medical Matters</em></p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4784,154111,1,'2021-05-04 06:17:55','2021-05-04 06:17:55','5276ccf8-6dc2-4271-834b-6aa2020e76b6','<p><strong>Dr Jim Rowan-Parry recently spoke to the PHN’s Digital Health Officers about his experience using GP Smart Referrals software, introduced within Queensland general practices during 2020.</strong> </p>\n<p>GP Smart Referrals allows general practices to send referrals electronically through to Metro North Hospital and Health Service. </p>\n<p>This enables faster, streamlined management and less double handling of referrals across our health service. </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan Parry, a GP at Medical Matters in Murrumba Downs, had adapted quickly to using GP Smart Referrals, and said it was intuitive and allowed him to more efficiently process referrals. <br /></p>\n<p>“Once you are comfortable with the layout it becomes very easy to know where the important bits are and where to add the information you are trying to communicate,” said Dr Rowan-Parry. </p>\n<p>“It has helpful prompts as to what information should be included in the referral,” he said. </p>\n<p>“GP Smart Referrals boasts an improved ability to attach pictures and ECGs to referrals. It also has a helpful feature to park a referral if I’m waiting for more information prior to sending it.” </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan-Parry said that he is able to identify the specialist and hospital that matches the condition he is referring for; a function that saves him time but also means that patient referrals are handled more efficiently. </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan-Parry also had a helpful hint for any new uses of GP Smart Referrals. </p>\n<p>“Don’t open another patient’s notes midway through a referral as it confuses the software,” he said. </p>\n<p>“If you do, when the prompt box tells you it is going to close (the initial patient’s record) as it recognises you’re on the wrong patient, switch to the correct patient again and select cancel, you can then continue to work on the referral without losing your prior work.” </p>\n<p>For more information or request assistance using GP Smart Referrals contact the PHN’s Digital Health Officers via <a href=\"mailto:GPSR@brisbanenorthphn.org.au\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GPSR@brisbanenorthphn.org.au</a>. </p>\n<p><em>Pictured: Dr Jim Rowan-Parry of Medical Matters</em></p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4785,154113,1,'2021-05-04 06:17:58','2021-05-04 06:17:58','c17ff8da-00d5-4566-aa02-7d10fb3a5838','<p><strong>Dr Jim Rowan-Parry recently spoke to the PHN’s Digital Health Officers about his experience using GP Smart Referrals software, introduced within Queensland general practices during 2020.</strong> </p>\n<p>GP Smart Referrals allows general practices to send referrals electronically through to Metro North Hospital and Health Service. </p>\n<p>This enables faster, streamlined management and less double handling of referrals across our health service. </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan Parry, a GP at Medical Matters in Murrumba Downs, had adapted quickly to using GP Smart Referrals, and said it was intuitive and allowed him to more efficiently process referrals. <br /></p>\n<p>“Once you are comfortable with the layout it becomes very easy to know where the important bits are and where to add the information you are trying to communicate,” said Dr Rowan-Parry. </p>\n<p>“It has helpful prompts as to what information should be included in the referral,” he said. </p>\n<p>“GP Smart Referrals boasts an improved ability to attach pictures and ECGs to referrals. It also has a helpful feature to park a referral if I’m waiting for more information prior to sending it.” </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan-Parry said that he is able to identify the specialist and hospital that matches the condition he is referring for; a function that saves him time but also means that patient referrals are handled more efficiently. </p>\n<p>Dr Rowan-Parry also had a helpful hint for any new uses of GP Smart Referrals. </p>\n<p>“Don’t open another patient’s notes midway through a referral as it confuses the software,” he said. </p>\n<p>“If you do, when the prompt box tells you it is going to close (the initial patient’s record) as it recognises you’re on the wrong patient, switch to the correct patient again and select cancel, you can then continue to work on the referral without losing your prior work.” </p>\n<p>For more information or request assistance using GP Smart Referrals contact the PHN’s Digital Health Officers via <a href=\"mailto:GPSR@brisbanenorthphn.org.au\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GPSR@brisbanenorthphn.org.au</a>. </p>\n<p><em>Pictured: Dr Jim Rowan-Parry of Medical Matters</em></p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4786,154115,1,'2021-05-04 06:23:45','2021-05-04 06:23:45','8f92bdbf-1eda-4895-b231-a60c861bc911','<p><strong>This year’s Heart Week, that runs from 3-9 May 2021, presents an opportunity for healthcare professionals to engage with patients about their risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). </strong> </p>\n<p>The Heart Foundation’s focus this Heart Week is on supporting health professionals to deliver more Heart Health Checks to eligible patients, a vital step to empower people to look after their heart health.<br /></p>\n<p>Heart Foundation Senior Heart Health Coordinator Andrea Love, said it is vital to prioritise heart health this week and every week. </p>\n<p>“76,500 CVD-related events could be prevented with a heart health check,” Ms Love said.<br /></p>\n\n<p>“Within general practice the Heart Health Check is a relative new item number and takes about 20 minutes to complete,” Ms Love said. </p>\n<p>From 1 April 2019, two MBS items were introduced to allow GPs and medical practitioners (other than a specialist of consultant physicians) to conduct a heart health check. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the COVID-19 pandemic had made people more aware of how important health is—and makes a case for the prevention of chronic disease. </p>\n<p>“People who live with cardiovascular disease have increased vulnerability to severe complications of COVID-19 and the issues we had (during the height of the pandemic) were people avoiding regular consultations.” </p>\n<p>“Now we have the vaccine rollout and people are coming into their GPs to be vaccinated. They could also ask about a heart health check in order to maximise on visits to primary care.” </p>\n<p>On Wednesday 5 May, the Heart Foundation will host the Heart Week webinar, <em>Driving Best Practice CVD Prevention in a Post-COVID World</em>. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the webinar would be relevant to all clinicians. </p>\n<p>“We have a really great panel and the main topic will be how COVID-19 has impacted CVD health and the strategies that complement the CVD risk approach,” she said. </p>\n<p>One of the complementary strategies that GPs are encouraged to talk to at-risk patients about, is the <a href=\"http://www.myhealthforlife.com.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>My health for life</em> program,</a> designed to help Queenslanders stay well and lessen their risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said <em>My health for life</em> offers patients a lifestyle-based intervention that complements other therapies that their clinicians might suggest. </p>\n<p>For more information on the Heart Foundation webinar, visit the <a href=\"https://heartfoundation-au.zoom.us/webinar/register/5916189736296/WN_Nl-0JVlBSkCU72j7sNBttA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zoom registration page</a>. </p>\n<p>On Thursday 13 May, the PHN is also hosting a CVD-focused quality improvement webinar<em>,</em> Cardiovascular Disease in Primary Care, for practice staff. For more information, <a href=\"https://brisbanenorthphn.org.au/events/quality-improvement-focus-cardiovascular-disease-in-primary-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">visit the PHN website</a>. </p>\n<p>Health professionals can download the Heart Foundation’s Heart Health Check Toolkit <a href=\"https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Bundles/Heart-Health-Check-Toolkit/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">from their website</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4787,154117,1,'2021-05-04 23:37:47','2021-05-04 23:37:47','b0d78b7f-0a8f-4aa5-984a-28172529bec0','<p><strong>This year’s Heart Week, that runs from 3-9 May 2021, presents an opportunity for healthcare professionals to engage with patients about their risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). </strong> </p>\n<p>The Heart Foundation’s focus this Heart Week is on supporting health professionals to deliver more Heart Health Checks to eligible patients, a vital step to empower people to look after their heart health.<br /></p>\n<p>Heart Foundation Senior Heart Health Coordinator Andrea Love, said it is vital to prioritise heart health this week and every week. </p>\n<p>“76,500 CVD-related events could be prevented with a heart health check,” Ms Love said.<br /></p>\n<p>“Within general practice the Heart Health Check is a relative new item number and takes about 20 minutes to complete,” Ms Love said. </p>\n<p>From 1 April 2019, two MBS items were introduced to allow GPs and medical practitioners (other than a specialist of consultant physicians) to conduct a heart health check. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the COVID-19 pandemic had made people more aware of how important health is—and makes a case for the prevention of chronic disease. </p>\n<p>“People who live with cardiovascular disease have increased vulnerability to severe complications of COVID-19 and the issues we had (during the height of the pandemic) were people avoiding regular consultations.” </p>\n<p>“Now we have the vaccine rollout and people are coming into their GPs to be vaccinated. They could also ask about a heart health check in order to maximise on visits to primary care.” </p>\n<p>On Wednesday 5 May, the Heart Foundation will host the Heart Week webinar, <em>Driving Best Practice CVD Prevention in a Post-COVID World</em>. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the webinar would be relevant to all clinicians. </p>\n<p>“We have a really great panel and the main topic will be how COVID-19 has impacted CVD health and the strategies that complement the CVD risk approach,” she said. </p>\n<p>One of the complementary strategies that GPs are encouraged to talk to at-risk patients about, is the <a href=\"http://www.myhealthforlife.com.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>My health for life</em> program,</a> designed to help Queenslanders stay well and lessen their risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said <em>My health for life</em> offers patients a lifestyle-based intervention that complements other therapies that their clinicians might suggest. </p>\n<p>For more information on the Heart Foundation webinar, visit the <a href=\"https://heartfoundation-au.zoom.us/webinar/register/5916189736296/WN_Nl-0JVlBSkCU72j7sNBttA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zoom registration page</a>. </p>\n\n<p>On Thursday 13 May, the PHN is hosting a complimentary quality improvement focused webinar, <em>Cardiovascular Disease in Primary Care</em>, for practice staff. Registration is essential. For more information, <a href=\"https://brisbanenorthphn.org.au/events/quality-improvement-focus-cardiovascular-disease-in-primary-care\">visit the PHN website</a>.</p> \n<p>Health professionals can download the Heart Foundation’s Heart Health Check Toolkit <a href=\"https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Bundles/Heart-Health-Check-Toolkit/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">from their website</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4788,154119,1,'2021-05-04 23:37:53','2021-05-04 23:37:53','6cfc18af-4a51-4c37-b553-861bdb9ccec9','<p><strong>This year’s Heart Week, that runs from 3-9 May 2021, presents an opportunity for healthcare professionals to engage with patients about their risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). </strong> </p>\n<p>The Heart Foundation’s focus this Heart Week is on supporting health professionals to deliver more Heart Health Checks to eligible patients, a vital step to empower people to look after their heart health.<br /></p>\n<p>Heart Foundation Senior Heart Health Coordinator Andrea Love, said it is vital to prioritise heart health this week and every week. </p>\n<p>“76,500 CVD-related events could be prevented with a heart health check,” Ms Love said.<br /></p>\n<p>“Within general practice the Heart Health Check is a relative new item number and takes about 20 minutes to complete,” Ms Love said. </p>\n<p>From 1 April 2019, two MBS items were introduced to allow GPs and medical practitioners (other than a specialist of consultant physicians) to conduct a heart health check. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the COVID-19 pandemic had made people more aware of how important health is—and makes a case for the prevention of chronic disease. </p>\n<p>“People who live with cardiovascular disease have increased vulnerability to severe complications of COVID-19 and the issues we had (during the height of the pandemic) were people avoiding regular consultations.” </p>\n<p>“Now we have the vaccine rollout and people are coming into their GPs to be vaccinated. They could also ask about a heart health check in order to maximise on visits to primary care.” </p>\n<p>On Wednesday 5 May, the Heart Foundation will host the Heart Week webinar, <em>Driving Best Practice CVD Prevention in a Post-COVID World</em>. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the webinar would be relevant to all clinicians. </p>\n<p>“We have a really great panel and the main topic will be how COVID-19 has impacted CVD health and the strategies that complement the CVD risk approach,” she said. </p>\n<p>One of the complementary strategies that GPs are encouraged to talk to at-risk patients about, is the <a href=\"http://www.myhealthforlife.com.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>My health for life</em> program,</a> designed to help Queenslanders stay well and lessen their risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said <em>My health for life</em> offers patients a lifestyle-based intervention that complements other therapies that their clinicians might suggest. </p>\n<p>For more information on the Heart Foundation webinar, visit the <a href=\"https://heartfoundation-au.zoom.us/webinar/register/5916189736296/WN_Nl-0JVlBSkCU72j7sNBttA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zoom registration page</a>. </p>\n\n<p>On Thursday 13 May, the PHN is hosting a complimentary quality improvement focused webinar, <em>Cardiovascular Disease in Primary Care</em>, for practice staff. Registration is essential. For more information, <a href=\"https://brisbanenorthphn.org.au/events/quality-improvement-focus-cardiovascular-disease-in-primary-care\">visit the PHN website</a>.</p> \n<p>Health professionals can download the Heart Foundation’s Heart Health Check Toolkit <a href=\"https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Bundles/Heart-Health-Check-Toolkit/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">from their website</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4789,154121,1,'2021-05-04 23:40:50','2021-05-04 23:40:50','b8a746d0-728b-488e-aa54-71a153dd5b5a','<p><strong>This year’s Medical Mums campaign is urging parents and carers to check in with their GP to ensure childhood vaccinations are up-to-date.</strong></p>\n<p>As the world focuses on new vaccines to protect against COVID-19, there is still a real need to ensure routine childhood vaccinations are not missed. </p>\n<p>Globally, many children <a href=\"https://data.unicef.org/resources/immunization-coverage-estimates-data-visualization/\">have not been vaccinated during the pandemic</a>, leaving them at risk of serious diseases like measles and polio. Rapidly circulating misinformation around the topic of vaccination adds to this threat. </p>\n<p>Within the North Brisbane and Moreton Bay region, childhood immunisation rates remain high and the Medical Mums campaign aims to keep it this way, with the message not to neglect immunisation requirements.</p>\n<p>Vaccinations are due at 2, 4, 6, 12, 18 months and 4 years old and skipping or delaying any of these means that children are vulnerable to disease. However, if a child hasn’t been vaccinated or has missed a vaccination it’s easy to catch up—just speak to a GP, who can also answer any questions or address any hesitancy that parents might have. </p>\n<p>The Medical Mums campaign, which runs until 23 May, was launched to coincide with World Immunisation Week, celebrated every year in the last week of April.</p>\n<p>Using the theme ‘Vaccines bring us closer’, World Immunisation Week 2021 urges greater engagement around immunisation globally to promote the importance of vaccination in bringing people together, and improving the health and wellbeing of everyone.</p>\n<p>The Medical Mums campaign is currently rolling out a series of short animations across digital platforms, featuring some cute parents, their kids and their family doctor. <br /></p>\n<p>For more information, to download a poster to display in your practice, or to view the animations visit <a href=\"http://www.medicalmums.com.au\">www.medicalmums.com.au</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4790,154123,1,'2021-05-04 23:42:01','2021-05-04 23:42:01','0c393f3e-78d9-4d28-aa3d-2e609d42bae0','<p><strong>This year’s Heart Week, that runs from 3-9 May 2021, presents an opportunity for healthcare professionals to engage with patients about their risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). </strong> </p>\n<p>The Heart Foundation’s focus this Heart Week is on supporting health professionals to deliver more Heart Health Checks to eligible patients, a vital step to empower people to look after their heart health.<br /></p>\n<p>Heart Foundation Senior Heart Health Coordinator Andrea Love, said it is vital to prioritise heart health this week and every week. </p>\n<p>“76,500 CVD-related events could be prevented with a heart health check,” Ms Love said.<br /></p>\n<p>“Within general practice the Heart Health Check is a relative new item number and takes about 20 minutes to complete,” Ms Love said. </p>\n<p>From 1 April 2019, two MBS items were introduced to allow GPs and medical practitioners (other than a specialist of consultant physicians) to conduct a heart health check. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the COVID-19 pandemic had made people more aware of how important health is—and makes a case for the prevention of chronic disease. </p>\n<p>“People who live with cardiovascular disease have increased vulnerability to severe complications of COVID-19 and the issues we had (during the height of the pandemic) were people avoiding regular consultations.” </p>\n<p>“Now we have the vaccine rollout and people are coming into their GPs to be vaccinated. They could also ask about a heart health check in order to maximise on visits to primary care.” </p>\n<p>On Wednesday 5 May, the Heart Foundation will host the Heart Week webinar, <em>Driving Best Practice CVD Prevention in a Post-COVID World</em>. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the webinar would be relevant to all clinicians. </p>\n<p>“We have a really great panel and the main topic will be how COVID-19 has impacted CVD health and the strategies that complement the CVD risk approach,” she said. </p>\n<p>One of the complementary strategies that GPs are encouraged to talk to at-risk patients about, is the <a href=\"http://www.myhealthforlife.com.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>My health for life</em> program,</a> designed to help Queenslanders stay well and lessen their risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said <em>My health for life</em> offers patients a lifestyle-based intervention that complements other therapies that their clinicians might suggest. </p>\n<p>For more information on the Heart Foundation webinar, visit the <a href=\"https://heartfoundation-au.zoom.us/webinar/register/5916189736296/WN_Nl-0JVlBSkCU72j7sNBttA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zoom registration page</a>. </p>\n\n<p>On Thursday 13 May, the PHN is hosting a complimentary quality improvement focused webinar, <em>Cardiovascular Disease in Primary Care</em>, for practice staff. Registration is essential. For more information, <a href=\"https://brisbanenorthphn.org.au/events/quality-improvement-focus-cardiovascular-disease-in-primary-care\">visit the PHN website</a>.</p> \n<p>Health professionals can download the Heart Foundation’s Heart Health Check Toolkit <a href=\"https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Bundles/Heart-Health-Check-Toolkit/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">from their website</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4791,154125,1,'2021-05-05 00:12:27','2021-05-05 00:12:27','1526a60b-d918-4610-a57a-a891246da344','<p><strong>This year’s Heart Week, that runs from 3-9 May 2021, presents an opportunity for healthcare professionals to engage with patients about their risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). </strong> </p>\n<p>The Heart Foundation’s focus this Heart Week is on supporting health professionals to deliver more Heart Health Checks to eligible patients, a vital step to empower people to look after their heart health.<br /></p>\n<p>Heart Foundation Senior Heart Health Coordinator Andrea Love, said it is vital to prioritise heart health this week and every week. </p>\n<p>“76,500 CVD-related events could be prevented with a heart health check,” Ms Love said.<br /></p>\n<p>“Within general practice the Heart Health Check is a relative new item number and takes about 20 minutes to complete,” Ms Love said. </p>\n<p>From 1 April 2019, two MBS items were introduced to allow GPs and medical practitioners (other than a specialist of consultant physicians) to conduct a heart health check. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the COVID-19 pandemic had made people more aware of how important health is—and makes a case for the prevention of chronic disease. </p>\n<p>“People who live with cardiovascular disease have increased vulnerability to severe complications of COVID-19 and the issues we had (during the height of the pandemic) were people avoiding regular consultations.” </p>\n<p>“Now we have the vaccine rollout and people are coming into their GPs to be vaccinated. They could also ask about a heart health check in order to maximise on visits to primary care.” </p>\n<p>On Wednesday 5 May, the Heart Foundation will host the Heart Week webinar, <em>Driving Best Practice CVD Prevention in a Post-COVID World</em>. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said the webinar would be relevant to all clinicians. </p>\n<p>“We have a really great panel and the main topic will be how COVID-19 has impacted CVD health and the strategies that complement the CVD risk approach,” she said. </p>\n<p>One of the complementary strategies that GPs are encouraged to talk to at-risk patients about, is the <a href=\"http://www.myhealthforlife.com.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>My health for life</em> program,</a> designed to help Queenslanders stay well and lessen their risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. </p>\n<p>Ms Love said <em>My health for life</em> offers patients a lifestyle-based intervention that complements other therapies that their clinicians might suggest. </p>\n<p>For more information on the Heart Foundation webinar, visit the <a href=\"https://heartfoundation-au.zoom.us/webinar/register/5916189736296/WN_Nl-0JVlBSkCU72j7sNBttA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zoom registration page</a>. </p>\n\n<p>On Thursday 13 May, the PHN is hosting a complimentary quality improvement focused webinar, <em>Cardiovascular Disease in Primary Care</em>, for practice staff. Registration is essential. For more information, <a href=\"https://brisbanenorthphn.org.au/events/quality-improvement-focus-cardiovascular-disease-in-primary-care\">visit the PHN website</a>.</p> \n<p>Health professionals can download the Heart Foundation’s Heart Health Check Toolkit <a href=\"https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Bundles/Heart-Health-Check-Toolkit/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">from their website</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4792,154127,1,'2021-05-05 00:13:52','2021-05-05 00:13:52','d113d3a1-a5c0-4141-892d-6f5c91c3b9c4','<p><strong>This year’s Medical Mums campaign is urging parents and carers to check in with their GP to ensure childhood vaccinations are up-to-date.</strong></p>\n<p>As the world focuses on new vaccines to protect against COVID-19, there is still a real need to ensure routine childhood vaccinations are not missed. </p>\n<p>Globally, many children <a href=\"https://data.unicef.org/resources/immunization-coverage-estimates-data-visualization/\">have not been vaccinated during the pandemic</a>, leaving them at risk of serious diseases like measles and polio. Rapidly circulating misinformation around the topic of vaccination adds to this threat. </p>\n<p>Within the North Brisbane and Moreton Bay region, childhood immunisation rates remain high and the Medical Mums campaign aims to keep it this way, with the message not to neglect immunisation requirements.</p>\n<p>Vaccinations are due at 2, 4, 6, 12, 18 months and 4 years old and skipping or delaying any of these means that children are vulnerable to disease. However, if a child hasn’t been vaccinated or has missed a vaccination it’s easy to catch up—just speak to a GP, who can also answer any questions or address any hesitancy that parents might have. </p>\n<p>The Medical Mums campaign, which runs until 23 May, was launched to coincide with World Immunisation Week, celebrated every year in the last week of April.</p>\n<p>Using the theme ‘Vaccines bring us closer’, World Immunisation Week 2021 urges greater engagement around immunisation globally to promote the importance of vaccination in bringing people together, and improving the health and wellbeing of everyone.</p>\n<p>The Medical Mums campaign is currently rolling out a series of short animations across digital platforms, featuring some cute parents, their kids and their family doctor. <br /></p>\n<p>For more information, to download a poster to display in your practice, or to view the animations visit <a href=\"http://www.medicalmums.com.au\">www.medicalmums.com.au</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4864,155314,1,'2021-05-07 05:30:12','2021-05-18 23:41:16','24063e52-955f-402c-a022-37de347b7843','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. It\'s important that patients are treated close to home, and the team at Caboolture Hospital encourage local GPs to refer to our specialist surgeons.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4865,155334,1,'2021-05-07 05:30:13','2021-05-07 05:30:13','2c18edcd-c421-4361-9513-e60c1d2d719c','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through the redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. We believe it is important that your patients can be treated close to home and encourage your referral to our local specialist surgeons.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4866,156865,1,'2021-05-07 05:36:45','2021-05-07 05:36:45','9545946a-c02a-4fd5-aad0-0d70c478be26','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through the redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. We believe it is important that your patients can be treated close to home and encourage your referral to our local specialist surgeons.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4867,161441,1,'2021-05-13 00:49:48','2021-05-13 00:49:48','78d17ddb-b365-48d5-aaf0-5eeaab52c48c','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through the redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. We believe it is important that your patients can be treated close to home and encourage your referral to our local specialist surgeons.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4868,162150,1,'2021-05-18 01:05:56','2021-05-18 01:05:56','8cffb7f2-4cb7-4b78-a383-6f01d246a93f',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL),(4869,162151,1,'2021-05-18 01:06:05','2021-05-18 01:06:05','a29f0f52-8987-43c8-9102-5207b568020b','<p><strong>A new report released by the Black Dog Institute shares insights from two PHN trial sites for implementing suicide prevention strategies for LGBTIQ+ communities.</strong></p>\n<p><strong>The Black Dog Institute has released a new report with key insights for implementing suicide prevention strategies that are effective for LGBTIQ+ communities, titled Suicide prevention for LGBTIQ+ communities: Learnings from the National Suicide Prevention Trial.</strong></p>\n<p><strong>The report was developed as part of Black Dog’s support to the National Suicide Prevention Trial, which was launched in 12 sites across Australia in 2016.</strong></p>\n<p><strong>Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and led by 10 Primary Health Networks (PHNs), the National Trial focused on priority populations who have an increased risk of suicide, with two sites – North Western Melbourne and Brisbane North – working directly with LGBTIQ+ populations to implement a community-led, systems approach to suicide prevention.</strong></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://brisbanenorthphn.org.au/news/medical-mums-campaign-urges-parents-to-keep-kids-immunised\"><strong>Read more</strong></a></p>\n<p>Containing reflections from five years of delivering suicide prevention activities in these local regions, the report fills a gap in knowledge available to those implementing suicide prevention activities for LGBTIQ+ communities. Key learnings include embedding lived experience and enabling local decision-making to inform culturally safe design and delivery of services for these populations.</p>\n<p>“We learnt that it is vitally important for suicide prevention coordinators to build strong relationships with local LGBTIQ+ communities and understand intersectionality to improve the communities’ mental health and suicide outcomes,” said Janey McGoldrick, Head of Implementation at the Black Dog Institute.</p>\n<p>Mainstream services often fail to meet the specific needs of LGBTIQ+ communities. With a chronic shortage of culturally safe or affirmative support, services that can be difficult to access for those in remote and regional areas, and a lack of data available – with sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status routinely omitted from national datasets – LGBTIQ+ communities remain at significantly higher risk of suicide than the general population.</p>\n<p>Both North Western Melbourne and Brisbane North PHNs used the LifeSpan model – a pioneering systems approach to suicide prevention developed by the Black Dog Institute – to guide their strategy and activities.</p>\n<p>“The trial allowed us to coordinate a multifaceted approach to suicide prevention for the LGBTIQ+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities,” said Ged Farmer, Suicide Prevention Project Officer, for the Brisbane North PHN.</p>\n<p>With funding for the National Suicide Prevention Trial due to cease from June 2021, the report highlights an urgent need for sustained funding to allow this life-saving work to continue, grow and support more people at risk of suicide in the LGBTIQ+ communities.</p>\n<p>“The trial programs and services are really connecting with the community because they were built with the community,” said North Western Melbourne PHN CEO Adjunct Associate Professor Chris Carter said.</p>\n<p>“It’s a great example of how we need to involve people with lived experience, not just in suicide prevention, but across our health system,” said Associate Professor Carter.</p>\n<p><a href=\"https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/BDI21_Suicide-prevention-for-LGBTIQ-communities.pdf\">Download the report</a></p>\n<p><em>With thanks to the Black Dog Institute for their permission to reprint this article. </em></p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4870,162152,1,'2021-05-18 01:06:08','2021-05-18 01:06:08','d0db15be-cd95-47ed-bc03-6d5dfba22d5d','<p><strong>A new report released by the Black Dog Institute shares insights from two PHN trial sites for implementing suicide prevention strategies for LGBTIQ+ communities.</strong></p>\n<p><strong>The Black Dog Institute has released a new report with key insights for implementing suicide prevention strategies that are effective for LGBTIQ+ communities, titled Suicide prevention for LGBTIQ+ communities: Learnings from the National Suicide Prevention Trial.</strong></p>\n<p><strong>The report was developed as part of Black Dog’s support to the National Suicide Prevention Trial, which was launched in 12 sites across Australia in 2016.</strong></p>\n<p><strong>Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and led by 10 Primary Health Networks (PHNs), the National Trial focused on priority populations who have an increased risk of suicide, with two sites – North Western Melbourne and Brisbane North – working directly with LGBTIQ+ populations to implement a community-led, systems approach to suicide prevention.</strong><br /></p>\n\n<p>Containing reflections from five years of delivering suicide prevention activities in these local regions, the report fills a gap in knowledge available to those implementing suicide prevention activities for LGBTIQ+ communities. Key learnings include embedding lived experience and enabling local decision-making to inform culturally safe design and delivery of services for these populations.</p>\n<p>“We learnt that it is vitally important for suicide prevention coordinators to build strong relationships with local LGBTIQ+ communities and understand intersectionality to improve the communities’ mental health and suicide outcomes,” said Janey McGoldrick, Head of Implementation at the Black Dog Institute.</p>\n<p>Mainstream services often fail to meet the specific needs of LGBTIQ+ communities. With a chronic shortage of culturally safe or affirmative support, services that can be difficult to access for those in remote and regional areas, and a lack of data available – with sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status routinely omitted from national datasets – LGBTIQ+ communities remain at significantly higher risk of suicide than the general population.</p>\n<p>Both North Western Melbourne and Brisbane North PHNs used the LifeSpan model – a pioneering systems approach to suicide prevention developed by the Black Dog Institute – to guide their strategy and activities.</p>\n<p>“The trial allowed us to coordinate a multifaceted approach to suicide prevention for the LGBTIQ+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities,” said Ged Farmer, Suicide Prevention Project Officer, for the Brisbane North PHN.</p>\n<p>With funding for the National Suicide Prevention Trial due to cease from June 2021, the report highlights an urgent need for sustained funding to allow this life-saving work to continue, grow and support more people at risk of suicide in the LGBTIQ+ communities.</p>\n<p>“The trial programs and services are really connecting with the community because they were built with the community,” said North Western Melbourne PHN CEO Adjunct Associate Professor Chris Carter said.</p>\n<p>“It’s a great example of how we need to involve people with lived experience, not just in suicide prevention, but across our health system,” said Associate Professor Carter.</p>\n<p><a href=\"https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/BDI21_Suicide-prevention-for-LGBTIQ-communities.pdf\">Download the report</a></p>\n<p><em>With thanks to the Black Dog Institute for their permission to reprint this article. </em></p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4871,162153,1,'2021-05-18 01:06:13','2021-05-18 01:06:13','8597f110-31f8-4d4d-bf44-eb97b266246f','<p><strong>A new report released by the Black Dog Institute shares insights from two PHN trial sites for implementing suicide prevention strategies for LGBTIQ+ communities.</strong></p>\n<p>The Black Dog Institute has released a new report with key insights for implementing suicide prevention strategies that are effective for LGBTIQ+ communities, titled Suicide prevention for LGBTIQ+ communities: Learnings from the National Suicide Prevention Trial.</p>\n<p>The report was developed as part of Black Dog’s support to the National Suicide Prevention Trial, which was launched in 12 sites across Australia in 2016.</p>\n<p>Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and led by 10 Primary Health Networks (PHNs), the National Trial focused on priority populations who have an increased risk of suicide, with two sites – North Western Melbourne and Brisbane North – working directly with LGBTIQ+ populations to implement a community-led, systems approach to suicide prevention.<br /></p>\n\n<p>Containing reflections from five years of delivering suicide prevention activities in these local regions, the report fills a gap in knowledge available to those implementing suicide prevention activities for LGBTIQ+ communities. Key learnings include embedding lived experience and enabling local decision-making to inform culturally safe design and delivery of services for these populations.</p>\n<p>“We learnt that it is vitally important for suicide prevention coordinators to build strong relationships with local LGBTIQ+ communities and understand intersectionality to improve the communities’ mental health and suicide outcomes,” said Janey McGoldrick, Head of Implementation at the Black Dog Institute.</p>\n<p>Mainstream services often fail to meet the specific needs of LGBTIQ+ communities. With a chronic shortage of culturally safe or affirmative support, services that can be difficult to access for those in remote and regional areas, and a lack of data available – with sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status routinely omitted from national datasets – LGBTIQ+ communities remain at significantly higher risk of suicide than the general population.</p>\n<p>Both North Western Melbourne and Brisbane North PHNs used the LifeSpan model – a pioneering systems approach to suicide prevention developed by the Black Dog Institute – to guide their strategy and activities.</p>\n<p>“The trial allowed us to coordinate a multifaceted approach to suicide prevention for the LGBTIQ+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities,” said Ged Farmer, Suicide Prevention Project Officer, for the Brisbane North PHN.</p>\n<p>With funding for the National Suicide Prevention Trial due to cease from June 2021, the report highlights an urgent need for sustained funding to allow this life-saving work to continue, grow and support more people at risk of suicide in the LGBTIQ+ communities.</p>\n<p>“The trial programs and services are really connecting with the community because they were built with the community,” said North Western Melbourne PHN CEO Adjunct Associate Professor Chris Carter said.</p>\n<p>“It’s a great example of how we need to involve people with lived experience, not just in suicide prevention, but across our health system,” said Associate Professor Carter.</p>\n<p><a href=\"https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/BDI21_Suicide-prevention-for-LGBTIQ-communities.pdf\">Download the report</a></p>\n<p><em>With thanks to the Black Dog Institute for their permission to reprint this article. </em></p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4873,162156,1,'2021-05-18 01:07:00','2021-05-18 01:07:00','7627042a-87a7-4447-a4c9-c017704dd5ce','<p><strong>A new report released by the Black Dog Institute shares insights from two PHN trial sites for implementing suicide prevention strategies for LGBTIQ+ communities.</strong></p>\n<p>The Black Dog Institute has released a new report with key insights for implementing suicide prevention strategies that are effective for LGBTIQ+ communities, titled Suicide prevention for LGBTIQ+ communities: Learnings from the National Suicide Prevention Trial.</p>\n<p>The report was developed as part of Black Dog’s support to the National Suicide Prevention Trial, which was launched in 12 sites across Australia in 2016.</p>\n<p>Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and led by 10 Primary Health Networks (PHNs), the National Trial focused on priority populations who have an increased risk of suicide, with two sites – North Western Melbourne and Brisbane North – working directly with LGBTIQ+ populations to implement a community-led, systems approach to suicide prevention.<br /></p>\n\n<p>Containing reflections from five years of delivering suicide prevention activities in these local regions, the report fills a gap in knowledge available to those implementing suicide prevention activities for LGBTIQ+ communities. Key learnings include embedding lived experience and enabling local decision-making to inform culturally safe design and delivery of services for these populations.</p>\n<p>“We learnt that it is vitally important for suicide prevention coordinators to build strong relationships with local LGBTIQ+ communities and understand intersectionality to improve the communities’ mental health and suicide outcomes,” said Janey McGoldrick, Head of Implementation at the Black Dog Institute.</p>\n<p>Mainstream services often fail to meet the specific needs of LGBTIQ+ communities. With a chronic shortage of culturally safe or affirmative support, services that can be difficult to access for those in remote and regional areas, and a lack of data available – with sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status routinely omitted from national datasets – LGBTIQ+ communities remain at significantly higher risk of suicide than the general population.</p>\n<p>Both North Western Melbourne and Brisbane North PHNs used the LifeSpan model – a pioneering systems approach to suicide prevention developed by the Black Dog Institute – to guide their strategy and activities.</p>\n<p>“The trial allowed us to coordinate a multifaceted approach to suicide prevention for the LGBTIQ+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities,” said Ged Farmer, Suicide Prevention Project Officer, for the Brisbane North PHN.</p>\n<p>With funding for the National Suicide Prevention Trial due to cease from June 2021, the report highlights an urgent need for sustained funding to allow this life-saving work to continue, grow and support more people at risk of suicide in the LGBTIQ+ communities.</p>\n<p>“The trial programs and services are really connecting with the community because they were built with the community,” said North Western Melbourne PHN CEO Adjunct Associate Professor Chris Carter said.</p>\n<p>“It’s a great example of how we need to involve people with lived experience, not just in suicide prevention, but across our health system,” said Associate Professor Carter.</p>\n<p><a href=\"https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/BDI21_Suicide-prevention-for-LGBTIQ-communities.pdf\"><strong>Download the report</strong></a></p>\n<p><em>With thanks to the Black Dog Institute for their permission to reprint this article. </em></p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4874,162158,1,'2021-05-18 01:07:00','2021-05-18 01:07:00','fb0e25e1-3afb-4d76-9f54-d1dcdd2ff301','<p><strong>A new report released by the Black Dog Institute shares insights from two PHN trial sites for implementing suicide prevention strategies for LGBTIQ+ communities.</strong></p>\n<p>The Black Dog Institute has released a new report with key insights for implementing suicide prevention strategies that are effective for LGBTIQ+ communities, titled Suicide prevention for LGBTIQ+ communities: Learnings from the National Suicide Prevention Trial.</p>\n<p>The report was developed as part of Black Dog’s support to the National Suicide Prevention Trial, which was launched in 12 sites across Australia in 2016.</p>\n<p>Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and led by 10 Primary Health Networks (PHNs), the National Trial focused on priority populations who have an increased risk of suicide, with two sites – North Western Melbourne and Brisbane North – working directly with LGBTIQ+ populations to implement a community-led, systems approach to suicide prevention.<br /></p>\n\n<p>Containing reflections from five years of delivering suicide prevention activities in these local regions, the report fills a gap in knowledge available to those implementing suicide prevention activities for LGBTIQ+ communities. Key learnings include embedding lived experience and enabling local decision-making to inform culturally safe design and delivery of services for these populations.</p>\n<p>“We learnt that it is vitally important for suicide prevention coordinators to build strong relationships with local LGBTIQ+ communities and understand intersectionality to improve the communities’ mental health and suicide outcomes,” said Janey McGoldrick, Head of Implementation at the Black Dog Institute.</p>\n<p>Mainstream services often fail to meet the specific needs of LGBTIQ+ communities. With a chronic shortage of culturally safe or affirmative support, services that can be difficult to access for those in remote and regional areas, and a lack of data available – with sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status routinely omitted from national datasets – LGBTIQ+ communities remain at significantly higher risk of suicide than the general population.</p>\n<p>Both North Western Melbourne and Brisbane North PHNs used the LifeSpan model – a pioneering systems approach to suicide prevention developed by the Black Dog Institute – to guide their strategy and activities.</p>\n<p>“The trial allowed us to coordinate a multifaceted approach to suicide prevention for the LGBTIQ+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities,” said Ged Farmer, Suicide Prevention Project Officer, for the Brisbane North PHN.</p>\n<p>With funding for the National Suicide Prevention Trial due to cease from June 2021, the report highlights an urgent need for sustained funding to allow this life-saving work to continue, grow and support more people at risk of suicide in the LGBTIQ+ communities.</p>\n<p>“The trial programs and services are really connecting with the community because they were built with the community,” said North Western Melbourne PHN CEO Adjunct Associate Professor Chris Carter said.</p>\n<p>“It’s a great example of how we need to involve people with lived experience, not just in suicide prevention, but across our health system,” said Associate Professor Carter.</p>\n<p><a href=\"https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/BDI21_Suicide-prevention-for-LGBTIQ-communities.pdf\"><strong>Download the report</strong></a></p>\n<p><em>With thanks to the Black Dog Institute for their permission to reprint this article. </em></p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4875,162160,1,'2021-05-18 01:07:03','2021-05-18 01:07:03','d3596834-161f-4f89-a159-a2270519660a','<p><strong>A new report released by the Black Dog Institute shares insights from two PHN trial sites for implementing suicide prevention strategies for LGBTIQ+ communities.</strong></p>\n<p>The Black Dog Institute has released a new report with key insights for implementing suicide prevention strategies that are effective for LGBTIQ+ communities, titled Suicide prevention for LGBTIQ+ communities: Learnings from the National Suicide Prevention Trial.</p>\n<p>The report was developed as part of Black Dog’s support to the National Suicide Prevention Trial, which was launched in 12 sites across Australia in 2016.</p>\n<p>Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and led by 10 Primary Health Networks (PHNs), the National Trial focused on priority populations who have an increased risk of suicide, with two sites – North Western Melbourne and Brisbane North – working directly with LGBTIQ+ populations to implement a community-led, systems approach to suicide prevention.<br /></p>\n\n<p>Containing reflections from five years of delivering suicide prevention activities in these local regions, the report fills a gap in knowledge available to those implementing suicide prevention activities for LGBTIQ+ communities. Key learnings include embedding lived experience and enabling local decision-making to inform culturally safe design and delivery of services for these populations.</p>\n<p>“We learnt that it is vitally important for suicide prevention coordinators to build strong relationships with local LGBTIQ+ communities and understand intersectionality to improve the communities’ mental health and suicide outcomes,” said Janey McGoldrick, Head of Implementation at the Black Dog Institute.</p>\n<p>Mainstream services often fail to meet the specific needs of LGBTIQ+ communities. With a chronic shortage of culturally safe or affirmative support, services that can be difficult to access for those in remote and regional areas, and a lack of data available – with sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status routinely omitted from national datasets – LGBTIQ+ communities remain at significantly higher risk of suicide than the general population.</p>\n<p>Both North Western Melbourne and Brisbane North PHNs used the LifeSpan model – a pioneering systems approach to suicide prevention developed by the Black Dog Institute – to guide their strategy and activities.</p>\n<p>“The trial allowed us to coordinate a multifaceted approach to suicide prevention for the LGBTIQ+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities,” said Ged Farmer, Suicide Prevention Project Officer, for the Brisbane North PHN.</p>\n<p>With funding for the National Suicide Prevention Trial due to cease from June 2021, the report highlights an urgent need for sustained funding to allow this life-saving work to continue, grow and support more people at risk of suicide in the LGBTIQ+ communities.</p>\n<p>“The trial programs and services are really connecting with the community because they were built with the community,” said North Western Melbourne PHN CEO Adjunct Associate Professor Chris Carter said.</p>\n<p>“It’s a great example of how we need to involve people with lived experience, not just in suicide prevention, but across our health system,” said Associate Professor Carter.</p>\n<p><a href=\"https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/BDI21_Suicide-prevention-for-LGBTIQ-communities.pdf\"><strong>Download the report</strong></a></p>\n<p><em>With thanks to the Black Dog Institute for their permission to reprint this article. </em></p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4876,162162,1,'2021-05-18 01:07:41','2021-05-18 01:07:41','65ebd5cf-38c5-4706-a21e-14c8d61629ee',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL),(4877,162163,1,'2021-05-18 01:07:50','2021-05-18 01:07:50','6b4b3860-7b07-4559-a2cf-48cc6a0ce1c0','<p><strong>Dr Debra Carroll works as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and shared her thoughts on what attracted her to the role and how it complements her work as a general practitioner. </strong></p>\n<p>The GPwSI model of care aims to improve patient access to the most appropriate specialist care in a timely and cost-effective manner, within the outpatient setting. It represents a unique opportunity for GPs to upskill within an area of interest and strengthens the links between primary care practitioners and hospital-based specialist services.</p>\n<p>Within the work she does as a GPwSI, Dr Carroll enjoys the variety that the role brings to her week, and the opportunity to focus on a specific clinical problem within the GDM clinic while working within a multidisciplinary team.</p>\n<p>Dr Carroll said she enjoys being able to bring a broad knowledge of the health system—particularly primary care—to her role as a GPwSI. </p>\n<p><strong>Read more</strong></p>\n<p>“I have the ability to explain to hospital-based healthcare providers how primary care works and how the two systems can work together to improve patient care and outcomes,” she said.</p>\n<p>“I also get the opportunity to advocate for GPs where appropriate and hopefully to provide a positive GP role model to hospital staff and patients.”</p>\n<p>Within her work as a GP, Dr Carroll appreciates the independence, the ability to be flexible and realistic with guidelines and the opportunity to know her patients well in terms of their physical, social and psychological challenges. </p>\n<p>“As a GP I get to advocate for the public system in my practice and assist colleagues and patients in the appropriate pathways to access care within the public system,” Dr Carroll said.</p>\n<p>“It helps to have an improved understanding of the complexities of providing healthcare in the public hospital environment. It is helpful to be able to interpret that for patients and colleagues and improve their confidence in what the public system can provide.”</p>\n<p>To any GPs considering a GPwSI role, Dr Carroll would recommend it to those who want to try something different and work in a team of clinicians with a multi-disciplinary approach.</p>\n<p>“The hospital staff are very welcoming and supportive and very willing to educate and share their knowledge and skills,” Dr Carroll said. </p>\n<p>The project, currently funded in partnership with the Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Division, recruited their first GPwSI in April 2018, since then has had up to 17 GPs with Special Interests working across a diverse selection of 15 specialty departments.</p>\n<p>The GP with Special Interest outpatient clinics are based out of Metro North Hospital and Community Health facilities. Special interest outpatients clinics include:</p>\n<ul><li>orthopaedic</li><li>diabetes</li><li>epilepsy</li><li>older persons.</li></ul>\n<p>Metro North Health are currently recruiting a GPwSI in Chronic Kidney Disease to work at Queensland Health facilities in the catchment areas of Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospital. </p>\n<p>For more information on the opportunity visit the <a href=\"https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH371167\">Queensland Government’s Smart Jobs page</a> or to get in contact with the project team email <a href=\"mailto:MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au\">MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4878,162164,1,'2021-05-18 01:08:01','2021-05-18 01:08:01','2d7add4c-9633-409d-a94a-c5b73e1cb188','<p><strong>Dr Debra Carroll works as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and shared her thoughts on what attracted her to the role and how it complements her work as a general practitioner. </strong></p>\n<p>The GPwSI model of care aims to improve patient access to the most appropriate specialist care in a timely and cost-effective manner, within the outpatient setting. It represents a unique opportunity for GPs to upskill within an area of interest and strengthens the links between primary care practitioners and hospital-based specialist services.</p>\n<p>Within the work she does as a GPwSI, Dr Carroll enjoys the variety that the role brings to her week, and the opportunity to focus on a specific clinical problem within the GDM clinic while working within a multidisciplinary team.</p>\n<p>Dr Carroll said she enjoys being able to bring a broad knowledge of the health system—particularly primary care—to her role as a GPwSI. <br /></p>\n\n<p>“I have the ability to explain to hospital-based healthcare providers how primary care works and how the two systems can work together to improve patient care and outcomes,” she said.</p>\n<p>“I also get the opportunity to advocate for GPs where appropriate and hopefully to provide a positive GP role model to hospital staff and patients.”</p>\n<p>Within her work as a GP, Dr Carroll appreciates the independence, the ability to be flexible and realistic with guidelines and the opportunity to know her patients well in terms of their physical, social and psychological challenges. </p>\n<p>“As a GP I get to advocate for the public system in my practice and assist colleagues and patients in the appropriate pathways to access care within the public system,” Dr Carroll said.</p>\n<p>“It helps to have an improved understanding of the complexities of providing healthcare in the public hospital environment. It is helpful to be able to interpret that for patients and colleagues and improve their confidence in what the public system can provide.”</p>\n<p>To any GPs considering a GPwSI role, Dr Carroll would recommend it to those who want to try something different and work in a team of clinicians with a multi-disciplinary approach.</p>\n<p>“The hospital staff are very welcoming and supportive and very willing to educate and share their knowledge and skills,” Dr Carroll said. </p>\n<p>The project, currently funded in partnership with the Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Division, recruited their first GPwSI in April 2018, since then has had up to 17 GPs with Special Interests working across a diverse selection of 15 specialty departments.</p>\n<p>The GP with Special Interest outpatient clinics are based out of Metro North Hospital and Community Health facilities. Special interest outpatients clinics include:</p>\n<ul><li>orthopaedic</li><li>diabetes</li><li>epilepsy</li><li>older persons.</li></ul>\n<p>Metro North Health are currently recruiting a GPwSI in Chronic Kidney Disease to work at Queensland Health facilities in the catchment areas of Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospital. </p>\n<p>For more information on the opportunity visit the <a href=\"https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH371167\">Queensland Government’s Smart Jobs page</a> or to get in contact with the project team email <a href=\"mailto:MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au\">MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4879,162165,1,'2021-05-18 01:08:06','2021-05-18 01:08:06','52103391-b4ad-48d5-9944-bea3c2a950ea','<p><strong>Dr Debra Carroll works as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and shared her thoughts on what attracted her to the role and how it complements her work as a general practitioner. </strong></p>\n<p>The GPwSI model of care aims to improve patient access to the most appropriate specialist care in a timely and cost-effective manner, within the outpatient setting. It represents a unique opportunity for GPs to upskill within an area of interest and strengthens the links between primary care practitioners and hospital-based specialist services.</p>\n<p>Within the work she does as a GPwSI, Dr Carroll enjoys the variety that the role brings to her week, and the opportunity to focus on a specific clinical problem within the GDM clinic while working within a multidisciplinary team.</p>\n<p>Dr Carroll said she enjoys being able to bring a broad knowledge of the health system—particularly primary care—to her role as a GPwSI. <br /></p>\n\n<p>“I have the ability to explain to hospital-based healthcare providers how primary care works and how the two systems can work together to improve patient care and outcomes,” she said.</p>\n<p>“I also get the opportunity to advocate for GPs where appropriate and hopefully to provide a positive GP role model to hospital staff and patients.”</p>\n<p>Within her work as a GP, Dr Carroll appreciates the independence, the ability to be flexible and realistic with guidelines and the opportunity to know her patients well in terms of their physical, social and psychological challenges. </p>\n<p>“As a GP I get to advocate for the public system in my practice and assist colleagues and patients in the appropriate pathways to access care within the public system,” Dr Carroll said.</p>\n<p>“It helps to have an improved understanding of the complexities of providing healthcare in the public hospital environment. It is helpful to be able to interpret that for patients and colleagues and improve their confidence in what the public system can provide.”</p>\n<p>To any GPs considering a GPwSI role, Dr Carroll would recommend it to those who want to try something different and work in a team of clinicians with a multi-disciplinary approach.</p>\n<p>“The hospital staff are very welcoming and supportive and very willing to educate and share their knowledge and skills,” Dr Carroll said. </p>\n<p>The project, currently funded in partnership with the Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Division, recruited their first GPwSI in April 2018, since then has had up to 17 GPs with Special Interests working across a diverse selection of 15 specialty departments.</p>\n<p>The GP with Special Interest outpatient clinics are based out of Metro North Hospital and Community Health facilities. Special interest outpatients clinics include:</p>\n<p>orthopaedic</p><ul><li>diabetes</li><li>epilepsy</li><li>older persons.</li></ul>\n<p>Metro North Health are currently recruiting a GPwSI in Chronic Kidney Disease to work at Queensland Health facilities in the catchment areas of Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospital. </p>\n<p>For more information on the opportunity visit the <a href=\"https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH371167\">Queensland Government’s Smart Jobs page</a> or to get in contact with the project team email <a href=\"mailto:MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au\">MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4880,162166,1,'2021-05-18 01:08:07','2021-05-18 01:08:07','73cc7ddb-ba42-4ae9-b961-7c1512cebbcb','<p><strong>Dr Debra Carroll works as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and shared her thoughts on what attracted her to the role and how it complements her work as a general practitioner. </strong></p>\n<p>The GPwSI model of care aims to improve patient access to the most appropriate specialist care in a timely and cost-effective manner, within the outpatient setting. It represents a unique opportunity for GPs to upskill within an area of interest and strengthens the links between primary care practitioners and hospital-based specialist services.</p>\n<p>Within the work she does as a GPwSI, Dr Carroll enjoys the variety that the role brings to her week, and the opportunity to focus on a specific clinical problem within the GDM clinic while working within a multidisciplinary team.</p>\n<p>Dr Carroll said she enjoys being able to bring a broad knowledge of the health system—particularly primary care—to her role as a GPwSI. <br /></p>\n\n<p>“I have the ability to explain to hospital-based healthcare providers how primary care works and how the two systems can work together to improve patient care and outcomes,” she said.</p>\n<p>“I also get the opportunity to advocate for GPs where appropriate and hopefully to provide a positive GP role model to hospital staff and patients.”</p>\n<p>Within her work as a GP, Dr Carroll appreciates the independence, the ability to be flexible and realistic with guidelines and the opportunity to know her patients well in terms of their physical, social and psychological challenges. </p>\n<p>“As a GP I get to advocate for the public system in my practice and assist colleagues and patients in the appropriate pathways to access care within the public system,” Dr Carroll said.</p>\n<p>“It helps to have an improved understanding of the complexities of providing healthcare in the public hospital environment. It is helpful to be able to interpret that for patients and colleagues and improve their confidence in what the public system can provide.”</p>\n<p>To any GPs considering a GPwSI role, Dr Carroll would recommend it to those who want to try something different and work in a team of clinicians with a multi-disciplinary approach.</p>\n<p>“The hospital staff are very welcoming and supportive and very willing to educate and share their knowledge and skills,” Dr Carroll said. </p>\n<p>The project, currently funded in partnership with the Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Division, recruited their first GPwSI in April 2018, since then has had up to 17 GPs with Special Interests working across a diverse selection of 15 specialty departments.</p>\n<p>The GP with Special Interest outpatient clinics are based out of Metro North Hospital and Community Health facilities. Special interest outpatients clinics include:</p>\n<p>orthopaedicdiabetes</p><ul><li>epilepsy</li><li>older persons.</li></ul>\n<p>Metro North Health are currently recruiting a GPwSI in Chronic Kidney Disease to work at Queensland Health facilities in the catchment areas of Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospital. </p>\n<p>For more information on the opportunity visit the <a href=\"https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH371167\">Queensland Government’s Smart Jobs page</a> or to get in contact with the project team email <a href=\"mailto:MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au\">MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4881,162167,1,'2021-05-18 01:08:09','2021-05-18 01:08:09','f130dcab-0976-46ff-98ab-86970299b6d1','<p><strong>Dr Debra Carroll works as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and shared her thoughts on what attracted her to the role and how it complements her work as a general practitioner. </strong></p>\n<p>The GPwSI model of care aims to improve patient access to the most appropriate specialist care in a timely and cost-effective manner, within the outpatient setting. It represents a unique opportunity for GPs to upskill within an area of interest and strengthens the links between primary care practitioners and hospital-based specialist services.</p>\n<p>Within the work she does as a GPwSI, Dr Carroll enjoys the variety that the role brings to her week, and the opportunity to focus on a specific clinical problem within the GDM clinic while working within a multidisciplinary team.</p>\n<p>Dr Carroll said she enjoys being able to bring a broad knowledge of the health system—particularly primary care—to her role as a GPwSI. <br /></p>\n\n<p>“I have the ability to explain to hospital-based healthcare providers how primary care works and how the two systems can work together to improve patient care and outcomes,” she said.</p>\n<p>“I also get the opportunity to advocate for GPs where appropriate and hopefully to provide a positive GP role model to hospital staff and patients.”</p>\n<p>Within her work as a GP, Dr Carroll appreciates the independence, the ability to be flexible and realistic with guidelines and the opportunity to know her patients well in terms of their physical, social and psychological challenges. </p>\n<p>“As a GP I get to advocate for the public system in my practice and assist colleagues and patients in the appropriate pathways to access care within the public system,” Dr Carroll said.</p>\n<p>“It helps to have an improved understanding of the complexities of providing healthcare in the public hospital environment. It is helpful to be able to interpret that for patients and colleagues and improve their confidence in what the public system can provide.”</p>\n<p>To any GPs considering a GPwSI role, Dr Carroll would recommend it to those who want to try something different and work in a team of clinicians with a multi-disciplinary approach.</p>\n<p>“The hospital staff are very welcoming and supportive and very willing to educate and share their knowledge and skills,” Dr Carroll said. </p>\n<p>The project, currently funded in partnership with the Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Division, recruited their first GPwSI in April 2018, since then has had up to 17 GPs with Special Interests working across a diverse selection of 15 specialty departments.</p>\n<p>The GP with Special Interest outpatient clinics are based out of Metro North Hospital and Community Health facilities. Special interest outpatients clinics include:</p>\n<p>orthopaedicdiabetesepilepsy</p><ul><li>older persons.</li></ul>\n<p>Metro North Health are currently recruiting a GPwSI in Chronic Kidney Disease to work at Queensland Health facilities in the catchment areas of Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospital. </p>\n<p>For more information on the opportunity visit the <a href=\"https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH371167\">Queensland Government’s Smart Jobs page</a> or to get in contact with the project team email <a href=\"mailto:MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au\">MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4882,162168,1,'2021-05-18 01:08:10','2021-05-18 01:08:10','26a78f54-2d4a-4cad-b23f-fc5c5b9b20fc','<p><strong>Dr Debra Carroll works as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and shared her thoughts on what attracted her to the role and how it complements her work as a general practitioner. </strong></p>\n<p>The GPwSI model of care aims to improve patient access to the most appropriate specialist care in a timely and cost-effective manner, within the outpatient setting. It represents a unique opportunity for GPs to upskill within an area of interest and strengthens the links between primary care practitioners and hospital-based specialist services.</p>\n<p>Within the work she does as a GPwSI, Dr Carroll enjoys the variety that the role brings to her week, and the opportunity to focus on a specific clinical problem within the GDM clinic while working within a multidisciplinary team.</p>\n<p>Dr Carroll said she enjoys being able to bring a broad knowledge of the health system—particularly primary care—to her role as a GPwSI. <br /></p>\n\n<p>“I have the ability to explain to hospital-based healthcare providers how primary care works and how the two systems can work together to improve patient care and outcomes,” she said.</p>\n<p>“I also get the opportunity to advocate for GPs where appropriate and hopefully to provide a positive GP role model to hospital staff and patients.”</p>\n<p>Within her work as a GP, Dr Carroll appreciates the independence, the ability to be flexible and realistic with guidelines and the opportunity to know her patients well in terms of their physical, social and psychological challenges. </p>\n<p>“As a GP I get to advocate for the public system in my practice and assist colleagues and patients in the appropriate pathways to access care within the public system,” Dr Carroll said.</p>\n<p>“It helps to have an improved understanding of the complexities of providing healthcare in the public hospital environment. It is helpful to be able to interpret that for patients and colleagues and improve their confidence in what the public system can provide.”</p>\n<p>To any GPs considering a GPwSI role, Dr Carroll would recommend it to those who want to try something different and work in a team of clinicians with a multi-disciplinary approach.</p>\n<p>“The hospital staff are very welcoming and supportive and very willing to educate and share their knowledge and skills,” Dr Carroll said. </p>\n<p>The project, currently funded in partnership with the Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Division, recruited their first GPwSI in April 2018, since then has had up to 17 GPs with Special Interests working across a diverse selection of 15 specialty departments.</p>\n<p>The GP with Special Interest outpatient clinics are based out of Metro North Hospital and Community Health facilities. Special interest outpatients clinics include:</p>\n<p>orthopaedicdiabetesepilepsyolder persons.</p>\n<p>Metro North Health are currently recruiting a GPwSI in Chronic Kidney Disease to work at Queensland Health facilities in the catchment areas of Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospital. </p>\n<p>For more information on the opportunity visit the <a href=\"https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH371167\">Queensland Government’s Smart Jobs page</a> or to get in contact with the project team email <a href=\"mailto:MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au\">MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4883,162169,1,'2021-05-18 01:08:13','2021-05-18 01:08:13','432fe033-8a05-485d-a056-8c557804096b','<p><strong>Dr Debra Carroll works as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and shared her thoughts on what attracted her to the role and how it complements her work as a general practitioner. </strong></p>\n<p>The GPwSI model of care aims to improve patient access to the most appropriate specialist care in a timely and cost-effective manner, within the outpatient setting. It represents a unique opportunity for GPs to upskill within an area of interest and strengthens the links between primary care practitioners and hospital-based specialist services.</p>\n<p>Within the work she does as a GPwSI, Dr Carroll enjoys the variety that the role brings to her week, and the opportunity to focus on a specific clinical problem within the GDM clinic while working within a multidisciplinary team.</p>\n<p>Dr Carroll said she enjoys being able to bring a broad knowledge of the health system—particularly primary care—to her role as a GPwSI. <br /></p>\n\n<p>“I have the ability to explain to hospital-based healthcare providers how primary care works and how the two systems can work together to improve patient care and outcomes,” she said.</p>\n<p>“I also get the opportunity to advocate for GPs where appropriate and hopefully to provide a positive GP role model to hospital staff and patients.”</p>\n<p>Within her work as a GP, Dr Carroll appreciates the independence, the ability to be flexible and realistic with guidelines and the opportunity to know her patients well in terms of their physical, social and psychological challenges. </p>\n<p>“As a GP I get to advocate for the public system in my practice and assist colleagues and patients in the appropriate pathways to access care within the public system,” Dr Carroll said.</p>\n<p>“It helps to have an improved understanding of the complexities of providing healthcare in the public hospital environment. It is helpful to be able to interpret that for patients and colleagues and improve their confidence in what the public system can provide.”</p>\n<p>To any GPs considering a GPwSI role, Dr Carroll would recommend it to those who want to try something different and work in a team of clinicians with a multi-disciplinary approach.</p>\n<p>“The hospital staff are very welcoming and supportive and very willing to educate and share their knowledge and skills,” Dr Carroll said. </p>\n<p>The project, currently funded in partnership with the Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Division, recruited their first GPwSI in April 2018, since then has had up to 17 GPs with Special Interests working across a diverse selection of 15 specialty departments.</p>\n<p>The GP with Special Interest outpatient clinics are based out of Metro North Hospital and Community Health facilities. Special interest outpatients clinics include:orthopaedicdiabetesepilepsyolder persons.</p>\n\n<p>Metro North Health are currently recruiting a GPwSI in Chronic Kidney Disease to work at Queensland Health facilities in the catchment areas of Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospital. </p>\n<p>For more information on the opportunity visit the <a href=\"https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH371167\">Queensland Government’s Smart Jobs page</a> or to get in contact with the project team email <a href=\"mailto:MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au\">MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4884,162170,1,'2021-05-18 01:08:15','2021-05-18 01:08:15','f8bdf9b3-727d-4711-91ab-f73abb98a257','<p><strong>Dr Debra Carroll works as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and shared her thoughts on what attracted her to the role and how it complements her work as a general practitioner. </strong></p>\n<p>The GPwSI model of care aims to improve patient access to the most appropriate specialist care in a timely and cost-effective manner, within the outpatient setting. It represents a unique opportunity for GPs to upskill within an area of interest and strengthens the links between primary care practitioners and hospital-based specialist services.</p>\n<p>Within the work she does as a GPwSI, Dr Carroll enjoys the variety that the role brings to her week, and the opportunity to focus on a specific clinical problem within the GDM clinic while working within a multidisciplinary team.</p>\n<p>Dr Carroll said she enjoys being able to bring a broad knowledge of the health system—particularly primary care—to her role as a GPwSI. <br /></p>\n\n<p>“I have the ability to explain to hospital-based healthcare providers how primary care works and how the two systems can work together to improve patient care and outcomes,” she said.</p>\n<p>“I also get the opportunity to advocate for GPs where appropriate and hopefully to provide a positive GP role model to hospital staff and patients.”</p>\n<p>Within her work as a GP, Dr Carroll appreciates the independence, the ability to be flexible and realistic with guidelines and the opportunity to know her patients well in terms of their physical, social and psychological challenges. </p>\n<p>“As a GP I get to advocate for the public system in my practice and assist colleagues and patients in the appropriate pathways to access care within the public system,” Dr Carroll said.</p>\n<p>“It helps to have an improved understanding of the complexities of providing healthcare in the public hospital environment. It is helpful to be able to interpret that for patients and colleagues and improve their confidence in what the public system can provide.”</p>\n<p>To any GPs considering a GPwSI role, Dr Carroll would recommend it to those who want to try something different and work in a team of clinicians with a multi-disciplinary approach.</p>\n<p>“The hospital staff are very welcoming and supportive and very willing to educate and share their knowledge and skills,” Dr Carroll said. </p>\n<p>The project, currently funded in partnership with the Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Division, recruited their first GPwSI in April 2018, since then has had up to 17 GPs with Special Interests working across a diverse selection of 15 specialty departments.</p>\n<p>The GP with Special Interest outpatient clinics are based out of Metro North Hospital and Community Health facilities. Special interest outpatients clinics include:</p>\n<p>orthopaedicdiabetesepilepsyolder persons.</p>\n\n<p>Metro North Health are currently recruiting a GPwSI in Chronic Kidney Disease to work at Queensland Health facilities in the catchment areas of Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospital. </p>\n<p>For more information on the opportunity visit the <a href=\"https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH371167\">Queensland Government’s Smart Jobs page</a> or to get in contact with the project team email <a href=\"mailto:MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au\">MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4885,162171,1,'2021-05-18 01:08:17','2021-05-18 01:08:17','ca5b20ef-ffa7-4b25-a239-88933337a686','<p><strong>Dr Debra Carroll works as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and shared her thoughts on what attracted her to the role and how it complements her work as a general practitioner. </strong></p>\n<p>The GPwSI model of care aims to improve patient access to the most appropriate specialist care in a timely and cost-effective manner, within the outpatient setting. It represents a unique opportunity for GPs to upskill within an area of interest and strengthens the links between primary care practitioners and hospital-based specialist services.</p>\n<p>Within the work she does as a GPwSI, Dr Carroll enjoys the variety that the role brings to her week, and the opportunity to focus on a specific clinical problem within the GDM clinic while working within a multidisciplinary team.</p>\n<p>Dr Carroll said she enjoys being able to bring a broad knowledge of the health system—particularly primary care—to her role as a GPwSI. <br /></p>\n\n<p>“I have the ability to explain to hospital-based healthcare providers how primary care works and how the two systems can work together to improve patient care and outcomes,” she said.</p>\n<p>“I also get the opportunity to advocate for GPs where appropriate and hopefully to provide a positive GP role model to hospital staff and patients.”</p>\n<p>Within her work as a GP, Dr Carroll appreciates the independence, the ability to be flexible and realistic with guidelines and the opportunity to know her patients well in terms of their physical, social and psychological challenges. </p>\n<p>“As a GP I get to advocate for the public system in my practice and assist colleagues and patients in the appropriate pathways to access care within the public system,” Dr Carroll said.</p>\n<p>“It helps to have an improved understanding of the complexities of providing healthcare in the public hospital environment. It is helpful to be able to interpret that for patients and colleagues and improve their confidence in what the public system can provide.”</p>\n<p>To any GPs considering a GPwSI role, Dr Carroll would recommend it to those who want to try something different and work in a team of clinicians with a multi-disciplinary approach.</p>\n<p>“The hospital staff are very welcoming and supportive and very willing to educate and share their knowledge and skills,” Dr Carroll said. </p>\n<p>The project, currently funded in partnership with the Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Division, recruited their first GPwSI in April 2018, since then has had up to 17 GPs with Special Interests working across a diverse selection of 15 specialty departments.</p>\n<p>The GP with Special Interest outpatient clinics are based out of Metro North Hospital and Community Health facilities. Special interest outpatients clinics include:</p><ul><li>orthopaedicdiabetesepilepsyolder persons.</li></ul>\n\n<p>Metro North Health are currently recruiting a GPwSI in Chronic Kidney Disease to work at Queensland Health facilities in the catchment areas of Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospital. </p>\n<p>For more information on the opportunity visit the <a href=\"https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH371167\">Queensland Government’s Smart Jobs page</a> or to get in contact with the project team email <a href=\"mailto:MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au\">MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4886,162172,1,'2021-05-18 01:08:18','2021-05-18 01:08:18','5459b9f8-9d87-47fb-a7c6-f50900ca106d','<p><strong>Dr Debra Carroll works as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and shared her thoughts on what attracted her to the role and how it complements her work as a general practitioner. </strong></p>\n<p>The GPwSI model of care aims to improve patient access to the most appropriate specialist care in a timely and cost-effective manner, within the outpatient setting. It represents a unique opportunity for GPs to upskill within an area of interest and strengthens the links between primary care practitioners and hospital-based specialist services.</p>\n<p>Within the work she does as a GPwSI, Dr Carroll enjoys the variety that the role brings to her week, and the opportunity to focus on a specific clinical problem within the GDM clinic while working within a multidisciplinary team.</p>\n<p>Dr Carroll said she enjoys being able to bring a broad knowledge of the health system—particularly primary care—to her role as a GPwSI. <br /></p>\n\n<p>“I have the ability to explain to hospital-based healthcare providers how primary care works and how the two systems can work together to improve patient care and outcomes,” she said.</p>\n<p>“I also get the opportunity to advocate for GPs where appropriate and hopefully to provide a positive GP role model to hospital staff and patients.”</p>\n<p>Within her work as a GP, Dr Carroll appreciates the independence, the ability to be flexible and realistic with guidelines and the opportunity to know her patients well in terms of their physical, social and psychological challenges. </p>\n<p>“As a GP I get to advocate for the public system in my practice and assist colleagues and patients in the appropriate pathways to access care within the public system,” Dr Carroll said.</p>\n<p>“It helps to have an improved understanding of the complexities of providing healthcare in the public hospital environment. It is helpful to be able to interpret that for patients and colleagues and improve their confidence in what the public system can provide.”</p>\n<p>To any GPs considering a GPwSI role, Dr Carroll would recommend it to those who want to try something different and work in a team of clinicians with a multi-disciplinary approach.</p>\n<p>“The hospital staff are very welcoming and supportive and very willing to educate and share their knowledge and skills,” Dr Carroll said. </p>\n<p>The project, currently funded in partnership with the Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Division, recruited their first GPwSI in April 2018, since then has had up to 17 GPs with Special Interests working across a diverse selection of 15 specialty departments.</p>\n<p>The GP with Special Interest outpatient clinics are based out of Metro North Hospital and Community Health facilities. Special interest outpatients clinics include:</p><ul><li>orthopaedic</li><li>diabetesepilepsyolder persons.</li></ul>\n\n<p>Metro North Health are currently recruiting a GPwSI in Chronic Kidney Disease to work at Queensland Health facilities in the catchment areas of Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospital. </p>\n<p>For more information on the opportunity visit the <a href=\"https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH371167\">Queensland Government’s Smart Jobs page</a> or to get in contact with the project team email <a href=\"mailto:MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au\">MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4887,162173,1,'2021-05-18 01:08:20','2021-05-18 01:08:20','3d43f20f-9454-4d28-a242-1c8b70a1d054','<p><strong>Dr Debra Carroll works as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and shared her thoughts on what attracted her to the role and how it complements her work as a general practitioner. </strong></p>\n<p>The GPwSI model of care aims to improve patient access to the most appropriate specialist care in a timely and cost-effective manner, within the outpatient setting. It represents a unique opportunity for GPs to upskill within an area of interest and strengthens the links between primary care practitioners and hospital-based specialist services.</p>\n<p>Within the work she does as a GPwSI, Dr Carroll enjoys the variety that the role brings to her week, and the opportunity to focus on a specific clinical problem within the GDM clinic while working within a multidisciplinary team.</p>\n<p>Dr Carroll said she enjoys being able to bring a broad knowledge of the health system—particularly primary care—to her role as a GPwSI. <br /></p>\n\n<p>“I have the ability to explain to hospital-based healthcare providers how primary care works and how the two systems can work together to improve patient care and outcomes,” she said.</p>\n<p>“I also get the opportunity to advocate for GPs where appropriate and hopefully to provide a positive GP role model to hospital staff and patients.”</p>\n<p>Within her work as a GP, Dr Carroll appreciates the independence, the ability to be flexible and realistic with guidelines and the opportunity to know her patients well in terms of their physical, social and psychological challenges. </p>\n<p>“As a GP I get to advocate for the public system in my practice and assist colleagues and patients in the appropriate pathways to access care within the public system,” Dr Carroll said.</p>\n<p>“It helps to have an improved understanding of the complexities of providing healthcare in the public hospital environment. It is helpful to be able to interpret that for patients and colleagues and improve their confidence in what the public system can provide.”</p>\n<p>To any GPs considering a GPwSI role, Dr Carroll would recommend it to those who want to try something different and work in a team of clinicians with a multi-disciplinary approach.</p>\n<p>“The hospital staff are very welcoming and supportive and very willing to educate and share their knowledge and skills,” Dr Carroll said. </p>\n<p>The project, currently funded in partnership with the Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Division, recruited their first GPwSI in April 2018, since then has had up to 17 GPs with Special Interests working across a diverse selection of 15 specialty departments.</p>\n<p>The GP with Special Interest outpatient clinics are based out of Metro North Hospital and Community Health facilities. Special interest outpatients clinics include:</p><ul><li>orthopaedic</li><li>diabetes</li><li>epilepsyolder persons.</li></ul>\n\n<p>Metro North Health are currently recruiting a GPwSI in Chronic Kidney Disease to work at Queensland Health facilities in the catchment areas of Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospital. </p>\n<p>For more information on the opportunity visit the <a href=\"https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH371167\">Queensland Government’s Smart Jobs page</a> or to get in contact with the project team email <a href=\"mailto:MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au\">MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4888,162174,1,'2021-05-18 01:08:23','2021-05-18 01:08:23','851cf870-732a-4bd9-817e-f89b0f1e563f','<p><strong>Dr Debra Carroll works as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and shared her thoughts on what attracted her to the role and how it complements her work as a general practitioner. </strong></p>\n<p>The GPwSI model of care aims to improve patient access to the most appropriate specialist care in a timely and cost-effective manner, within the outpatient setting. It represents a unique opportunity for GPs to upskill within an area of interest and strengthens the links between primary care practitioners and hospital-based specialist services.</p>\n<p>Within the work she does as a GPwSI, Dr Carroll enjoys the variety that the role brings to her week, and the opportunity to focus on a specific clinical problem within the GDM clinic while working within a multidisciplinary team.</p>\n<p>Dr Carroll said she enjoys being able to bring a broad knowledge of the health system—particularly primary care—to her role as a GPwSI. <br /></p>\n\n<p>“I have the ability to explain to hospital-based healthcare providers how primary care works and how the two systems can work together to improve patient care and outcomes,” she said.</p>\n<p>“I also get the opportunity to advocate for GPs where appropriate and hopefully to provide a positive GP role model to hospital staff and patients.”</p>\n<p>Within her work as a GP, Dr Carroll appreciates the independence, the ability to be flexible and realistic with guidelines and the opportunity to know her patients well in terms of their physical, social and psychological challenges. </p>\n<p>“As a GP I get to advocate for the public system in my practice and assist colleagues and patients in the appropriate pathways to access care within the public system,” Dr Carroll said.</p>\n<p>“It helps to have an improved understanding of the complexities of providing healthcare in the public hospital environment. It is helpful to be able to interpret that for patients and colleagues and improve their confidence in what the public system can provide.”</p>\n<p>To any GPs considering a GPwSI role, Dr Carroll would recommend it to those who want to try something different and work in a team of clinicians with a multi-disciplinary approach.</p>\n<p>“The hospital staff are very welcoming and supportive and very willing to educate and share their knowledge and skills,” Dr Carroll said. </p>\n<p>The project, currently funded in partnership with the Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Division, recruited their first GPwSI in April 2018, since then has had up to 17 GPs with Special Interests working across a diverse selection of 15 specialty departments.</p>\n<p>The GP with Special Interest outpatient clinics are based out of Metro North Hospital and Community Health facilities. Special interest outpatients clinics include:</p><ul><li>orthopaedic</li><li>diabetes</li><li>epilepsy</li><li>older persons.</li></ul>\n\n<p>Metro North Health are currently recruiting a GPwSI in Chronic Kidney Disease to work at Queensland Health facilities in the catchment areas of Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospital. </p>\n<p>For more information on the opportunity visit the <a href=\"https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH371167\">Queensland Government’s Smart Jobs page</a> or to get in contact with the project team email <a href=\"mailto:MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au\">MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4889,162175,1,'2021-05-18 01:08:36','2021-05-18 01:08:36','263e7e1c-df0c-4227-b65b-04c0b4ac3335','<p><strong>Dr Debra Carroll works as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and shared her thoughts on what attracted her to the role and how it complements her work as a general practitioner. </strong></p>\n<p>The GPwSI model of care aims to improve patient access to the most appropriate specialist care in a timely and cost-effective manner, within the outpatient setting. It represents a unique opportunity for GPs to upskill within an area of interest and strengthens the links between primary care practitioners and hospital-based specialist services.</p>\n<p>Within the work she does as a GPwSI, Dr Carroll enjoys the variety that the role brings to her week, and the opportunity to focus on a specific clinical problem within the GDM clinic while working within a multidisciplinary team.</p>\n<p>Dr Carroll said she enjoys being able to bring a broad knowledge of the health system—particularly primary care—to her role as a GPwSI. <br /></p>\n\n<p>“I have the ability to explain to hospital-based healthcare providers how primary care works and how the two systems can work together to improve patient care and outcomes,” she said.</p>\n<p>“I also get the opportunity to advocate for GPs where appropriate and hopefully to provide a positive GP role model to hospital staff and patients.”</p>\n<p>Within her work as a GP, Dr Carroll appreciates the independence, the ability to be flexible and realistic with guidelines and the opportunity to know her patients well in terms of their physical, social and psychological challenges. </p>\n<p>“As a GP I get to advocate for the public system in my practice and assist colleagues and patients in the appropriate pathways to access care within the public system,” Dr Carroll said.</p>\n<p>“It helps to have an improved understanding of the complexities of providing healthcare in the public hospital environment. It is helpful to be able to interpret that for patients and colleagues and improve their confidence in what the public system can provide.”</p>\n<p>To any GPs considering a GPwSI role, Dr Carroll would recommend it to those who want to try something different and work in a team of clinicians with a multi-disciplinary approach.</p>\n<p>“The hospital staff are very welcoming and supportive and very willing to educate and share their knowledge and skills,” Dr Carroll said. </p>\n<p>The project, currently funded in partnership with the Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Division, recruited their first GPwSI in April 2018, since then has had up to 17 GPs with Special Interests working across a diverse selection of 15 specialty departments.</p>\n<p>The GP with Special Interest outpatient clinics are based out of Metro North Hospital and Community Health facilities. Special interest outpatients clinics include:</p><ul><li>orthopaedic</li><li>diabetes</li><li>epilepsy</li><li>older persons.</li></ul>\n\n<p>Metro North Health are currently recruiting a GPwSI in Chronic Kidney Disease to work at Queensland Health facilities in the catchment areas of Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospital. </p>\n<p><strong>For more information on the opportunity visit the <a href=\"https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH371167\">Queensland Government’s Smart Jobs page</a> or to get in contact with the project team email <a href=\"mailto:MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au\">MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au</a>. </strong></p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4891,162178,1,'2021-05-18 01:08:56','2021-05-18 23:43:54','7ca90b03-4559-410b-9fdb-05c46ab92933','<p><strong>Dr Debra Carroll works as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and shared her thoughts on what attracted her to the role and how it complements her work as a general practitioner. </strong><br /></p>\n\n<p>Within the work she does as a GPwSI, Dr Carroll enjoys the variety that the role brings to her week, and the opportunity to focus on a specific clinical problem within the GDM clinic while working within a multidisciplinary team.</p>\n<p>Dr Carroll said she enjoys being able to bring a broad knowledge of the health system—particularly primary care—to her role as a GPwSI. <br /></p>\n<p>“I have the ability to explain to hospital-based healthcare providers how primary care works and how the two systems can work together to improve patient care and outcomes,” she said.</p>\n<p>“I also get the opportunity to advocate for GPs where appropriate and hopefully to provide a positive GP role model to hospital staff and patients.”</p>\n<p>The GPwSI model of care aims to improve patient access to the most appropriate specialist care in a timely and cost-effective manner, within the outpatient setting. It represents a unique opportunity for GPs to upskill within an area of interest and strengthens the links between primary care practitioners and hospital-based specialist services.</p>\n<p>Within her work as a GP, Dr Carroll appreciates the independence, the ability to be flexible and realistic with guidelines and the opportunity to know her patients well in terms of their physical, social and psychological challenges. </p>\n<p>“As a GP I get to advocate for the public system in my practice and assist colleagues and patients in the appropriate pathways to access care within the public system,” Dr Carroll said.</p>\n<p>“It helps to have an improved understanding of the complexities of providing healthcare in the public hospital environment. It is helpful to be able to interpret that for patients and colleagues and improve their confidence in what the public system can provide.”</p>\n<p>To any GPs considering a GPwSI role, Dr Carroll would recommend it to those who want to try something different and work in a team of clinicians with a multi-disciplinary approach.</p>\n<p>“The hospital staff are very welcoming and supportive and very willing to educate and share their knowledge and skills,” Dr Carroll said. </p>\n<p>The project, currently funded in partnership with the Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Division, recruited their first GPwSI in April 2018, since then has had up to 17 GPs with Special Interests working across a diverse selection of 15 specialty departments.</p>\n<p>The GP with Special Interest outpatient clinics are based out of Metro North Hospital and Community Health facilities. Special interest outpatients clinics include:</p>\n<ul><li>orthopaedic</li><li>diabetes</li><li>epilepsy</li><li>older persons.</li></ul>\n<p>Metro North Health are currently recruiting a GPwSI in Chronic Kidney Disease to work at Queensland Health facilities in the catchment areas of Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospital. </p>\n<p>For more information on the opportunity visit the <a href=\"https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH371167\">Queensland Government’s Smart Jobs page</a> or to get in contact with the project team email <a href=\"mailto:MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au\">MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4892,162180,1,'2021-05-18 01:08:56','2021-05-18 01:08:56','2a8cc7e9-23bc-4c07-b34e-17c242f2f86a','<p><strong>Dr Debra Carroll works as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and shared her thoughts on what attracted her to the role and how it complements her work as a general practitioner. </strong></p>\n<p>The GPwSI model of care aims to improve patient access to the most appropriate specialist care in a timely and cost-effective manner, within the outpatient setting. It represents a unique opportunity for GPs to upskill within an area of interest and strengthens the links between primary care practitioners and hospital-based specialist services.</p>\n<p>Within the work she does as a GPwSI, Dr Carroll enjoys the variety that the role brings to her week, and the opportunity to focus on a specific clinical problem within the GDM clinic while working within a multidisciplinary team.</p>\n<p>Dr Carroll said she enjoys being able to bring a broad knowledge of the health system—particularly primary care—to her role as a GPwSI. <br /></p>\n\n<p>“I have the ability to explain to hospital-based healthcare providers how primary care works and how the two systems can work together to improve patient care and outcomes,” she said.</p>\n<p>“I also get the opportunity to advocate for GPs where appropriate and hopefully to provide a positive GP role model to hospital staff and patients.”</p>\n<p>Within her work as a GP, Dr Carroll appreciates the independence, the ability to be flexible and realistic with guidelines and the opportunity to know her patients well in terms of their physical, social and psychological challenges. </p>\n<p>“As a GP I get to advocate for the public system in my practice and assist colleagues and patients in the appropriate pathways to access care within the public system,” Dr Carroll said.</p>\n<p>“It helps to have an improved understanding of the complexities of providing healthcare in the public hospital environment. It is helpful to be able to interpret that for patients and colleagues and improve their confidence in what the public system can provide.”</p>\n<p>To any GPs considering a GPwSI role, Dr Carroll would recommend it to those who want to try something different and work in a team of clinicians with a multi-disciplinary approach.</p>\n<p>“The hospital staff are very welcoming and supportive and very willing to educate and share their knowledge and skills,” Dr Carroll said. </p>\n<p>The project, currently funded in partnership with the Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Division, recruited their first GPwSI in April 2018, since then has had up to 17 GPs with Special Interests working across a diverse selection of 15 specialty departments.</p>\n<p>The GP with Special Interest outpatient clinics are based out of Metro North Hospital and Community Health facilities. Special interest outpatients clinics include:</p><ul><li>orthopaedic</li><li>diabetes</li><li>epilepsy</li><li>older persons.</li></ul>\n\n<p>Metro North Health are currently recruiting a GPwSI in Chronic Kidney Disease to work at Queensland Health facilities in the catchment areas of Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospital. </p>\n<p>For more information on the opportunity visit the <a href=\"https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH371167\">Queensland Government’s Smart Jobs page</a> or to get in contact with the project team email <a href=\"mailto:MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au\">MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4893,162182,1,'2021-05-18 01:08:58','2021-05-18 01:08:58','5c5af3ec-a0ca-472a-8273-bb1d40e15459','<p><strong>Dr Debra Carroll works as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and shared her thoughts on what attracted her to the role and how it complements her work as a general practitioner. </strong></p>\n<p>The GPwSI model of care aims to improve patient access to the most appropriate specialist care in a timely and cost-effective manner, within the outpatient setting. It represents a unique opportunity for GPs to upskill within an area of interest and strengthens the links between primary care practitioners and hospital-based specialist services.</p>\n<p>Within the work she does as a GPwSI, Dr Carroll enjoys the variety that the role brings to her week, and the opportunity to focus on a specific clinical problem within the GDM clinic while working within a multidisciplinary team.</p>\n<p>Dr Carroll said she enjoys being able to bring a broad knowledge of the health system—particularly primary care—to her role as a GPwSI. <br /></p>\n\n<p>“I have the ability to explain to hospital-based healthcare providers how primary care works and how the two systems can work together to improve patient care and outcomes,” she said.</p>\n<p>“I also get the opportunity to advocate for GPs where appropriate and hopefully to provide a positive GP role model to hospital staff and patients.”</p>\n<p>Within her work as a GP, Dr Carroll appreciates the independence, the ability to be flexible and realistic with guidelines and the opportunity to know her patients well in terms of their physical, social and psychological challenges. </p>\n<p>“As a GP I get to advocate for the public system in my practice and assist colleagues and patients in the appropriate pathways to access care within the public system,” Dr Carroll said.</p>\n<p>“It helps to have an improved understanding of the complexities of providing healthcare in the public hospital environment. It is helpful to be able to interpret that for patients and colleagues and improve their confidence in what the public system can provide.”</p>\n<p>To any GPs considering a GPwSI role, Dr Carroll would recommend it to those who want to try something different and work in a team of clinicians with a multi-disciplinary approach.</p>\n<p>“The hospital staff are very welcoming and supportive and very willing to educate and share their knowledge and skills,” Dr Carroll said. </p>\n<p>The project, currently funded in partnership with the Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Division, recruited their first GPwSI in April 2018, since then has had up to 17 GPs with Special Interests working across a diverse selection of 15 specialty departments.</p>\n<p>The GP with Special Interest outpatient clinics are based out of Metro North Hospital and Community Health facilities. Special interest outpatients clinics include:</p><ul><li>orthopaedic</li><li>diabetes</li><li>epilepsy</li><li>older persons.</li></ul>\n\n<p>Metro North Health are currently recruiting a GPwSI in Chronic Kidney Disease to work at Queensland Health facilities in the catchment areas of Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospital. </p>\n<p>For more information on the opportunity visit the <a href=\"https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH371167\">Queensland Government’s Smart Jobs page</a> or to get in contact with the project team email <a href=\"mailto:MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au\">MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4894,162184,1,'2021-05-18 01:09:29','2021-05-18 01:09:29','98fd2222-df52-474f-9d5e-fa1aee9a6d6f',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL),(4895,162185,1,'2021-05-18 01:09:31','2021-05-18 01:09:31','c834f8c1-4a75-4889-8617-16893f44a370','<p><strong>Vaccination against influenza (flu) remains important this year. Flu is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause widespread illness and deaths every year. Vaccination is our best defence against flu viruses.</strong></p>\n<p>Behaviours such as increased hand washing and social distancing helped to stop the spread of flu viruses in the community last year. Relaxing social distancing restrictions this year may allow flu viruses to recirculate, even if they were hardly seen in 2020.</p>\n<p><strong>Read more</strong></p>\n<p>Under the National Immunisation Program, free flu vaccines are provided to the following groups who are at higher risk of complications from flu:</p>\n<ul><li>children aged 6 months to less than 5 years</li><li>all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over</li><li>people aged 6 months and over with certain medical conditions that increase their chance of severe influenza and its complications</li><li>pregnant women (at any stage during pregnancy)</li><li>people aged 65 years and over.</li></ul>\n<p>Free flu vaccines under the National Immunisation Program are available from April 2021. Vaccinating in autumn provides protection before the peak influenza season.</p>\n<p>Free flu vaccines are available from GPs, community health clinics, Aboriginal Medical Services and other immunisation providers in your state or territory. To locate a service in your area you can search the <a href=\"https://about.healthdirect.gov.au/nhsd\">National Health Services Directory</a>.</p>\n<p>Check with your immunisation provider to find out when they will have the vaccine available and when you can book in to get the vaccine.</p>\n<p>If you are not eligible for a free flu vaccine, you can purchase the vaccine from your GP, a pharmacy, or another immunisation provider.</p>\n<p>Vaccination experts recommend waiting 14 days between getting a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine. Given this, it will be important to plan both vaccinations.</p>\n<p>It doesn’t matter in what order you get the vaccines, however:</p>\n<ul><li>if you are in earlier phases for COVID-19 vaccination, you should get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon you can. You can then plan your flu vaccination.</li><li>if you are in later phases for COVID-19 vaccination, you should get the flu vaccine as soon as you can. This will ensure you are ready to get your COVID‑19 vaccine when it is available to you.</li></ul>\n<p>You can check what phase you are in using the <a href=\"https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility\">COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker</a>.</p>\n<p>When you book in for your flu vaccination, remember to tell your vaccination provider or clinic if you have received the COVID-19 vaccine (and when you received it). This will help them to plan your appointment.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4897,162188,1,'2021-05-18 01:10:03','2021-05-18 01:10:03','f326d0d4-56bd-411d-aaad-9d75f5e2572e','<p><strong>Vaccination against influenza (flu) remains important this year. Flu is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause widespread illness and deaths every year. Vaccination is our best defence against flu viruses.</strong></p>\n<p>Behaviours such as increased hand washing and social distancing helped to stop the spread of flu viruses in the community last year. Relaxing social distancing restrictions this year may allow flu viruses to recirculate, even if they were hardly seen in 2020.<br /></p>\n\n<p>Under the National Immunisation Program, free flu vaccines are provided to the following groups who are at higher risk of complications from flu:</p>\n<ul><li>children aged 6 months to less than 5 years</li><li>all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over</li><li>people aged 6 months and over with certain medical conditions that increase their chance of severe influenza and its complications</li><li>pregnant women (at any stage during pregnancy)</li><li>people aged 65 years and over.</li></ul>\n<p>Free flu vaccines under the National Immunisation Program are available from April 2021. Vaccinating in autumn provides protection before the peak influenza season.</p>\n<p>Free flu vaccines are available from GPs, community health clinics, Aboriginal Medical Services and other immunisation providers in your state or territory. To locate a service in your area you can search the <a href=\"https://about.healthdirect.gov.au/nhsd\">National Health Services Directory</a>.</p>\n<p>Check with your immunisation provider to find out when they will have the vaccine available and when you can book in to get the vaccine.</p>\n<p>If you are not eligible for a free flu vaccine, you can purchase the vaccine from your GP, a pharmacy, or another immunisation provider.</p>\n<p>Vaccination experts recommend waiting 14 days between getting a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine. Given this, it will be important to plan both vaccinations.</p>\n<p>It doesn’t matter in what order you get the vaccines, however:</p>\n<ul><li>if you are in earlier phases for COVID-19 vaccination, you should get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon you can. You can then plan your flu vaccination.</li><li>if you are in later phases for COVID-19 vaccination, you should get the flu vaccine as soon as you can. This will ensure you are ready to get your COVID‑19 vaccine when it is available to you.</li></ul>\n<p>You can check what phase you are in using the <a href=\"https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility\">COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker</a>.</p>\n<p>When you book in for your flu vaccination, remember to tell your vaccination provider or clinic if you have received the COVID-19 vaccine (and when you received it). This will help them to plan your appointment.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4898,162190,1,'2021-05-18 01:10:03','2021-05-18 01:10:03','98db0650-99d2-4167-bfe7-44ff1369892f','<p><strong>Vaccination against influenza (flu) remains important this year. Flu is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause widespread illness and deaths every year. Vaccination is our best defence against flu viruses.</strong></p>\n<p>Behaviours such as increased hand washing and social distancing helped to stop the spread of flu viruses in the community last year. Relaxing social distancing restrictions this year may allow flu viruses to recirculate, even if they were hardly seen in 2020.<br /></p>\n\n<p>Under the National Immunisation Program, free flu vaccines are provided to the following groups who are at higher risk of complications from flu:</p>\n<ul><li>children aged 6 months to less than 5 years</li><li>all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over</li><li>people aged 6 months and over with certain medical conditions that increase their chance of severe influenza and its complications</li><li>pregnant women (at any stage during pregnancy)</li><li>people aged 65 years and over.</li></ul>\n<p>Free flu vaccines under the National Immunisation Program are available from April 2021. Vaccinating in autumn provides protection before the peak influenza season.</p>\n<p>Free flu vaccines are available from GPs, community health clinics, Aboriginal Medical Services and other immunisation providers in your state or territory. To locate a service in your area you can search the <a href=\"https://about.healthdirect.gov.au/nhsd\">National Health Services Directory</a>.</p>\n<p>Check with your immunisation provider to find out when they will have the vaccine available and when you can book in to get the vaccine.</p>\n<p>If you are not eligible for a free flu vaccine, you can purchase the vaccine from your GP, a pharmacy, or another immunisation provider.</p>\n<p>Vaccination experts recommend waiting 14 days between getting a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine. Given this, it will be important to plan both vaccinations.</p>\n<p>It doesn’t matter in what order you get the vaccines, however:</p>\n<ul><li>if you are in earlier phases for COVID-19 vaccination, you should get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon you can. You can then plan your flu vaccination.</li><li>if you are in later phases for COVID-19 vaccination, you should get the flu vaccine as soon as you can. This will ensure you are ready to get your COVID‑19 vaccine when it is available to you.</li></ul>\n<p>You can check what phase you are in using the <a href=\"https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility\">COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker</a>.</p>\n<p>When you book in for your flu vaccination, remember to tell your vaccination provider or clinic if you have received the COVID-19 vaccine (and when you received it). This will help them to plan your appointment.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4899,162192,1,'2021-05-18 01:10:08','2021-05-18 01:10:08','23380461-acb2-4b19-9236-b47dbf03f705','<p><strong>Vaccination against influenza (flu) remains important this year. Flu is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause widespread illness and deaths every year. Vaccination is our best defence against flu viruses.</strong></p>\n<p>Behaviours such as increased hand washing and social distancing helped to stop the spread of flu viruses in the community last year. Relaxing social distancing restrictions this year may allow flu viruses to recirculate, even if they were hardly seen in 2020.<br /></p>\n\n<p>Under the National Immunisation Program, free flu vaccines are provided to the following groups who are at higher risk of complications from flu:</p>\n<ul><li>children aged 6 months to less than 5 years</li><li>all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over</li><li>people aged 6 months and over with certain medical conditions that increase their chance of severe influenza and its complications</li><li>pregnant women (at any stage during pregnancy)</li><li>people aged 65 years and over.</li></ul>\n<p>Free flu vaccines under the National Immunisation Program are available from April 2021. Vaccinating in autumn provides protection before the peak influenza season.</p>\n<p>Free flu vaccines are available from GPs, community health clinics, Aboriginal Medical Services and other immunisation providers in your state or territory. To locate a service in your area you can search the <a href=\"https://about.healthdirect.gov.au/nhsd\">National Health Services Directory</a>.</p>\n<p>Check with your immunisation provider to find out when they will have the vaccine available and when you can book in to get the vaccine.</p>\n<p>If you are not eligible for a free flu vaccine, you can purchase the vaccine from your GP, a pharmacy, or another immunisation provider.</p>\n<p>Vaccination experts recommend waiting 14 days between getting a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine. Given this, it will be important to plan both vaccinations.</p>\n<p>It doesn’t matter in what order you get the vaccines, however:</p>\n<ul><li>if you are in earlier phases for COVID-19 vaccination, you should get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon you can. You can then plan your flu vaccination.</li><li>if you are in later phases for COVID-19 vaccination, you should get the flu vaccine as soon as you can. This will ensure you are ready to get your COVID‑19 vaccine when it is available to you.</li></ul>\n<p>You can check what phase you are in using the <a href=\"https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility\">COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker</a>.</p>\n<p>When you book in for your flu vaccination, remember to tell your vaccination provider or clinic if you have received the COVID-19 vaccine (and when you received it). This will help them to plan your appointment.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4900,162194,1,'2021-05-18 01:13:31','2021-05-18 01:13:31','dbaea715-7e31-4b79-80ad-41c36d58e891',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL),(4901,162195,1,'2021-05-18 01:13:33','2021-05-18 01:13:33','133c2d58-6b04-43df-9bd7-c454d7edb295','<p>Across Metro North Health, gonorrhoea notifications increased 55 per cent between 2016 to 2019, when it reached a peak of 1635, dropping slightly to 1576 notifications during 2020 and the height of the COVID lockdown. </p>\n<p>Similarly, for syphilis, Metro North recorded an 85 per cent increase between 2016 and 2020, when 323 syphilis notifications were recorded last year, increasingly among young heterosexual men and women. </p>\n<p>Against this backdrop of rising infection, it is timely and important that GPs are reminded of contact tracing as a cornerstone in the control of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and an essential part of patient management. Given the demonstrated success of early, intense contact tracing for the control of COVID-19, GPs should be aware of those same principles applied to STI control: regular testing, regular re-testing and contact tracing. It is important for GPs to have contact tracing permanently on their checklist whenever discussing, testing and managing STIs.</p>\n<p><strong>Read more</strong></p>\n<p>Contract tracing is the process of:</p>\n<ul><li>identifying persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition</li><li>informing persons who are unaware that they may have contracted a notifiable condition so that they may seek testing and treatment before complications arise</li><li>providing information to persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition to prevent or minimise transmission of that condition.</li></ul>\n<p>There is often a misunderstanding that contact tracing for STI is automatically undertaken by the Department (as done for COVID-19 or HIV). Whilst Contact Tracing Support Officers (CTSO) are available to advise and assist GPs, GPs will need to support patients diagnosed with an STI to do contact tracing by:</p>\n<ul>\n <li>Providing the patient with education about the STI, including asymptomatic transmission, risk of complications if left untreated and risk to the patient of re-infection if their partners are not treated as well.</li>\n <li>Discussing that all sexual contacts need to be considered within the appropriate look-back period for the STI and not just the most recent contact. Information on how far back to trace for different STIs is offered by the <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/GPMeCD1vQxiQ489IWC-JB?domain=contacttracing.ashm.org.au\">Australasian Contact Tracing Guidelines</a>.</li>\n <li>Providing the patient with information regarding the anonymous contact tracing websites that are available: <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/2zUFCE8w0yiKEZ7cwv52s?domain=letthemknow.org.au/\">Let Them Know</a> or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UvhQCGv0MAUovz7TpMyQu?domain=thedramadownunder.info\">The Drama Down Under</a> (for men who have sex with men) provide a service to advise sexual partners that they might also be at risk by sending an email or SMS either personally or anonymously. </li>\n <li>Discussing with the patient any barriers there may to contact trace and provide support in response.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>GPs can access support, information and advice from the local CTSO at the Metro North Public Health Unit on 07 3624 1111, the Queensland Syphilis Surveillance Service on 1800 032 238 or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/Dw3nCK1DLGi0VRotp3won?domain=health.qld.gov.au\" title=\"HIV Public Health Team\">the HIV Public Health Team</a> on 07 3328 9797. </p>\n<p>More information:</p>\n<ul>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UE4aCL7EvGc56zWugdLlj?domain=ctm.ashm.org.au/\">Australasian Contact Tracing Manual</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/rPG8CMwGJXiGNnruGaBrx?domain=disease-control.health.qld.gov.au/\">Communicable Disease Control Guidance and Information: A-Z</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/C5YVCNLJYGf14gWsVzfBa?domain=sti.guidelines.org.au/\">Australian STI Management Guidelines for Use in Primary Care</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/NWfuCOMKPGioWB8TWKb0C?domain=health.qld.gov.au\">Primary Clinical Care Manual 9<sup>th</sup> edition (2016)</a></li>\n <li>AHSM guide to <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/XoJBCP7LzGcqpLwsW7YEU?domain=hivlegal.ashm.org.au\">Duty of Care to Third Parties and Civil Liability</a></li>\n</ul>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4902,162196,1,'2021-05-18 01:13:41','2021-05-18 01:13:41','680f43b3-9a04-490a-ac30-1ec7df806682','<p>Across Metro North Health, gonorrhoea notifications increased 55 per cent between 2016 to 2019, when it reached a peak of 1635, dropping slightly to 1576 notifications during 2020 and the height of the COVID lockdown. </p>\n<p>Similarly, for syphilis, Metro North recorded an 85 per cent increase between 2016 and 2020, when 323 syphilis notifications were recorded last year, increasingly among young heterosexual men and women. </p>\n<p>Against this backdrop of rising infection, it is timely and important that GPs are reminded of contact tracing as a cornerstone in the control of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and an essential part of patient management. Given the demonstrated success of early, intense contact tracing for the control of COVID-19, GPs should be aware of those same principles applied to STI control: regular testing, regular re-testing and contact tracing. It is important for GPs to have contact tracing permanently on their checklist whenever discussing, testing and managing STIs.</p>\n<p>Contract tracing is the process of:</p>\n<ul><li>identifying persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition</li><li>informing persons who are unaware that they may have contracted a notifiable condition so that they may seek testing and treatment before complications arise</li><li>providing information to persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition to prevent or minimise transmission of that condition.</li></ul>\n<p>There is often a misunderstanding that contact tracing for STI is automatically undertaken by the Department (as done for COVID-19 or HIV). Whilst Contact Tracing Support Officers (CTSO) are available to advise and assist GPs, GPs will need to support patients diagnosed with an STI to do contact tracing by:</p>\n<ul>\n <li>Providing the patient with education about the STI, including asymptomatic transmission, risk of complications if left untreated and risk to the patient of re-infection if their partners are not treated as well.</li>\n <li>Discussing that all sexual contacts need to be considered within the appropriate look-back period for the STI and not just the most recent contact. Information on how far back to trace for different STIs is offered by the <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/GPMeCD1vQxiQ489IWC-JB?domain=contacttracing.ashm.org.au\">Australasian Contact Tracing Guidelines</a>.</li>\n <li>Providing the patient with information regarding the anonymous contact tracing websites that are available: <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/2zUFCE8w0yiKEZ7cwv52s?domain=letthemknow.org.au/\">Let Them Know</a> or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UvhQCGv0MAUovz7TpMyQu?domain=thedramadownunder.info\">The Drama Down Under</a> (for men who have sex with men) provide a service to advise sexual partners that they might also be at risk by sending an email or SMS either personally or anonymously. </li>\n <li>Discussing with the patient any barriers there may to contact trace and provide support in response.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>GPs can access support, information and advice from the local CTSO at the Metro North Public Health Unit on 07 3624 1111, the Queensland Syphilis Surveillance Service on 1800 032 238 or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/Dw3nCK1DLGi0VRotp3won?domain=health.qld.gov.au\" title=\"HIV Public Health Team\">the HIV Public Health Team</a> on 07 3328 9797. </p>\n<p>More information:</p>\n<ul>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UE4aCL7EvGc56zWugdLlj?domain=ctm.ashm.org.au/\">Australasian Contact Tracing Manual</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/rPG8CMwGJXiGNnruGaBrx?domain=disease-control.health.qld.gov.au/\">Communicable Disease Control Guidance and Information: A-Z</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/C5YVCNLJYGf14gWsVzfBa?domain=sti.guidelines.org.au/\">Australian STI Management Guidelines for Use in Primary Care</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/NWfuCOMKPGioWB8TWKb0C?domain=health.qld.gov.au\">Primary Clinical Care Manual 9<sup>th</sup> edition (2016)</a></li>\n <li>AHSM guide to <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/XoJBCP7LzGcqpLwsW7YEU?domain=hivlegal.ashm.org.au\">Duty of Care to Third Parties and Civil Liability</a></li>\n</ul>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4903,162197,1,'2021-05-18 01:13:47','2021-05-18 01:13:47','90d883b1-2a62-4f27-8903-c93c4c35799f','<p>Across Metro North Health, gonorrhoea notifications increased 55 per cent between 2016 to 2019, when it reached a peak of 1635, dropping slightly to 1576 notifications during 2020 and the height of the COVID lockdown. </p>\n<p>Similarly, for syphilis, Metro North recorded an 85 per cent increase between 2016 and 2020, when 323 syphilis notifications were recorded last year, increasingly among young heterosexual men and women. </p>\n<p>Against this backdrop of rising infection, it is timely and important that GPs are reminded of contact tracing as a cornerstone in the control of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and an essential part of patient management. Given the demonstrated success of early, intense contact tracing for the control of COVID-19, GPs should be aware of those same principles applied to STI control: regular testing, regular re-testing and contact tracing. It is important for GPs to have contact tracing permanently on their checklist whenever discussing, testing and managing STIs.</p>\n<p>Contract tracing is the process of:</p>\n<ul><li>identifying persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition</li><li>informing persons who are unaware that they may have contracted a notifiable condition so that they may seek testing and treatment before complications arise</li><li>providing information to persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition to prevent or minimise transmission of that condition.</li></ul>\n<p>There is often a misunderstanding that contact tracing for STI is automatically undertaken by the Department (as done for COVID-19 or HIV). Whilst Contact Tracing Support Officers (CTSO) are available to advise and assist GPs, GPs will need to support patients diagnosed with an STI to do contact tracing by:</p>\n<ul>\n <li>Providing the patient with education about the STI, including asymptomatic transmission, risk of complications if left untreated and risk to the patient of re-infection if their partners are not treated as well.</li>\n <li>Discussing that all sexual contacts need to be considered within the appropriate look-back period for the STI and not just the most recent contact. Information on how far back to trace for different STIs is offered by the <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/GPMeCD1vQxiQ489IWC-JB?domain=contacttracing.ashm.org.au\">Australasian Contact Tracing Guidelines</a>.</li>\n <li>Providing the patient with information regarding the anonymous contact tracing websites that are available: <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/2zUFCE8w0yiKEZ7cwv52s?domain=letthemknow.org.au/\">Let Them Know</a> or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UvhQCGv0MAUovz7TpMyQu?domain=thedramadownunder.info\">The Drama Down Under</a> (for men who have sex with men) provide a service to advise sexual partners that they might also be at risk by sending an email or SMS either personally or anonymously. </li>\n <li>Discussing with the patient any barriers there may to contact trace and provide support in response.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>GPs can access support, information and advice from the local CTSO at the Metro North Public Health Unit on 07 3624 1111, the Queensland Syphilis Surveillance Service on 1800 032 238 or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/Dw3nCK1DLGi0VRotp3won?domain=health.qld.gov.au\" title=\"HIV Public Health Team\">the HIV Public Health Team</a> on 07 3328 9797. </p>\n<p>Mo</p>\n<p>:</p>\n<ul>\n <li></li></ul>\n<p>re information</p><ul><li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UE4aCL7EvGc56zWugdLlj?domain=ctm.ashm.org.au/\">Australasian Contact Tracing Manual</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/rPG8CMwGJXiGNnruGaBrx?domain=disease-control.health.qld.gov.au/\">Communicable Disease Control Guidance and Information: A-Z</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/C5YVCNLJYGf14gWsVzfBa?domain=sti.guidelines.org.au/\">Australian STI Management Guidelines for Use in Primary Care</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/NWfuCOMKPGioWB8TWKb0C?domain=health.qld.gov.au\">Primary Clinical Care Manual 9<sup>th</sup> edition (2016)</a></li>\n <li>AHSM guide to <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/XoJBCP7LzGcqpLwsW7YEU?domain=hivlegal.ashm.org.au\">Duty of Care to Third Parties and Civil Liability</a></li>\n</ul>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4904,162198,1,'2021-05-18 01:13:49','2021-05-18 01:13:49','0967a1ca-507e-44b7-8a1a-132ddb2ecfe3','<p>Across Metro North Health, gonorrhoea notifications increased 55 per cent between 2016 to 2019, when it reached a peak of 1635, dropping slightly to 1576 notifications during 2020 and the height of the COVID lockdown. </p>\n<p>Similarly, for syphilis, Metro North recorded an 85 per cent increase between 2016 and 2020, when 323 syphilis notifications were recorded last year, increasingly among young heterosexual men and women. </p>\n<p>Against this backdrop of rising infection, it is timely and important that GPs are reminded of contact tracing as a cornerstone in the control of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and an essential part of patient management. Given the demonstrated success of early, intense contact tracing for the control of COVID-19, GPs should be aware of those same principles applied to STI control: regular testing, regular re-testing and contact tracing. It is important for GPs to have contact tracing permanently on their checklist whenever discussing, testing and managing STIs.</p>\n<p>Contract tracing is the process of:</p>\n<ul><li>identifying persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition</li><li>informing persons who are unaware that they may have contracted a notifiable condition so that they may seek testing and treatment before complications arise</li><li>providing information to persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition to prevent or minimise transmission of that condition.</li></ul>\n<p>There is often a misunderstanding that contact tracing for STI is automatically undertaken by the Department (as done for COVID-19 or HIV). Whilst Contact Tracing Support Officers (CTSO) are available to advise and assist GPs, GPs will need to support patients diagnosed with an STI to do contact tracing by:</p>\n<ul>\n <li>Providing the patient with education about the STI, including asymptomatic transmission, risk of complications if left untreated and risk to the patient of re-infection if their partners are not treated as well.</li>\n <li>Discussing that all sexual contacts need to be considered within the appropriate look-back period for the STI and not just the most recent contact. Information on how far back to trace for different STIs is offered by the <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/GPMeCD1vQxiQ489IWC-JB?domain=contacttracing.ashm.org.au\">Australasian Contact Tracing Guidelines</a>.</li>\n <li>Providing the patient with information regarding the anonymous contact tracing websites that are available: <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/2zUFCE8w0yiKEZ7cwv52s?domain=letthemknow.org.au/\">Let Them Know</a> or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UvhQCGv0MAUovz7TpMyQu?domain=thedramadownunder.info\">The Drama Down Under</a> (for men who have sex with men) provide a service to advise sexual partners that they might also be at risk by sending an email or SMS either personally or anonymously. </li>\n <li>Discussing with the patient any barriers there may to contact trace and provide support in response.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>GPs can access support, information and advice from the local CTSO at the Metro North Public Health Unit on 07 3624 1111, the Queensland Syphilis Surveillance Service on 1800 032 238 or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/Dw3nCK1DLGi0VRotp3won?domain=health.qld.gov.au\" title=\"HIV Public Health Team\">the HIV Public Health Team</a> on 07 3328 9797. </p>\n<p>Mo</p>\n\n<p>re information</p><ul><li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UE4aCL7EvGc56zWugdLlj?domain=ctm.ashm.org.au/\">Australasian Contact Tracing Manual</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/rPG8CMwGJXiGNnruGaBrx?domain=disease-control.health.qld.gov.au/\">Communicable Disease Control Guidance and Information: A-Z</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/C5YVCNLJYGf14gWsVzfBa?domain=sti.guidelines.org.au/\">Australian STI Management Guidelines for Use in Primary Care</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/NWfuCOMKPGioWB8TWKb0C?domain=health.qld.gov.au\">Primary Clinical Care Manual 9<sup>th</sup> edition (2016)</a></li>\n <li>AHSM guide to <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/XoJBCP7LzGcqpLwsW7YEU?domain=hivlegal.ashm.org.au\">Duty of Care to Third Parties and Civil Liability</a></li>\n</ul>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4905,162199,1,'2021-05-18 01:13:52','2021-05-18 01:13:52','0c2e2876-9b77-4401-8b53-52c75fc7ae20','<p>Across Metro North Health, gonorrhoea notifications increased 55 per cent between 2016 to 2019, when it reached a peak of 1635, dropping slightly to 1576 notifications during 2020 and the height of the COVID lockdown. </p>\n<p>Similarly, for syphilis, Metro North recorded an 85 per cent increase between 2016 and 2020, when 323 syphilis notifications were recorded last year, increasingly among young heterosexual men and women. </p>\n<p>Against this backdrop of rising infection, it is timely and important that GPs are reminded of contact tracing as a cornerstone in the control of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and an essential part of patient management. Given the demonstrated success of early, intense contact tracing for the control of COVID-19, GPs should be aware of those same principles applied to STI control: regular testing, regular re-testing and contact tracing. It is important for GPs to have contact tracing permanently on their checklist whenever discussing, testing and managing STIs.</p>\n<p>Contract tracing is the process of:</p>\n<ul><li>identifying persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition</li><li>informing persons who are unaware that they may have contracted a notifiable condition so that they may seek testing and treatment before complications arise</li><li>providing information to persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition to prevent or minimise transmission of that condition.</li></ul>\n<p>There is often a misunderstanding that contact tracing for STI is automatically undertaken by the Department (as done for COVID-19 or HIV). Whilst Contact Tracing Support Officers (CTSO) are available to advise and assist GPs, GPs will need to support patients diagnosed with an STI to do contact tracing by:</p>\n<ul>\n <li>Providing the patient with education about the STI, including asymptomatic transmission, risk of complications if left untreated and risk to the patient of re-infection if their partners are not treated as well.</li>\n <li>Discussing that all sexual contacts need to be considered within the appropriate look-back period for the STI and not just the most recent contact. Information on how far back to trace for different STIs is offered by the <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/GPMeCD1vQxiQ489IWC-JB?domain=contacttracing.ashm.org.au\">Australasian Contact Tracing Guidelines</a>.</li>\n <li>Providing the patient with information regarding the anonymous contact tracing websites that are available: <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/2zUFCE8w0yiKEZ7cwv52s?domain=letthemknow.org.au/\">Let Them Know</a> or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UvhQCGv0MAUovz7TpMyQu?domain=thedramadownunder.info\">The Drama Down Under</a> (for men who have sex with men) provide a service to advise sexual partners that they might also be at risk by sending an email or SMS either personally or anonymously. </li>\n <li>Discussing with the patient any barriers there may to contact trace and provide support in response.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>GPs can access support, information and advice from the local CTSO at the Metro North Public Health Unit on 07 3624 1111, the Queensland Syphilis Surveillance Service on 1800 032 238 or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/Dw3nCK1DLGi0VRotp3won?domain=health.qld.gov.au\" title=\"HIV Public Health Team\">the HIV Public Health Team</a> on 07 3328 9797. </p>\n<p>More information</p><ul><li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UE4aCL7EvGc56zWugdLlj?domain=ctm.ashm.org.au/\">Australasian Contact Tracing Manual</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/rPG8CMwGJXiGNnruGaBrx?domain=disease-control.health.qld.gov.au/\">Communicable Disease Control Guidance and Information: A-Z</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/C5YVCNLJYGf14gWsVzfBa?domain=sti.guidelines.org.au/\">Australian STI Management Guidelines for Use in Primary Care</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/NWfuCOMKPGioWB8TWKb0C?domain=health.qld.gov.au\">Primary Clinical Care Manual 9<sup>th</sup> edition (2016)</a></li>\n <li>AHSM guide to <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/XoJBCP7LzGcqpLwsW7YEU?domain=hivlegal.ashm.org.au\">Duty of Care to Third Parties and Civil Liability</a></li>\n</ul>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4906,162200,1,'2021-05-18 01:13:57','2021-05-18 01:13:57','a077d21b-c27c-49a3-b4c7-ebbb1891eb55','<p>Across Metro North Health, gonorrhoea notifications increased 55 per cent between 2016 to 2019, when it reached a peak of 1635, dropping slightly to 1576 notifications during 2020 and the height of the COVID lockdown. </p>\n<p>Similarly, for syphilis, Metro North recorded an 85 per cent increase between 2016 and 2020, when 323 syphilis notifications were recorded last year, increasingly among young heterosexual men and women. </p>\n<p>Against this backdrop of rising infection, it is timely and important that GPs are reminded of contact tracing as a cornerstone in the control of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and an essential part of patient management. Given the demonstrated success of early, intense contact tracing for the control of COVID-19, GPs should be aware of those same principles applied to STI control: regular testing, regular re-testing and contact tracing. It is important for GPs to have contact tracing permanently on their checklist whenever discussing, testing and managing STIs.</p>\n<p>Contract tracing is the process of:</p>\n<ul><li>identifying persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition</li><li>informing persons who are unaware that they may have contracted a notifiable condition so that they may seek testing and treatment before complications arise</li><li>providing information to persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition to prevent or minimise transmission of that condition.</li></ul>\n<p>There is often a misunderstanding that contact tracing for STI is automatically undertaken by the Department (as done for COVID-19 or HIV). Whilst Contact Tracing Support Officers (CTSO) are available to advise and assist GPs, GPs will need to support patients diagnosed with an STI to do contact tracing by:</p>\n<ul>\n <li>Providing the patient with education about the STI, including asymptomatic transmission, risk of complications if left untreated and risk to the patient of re-infection if their partners are not treated as well.</li>\n <li>Discussing that all sexual contacts need to be considered within the appropriate look-back period for the STI and not just the most recent contact. Information on how far back to trace for different STIs is offered by the <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/GPMeCD1vQxiQ489IWC-JB?domain=contacttracing.ashm.org.au\">Australasian Contact Tracing Guidelines</a>.</li>\n <li>Providing the patient with information regarding the anonymous contact tracing websites that are available: <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/2zUFCE8w0yiKEZ7cwv52s?domain=letthemknow.org.au/\">Let Them Know</a> or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UvhQCGv0MAUovz7TpMyQu?domain=thedramadownunder.info\">The Drama Down Under</a> (for men who have sex with men) provide a service to advise sexual partners that they might also be at risk by sending an email or SMS either personally or anonymously. </li>\n <li>Discussing with the patient any barriers there may to contact trace and provide support in response.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>GPs can access support, information and advice from the local CTSO at the Metro North Public Health Unit on 07 3624 1111, the Queensland Syphilis Surveillance Service on 1800 032 238 or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/Dw3nCK1DLGi0VRotp3won?domain=health.qld.gov.au\" title=\"HIV Public Health Team\">the HIV Public Health Team</a> on 07 3328 9797. </p>\n<p>More information:</p><ul><li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UE4aCL7EvGc56zWugdLlj?domain=ctm.ashm.org.au/\">Australasian Contact Tracing Manual</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/rPG8CMwGJXiGNnruGaBrx?domain=disease-control.health.qld.gov.au/\">Communicable Disease Control Guidance and Information: A-Z</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/C5YVCNLJYGf14gWsVzfBa?domain=sti.guidelines.org.au/\">Australian STI Management Guidelines for Use in Primary Care</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/NWfuCOMKPGioWB8TWKb0C?domain=health.qld.gov.au\">Primary Clinical Care Manual 9<sup>th</sup> edition (2016)</a></li>\n <li>AHSM guide to <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/XoJBCP7LzGcqpLwsW7YEU?domain=hivlegal.ashm.org.au\">Duty of Care to Third Parties and Civil Liability</a></li>\n</ul>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4908,162203,1,'2021-05-18 01:14:13','2021-05-18 01:14:13','068da8b7-8e4c-4f56-bab6-225d19a29a4f','<p>Across Metro North Health, gonorrhoea notifications increased 55 per cent between 2016 to 2019, when it reached a peak of 1635, dropping slightly to 1576 notifications during 2020 and the height of the COVID lockdown. </p>\n<p>Similarly, for syphilis, Metro North recorded an 85 per cent increase between 2016 and 2020, when 323 syphilis notifications were recorded last year, increasingly among young heterosexual men and women. </p>\n<p>Against this backdrop of rising infection, it is timely and important that GPs are reminded of contact tracing as a cornerstone in the control of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and an essential part of patient management. Given the demonstrated success of early, intense contact tracing for the control of COVID-19, GPs should be aware of those same principles applied to STI control: regular testing, regular re-testing and contact tracing. It is important for GPs to have contact tracing permanently on their checklist whenever discussing, testing and managing STIs.</p>\n<p>Contract tracing is the process of:</p>\n<ul><li>identifying persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition</li><li>informing persons who are unaware that they may have contracted a notifiable condition so that they may seek testing and treatment before complications arise</li><li>providing information to persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition to prevent or minimise transmission of that condition.</li></ul>\n<p>There is often a misunderstanding that contact tracing for STI is automatically undertaken by the Department (as done for COVID-19 or HIV). Whilst Contact Tracing Support Officers (CTSO) are available to advise and assist GPs, GPs will need to support patients diagnosed with an STI to do contact tracing by:</p>\n<ul>\n <li>Providing the patient with education about the STI, including asymptomatic transmission, risk of complications if left untreated and risk to the patient of re-infection if their partners are not treated as well.</li>\n <li>Discussing that all sexual contacts need to be considered within the appropriate look-back period for the STI and not just the most recent contact. Information on how far back to trace for different STIs is offered by the <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/GPMeCD1vQxiQ489IWC-JB?domain=contacttracing.ashm.org.au\">Australasian Contact Tracing Guidelines</a>.</li>\n <li>Providing the patient with information regarding the anonymous contact tracing websites that are available: <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/2zUFCE8w0yiKEZ7cwv52s?domain=letthemknow.org.au/\">Let Them Know</a> or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UvhQCGv0MAUovz7TpMyQu?domain=thedramadownunder.info\">The Drama Down Under</a> (for men who have sex with men) provide a service to advise sexual partners that they might also be at risk by sending an email or SMS either personally or anonymously. </li>\n <li>Discussing with the patient any barriers there may to contact trace and provide support in response.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>GPs can access support, information and advice from the local CTSO at the Metro North Public Health Unit on 07 3624 1111, the Queensland Syphilis Surveillance Service on 1800 032 238 or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/Dw3nCK1DLGi0VRotp3won?domain=health.qld.gov.au\" title=\"HIV Public Health Team\">the HIV Public Health Team</a> on 07 3328 9797. </p>\n<p><strong>More information:</strong></p><ul><li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UE4aCL7EvGc56zWugdLlj?domain=ctm.ashm.org.au/\">Australasian Contact Tracing Manual</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/rPG8CMwGJXiGNnruGaBrx?domain=disease-control.health.qld.gov.au/\">Communicable Disease Control Guidance and Information: A-Z</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/C5YVCNLJYGf14gWsVzfBa?domain=sti.guidelines.org.au/\">Australian STI Management Guidelines for Use in Primary Care</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/NWfuCOMKPGioWB8TWKb0C?domain=health.qld.gov.au\">Primary Clinical Care Manual 9<sup>th</sup> edition (2016)</a></li>\n <li>AHSM guide to <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/XoJBCP7LzGcqpLwsW7YEU?domain=hivlegal.ashm.org.au\">Duty of Care to Third Parties and Civil Liability</a></li>\n</ul>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4909,162205,1,'2021-05-18 01:14:13','2021-05-18 01:14:13','b8fb5495-0bb6-44cb-9413-04c0e614e8c5','<p>Across Metro North Health, gonorrhoea notifications increased 55 per cent between 2016 to 2019, when it reached a peak of 1635, dropping slightly to 1576 notifications during 2020 and the height of the COVID lockdown. </p>\n<p>Similarly, for syphilis, Metro North recorded an 85 per cent increase between 2016 and 2020, when 323 syphilis notifications were recorded last year, increasingly among young heterosexual men and women. </p>\n<p>Against this backdrop of rising infection, it is timely and important that GPs are reminded of contact tracing as a cornerstone in the control of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and an essential part of patient management. Given the demonstrated success of early, intense contact tracing for the control of COVID-19, GPs should be aware of those same principles applied to STI control: regular testing, regular re-testing and contact tracing. It is important for GPs to have contact tracing permanently on their checklist whenever discussing, testing and managing STIs.</p>\n<p>Contract tracing is the process of:</p>\n<ul><li>identifying persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition</li><li>informing persons who are unaware that they may have contracted a notifiable condition so that they may seek testing and treatment before complications arise</li><li>providing information to persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition to prevent or minimise transmission of that condition.</li></ul>\n<p>There is often a misunderstanding that contact tracing for STI is automatically undertaken by the Department (as done for COVID-19 or HIV). Whilst Contact Tracing Support Officers (CTSO) are available to advise and assist GPs, GPs will need to support patients diagnosed with an STI to do contact tracing by:</p>\n<ul>\n <li>Providing the patient with education about the STI, including asymptomatic transmission, risk of complications if left untreated and risk to the patient of re-infection if their partners are not treated as well.</li>\n <li>Discussing that all sexual contacts need to be considered within the appropriate look-back period for the STI and not just the most recent contact. Information on how far back to trace for different STIs is offered by the <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/GPMeCD1vQxiQ489IWC-JB?domain=contacttracing.ashm.org.au\">Australasian Contact Tracing Guidelines</a>.</li>\n <li>Providing the patient with information regarding the anonymous contact tracing websites that are available: <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/2zUFCE8w0yiKEZ7cwv52s?domain=letthemknow.org.au/\">Let Them Know</a> or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UvhQCGv0MAUovz7TpMyQu?domain=thedramadownunder.info\">The Drama Down Under</a> (for men who have sex with men) provide a service to advise sexual partners that they might also be at risk by sending an email or SMS either personally or anonymously. </li>\n <li>Discussing with the patient any barriers there may to contact trace and provide support in response.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>GPs can access support, information and advice from the local CTSO at the Metro North Public Health Unit on 07 3624 1111, the Queensland Syphilis Surveillance Service on 1800 032 238 or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/Dw3nCK1DLGi0VRotp3won?domain=health.qld.gov.au\" title=\"HIV Public Health Team\">the HIV Public Health Team</a> on 07 3328 9797. </p>\n<p><strong>More information:</strong></p><ul><li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UE4aCL7EvGc56zWugdLlj?domain=ctm.ashm.org.au/\">Australasian Contact Tracing Manual</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/rPG8CMwGJXiGNnruGaBrx?domain=disease-control.health.qld.gov.au/\">Communicable Disease Control Guidance and Information: A-Z</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/C5YVCNLJYGf14gWsVzfBa?domain=sti.guidelines.org.au/\">Australian STI Management Guidelines for Use in Primary Care</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/NWfuCOMKPGioWB8TWKb0C?domain=health.qld.gov.au\">Primary Clinical Care Manual 9<sup>th</sup> edition (2016)</a></li>\n <li>AHSM guide to <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/XoJBCP7LzGcqpLwsW7YEU?domain=hivlegal.ashm.org.au\">Duty of Care to Third Parties and Civil Liability</a></li>\n</ul>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4910,162207,1,'2021-05-18 01:14:15','2021-05-18 01:14:15','0daf5300-fec5-4781-ab48-8d0ee5bbc80d','<p>Across Metro North Health, gonorrhoea notifications increased 55 per cent between 2016 to 2019, when it reached a peak of 1635, dropping slightly to 1576 notifications during 2020 and the height of the COVID lockdown. </p>\n<p>Similarly, for syphilis, Metro North recorded an 85 per cent increase between 2016 and 2020, when 323 syphilis notifications were recorded last year, increasingly among young heterosexual men and women. </p>\n<p>Against this backdrop of rising infection, it is timely and important that GPs are reminded of contact tracing as a cornerstone in the control of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and an essential part of patient management. Given the demonstrated success of early, intense contact tracing for the control of COVID-19, GPs should be aware of those same principles applied to STI control: regular testing, regular re-testing and contact tracing. It is important for GPs to have contact tracing permanently on their checklist whenever discussing, testing and managing STIs.</p>\n<p>Contract tracing is the process of:</p>\n<ul><li>identifying persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition</li><li>informing persons who are unaware that they may have contracted a notifiable condition so that they may seek testing and treatment before complications arise</li><li>providing information to persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition to prevent or minimise transmission of that condition.</li></ul>\n<p>There is often a misunderstanding that contact tracing for STI is automatically undertaken by the Department (as done for COVID-19 or HIV). Whilst Contact Tracing Support Officers (CTSO) are available to advise and assist GPs, GPs will need to support patients diagnosed with an STI to do contact tracing by:</p>\n<ul>\n <li>Providing the patient with education about the STI, including asymptomatic transmission, risk of complications if left untreated and risk to the patient of re-infection if their partners are not treated as well.</li>\n <li>Discussing that all sexual contacts need to be considered within the appropriate look-back period for the STI and not just the most recent contact. Information on how far back to trace for different STIs is offered by the <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/GPMeCD1vQxiQ489IWC-JB?domain=contacttracing.ashm.org.au\">Australasian Contact Tracing Guidelines</a>.</li>\n <li>Providing the patient with information regarding the anonymous contact tracing websites that are available: <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/2zUFCE8w0yiKEZ7cwv52s?domain=letthemknow.org.au/\">Let Them Know</a> or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UvhQCGv0MAUovz7TpMyQu?domain=thedramadownunder.info\">The Drama Down Under</a> (for men who have sex with men) provide a service to advise sexual partners that they might also be at risk by sending an email or SMS either personally or anonymously. </li>\n <li>Discussing with the patient any barriers there may to contact trace and provide support in response.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>GPs can access support, information and advice from the local CTSO at the Metro North Public Health Unit on 07 3624 1111, the Queensland Syphilis Surveillance Service on 1800 032 238 or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/Dw3nCK1DLGi0VRotp3won?domain=health.qld.gov.au\" title=\"HIV Public Health Team\">the HIV Public Health Team</a> on 07 3328 9797. </p>\n<p><strong>More information:</strong></p><ul><li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UE4aCL7EvGc56zWugdLlj?domain=ctm.ashm.org.au/\">Australasian Contact Tracing Manual</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/rPG8CMwGJXiGNnruGaBrx?domain=disease-control.health.qld.gov.au/\">Communicable Disease Control Guidance and Information: A-Z</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/C5YVCNLJYGf14gWsVzfBa?domain=sti.guidelines.org.au/\">Australian STI Management Guidelines for Use in Primary Care</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/NWfuCOMKPGioWB8TWKb0C?domain=health.qld.gov.au\">Primary Clinical Care Manual 9<sup>th</sup> edition (2016)</a></li>\n <li>AHSM guide to <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/XoJBCP7LzGcqpLwsW7YEU?domain=hivlegal.ashm.org.au\">Duty of Care to Third Parties and Civil Liability</a></li>\n</ul>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4911,162215,1,'2021-05-18 03:08:31','2021-05-18 03:08:31','d7e512e3-6367-4427-9207-8c6958c71ddc','<p><strong>Dr Debra Carroll works as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and shared her thoughts on what attracted her to the role and how it complements her work as a general practitioner. </strong></p>\n<p>The GPwSI model of care aims to improve patient access to the most appropriate specialist care in a timely and cost-effective manner, within the outpatient setting. It represents a unique opportunity for GPs to upskill within an area of interest and strengthens the links between primary care practitioners and hospital-based specialist services.</p>\n<p>Within the work she does as a GPwSI, Dr Carroll enjoys the variety that the role brings to her week, and the opportunity to focus on a specific clinical problem within the GDM clinic while working within a multidisciplinary team.</p>\n<p>Dr Carroll said she enjoys being able to bring a broad knowledge of the health system—particularly primary care—to her role as a GPwSI. <br /></p>\n\n<p>“I have the ability to explain to hospital-based healthcare providers how primary care works and how the two systems can work together to improve patient care and outcomes,” she said.</p>\n<p>“I also get the opportunity to advocate for GPs where appropriate and hopefully to provide a positive GP role model to hospital staff and patients.”</p>\n<p>Within her work as a GP, Dr Carroll appreciates the independence, the ability to be flexible and realistic with guidelines and the opportunity to know her patients well in terms of their physical, social and psychological challenges. </p>\n<p>“As a GP I get to advocate for the public system in my practice and assist colleagues and patients in the appropriate pathways to access care within the public system,” Dr Carroll said.</p>\n<p>“It helps to have an improved understanding of the complexities of providing healthcare in the public hospital environment. It is helpful to be able to interpret that for patients and colleagues and improve their confidence in what the public system can provide.”</p>\n<p>To any GPs considering a GPwSI role, Dr Carroll would recommend it to those who want to try something different and work in a team of clinicians with a multi-disciplinary approach.</p>\n<p>“The hospital staff are very welcoming and supportive and very willing to educate and share their knowledge and skills,” Dr Carroll said. </p>\n<p>The project, currently funded in partnership with the Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Division, recruited their first GPwSI in April 2018, since then has had up to 17 GPs with Special Interests working across a diverse selection of 15 specialty departments.</p>\n<p>The GP with Special Interest outpatient clinics are based out of Metro North Hospital and Community Health facilities. Special interest outpatients clinics include:</p><ul><li>orthopaedic</li><li>diabetes</li><li>epilepsy</li><li>older persons.</li></ul>\n\n<p>Metro North Health are currently recruiting a GPwSI in Chronic Kidney Disease to work at Queensland Health facilities in the catchment areas of Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospital. </p>\n<p>For more information on the opportunity visit the <a href=\"https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH371167\">Queensland Government’s Smart Jobs page</a> or to get in contact with the project team email <a href=\"mailto:MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au\">MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4913,162219,1,'2021-05-18 03:11:08','2021-05-18 23:47:19','b8fd9616-8199-4502-bd52-33e1b215b5d6','<p><strong>Vaccination against influenza (flu) remains important this year. Flu is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause widespread illness and deaths every year. Vaccination is our best defence against flu viruses.</strong></p>\n<p>Behaviours such as increased hand washing and social distancing helped to stop the spread of flu viruses in the community last year. Relaxing social distancing restrictions this year may allow flu viruses to recirculate, even if they were hardly seen in 2020.<br /></p>\n<p>Under the National Immunisation Program, free flu vaccines are provided to the following groups who are at higher risk of complications from flu:</p>\n<ul><li>children aged 6 months to less than 5 years</li><li>all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over</li><li>people aged 6 months and over with certain medical conditions that increase their chance of severe influenza and its complications</li><li>pregnant women (at any stage during pregnancy)</li><li>people aged 65 years and over.</li></ul>\n<p>Free flu vaccines under the National Immunisation Program are available from April 2021. Vaccinating in autumn provides protection before the peak influenza season.</p>\n<p>Free flu vaccines are available from GPs, community health clinics, Aboriginal Medical Services and other immunisation providers in your state or territory. To locate a service in your area you can search the <a href=\"https://about.healthdirect.gov.au/nhsd\">National Health Services Directory</a>.</p>\n<p>Check with your immunisation provider to find out when they will have the vaccine available and when you can book in to get the vaccine.</p>\n<p>If you are not eligible for a free flu vaccine, you can purchase the vaccine from your GP, a pharmacy, or another immunisation provider.</p>\n<p>Vaccination experts recommend waiting 14 days between getting a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine. Given this, it will be important to plan both vaccinations.</p>\n<p>It doesn’t matter in what order you get the vaccines, however:</p>\n<ul><li>if you are in earlier phases for COVID-19 vaccination, you should get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon you can. You can then plan your flu vaccination.</li><li>if you are in later phases for COVID-19 vaccination, you should get the flu vaccine as soon as you can. This will ensure you are ready to get your COVID‑19 vaccine when it is available to you.</li></ul>\n<p>You can check what phase you are in using the <a href=\"https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility\">COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker</a>.</p>\n<p>When you book in for your flu vaccination, remember to tell your vaccination provider or clinic if you have received the COVID-19 vaccine (and when you received it). This will help them to plan your appointment.</p>\n<p>For more information on the 2021 influenza vaccination guidelines <a href=\"https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/diseases-infection/immunisation/service-providers/influenza\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">visit the Queensland Health website</a>.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4914,162221,1,'2021-05-18 03:11:08','2021-05-18 03:11:08','f9cbfe31-46cf-45fb-826e-77f3c485216b','<p><strong>Vaccination against influenza (flu) remains important this year. Flu is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause widespread illness and deaths every year. Vaccination is our best defence against flu viruses.</strong></p>\n<p>Behaviours such as increased hand washing and social distancing helped to stop the spread of flu viruses in the community last year. Relaxing social distancing restrictions this year may allow flu viruses to recirculate, even if they were hardly seen in 2020.<br /></p>\n\n<p>Under the National Immunisation Program, free flu vaccines are provided to the following groups who are at higher risk of complications from flu:</p>\n<ul><li>children aged 6 months to less than 5 years</li><li>all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over</li><li>people aged 6 months and over with certain medical conditions that increase their chance of severe influenza and its complications</li><li>pregnant women (at any stage during pregnancy)</li><li>people aged 65 years and over.</li></ul>\n<p>Free flu vaccines under the National Immunisation Program are available from April 2021. Vaccinating in autumn provides protection before the peak influenza season.</p>\n<p>Free flu vaccines are available from GPs, community health clinics, Aboriginal Medical Services and other immunisation providers in your state or territory. To locate a service in your area you can search the <a href=\"https://about.healthdirect.gov.au/nhsd\">National Health Services Directory</a>.</p>\n<p>Check with your immunisation provider to find out when they will have the vaccine available and when you can book in to get the vaccine.</p>\n<p>If you are not eligible for a free flu vaccine, you can purchase the vaccine from your GP, a pharmacy, or another immunisation provider.</p>\n<p>Vaccination experts recommend waiting 14 days between getting a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine. Given this, it will be important to plan both vaccinations.</p>\n<p>It doesn’t matter in what order you get the vaccines, however:</p>\n<ul><li>if you are in earlier phases for COVID-19 vaccination, you should get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon you can. You can then plan your flu vaccination.</li><li>if you are in later phases for COVID-19 vaccination, you should get the flu vaccine as soon as you can. This will ensure you are ready to get your COVID‑19 vaccine when it is available to you.</li></ul>\n<p>You can check what phase you are in using the <a href=\"https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility\">COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker</a>.</p>\n<p>When you book in for your flu vaccination, remember to tell your vaccination provider or clinic if you have received the COVID-19 vaccine (and when you received it). This will help them to plan your appointment.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4915,162223,1,'2021-05-18 03:11:11','2021-05-18 03:11:11','c333f43a-26df-4e2c-9dab-f9d809746036','<p><strong>Vaccination against influenza (flu) remains important this year. Flu is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause widespread illness and deaths every year. Vaccination is our best defence against flu viruses.</strong></p>\n<p>Behaviours such as increased hand washing and social distancing helped to stop the spread of flu viruses in the community last year. Relaxing social distancing restrictions this year may allow flu viruses to recirculate, even if they were hardly seen in 2020.<br /></p>\n\n<p>Under the National Immunisation Program, free flu vaccines are provided to the following groups who are at higher risk of complications from flu:</p>\n<ul><li>children aged 6 months to less than 5 years</li><li>all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over</li><li>people aged 6 months and over with certain medical conditions that increase their chance of severe influenza and its complications</li><li>pregnant women (at any stage during pregnancy)</li><li>people aged 65 years and over.</li></ul>\n<p>Free flu vaccines under the National Immunisation Program are available from April 2021. Vaccinating in autumn provides protection before the peak influenza season.</p>\n<p>Free flu vaccines are available from GPs, community health clinics, Aboriginal Medical Services and other immunisation providers in your state or territory. To locate a service in your area you can search the <a href=\"https://about.healthdirect.gov.au/nhsd\">National Health Services Directory</a>.</p>\n<p>Check with your immunisation provider to find out when they will have the vaccine available and when you can book in to get the vaccine.</p>\n<p>If you are not eligible for a free flu vaccine, you can purchase the vaccine from your GP, a pharmacy, or another immunisation provider.</p>\n<p>Vaccination experts recommend waiting 14 days between getting a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine. Given this, it will be important to plan both vaccinations.</p>\n<p>It doesn’t matter in what order you get the vaccines, however:</p>\n<ul><li>if you are in earlier phases for COVID-19 vaccination, you should get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon you can. You can then plan your flu vaccination.</li><li>if you are in later phases for COVID-19 vaccination, you should get the flu vaccine as soon as you can. This will ensure you are ready to get your COVID‑19 vaccine when it is available to you.</li></ul>\n<p>You can check what phase you are in using the <a href=\"https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility\">COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker</a>.</p>\n<p>When you book in for your flu vaccination, remember to tell your vaccination provider or clinic if you have received the COVID-19 vaccine (and when you received it). This will help them to plan your appointment.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4917,162237,1,'2021-05-18 03:18:17','2021-05-18 23:41:57','1eb6e97b-a2ab-45d1-b770-c2d3e91b5cc5','<p><strong>A new report released by the Black Dog Institute shares insights from two PHN trial sites for implementing suicide prevention strategies for LGBTIQ+ communities.</strong></p>\n<p>The Black Dog Institute has released a new report with key insights for implementing suicide prevention strategies that are effective for LGBTIQ+ communities, titled <em>Suicide prevention for LGBTIQ+ communities: Learnings from the National Suicide Prevention Trial</em>.</p>\n<p>The report was developed as part of Black Dog’s support to the National Suicide Prevention Trial, which was launched in 12 sites across Australia in 2016.</p>\n<p>Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and led by 10 Primary Health Networks (PHNs), the National Trial focused on priority populations who have an increased risk of suicide, with two sites – North Western Melbourne and Brisbane North – working directly with LGBTIQ+ populations to implement a community-led, systems approach to suicide prevention.<br /></p>\n<p>Containing reflections from five years of delivering suicide prevention activities in these local regions, the report fills a gap in knowledge available to those implementing suicide prevention activities for LGBTIQ+ communities. Key learnings include embedding lived experience and enabling local decision-making to inform culturally safe design and delivery of services for these populations.</p>\n<p>“We learnt that it is vitally important for suicide prevention coordinators to build strong relationships with local LGBTIQ+ communities and understand intersectionality to improve the communities’ mental health and suicide outcomes,” said Janey McGoldrick, Head of Implementation at the Black Dog Institute.</p>\n<p>Mainstream services often fail to meet the specific needs of LGBTIQ+ communities. With a chronic shortage of culturally safe or affirmative support, services that can be difficult to access for those in remote and regional areas, and a lack of data available – with sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status routinely omitted from national datasets – LGBTIQ+ communities remain at significantly higher risk of suicide than the general population.</p>\n<p>Both North Western Melbourne and Brisbane North PHNs used the LifeSpan model – a pioneering systems approach to suicide prevention developed by the Black Dog Institute – to guide their strategy and activities.</p>\n<p>“The trial allowed us to coordinate a multifaceted approach to suicide prevention for the LGBTIQ+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities,” said Ged Farmer, Suicide Prevention Project Officer, for the Brisbane North PHN.</p>\n<p>With funding for the National Suicide Prevention Trial due to cease from June 2021, the report highlights an urgent need for sustained funding to allow this life-saving work to continue, grow and support more people at risk of suicide in the LGBTIQ+ communities.</p>\n<p>“The trial programs and services are really connecting with the community because they were built with the community,” said North Western Melbourne PHN CEO Adjunct Associate Professor Chris Carter said.</p>\n<p>“It’s a great example of how we need to involve people with lived experience, not just in suicide prevention, but across our health system,” said Associate Professor Carter.</p>\n<p><a href=\"https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/BDI21_Suicide-prevention-for-LGBTIQ-communities.pdf\"><strong>Download the report</strong></a></p>\n<p><em>With thanks to the Black Dog Institute for their permission to reprint this article. </em></p>\n<p><em><em>Pictured above: PHN staff joined Queensland Council for LGBTI Health (formerly the Queensland AIDS Council) staff, as well as campaign artists and supporters at the Talking Heals launch in February 2020.</em><br /></em></p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4918,162239,1,'2021-05-18 03:18:17','2021-05-18 03:18:17','794c0efb-29fe-4037-9c1d-1d5d013a27e3','<p><strong>A new report released by the Black Dog Institute shares insights from two PHN trial sites for implementing suicide prevention strategies for LGBTIQ+ communities.</strong></p>\n<p>The Black Dog Institute has released a new report with key insights for implementing suicide prevention strategies that are effective for LGBTIQ+ communities, titled Suicide prevention for LGBTIQ+ communities: Learnings from the National Suicide Prevention Trial.</p>\n<p>The report was developed as part of Black Dog’s support to the National Suicide Prevention Trial, which was launched in 12 sites across Australia in 2016.</p>\n<p>Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and led by 10 Primary Health Networks (PHNs), the National Trial focused on priority populations who have an increased risk of suicide, with two sites – North Western Melbourne and Brisbane North – working directly with LGBTIQ+ populations to implement a community-led, systems approach to suicide prevention.<br /></p>\n\n<p>Containing reflections from five years of delivering suicide prevention activities in these local regions, the report fills a gap in knowledge available to those implementing suicide prevention activities for LGBTIQ+ communities. Key learnings include embedding lived experience and enabling local decision-making to inform culturally safe design and delivery of services for these populations.</p>\n<p>“We learnt that it is vitally important for suicide prevention coordinators to build strong relationships with local LGBTIQ+ communities and understand intersectionality to improve the communities’ mental health and suicide outcomes,” said Janey McGoldrick, Head of Implementation at the Black Dog Institute.</p>\n<p>Mainstream services often fail to meet the specific needs of LGBTIQ+ communities. With a chronic shortage of culturally safe or affirmative support, services that can be difficult to access for those in remote and regional areas, and a lack of data available – with sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status routinely omitted from national datasets – LGBTIQ+ communities remain at significantly higher risk of suicide than the general population.</p>\n<p>Both North Western Melbourne and Brisbane North PHNs used the LifeSpan model – a pioneering systems approach to suicide prevention developed by the Black Dog Institute – to guide their strategy and activities.</p>\n<p>“The trial allowed us to coordinate a multifaceted approach to suicide prevention for the LGBTIQ+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities,” said Ged Farmer, Suicide Prevention Project Officer, for the Brisbane North PHN.</p>\n<p>With funding for the National Suicide Prevention Trial due to cease from June 2021, the report highlights an urgent need for sustained funding to allow this life-saving work to continue, grow and support more people at risk of suicide in the LGBTIQ+ communities.</p>\n<p>“The trial programs and services are really connecting with the community because they were built with the community,” said North Western Melbourne PHN CEO Adjunct Associate Professor Chris Carter said.</p>\n<p>“It’s a great example of how we need to involve people with lived experience, not just in suicide prevention, but across our health system,” said Associate Professor Carter.</p>\n<p><a href=\"https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/BDI21_Suicide-prevention-for-LGBTIQ-communities.pdf\"><strong>Download the report</strong></a></p>\n<p><em>With thanks to the Black Dog Institute for their permission to reprint this article. </em></p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4919,162241,1,'2021-05-18 03:18:19','2021-05-18 03:18:19','9b126340-57be-49e9-bf23-431897e46cca','<p><strong>A new report released by the Black Dog Institute shares insights from two PHN trial sites for implementing suicide prevention strategies for LGBTIQ+ communities.</strong></p>\n<p>The Black Dog Institute has released a new report with key insights for implementing suicide prevention strategies that are effective for LGBTIQ+ communities, titled Suicide prevention for LGBTIQ+ communities: Learnings from the National Suicide Prevention Trial.</p>\n<p>The report was developed as part of Black Dog’s support to the National Suicide Prevention Trial, which was launched in 12 sites across Australia in 2016.</p>\n<p>Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and led by 10 Primary Health Networks (PHNs), the National Trial focused on priority populations who have an increased risk of suicide, with two sites – North Western Melbourne and Brisbane North – working directly with LGBTIQ+ populations to implement a community-led, systems approach to suicide prevention.<br /></p>\n\n<p>Containing reflections from five years of delivering suicide prevention activities in these local regions, the report fills a gap in knowledge available to those implementing suicide prevention activities for LGBTIQ+ communities. Key learnings include embedding lived experience and enabling local decision-making to inform culturally safe design and delivery of services for these populations.</p>\n<p>“We learnt that it is vitally important for suicide prevention coordinators to build strong relationships with local LGBTIQ+ communities and understand intersectionality to improve the communities’ mental health and suicide outcomes,” said Janey McGoldrick, Head of Implementation at the Black Dog Institute.</p>\n<p>Mainstream services often fail to meet the specific needs of LGBTIQ+ communities. With a chronic shortage of culturally safe or affirmative support, services that can be difficult to access for those in remote and regional areas, and a lack of data available – with sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status routinely omitted from national datasets – LGBTIQ+ communities remain at significantly higher risk of suicide than the general population.</p>\n<p>Both North Western Melbourne and Brisbane North PHNs used the LifeSpan model – a pioneering systems approach to suicide prevention developed by the Black Dog Institute – to guide their strategy and activities.</p>\n<p>“The trial allowed us to coordinate a multifaceted approach to suicide prevention for the LGBTIQ+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities,” said Ged Farmer, Suicide Prevention Project Officer, for the Brisbane North PHN.</p>\n<p>With funding for the National Suicide Prevention Trial due to cease from June 2021, the report highlights an urgent need for sustained funding to allow this life-saving work to continue, grow and support more people at risk of suicide in the LGBTIQ+ communities.</p>\n<p>“The trial programs and services are really connecting with the community because they were built with the community,” said North Western Melbourne PHN CEO Adjunct Associate Professor Chris Carter said.</p>\n<p>“It’s a great example of how we need to involve people with lived experience, not just in suicide prevention, but across our health system,” said Associate Professor Carter.</p>\n<p><a href=\"https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/BDI21_Suicide-prevention-for-LGBTIQ-communities.pdf\"><strong>Download the report</strong></a></p>\n<p><em>With thanks to the Black Dog Institute for their permission to reprint this article. </em></p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4921,162328,1,'2021-05-18 05:09:11','2021-05-18 05:09:11','20c8754a-a336-406f-aaf3-773b0b94c6e9','<p><strong><strong>By the Metro North Public Health Unit</strong></strong></p>\n<p><strong>Across Metro North Health, gonorrhoea notifications increased 55 per cent between 2016 to 2019, when it reached a peak of 1635, dropping slightly to 1576 notifications during 2020 and the height of the COVID-19 lockdown. </strong></p>\n<p>Similarly, for syphilis, Metro North recorded an 85 per cent increase between 2016 and 2020, when 323 syphilis notifications were recorded last year, increasingly among young heterosexual men and women. </p>\n<p>Against this backdrop of rising infection, it is timely and important that GPs are reminded of contact tracing as a cornerstone in the control of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and an essential part of patient management. Given the demonstrated success of early, intense contact tracing for the control of COVID-19, GPs should be aware of those same principles applied to STI control: regular testing, regular re-testing and contact tracing. It is important for GPs to have contact tracing permanently on their checklist whenever discussing, testing and managing STIs.</p>\n<p>Contract tracing is the process of:</p>\n<ul><li>identifying persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition</li><li>informing persons who are unaware that they may have contracted a notifiable condition so that they may seek testing and treatment before complications arise</li><li>providing information to persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition to prevent or minimise transmission of that condition.</li></ul>\n<p>There is often a misunderstanding that contact tracing for STI is automatically undertaken by the Department (as done for COVID-19 or HIV). Whilst Contact Tracing Support Officers (CTSO) are available to advise and assist GPs, GPs will need to support patients diagnosed with an STI to do contact tracing by:</p>\n<ul>\n <li>Providing the patient with education about the STI, including asymptomatic transmission, risk of complications if left untreated and risk to the patient of re-infection if their partners are not treated as well.</li>\n <li>Discussing that all sexual contacts need to be considered within the appropriate look-back period for the STI and not just the most recent contact. Information on how far back to trace for different STIs is offered by the <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/GPMeCD1vQxiQ489IWC-JB?domain=contacttracing.ashm.org.au\">Australasian Contact Tracing Guidelines</a>.</li>\n <li>Providing the patient with information regarding the anonymous contact tracing websites that are available: <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/2zUFCE8w0yiKEZ7cwv52s?domain=letthemknow.org.au/\">Let Them Know</a> or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UvhQCGv0MAUovz7TpMyQu?domain=thedramadownunder.info\">The Drama Down Under</a> (for men who have sex with men) provide a service to advise sexual partners that they might also be at risk by sending an email or SMS either personally or anonymously. </li>\n <li>Discussing with the patient any barriers there may to contact trace and provide support in response.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>GPs can access support, information and advice from the local CTSO at the Metro North Public Health Unit on 07 3624 1111, the Queensland Syphilis Surveillance Service on 1800 032 238 or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/Dw3nCK1DLGi0VRotp3won?domain=health.qld.gov.au\" title=\"HIV Public Health Team\">the HIV Public Health Team</a> on 07 3328 9797. </p>\n<p><strong>More information:</strong></p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UE4aCL7EvGc56zWugdLlj?domain=ctm.ashm.org.au/\">Australasian Contact Tracing Manual</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/rPG8CMwGJXiGNnruGaBrx?domain=disease-control.health.qld.gov.au/\">Communicable Disease Control Guidance and Information: A-Z</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/C5YVCNLJYGf14gWsVzfBa?domain=sti.guidelines.org.au/\">Australian STI Management Guidelines for Use in Primary Care</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/NWfuCOMKPGioWB8TWKb0C?domain=health.qld.gov.au\">Primary Clinical Care Manual 9<sup>th</sup> edition (2016)</a></li>\n <li>AHSM guide to <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/XoJBCP7LzGcqpLwsW7YEU?domain=hivlegal.ashm.org.au\">Duty of Care to Third Parties and Civil Liability</a></li>\n</ul>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4922,162330,1,'2021-05-18 05:09:11','2021-05-18 05:09:11','5037f03c-fa20-48df-b647-611990ed7f79','<p><strong><strong>By the Metro North Public Health Unit</strong></strong></p>\n<p><strong>Across Metro North Health, gonorrhoea notifications increased 55 per cent between 2016 to 2019, when it reached a peak of 1635, dropping slightly to 1576 notifications during 2020 and the height of the COVID-19 lockdown. </strong></p>\n<p>Similarly, for syphilis, Metro North recorded an 85 per cent increase between 2016 and 2020, when 323 syphilis notifications were recorded last year, increasingly among young heterosexual men and women. </p>\n<p>Against this backdrop of rising infection, it is timely and important that GPs are reminded of contact tracing as a cornerstone in the control of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and an essential part of patient management. Given the demonstrated success of early, intense contact tracing for the control of COVID-19, GPs should be aware of those same principles applied to STI control: regular testing, regular re-testing and contact tracing. It is important for GPs to have contact tracing permanently on their checklist whenever discussing, testing and managing STIs.</p>\n<p>Contract tracing is the process of:</p>\n<ul><li>identifying persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition</li><li>informing persons who are unaware that they may have contracted a notifiable condition so that they may seek testing and treatment before complications arise</li><li>providing information to persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition to prevent or minimise transmission of that condition.</li></ul>\n<p>There is often a misunderstanding that contact tracing for STI is automatically undertaken by the Department (as done for COVID-19 or HIV). Whilst Contact Tracing Support Officers (CTSO) are available to advise and assist GPs, GPs will need to support patients diagnosed with an STI to do contact tracing by:</p>\n<ul>\n <li>Providing the patient with education about the STI, including asymptomatic transmission, risk of complications if left untreated and risk to the patient of re-infection if their partners are not treated as well.</li>\n <li>Discussing that all sexual contacts need to be considered within the appropriate look-back period for the STI and not just the most recent contact. Information on how far back to trace for different STIs is offered by the <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/GPMeCD1vQxiQ489IWC-JB?domain=contacttracing.ashm.org.au\">Australasian Contact Tracing Guidelines</a>.</li>\n <li>Providing the patient with information regarding the anonymous contact tracing websites that are available: <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/2zUFCE8w0yiKEZ7cwv52s?domain=letthemknow.org.au/\">Let Them Know</a> or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UvhQCGv0MAUovz7TpMyQu?domain=thedramadownunder.info\">The Drama Down Under</a> (for men who have sex with men) provide a service to advise sexual partners that they might also be at risk by sending an email or SMS either personally or anonymously. </li>\n <li>Discussing with the patient any barriers there may to contact trace and provide support in response.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>GPs can access support, information and advice from the local CTSO at the Metro North Public Health Unit on 07 3624 1111, the Queensland Syphilis Surveillance Service on 1800 032 238 or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/Dw3nCK1DLGi0VRotp3won?domain=health.qld.gov.au\" title=\"HIV Public Health Team\">the HIV Public Health Team</a> on 07 3328 9797. </p>\n<p><strong>More information:</strong></p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UE4aCL7EvGc56zWugdLlj?domain=ctm.ashm.org.au/\">Australasian Contact Tracing Manual</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/rPG8CMwGJXiGNnruGaBrx?domain=disease-control.health.qld.gov.au/\">Communicable Disease Control Guidance and Information: A-Z</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/C5YVCNLJYGf14gWsVzfBa?domain=sti.guidelines.org.au/\">Australian STI Management Guidelines for Use in Primary Care</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/NWfuCOMKPGioWB8TWKb0C?domain=health.qld.gov.au\">Primary Clinical Care Manual 9<sup>th</sup> edition (2016)</a></li>\n <li>AHSM guide to <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/XoJBCP7LzGcqpLwsW7YEU?domain=hivlegal.ashm.org.au\">Duty of Care to Third Parties and Civil Liability</a></li>\n</ul>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4924,162333,1,'2021-05-18 05:11:56','2021-05-18 23:52:02','8d24772f-aabc-49f5-9926-04e82d59bada','<p><strong><strong><em>By the Metro North Public Health Unit</em></strong></strong></p>\n<p><strong>Across Metro North Health, gonorrhoea notifications increased 55 per cent between 2016 to 2019, when it reached a peak of 1635, dropping slightly to 1576 notifications during 2020 and the height of the COVID-19 lockdown. </strong></p>\n<p>Similarly, for syphilis, Metro North recorded an 85 per cent increase between 2016 and 2020, when 323 syphilis notifications were recorded last year, increasingly among young heterosexual men and women. </p>\n<p>Against this backdrop of rising infection, it is timely and important that GPs are reminded of contact tracing as a cornerstone in the control of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and an essential part of patient management. Given the demonstrated success of early, intense contact tracing for the control of COVID-19, GPs should be aware of those same principles applied to STI control: regular testing, regular re-testing and contact tracing. It is important for GPs to have contact tracing permanently on their checklist whenever discussing, testing and managing STIs.</p>\n<p>Contract tracing is the process of:</p>\n<ul><li>identifying persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition</li><li>informing persons who are unaware that they may have contracted a notifiable condition so that they may seek testing and treatment before complications arise</li><li>providing information to persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition to prevent or minimise transmission of that condition.</li></ul>\n<p>There is often a misunderstanding that contact tracing for STI is automatically undertaken by the Department (as done for COVID-19 or HIV). Whilst Contact Tracing Support Officers (CTSO) are available to advise and assist GPs, GPs will need to support patients diagnosed with an STI to do contact tracing by:</p>\n<ul>\n <li>Providing the patient with education about the STI, including asymptomatic transmission, risk of complications if left untreated and risk to the patient of re-infection if their partners are not treated as well.</li>\n <li>Discussing that all sexual contacts need to be considered within the appropriate look-back period for the STI and not just the most recent contact. Information on how far back to trace for different STIs is offered by the <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/GPMeCD1vQxiQ489IWC-JB?domain=contacttracing.ashm.org.au\">Australasian Contact Tracing Guidelines</a>.</li>\n <li>Providing the patient with information regarding the anonymous contact tracing websites that are available: <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/2zUFCE8w0yiKEZ7cwv52s?domain=letthemknow.org.au/\">Let Them Know</a> or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UvhQCGv0MAUovz7TpMyQu?domain=thedramadownunder.info\">The Drama Down Under</a> (for men who have sex with men) provide a service to advise sexual partners that they might also be at risk by sending an email or SMS either personally or anonymously. </li>\n <li>Discussing with the patient any barriers there may to contact trace and provide support in response.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>GPs can access support, information and advice from the local CTSO at the Metro North Public Health Unit on 07 3624 1111, the Queensland Syphilis Surveillance Service on 1800 032 238 or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/Dw3nCK1DLGi0VRotp3won?domain=health.qld.gov.au\" title=\"HIV Public Health Team\">the HIV Public Health Team</a> on 07 3328 9797. </p>\n<p><strong>More information:</strong></p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UE4aCL7EvGc56zWugdLlj?domain=ctm.ashm.org.au/\">Australasian Contact Tracing Manual</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/rPG8CMwGJXiGNnruGaBrx?domain=disease-control.health.qld.gov.au/\">Communicable Disease Control Guidance and Information: A-Z</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/C5YVCNLJYGf14gWsVzfBa?domain=sti.guidelines.org.au/\">Australian STI Management Guidelines for Use in Primary Care</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/NWfuCOMKPGioWB8TWKb0C?domain=health.qld.gov.au\">Primary Clinical Care Manual 9<sup>th</sup> edition (2016)</a></li>\n <li>AHSM guide to <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/XoJBCP7LzGcqpLwsW7YEU?domain=hivlegal.ashm.org.au\">Duty of Care to Third Parties and Civil Liability</a></li>\n</ul>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4925,162335,1,'2021-05-18 05:11:56','2021-05-18 05:11:56','606a49db-353e-4dce-9c8b-b129512f04c7','<p><strong><strong><em>Contributed by the Metro North Public Health Unit</em></strong></strong></p>\n<p><strong>Across Metro North Health, gonorrhoea notifications increased 55 per cent between 2016 to 2019, when it reached a peak of 1635, dropping slightly to 1576 notifications during 2020 and the height of the COVID-19 lockdown. </strong></p>\n<p>Similarly, for syphilis, Metro North recorded an 85 per cent increase between 2016 and 2020, when 323 syphilis notifications were recorded last year, increasingly among young heterosexual men and women. </p>\n<p>Against this backdrop of rising infection, it is timely and important that GPs are reminded of contact tracing as a cornerstone in the control of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and an essential part of patient management. Given the demonstrated success of early, intense contact tracing for the control of COVID-19, GPs should be aware of those same principles applied to STI control: regular testing, regular re-testing and contact tracing. It is important for GPs to have contact tracing permanently on their checklist whenever discussing, testing and managing STIs.</p>\n<p>Contract tracing is the process of:</p>\n<ul><li>identifying persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition</li><li>informing persons who are unaware that they may have contracted a notifiable condition so that they may seek testing and treatment before complications arise</li><li>providing information to persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition to prevent or minimise transmission of that condition.</li></ul>\n<p>There is often a misunderstanding that contact tracing for STI is automatically undertaken by the Department (as done for COVID-19 or HIV). Whilst Contact Tracing Support Officers (CTSO) are available to advise and assist GPs, GPs will need to support patients diagnosed with an STI to do contact tracing by:</p>\n<ul>\n <li>Providing the patient with education about the STI, including asymptomatic transmission, risk of complications if left untreated and risk to the patient of re-infection if their partners are not treated as well.</li>\n <li>Discussing that all sexual contacts need to be considered within the appropriate look-back period for the STI and not just the most recent contact. Information on how far back to trace for different STIs is offered by the <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/GPMeCD1vQxiQ489IWC-JB?domain=contacttracing.ashm.org.au\">Australasian Contact Tracing Guidelines</a>.</li>\n <li>Providing the patient with information regarding the anonymous contact tracing websites that are available: <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/2zUFCE8w0yiKEZ7cwv52s?domain=letthemknow.org.au/\">Let Them Know</a> or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UvhQCGv0MAUovz7TpMyQu?domain=thedramadownunder.info\">The Drama Down Under</a> (for men who have sex with men) provide a service to advise sexual partners that they might also be at risk by sending an email or SMS either personally or anonymously. </li>\n <li>Discussing with the patient any barriers there may to contact trace and provide support in response.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>GPs can access support, information and advice from the local CTSO at the Metro North Public Health Unit on 07 3624 1111, the Queensland Syphilis Surveillance Service on 1800 032 238 or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/Dw3nCK1DLGi0VRotp3won?domain=health.qld.gov.au\" title=\"HIV Public Health Team\">the HIV Public Health Team</a> on 07 3328 9797. </p>\n<p><strong>More information:</strong></p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UE4aCL7EvGc56zWugdLlj?domain=ctm.ashm.org.au/\">Australasian Contact Tracing Manual</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/rPG8CMwGJXiGNnruGaBrx?domain=disease-control.health.qld.gov.au/\">Communicable Disease Control Guidance and Information: A-Z</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/C5YVCNLJYGf14gWsVzfBa?domain=sti.guidelines.org.au/\">Australian STI Management Guidelines for Use in Primary Care</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/NWfuCOMKPGioWB8TWKb0C?domain=health.qld.gov.au\">Primary Clinical Care Manual 9<sup>th</sup> edition (2016)</a></li>\n <li>AHSM guide to <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/XoJBCP7LzGcqpLwsW7YEU?domain=hivlegal.ashm.org.au\">Duty of Care to Third Parties and Civil Liability</a></li>\n</ul>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4926,162337,1,'2021-05-18 05:12:01','2021-05-18 05:12:01','040af8f0-6330-4779-b937-0d010f89518b','<p><strong><strong><em>Contributed by the Metro North Public Health Unit</em></strong></strong></p>\n<p><strong>Across Metro North Health, gonorrhoea notifications increased 55 per cent between 2016 to 2019, when it reached a peak of 1635, dropping slightly to 1576 notifications during 2020 and the height of the COVID-19 lockdown. </strong></p>\n<p>Similarly, for syphilis, Metro North recorded an 85 per cent increase between 2016 and 2020, when 323 syphilis notifications were recorded last year, increasingly among young heterosexual men and women. </p>\n<p>Against this backdrop of rising infection, it is timely and important that GPs are reminded of contact tracing as a cornerstone in the control of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and an essential part of patient management. Given the demonstrated success of early, intense contact tracing for the control of COVID-19, GPs should be aware of those same principles applied to STI control: regular testing, regular re-testing and contact tracing. It is important for GPs to have contact tracing permanently on their checklist whenever discussing, testing and managing STIs.</p>\n<p>Contract tracing is the process of:</p>\n<ul><li>identifying persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition</li><li>informing persons who are unaware that they may have contracted a notifiable condition so that they may seek testing and treatment before complications arise</li><li>providing information to persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition to prevent or minimise transmission of that condition.</li></ul>\n<p>There is often a misunderstanding that contact tracing for STI is automatically undertaken by the Department (as done for COVID-19 or HIV). Whilst Contact Tracing Support Officers (CTSO) are available to advise and assist GPs, GPs will need to support patients diagnosed with an STI to do contact tracing by:</p>\n<ul>\n <li>Providing the patient with education about the STI, including asymptomatic transmission, risk of complications if left untreated and risk to the patient of re-infection if their partners are not treated as well.</li>\n <li>Discussing that all sexual contacts need to be considered within the appropriate look-back period for the STI and not just the most recent contact. Information on how far back to trace for different STIs is offered by the <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/GPMeCD1vQxiQ489IWC-JB?domain=contacttracing.ashm.org.au\">Australasian Contact Tracing Guidelines</a>.</li>\n <li>Providing the patient with information regarding the anonymous contact tracing websites that are available: <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/2zUFCE8w0yiKEZ7cwv52s?domain=letthemknow.org.au/\">Let Them Know</a> or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UvhQCGv0MAUovz7TpMyQu?domain=thedramadownunder.info\">The Drama Down Under</a> (for men who have sex with men) provide a service to advise sexual partners that they might also be at risk by sending an email or SMS either personally or anonymously. </li>\n <li>Discussing with the patient any barriers there may to contact trace and provide support in response.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>GPs can access support, information and advice from the local CTSO at the Metro North Public Health Unit on 07 3624 1111, the Queensland Syphilis Surveillance Service on 1800 032 238 or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/Dw3nCK1DLGi0VRotp3won?domain=health.qld.gov.au\" title=\"HIV Public Health Team\">the HIV Public Health Team</a> on 07 3328 9797. </p>\n<p><strong>More information:</strong></p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UE4aCL7EvGc56zWugdLlj?domain=ctm.ashm.org.au/\">Australasian Contact Tracing Manual</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/rPG8CMwGJXiGNnruGaBrx?domain=disease-control.health.qld.gov.au/\">Communicable Disease Control Guidance and Information: A-Z</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/C5YVCNLJYGf14gWsVzfBa?domain=sti.guidelines.org.au/\">Australian STI Management Guidelines for Use in Primary Care</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/NWfuCOMKPGioWB8TWKb0C?domain=health.qld.gov.au\">Primary Clinical Care Manual 9<sup>th</sup> edition (2016)</a></li>\n <li>AHSM guide to <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/XoJBCP7LzGcqpLwsW7YEU?domain=hivlegal.ashm.org.au\">Duty of Care to Third Parties and Civil Liability</a></li>\n</ul>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4927,162340,1,'2021-05-18 05:13:19','2021-05-18 05:13:19','48097f93-91cd-4c83-9977-a39258706fd2','<p><strong>Dr Debra Carroll works as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and shared her thoughts on what attracted her to the role and how it complements her work as a general practitioner. </strong></p>\n<p>The GPwSI model of care aims to improve patient access to the most appropriate specialist care in a timely and cost-effective manner, within the outpatient setting. It represents a unique opportunity for GPs to upskill within an area of interest and strengthens the links between primary care practitioners and hospital-based specialist services.</p>\n<p>Within the work she does as a GPwSI, Dr Carroll enjoys the variety that the role brings to her week, and the opportunity to focus on a specific clinical problem within the GDM clinic while working within a multidisciplinary team.</p>\n<p>Dr Carroll said she enjoys being able to bring a broad knowledge of the health system—particularly primary care—to her role as a GPwSI. <br /></p>\n\n<p>“I have the ability to explain to hospital-based healthcare providers how primary care works and how the two systems can work together to improve patient care and outcomes,” she said.</p>\n<p>“I also get the opportunity to advocate for GPs where appropriate and hopefully to provide a positive GP role model to hospital staff and patients.”</p>\n<p>Within her work as a GP, Dr Carroll appreciates the independence, the ability to be flexible and realistic with guidelines and the opportunity to know her patients well in terms of their physical, social and psychological challenges. </p>\n<p>“As a GP I get to advocate for the public system in my practice and assist colleagues and patients in the appropriate pathways to access care within the public system,” Dr Carroll said.</p>\n<p>“It helps to have an improved understanding of the complexities of providing healthcare in the public hospital environment. It is helpful to be able to interpret that for patients and colleagues and improve their confidence in what the public system can provide.”</p>\n<p>To any GPs considering a GPwSI role, Dr Carroll would recommend it to those who want to try something different and work in a team of clinicians with a multi-disciplinary approach.</p>\n<p>“The hospital staff are very welcoming and supportive and very willing to educate and share their knowledge and skills,” Dr Carroll said. </p>\n<p>The project, currently funded in partnership with the Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Division, recruited their first GPwSI in April 2018, since then has had up to 17 GPs with Special Interests working across a diverse selection of 15 specialty departments.</p>\n<p>The GP with Special Interest outpatient clinics are based out of Metro North Hospital and Community Health facilities. Special interest outpatients clinics include:</p><ul><li>orthopaedic</li><li>diabetes</li><li>epilepsy</li><li>older persons.</li></ul>\n\n<p>Metro North Health are currently recruiting a GPwSI in Chronic Kidney Disease to work at Queensland Health facilities in the catchment areas of Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospital. </p>\n<p>For more information on the opportunity visit the <a href=\"https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH371167\">Queensland Government’s Smart Jobs page</a> or to get in contact with the project team email <a href=\"mailto:MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au\">MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4928,162342,1,'2021-05-18 05:25:46','2021-05-18 05:25:46','9dae2683-6ae7-4e28-9432-28652c67a776','<p><strong>A new report released by the Black Dog Institute shares insights from two PHN trial sites for implementing suicide prevention strategies for LGBTIQ+ communities.</strong></p>\n<p>The Black Dog Institute has released a new report with key insights for implementing suicide prevention strategies that are effective for LGBTIQ+ communities, titled Suicide prevention for LGBTIQ+ communities: Learnings from the National Suicide Prevention Trial.</p>\n<p>The report was developed as part of Black Dog’s support to the National Suicide Prevention Trial, which was launched in 12 sites across Australia in 2016.</p>\n<p>Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and led by 10 Primary Health Networks (PHNs), the National Trial focused on priority populations who have an increased risk of suicide, with two sites – North Western Melbourne and Brisbane North – working directly with LGBTIQ+ populations to implement a community-led, systems approach to suicide prevention.<br /></p>\n<p>Containing reflections from five years of delivering suicide prevention activities in these local regions, the report fills a gap in knowledge available to those implementing suicide prevention activities for LGBTIQ+ communities. Key learnings include embedding lived experience and enabling local decision-making to inform culturally safe design and delivery of services for these populations.</p>\n<p>“We learnt that it is vitally important for suicide prevention coordinators to build strong relationships with local LGBTIQ+ communities and understand intersectionality to improve the communities’ mental health and suicide outcomes,” said Janey McGoldrick, Head of Implementation at the Black Dog Institute.</p>\n<p>Mainstream services often fail to meet the specific needs of LGBTIQ+ communities. With a chronic shortage of culturally safe or affirmative support, services that can be difficult to access for those in remote and regional areas, and a lack of data available – with sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status routinely omitted from national datasets – LGBTIQ+ communities remain at significantly higher risk of suicide than the general population.</p>\n<p>Both North Western Melbourne and Brisbane North PHNs used the LifeSpan model – a pioneering systems approach to suicide prevention developed by the Black Dog Institute – to guide their strategy and activities.</p>\n<p>“The trial allowed us to coordinate a multifaceted approach to suicide prevention for the LGBTIQ+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities,” said Ged Farmer, Suicide Prevention Project Officer, for the Brisbane North PHN.</p>\n<p>With funding for the National Suicide Prevention Trial due to cease from June 2021, the report highlights an urgent need for sustained funding to allow this life-saving work to continue, grow and support more people at risk of suicide in the LGBTIQ+ communities.</p>\n<p>“The trial programs and services are really connecting with the community because they were built with the community,” said North Western Melbourne PHN CEO Adjunct Associate Professor Chris Carter said.</p>\n<p>“It’s a great example of how we need to involve people with lived experience, not just in suicide prevention, but across our health system,” said Associate Professor Carter.</p>\n<p><a href=\"https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/BDI21_Suicide-prevention-for-LGBTIQ-communities.pdf\"><strong>Download the report</strong></a></p>\n<p><em>With thanks to the Black Dog Institute for their permission to reprint this article. </em></p>\n<p><em><em>Pictured above: PHN staff joined Queensland Council for LGBTI Health (formerly the Queensland AIDS Council) staff, as well as campaign artists and supporters at the Talking Heals launch in February 2020.</em><br /></em></p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4929,162433,1,'2021-05-18 23:41:16','2021-05-18 23:41:16','082b2bbc-f649-4aa1-94e1-ef1cdc7295a9','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. It\'s important that patients are treated close to home, and the team at Caboolture Hospital encourage local GPs to refer to our specialist surgeons.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4930,162453,1,'2021-05-18 23:41:57','2021-05-18 23:41:57','4a35d5a6-eaa8-4b9e-82ee-f13cf374eb38','<p><strong>A new report released by the Black Dog Institute shares insights from two PHN trial sites for implementing suicide prevention strategies for LGBTIQ+ communities.</strong></p>\n<p>The Black Dog Institute has released a new report with key insights for implementing suicide prevention strategies that are effective for LGBTIQ+ communities, titled <em>Suicide prevention for LGBTIQ+ communities: Learnings from the National Suicide Prevention Trial</em>.</p>\n<p>The report was developed as part of Black Dog’s support to the National Suicide Prevention Trial, which was launched in 12 sites across Australia in 2016.</p>\n<p>Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and led by 10 Primary Health Networks (PHNs), the National Trial focused on priority populations who have an increased risk of suicide, with two sites – North Western Melbourne and Brisbane North – working directly with LGBTIQ+ populations to implement a community-led, systems approach to suicide prevention.<br /></p>\n<p>Containing reflections from five years of delivering suicide prevention activities in these local regions, the report fills a gap in knowledge available to those implementing suicide prevention activities for LGBTIQ+ communities. Key learnings include embedding lived experience and enabling local decision-making to inform culturally safe design and delivery of services for these populations.</p>\n<p>“We learnt that it is vitally important for suicide prevention coordinators to build strong relationships with local LGBTIQ+ communities and understand intersectionality to improve the communities’ mental health and suicide outcomes,” said Janey McGoldrick, Head of Implementation at the Black Dog Institute.</p>\n<p>Mainstream services often fail to meet the specific needs of LGBTIQ+ communities. With a chronic shortage of culturally safe or affirmative support, services that can be difficult to access for those in remote and regional areas, and a lack of data available – with sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status routinely omitted from national datasets – LGBTIQ+ communities remain at significantly higher risk of suicide than the general population.</p>\n<p>Both North Western Melbourne and Brisbane North PHNs used the LifeSpan model – a pioneering systems approach to suicide prevention developed by the Black Dog Institute – to guide their strategy and activities.</p>\n<p>“The trial allowed us to coordinate a multifaceted approach to suicide prevention for the LGBTIQ+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities,” said Ged Farmer, Suicide Prevention Project Officer, for the Brisbane North PHN.</p>\n<p>With funding for the National Suicide Prevention Trial due to cease from June 2021, the report highlights an urgent need for sustained funding to allow this life-saving work to continue, grow and support more people at risk of suicide in the LGBTIQ+ communities.</p>\n<p>“The trial programs and services are really connecting with the community because they were built with the community,” said North Western Melbourne PHN CEO Adjunct Associate Professor Chris Carter said.</p>\n<p>“It’s a great example of how we need to involve people with lived experience, not just in suicide prevention, but across our health system,” said Associate Professor Carter.</p>\n<p><a href=\"https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/BDI21_Suicide-prevention-for-LGBTIQ-communities.pdf\"><strong>Download the report</strong></a></p>\n<p><em>With thanks to the Black Dog Institute for their permission to reprint this article. </em></p>\n<p><em><em>Pictured above: PHN staff joined Queensland Council for LGBTI Health (formerly the Queensland AIDS Council) staff, as well as campaign artists and supporters at the Talking Heals launch in February 2020.</em><br /></em></p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4931,162455,1,'2021-05-18 23:43:55','2021-05-18 23:43:55','b70cc555-f60a-4335-953c-113dd9c2f0bd','<p><strong>Dr Debra Carroll works as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and shared her thoughts on what attracted her to the role and how it complements her work as a general practitioner. </strong><br /></p>\n\n<p>Within the work she does as a GPwSI, Dr Carroll enjoys the variety that the role brings to her week, and the opportunity to focus on a specific clinical problem within the GDM clinic while working within a multidisciplinary team.</p>\n<p>Dr Carroll said she enjoys being able to bring a broad knowledge of the health system—particularly primary care—to her role as a GPwSI. <br /></p>\n<p>“I have the ability to explain to hospital-based healthcare providers how primary care works and how the two systems can work together to improve patient care and outcomes,” she said.</p>\n<p>“I also get the opportunity to advocate for GPs where appropriate and hopefully to provide a positive GP role model to hospital staff and patients.”</p>\n<p>The GPwSI model of care aims to improve patient access to the most appropriate specialist care in a timely and cost-effective manner, within the outpatient setting. It represents a unique opportunity for GPs to upskill within an area of interest and strengthens the links between primary care practitioners and hospital-based specialist services.</p>\n<p>Within her work as a GP, Dr Carroll appreciates the independence, the ability to be flexible and realistic with guidelines and the opportunity to know her patients well in terms of their physical, social and psychological challenges. </p>\n<p>“As a GP I get to advocate for the public system in my practice and assist colleagues and patients in the appropriate pathways to access care within the public system,” Dr Carroll said.</p>\n<p>“It helps to have an improved understanding of the complexities of providing healthcare in the public hospital environment. It is helpful to be able to interpret that for patients and colleagues and improve their confidence in what the public system can provide.”</p>\n<p>To any GPs considering a GPwSI role, Dr Carroll would recommend it to those who want to try something different and work in a team of clinicians with a multi-disciplinary approach.</p>\n<p>“The hospital staff are very welcoming and supportive and very willing to educate and share their knowledge and skills,” Dr Carroll said. </p>\n<p>The project, currently funded in partnership with the Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Division, recruited their first GPwSI in April 2018, since then has had up to 17 GPs with Special Interests working across a diverse selection of 15 specialty departments.</p>\n<p>The GP with Special Interest outpatient clinics are based out of Metro North Hospital and Community Health facilities. Special interest outpatients clinics include:</p>\n<ul><li>orthopaedic</li><li>diabetes</li><li>epilepsy</li><li>older persons.</li></ul>\n<p>Metro North Health are currently recruiting a GPwSI in Chronic Kidney Disease to work at Queensland Health facilities in the catchment areas of Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospital. </p>\n<p>For more information on the opportunity visit the <a href=\"https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH371167\">Queensland Government’s Smart Jobs page</a> or to get in contact with the project team email <a href=\"mailto:MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au\">MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4932,162457,1,'2021-05-18 23:44:40','2021-05-18 23:44:40','880ad8fa-f251-4085-a23d-4ff62fe97ed9','<p><strong>Dr Debra Carroll works as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and shared her thoughts on what attracted her to the role and how it complements her work as a general practitioner. </strong><br /></p>\n\n<p>Within the work she does as a GPwSI, Dr Carroll enjoys the variety that the role brings to her week, and the opportunity to focus on a specific clinical problem within the GDM clinic while working within a multidisciplinary team.</p>\n<p>Dr Carroll said she enjoys being able to bring a broad knowledge of the health system—particularly primary care—to her role as a GPwSI. <br /></p>\n<p>“I have the ability to explain to hospital-based healthcare providers how primary care works and how the two systems can work together to improve patient care and outcomes,” she said.</p>\n<p>“I also get the opportunity to advocate for GPs where appropriate and hopefully to provide a positive GP role model to hospital staff and patients.”</p>\n<p>The GPwSI model of care aims to improve patient access to the most appropriate specialist care in a timely and cost-effective manner, within the outpatient setting. It represents a unique opportunity for GPs to upskill within an area of interest and strengthens the links between primary care practitioners and hospital-based specialist services.</p>\n<p>Within her work as a GP, Dr Carroll appreciates the independence, the ability to be flexible and realistic with guidelines and the opportunity to know her patients well in terms of their physical, social and psychological challenges. </p>\n<p>“As a GP I get to advocate for the public system in my practice and assist colleagues and patients in the appropriate pathways to access care within the public system,” Dr Carroll said.</p>\n<p>“It helps to have an improved understanding of the complexities of providing healthcare in the public hospital environment. It is helpful to be able to interpret that for patients and colleagues and improve their confidence in what the public system can provide.”</p>\n<p>To any GPs considering a GPwSI role, Dr Carroll would recommend it to those who want to try something different and work in a team of clinicians with a multi-disciplinary approach.</p>\n<p>“The hospital staff are very welcoming and supportive and very willing to educate and share their knowledge and skills,” Dr Carroll said. </p>\n<p>The project, currently funded in partnership with the Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Division, recruited their first GPwSI in April 2018, since then has had up to 17 GPs with Special Interests working across a diverse selection of 15 specialty departments.</p>\n<p>The GP with Special Interest outpatient clinics are based out of Metro North Hospital and Community Health facilities. Special interest outpatients clinics include:</p>\n<ul><li>orthopaedic</li><li>diabetes</li><li>epilepsy</li><li>older persons.</li></ul>\n<p>Metro North Health are currently recruiting a GPwSI in Chronic Kidney Disease to work at Queensland Health facilities in the catchment areas of Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospital. </p>\n<p>For more information on the opportunity visit the <a href=\"https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH371167\">Queensland Government’s Smart Jobs page</a> or to get in contact with the project team email <a href=\"mailto:MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au\">MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4933,162459,1,'2021-05-18 23:47:19','2021-05-18 23:47:19','b77f0436-1b62-4a8d-b54a-7c79b1d6889e','<p><strong>Vaccination against influenza (flu) remains important this year. Flu is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause widespread illness and deaths every year. Vaccination is our best defence against flu viruses.</strong></p>\n<p>Behaviours such as increased hand washing and social distancing helped to stop the spread of flu viruses in the community last year. Relaxing social distancing restrictions this year may allow flu viruses to recirculate, even if they were hardly seen in 2020.<br /></p>\n<p>Under the National Immunisation Program, free flu vaccines are provided to the following groups who are at higher risk of complications from flu:</p>\n<ul><li>children aged 6 months to less than 5 years</li><li>all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over</li><li>people aged 6 months and over with certain medical conditions that increase their chance of severe influenza and its complications</li><li>pregnant women (at any stage during pregnancy)</li><li>people aged 65 years and over.</li></ul>\n<p>Free flu vaccines under the National Immunisation Program are available from April 2021. Vaccinating in autumn provides protection before the peak influenza season.</p>\n<p>Free flu vaccines are available from GPs, community health clinics, Aboriginal Medical Services and other immunisation providers in your state or territory. To locate a service in your area you can search the <a href=\"https://about.healthdirect.gov.au/nhsd\">National Health Services Directory</a>.</p>\n<p>Check with your immunisation provider to find out when they will have the vaccine available and when you can book in to get the vaccine.</p>\n<p>If you are not eligible for a free flu vaccine, you can purchase the vaccine from your GP, a pharmacy, or another immunisation provider.</p>\n<p>Vaccination experts recommend waiting 14 days between getting a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine. Given this, it will be important to plan both vaccinations.</p>\n<p>It doesn’t matter in what order you get the vaccines, however:</p>\n<ul><li>if you are in earlier phases for COVID-19 vaccination, you should get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon you can. You can then plan your flu vaccination.</li><li>if you are in later phases for COVID-19 vaccination, you should get the flu vaccine as soon as you can. This will ensure you are ready to get your COVID‑19 vaccine when it is available to you.</li></ul>\n<p>You can check what phase you are in using the <a href=\"https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility\">COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker</a>.</p>\n<p>When you book in for your flu vaccination, remember to tell your vaccination provider or clinic if you have received the COVID-19 vaccine (and when you received it). This will help them to plan your appointment.</p>\n<p>For more information on the 2021 influenza vaccination guidelines <a href=\"https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/diseases-infection/immunisation/service-providers/influenza\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">visit the Queensland Health website</a>.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4934,162461,1,'2021-05-18 23:47:40','2021-05-18 23:47:40','8cfbf3e1-41c9-4baf-8eb8-76f188443056','<p><strong>Vaccination against influenza (flu) remains important this year. Flu is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause widespread illness and deaths every year. Vaccination is our best defence against flu viruses.</strong></p>\n<p>Behaviours such as increased hand washing and social distancing helped to stop the spread of flu viruses in the community last year. Relaxing social distancing restrictions this year may allow flu viruses to recirculate, even if they were hardly seen in 2020.<br /></p>\n<p>Under the National Immunisation Program, free flu vaccines are provided to the following groups who are at higher risk of complications from flu:</p>\n<ul><li>children aged 6 months to less than 5 years</li><li>all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over</li><li>people aged 6 months and over with certain medical conditions that increase their chance of severe influenza and its complications</li><li>pregnant women (at any stage during pregnancy)</li><li>people aged 65 years and over.</li></ul>\n<p>Free flu vaccines under the National Immunisation Program are available from April 2021. Vaccinating in autumn provides protection before the peak influenza season.</p>\n<p>Free flu vaccines are available from GPs, community health clinics, Aboriginal Medical Services and other immunisation providers in your state or territory. To locate a service in your area you can search the <a href=\"https://about.healthdirect.gov.au/nhsd\">National Health Services Directory</a>.</p>\n<p>Check with your immunisation provider to find out when they will have the vaccine available and when you can book in to get the vaccine.</p>\n<p>If you are not eligible for a free flu vaccine, you can purchase the vaccine from your GP, a pharmacy, or another immunisation provider.</p>\n<p>Vaccination experts recommend waiting 14 days between getting a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine. Given this, it will be important to plan both vaccinations.</p>\n<p>It doesn’t matter in what order you get the vaccines, however:</p>\n<ul><li>if you are in earlier phases for COVID-19 vaccination, you should get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon you can. You can then plan your flu vaccination.</li><li>if you are in later phases for COVID-19 vaccination, you should get the flu vaccine as soon as you can. This will ensure you are ready to get your COVID‑19 vaccine when it is available to you.</li></ul>\n<p>You can check what phase you are in using the <a href=\"https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility\">COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker</a>.</p>\n<p>When you book in for your flu vaccination, remember to tell your vaccination provider or clinic if you have received the COVID-19 vaccine (and when you received it). This will help them to plan your appointment.</p>\n<p>For more information on the 2021 influenza vaccination guidelines <a href=\"https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/diseases-infection/immunisation/service-providers/influenza\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">visit the Queensland Health website</a>.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4935,162463,1,'2021-05-18 23:52:02','2021-05-18 23:52:02','2cb9e904-5bc7-4500-b3fe-97ee85e3358d','<p><strong><strong><em>By the Metro North Public Health Unit</em></strong></strong></p>\n<p><strong>Across Metro North Health, gonorrhoea notifications increased 55 per cent between 2016 to 2019, when it reached a peak of 1635, dropping slightly to 1576 notifications during 2020 and the height of the COVID-19 lockdown. </strong></p>\n<p>Similarly, for syphilis, Metro North recorded an 85 per cent increase between 2016 and 2020, when 323 syphilis notifications were recorded last year, increasingly among young heterosexual men and women. </p>\n<p>Against this backdrop of rising infection, it is timely and important that GPs are reminded of contact tracing as a cornerstone in the control of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and an essential part of patient management. Given the demonstrated success of early, intense contact tracing for the control of COVID-19, GPs should be aware of those same principles applied to STI control: regular testing, regular re-testing and contact tracing. It is important for GPs to have contact tracing permanently on their checklist whenever discussing, testing and managing STIs.</p>\n<p>Contract tracing is the process of:</p>\n<ul><li>identifying persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition</li><li>informing persons who are unaware that they may have contracted a notifiable condition so that they may seek testing and treatment before complications arise</li><li>providing information to persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition to prevent or minimise transmission of that condition.</li></ul>\n<p>There is often a misunderstanding that contact tracing for STI is automatically undertaken by the Department (as done for COVID-19 or HIV). Whilst Contact Tracing Support Officers (CTSO) are available to advise and assist GPs, GPs will need to support patients diagnosed with an STI to do contact tracing by:</p>\n<ul>\n <li>Providing the patient with education about the STI, including asymptomatic transmission, risk of complications if left untreated and risk to the patient of re-infection if their partners are not treated as well.</li>\n <li>Discussing that all sexual contacts need to be considered within the appropriate look-back period for the STI and not just the most recent contact. Information on how far back to trace for different STIs is offered by the <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/GPMeCD1vQxiQ489IWC-JB?domain=contacttracing.ashm.org.au\">Australasian Contact Tracing Guidelines</a>.</li>\n <li>Providing the patient with information regarding the anonymous contact tracing websites that are available: <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/2zUFCE8w0yiKEZ7cwv52s?domain=letthemknow.org.au/\">Let Them Know</a> or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UvhQCGv0MAUovz7TpMyQu?domain=thedramadownunder.info\">The Drama Down Under</a> (for men who have sex with men) provide a service to advise sexual partners that they might also be at risk by sending an email or SMS either personally or anonymously. </li>\n <li>Discussing with the patient any barriers there may to contact trace and provide support in response.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>GPs can access support, information and advice from the local CTSO at the Metro North Public Health Unit on 07 3624 1111, the Queensland Syphilis Surveillance Service on 1800 032 238 or <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/Dw3nCK1DLGi0VRotp3won?domain=health.qld.gov.au\" title=\"HIV Public Health Team\">the HIV Public Health Team</a> on 07 3328 9797. </p>\n<p><strong>More information:</strong></p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UE4aCL7EvGc56zWugdLlj?domain=ctm.ashm.org.au/\">Australasian Contact Tracing Manual</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/rPG8CMwGJXiGNnruGaBrx?domain=disease-control.health.qld.gov.au/\">Communicable Disease Control Guidance and Information: A-Z</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/C5YVCNLJYGf14gWsVzfBa?domain=sti.guidelines.org.au/\">Australian STI Management Guidelines for Use in Primary Care</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/NWfuCOMKPGioWB8TWKb0C?domain=health.qld.gov.au\">Primary Clinical Care Manual 9<sup>th</sup> edition (2016)</a></li>\n <li>AHSM guide to <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/XoJBCP7LzGcqpLwsW7YEU?domain=hivlegal.ashm.org.au\">Duty of Care to Third Parties and Civil Liability</a></li>\n</ul>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4937,162505,1,'2021-05-19 00:58:36','2021-05-19 00:58:36','4f57a9d5-cdcc-4d01-a6db-4294b86c6dde','<p><strong>Dr Debra Carroll works as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and shared her thoughts on what attracted her to the role and how it complements her work as a general practitioner. </strong><br /></p>\n\n<p>Within the work she does as a GPwSI, Dr Carroll enjoys the variety that the role brings to her week, and the opportunity to focus on a specific clinical problem within the GDM clinic while working within a multidisciplinary team.</p>\n<p>Dr Carroll said she enjoys being able to bring a broad knowledge of the health system—particularly primary care—to her role as a GPwSI. <br /></p>\n<p>“I have the ability to explain to hospital-based healthcare providers how primary care works and how the two systems can work together to improve patient care and outcomes,” she said.</p>\n<p>“I also get the opportunity to advocate for GPs where appropriate and hopefully to provide a positive GP role model to hospital staff and patients.”</p>\n<p>The GPwSI model of care aims to improve patient access to the most appropriate specialist care in a timely and cost-effective manner, within the outpatient setting. It represents a unique opportunity for GPs to upskill within an area of interest and strengthens the links between primary care practitioners and hospital-based specialist services.</p>\n<p>Within her work as a GP, Dr Carroll appreciates the independence, the ability to be flexible and realistic with guidelines and the opportunity to know her patients well in terms of their physical, social and psychological challenges. </p>\n<p>“As a GP I get to advocate for the public system in my practice and assist colleagues and patients in the appropriate pathways to access care within the public system,” Dr Carroll said.</p>\n<p>“It helps to have an improved understanding of the complexities of providing healthcare in the public hospital environment. It is helpful to be able to interpret that for patients and colleagues and improve their confidence in what the public system can provide.”</p>\n<p>To any GPs considering a GPwSI role, Dr Carroll would recommend it to those who want to try something different and work in a team of clinicians with a multi-disciplinary approach.</p>\n<p>“The hospital staff are very welcoming and supportive and very willing to educate and share their knowledge and skills,” Dr Carroll said. </p>\n<p>The project, currently funded in partnership with the Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Division, recruited their first GPwSI in April 2018, since then has had up to 17 GPs with Special Interests working across a diverse selection of 15 specialty departments.</p>\n<p>The GP with Special Interest outpatient clinics are based out of Metro North Hospital and Community Health facilities. Special interest outpatients clinics include:</p>\n<ul><li>orthopaedic</li><li>diabetes</li><li>epilepsy</li><li>older persons.</li></ul>\n<p>Metro North Health are currently recruiting a GPwSI in Chronic Kidney Disease to work at Queensland Health facilities in the catchment areas of Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospital. </p>\n<p>For more information on the opportunity visit the <a href=\"https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH371167\">Queensland Government’s Smart Jobs page</a> or to get in contact with the project team email <a href=\"mailto:MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au\">MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4938,162507,1,'2021-05-19 00:58:36','2021-05-19 00:58:36','3655d16d-f91b-4dd2-8bbe-1745960b98f4','<p><strong>Dr Debra Carroll works as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and shared her thoughts on what attracted her to the role and how it complements her work as a general practitioner. </strong><br /></p>\n\n<p>Within the work she does as a GPwSI, Dr Carroll enjoys the variety that the role brings to her week, and the opportunity to focus on a specific clinical problem within the GDM clinic while working within a multidisciplinary team.</p>\n<p>Dr Carroll said she enjoys being able to bring a broad knowledge of the health system—particularly primary care—to her role as a GPwSI. <br /></p>\n<p>“I have the ability to explain to hospital-based healthcare providers how primary care works and how the two systems can work together to improve patient care and outcomes,” she said.</p>\n<p>“I also get the opportunity to advocate for GPs where appropriate and hopefully to provide a positive GP role model to hospital staff and patients.”</p>\n<p>The GPwSI model of care aims to improve patient access to the most appropriate specialist care in a timely and cost-effective manner, within the outpatient setting. It represents a unique opportunity for GPs to upskill within an area of interest and strengthens the links between primary care practitioners and hospital-based specialist services.</p>\n<p>Within her work as a GP, Dr Carroll appreciates the independence, the ability to be flexible and realistic with guidelines and the opportunity to know her patients well in terms of their physical, social and psychological challenges. </p>\n<p>“As a GP I get to advocate for the public system in my practice and assist colleagues and patients in the appropriate pathways to access care within the public system,” Dr Carroll said.</p>\n<p>“It helps to have an improved understanding of the complexities of providing healthcare in the public hospital environment. It is helpful to be able to interpret that for patients and colleagues and improve their confidence in what the public system can provide.”</p>\n<p>To any GPs considering a GPwSI role, Dr Carroll would recommend it to those who want to try something different and work in a team of clinicians with a multi-disciplinary approach.</p>\n<p>“The hospital staff are very welcoming and supportive and very willing to educate and share their knowledge and skills,” Dr Carroll said. </p>\n<p>The project, currently funded in partnership with the Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Division, recruited their first GPwSI in April 2018, since then has had up to 17 GPs with Special Interests working across a diverse selection of 15 specialty departments.</p>\n<p>The GP with Special Interest outpatient clinics are based out of Metro North Hospital and Community Health facilities. Special interest outpatients clinics include:</p>\n<ul><li>orthopaedic</li><li>diabetes</li><li>epilepsy</li><li>older persons.</li></ul>\n<p>Metro North Health are currently recruiting a GPwSI in Chronic Kidney Disease to work at Queensland Health facilities in the catchment areas of Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospital. </p>\n<p>For more information on the opportunity visit the <a href=\"https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH371167\">Queensland Government’s Smart Jobs page</a> or to get in contact with the project team email <a href=\"mailto:MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au\">MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4939,162509,1,'2021-05-19 00:58:40','2021-05-19 00:58:40','7192200e-5fa1-459a-8422-6f22be13df66','<p><strong>Dr Debra Carroll works as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in Gestational Diabetes (GDM), and shared her thoughts on what attracted her to the role and how it complements her work as a general practitioner. </strong><br /></p>\n\n<p>Within the work she does as a GPwSI, Dr Carroll enjoys the variety that the role brings to her week, and the opportunity to focus on a specific clinical problem within the GDM clinic while working within a multidisciplinary team.</p>\n<p>Dr Carroll said she enjoys being able to bring a broad knowledge of the health system—particularly primary care—to her role as a GPwSI. <br /></p>\n<p>“I have the ability to explain to hospital-based healthcare providers how primary care works and how the two systems can work together to improve patient care and outcomes,” she said.</p>\n<p>“I also get the opportunity to advocate for GPs where appropriate and hopefully to provide a positive GP role model to hospital staff and patients.”</p>\n<p>The GPwSI model of care aims to improve patient access to the most appropriate specialist care in a timely and cost-effective manner, within the outpatient setting. It represents a unique opportunity for GPs to upskill within an area of interest and strengthens the links between primary care practitioners and hospital-based specialist services.</p>\n<p>Within her work as a GP, Dr Carroll appreciates the independence, the ability to be flexible and realistic with guidelines and the opportunity to know her patients well in terms of their physical, social and psychological challenges. </p>\n<p>“As a GP I get to advocate for the public system in my practice and assist colleagues and patients in the appropriate pathways to access care within the public system,” Dr Carroll said.</p>\n<p>“It helps to have an improved understanding of the complexities of providing healthcare in the public hospital environment. It is helpful to be able to interpret that for patients and colleagues and improve their confidence in what the public system can provide.”</p>\n<p>To any GPs considering a GPwSI role, Dr Carroll would recommend it to those who want to try something different and work in a team of clinicians with a multi-disciplinary approach.</p>\n<p>“The hospital staff are very welcoming and supportive and very willing to educate and share their knowledge and skills,” Dr Carroll said. </p>\n<p>The project, currently funded in partnership with the Queensland Health Clinical Excellence Division, recruited their first GPwSI in April 2018, since then has had up to 17 GPs with Special Interests working across a diverse selection of 15 specialty departments.</p>\n<p>The GP with Special Interest outpatient clinics are based out of Metro North Hospital and Community Health facilities. Special interest outpatients clinics include:</p>\n<ul><li>orthopaedic</li><li>diabetes</li><li>epilepsy</li><li>older persons.</li></ul>\n<p>Metro North Health are currently recruiting a GPwSI in Chronic Kidney Disease to work at Queensland Health facilities in the catchment areas of Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and The Prince Charles Hospital. </p>\n<p>For more information on the opportunity visit the <a href=\"https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH371167\">Queensland Government’s Smart Jobs page</a> or to get in contact with the project team email <a href=\"mailto:MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au\">MNHHSGPwSIProject@health.qld.gov.au</a>. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4941,162512,1,'2021-05-19 01:06:48','2021-05-19 01:10:45','d14ce9ea-bb81-458e-8c35-39111215f383','<p><strong><strong><em>By the Metro North Public Health Unit</em></strong></strong></p>\n<p><strong>Across Metro North Health, gonorrhoea notifications increased 55 per cent between 2016 to 2019, when it reached a peak of 1635, dropping slightly to 1576 notifications during 2020 and the height of the COVID-19 lockdown. </strong></p>\n<p>Similarly, for syphilis, Metro North recorded an 85 per cent increase between 2016 and 2020, when 323 syphilis notifications were recorded last year, increasingly among young heterosexual men and women. </p>\n<p>Against this backdrop of rising infection, it is timely and important that GPs are reminded of contact tracing as a cornerstone in the control of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and an essential part of patient management. Given the demonstrated success of early, intense contact tracing for the control of COVID-19, GPs should be aware of those same principles applied to STI control: regular testing, regular re-testing and contact tracing. It is important for GPs to have contact tracing permanently on their checklist whenever discussing, testing and managing STIs.</p>\n<p>Contract tracing is the process of:</p>\n<ul><li>identifying persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition</li><li>informing persons who are unaware that they may have contracted a notifiable condition so that they may seek testing and treatment before complications arise</li><li>providing information to persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition to prevent or minimise transmission of that condition.</li></ul>\n<p>There is often a misunderstanding that contact tracing for STI is automatically undertaken by the Department (as done for COVID-19 or HIV). Whilst Contact Tracing Support Officers (CTSO) are available to advise and assist GPs, GPs will need to support patients diagnosed with an STI to do contact tracing by:</p>\n<ul>\n <li>Providing the patient with education about the STI, including asymptomatic transmission, risk of complications if left untreated and risk to the patient of re-infection if their partners are not treated as well.</li>\n <li>Discussing that all sexual contacts need to be considered within the appropriate look-back period for the STI and not just the most recent contact. Information on how far back to trace for different STIs is offered by the <a href=\"http://contacttracing.ashm.org.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Australasian Contact Tracing Guidelines</a>.</li>\n <li>Providing the patient with information regarding the anonymous contact tracing websites that are available: <a href=\"https://letthemknow.org.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Let Them Know</a> or <a href=\"https://www.thedramadownunder.info/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Drama Down Under</a> (for men who have sex with men) provide a service to advise sexual partners that they might also be at risk by sending an email or SMS either personally or anonymously. </li>\n <li>Discussing with the patient any barriers there may to contact trace and provide support in response.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>GPs can access support, information and advice from the local CTSO at the Metro North Public Health Unit on 07 3624 1111, the Queensland Syphilis Surveillance Service on 1800 032 238 or <a href=\"https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/sex-health/services#hiv\" title=\"HIV Public Health Team\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the HIV Public Health Team</a> on 07 3328 9797. </p>\n<p><strong>More information:</strong></p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"http://contacttracing.ashm.org.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Australasian Contact Tracing Manual</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"http://disease-control.health.qld.gov.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Communicable Disease Control Guidance and Information: A-Z</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"http://www.sti.guidelines.org.au/resources/filter/item/australasian-contact-tracing-manual\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Australian STI Management Guidelines for Use in Primary Care</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/primary-clinical-care-manual-10th-edition/resource/9ee849ab-ba4a-49d8-a582-dfa30f1d8a96\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Primary Clinical Care Manual 10th edition (2019)</a></li><li><a href=\"https://hivlegal.ashm.org.au/duty-of-care-to-third-parties-and-civil-liability/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AHSM guide to Duty of Care to Third Parties and Civil Liability</a></li></ul>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4942,162514,1,'2021-05-19 01:06:49','2021-05-19 01:06:49','4a0267ad-9a67-4d26-a3e5-8ff4aca7c5a7','<p><strong><strong><em>By the Metro North Public Health Unit</em></strong></strong></p>\n<p><strong>Across Metro North Health, gonorrhoea notifications increased 55 per cent between 2016 to 2019, when it reached a peak of 1635, dropping slightly to 1576 notifications during 2020 and the height of the COVID-19 lockdown. </strong></p>\n<p>Similarly, for syphilis, Metro North recorded an 85 per cent increase between 2016 and 2020, when 323 syphilis notifications were recorded last year, increasingly among young heterosexual men and women. </p>\n<p>Against this backdrop of rising infection, it is timely and important that GPs are reminded of contact tracing as a cornerstone in the control of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and an essential part of patient management. Given the demonstrated success of early, intense contact tracing for the control of COVID-19, GPs should be aware of those same principles applied to STI control: regular testing, regular re-testing and contact tracing. It is important for GPs to have contact tracing permanently on their checklist whenever discussing, testing and managing STIs.</p>\n<p>Contract tracing is the process of:</p>\n<ul><li>identifying persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition</li><li>informing persons who are unaware that they may have contracted a notifiable condition so that they may seek testing and treatment before complications arise</li><li>providing information to persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition to prevent or minimise transmission of that condition.</li></ul>\n<p>There is often a misunderstanding that contact tracing for STI is automatically undertaken by the Department (as done for COVID-19 or HIV). Whilst Contact Tracing Support Officers (CTSO) are available to advise and assist GPs, GPs will need to support patients diagnosed with an STI to do contact tracing by:</p>\n<ul>\n <li>Providing the patient with education about the STI, including asymptomatic transmission, risk of complications if left untreated and risk to the patient of re-infection if their partners are not treated as well.</li>\n <li>Discussing that all sexual contacts need to be considered within the appropriate look-back period for the STI and not just the most recent contact. Information on how far back to trace for different STIs is offered by the <a href=\"http://contacttracing.ashm.org.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Australasian Contact Tracing Guidelines</a>.</li>\n <li>Providing the patient with information regarding the anonymous contact tracing websites that are available: <a href=\"https://letthemknow.org.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Let Them Know</a> or <a href=\"https://www.thedramadownunder.info/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Drama Down Under</a> (for men who have sex with men) provide a service to advise sexual partners that they might also be at risk by sending an email or SMS either personally or anonymously. </li>\n <li>Discussing with the patient any barriers there may to contact trace and provide support in response.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>GPs can access support, information and advice from the local CTSO at the Metro North Public Health Unit on 07 3624 1111, the Queensland Syphilis Surveillance Service on 1800 032 238 or <a href=\"https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/sex-health/services#hiv\" title=\"HIV Public Health Team\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the HIV Public Health Team</a> on 07 3328 9797. </p>\n<p><strong>More information:</strong></p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/UE4aCL7EvGc56zWugdLlj?domain=ctm.ashm.org.au/\">Australasian Contact Tracing Manual</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/rPG8CMwGJXiGNnruGaBrx?domain=disease-control.health.qld.gov.au/\">Communicable Disease Control Guidance and Information: A-Z</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"http://www.sti.guidelines.org.au/resources/filter/item/australasian-contact-tracing-manual\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Australian STI Management Guidelines for Use in Primary Care</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/NWfuCOMKPGioWB8TWKb0C?domain=health.qld.gov.au\">Primary Clinical Care Manual 9<sup>th</sup> edition (2016)</a></li>\n <li>AHSM guide to <a href=\"https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/XoJBCP7LzGcqpLwsW7YEU?domain=hivlegal.ashm.org.au\">Duty of Care to Third Parties and Civil Liability</a></li>\n</ul>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4943,162516,1,'2021-05-19 01:10:45','2021-05-19 01:10:45','9e514c14-e346-4405-b0be-4f1f9494fda3','<p><strong><strong><em>By the Metro North Public Health Unit</em></strong></strong></p>\n<p><strong>Across Metro North Health, gonorrhoea notifications increased 55 per cent between 2016 to 2019, when it reached a peak of 1635, dropping slightly to 1576 notifications during 2020 and the height of the COVID-19 lockdown. </strong></p>\n<p>Similarly, for syphilis, Metro North recorded an 85 per cent increase between 2016 and 2020, when 323 syphilis notifications were recorded last year, increasingly among young heterosexual men and women. </p>\n<p>Against this backdrop of rising infection, it is timely and important that GPs are reminded of contact tracing as a cornerstone in the control of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and an essential part of patient management. Given the demonstrated success of early, intense contact tracing for the control of COVID-19, GPs should be aware of those same principles applied to STI control: regular testing, regular re-testing and contact tracing. It is important for GPs to have contact tracing permanently on their checklist whenever discussing, testing and managing STIs.</p>\n<p>Contract tracing is the process of:</p>\n<ul><li>identifying persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition</li><li>informing persons who are unaware that they may have contracted a notifiable condition so that they may seek testing and treatment before complications arise</li><li>providing information to persons who may have contracted a notifiable condition to prevent or minimise transmission of that condition.</li></ul>\n<p>There is often a misunderstanding that contact tracing for STI is automatically undertaken by the Department (as done for COVID-19 or HIV). Whilst Contact Tracing Support Officers (CTSO) are available to advise and assist GPs, GPs will need to support patients diagnosed with an STI to do contact tracing by:</p>\n<ul>\n <li>Providing the patient with education about the STI, including asymptomatic transmission, risk of complications if left untreated and risk to the patient of re-infection if their partners are not treated as well.</li>\n <li>Discussing that all sexual contacts need to be considered within the appropriate look-back period for the STI and not just the most recent contact. Information on how far back to trace for different STIs is offered by the <a href=\"http://contacttracing.ashm.org.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Australasian Contact Tracing Guidelines</a>.</li>\n <li>Providing the patient with information regarding the anonymous contact tracing websites that are available: <a href=\"https://letthemknow.org.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Let Them Know</a> or <a href=\"https://www.thedramadownunder.info/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Drama Down Under</a> (for men who have sex with men) provide a service to advise sexual partners that they might also be at risk by sending an email or SMS either personally or anonymously. </li>\n <li>Discussing with the patient any barriers there may to contact trace and provide support in response.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>GPs can access support, information and advice from the local CTSO at the Metro North Public Health Unit on 07 3624 1111, the Queensland Syphilis Surveillance Service on 1800 032 238 or <a href=\"https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/sex-health/services#hiv\" title=\"HIV Public Health Team\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the HIV Public Health Team</a> on 07 3328 9797. </p>\n<p><strong>More information:</strong></p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"http://contacttracing.ashm.org.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Australasian Contact Tracing Manual</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"http://disease-control.health.qld.gov.au/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Communicable Disease Control Guidance and Information: A-Z</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"http://www.sti.guidelines.org.au/resources/filter/item/australasian-contact-tracing-manual\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Australian STI Management Guidelines for Use in Primary Care</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/primary-clinical-care-manual-10th-edition/resource/9ee849ab-ba4a-49d8-a582-dfa30f1d8a96\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Primary Clinical Care Manual 10th edition (2019)</a></li><li><a href=\"https://hivlegal.ashm.org.au/duty-of-care-to-third-parties-and-civil-liability/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AHSM guide to Duty of Care to Third Parties and Civil Liability</a></li></ul>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4945,162537,1,'2021-05-19 01:15:53','2021-05-19 01:15:53','6ed94b75-cc7b-4085-91b7-dd1bf407fa8c','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. It\'s important that patients are treated close to home, and the team at Caboolture Hospital encourage local GPs to refer to our specialist surgeons.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4946,162557,1,'2021-05-19 01:15:53','2021-05-19 01:15:53','548dfb7d-9ab4-4c72-9039-5e944e5737a3','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. It\'s important that patients are treated close to home, and the team at Caboolture Hospital encourage local GPs to refer to our specialist surgeons.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4948,162596,1,'2021-05-19 01:17:15','2021-05-19 01:17:15','ae415e39-f1b8-4199-a1d5-888c4d0209ca','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. It\'s important that patients are treated close to home, and the team at Caboolture Hospital encourage local GPs to refer to our specialist surgeons.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4949,162616,1,'2021-05-19 01:17:16','2021-05-19 01:17:16','e1823a08-d3cb-4904-b21d-17c1872d6c50','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. It\'s important that patients are treated close to home, and the team at Caboolture Hospital encourage local GPs to refer to our specialist surgeons.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4951,162655,1,'2021-05-19 01:18:12','2021-05-19 01:18:12','ace3e3e2-57df-4517-8899-328c7bfe44d8','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. It\'s important that patients are treated close to home, and the team at Caboolture Hospital encourage local GPs to refer to our specialist surgeons.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4952,162675,1,'2021-05-19 01:18:12','2021-05-19 01:18:12','7c271997-44c9-4056-a9c6-d2b0fba8ea14','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. It\'s important that patients are treated close to home, and the team at Caboolture Hospital encourage local GPs to refer to our specialist surgeons.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4953,162695,1,'2021-05-19 01:18:46','2021-05-19 01:18:46','e154d1b6-f7e7-49ef-9333-edef3005a71e','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. It\'s important that patients are treated close to home, and the team at Caboolture Hospital encourage local GPs to refer to our specialist surgeons.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4954,162715,1,'2021-05-19 01:19:12','2021-05-19 01:19:12','3f0d065d-828e-458d-8e63-15cc0771999c','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. It\'s important that patients are treated close to home, and the team at Caboolture Hospital encourage local GPs to refer to our specialist surgeons.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4956,162754,1,'2021-05-19 01:20:04','2021-05-19 01:20:04','e1af3074-b89f-4d22-91d7-a7af41613144','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. It\'s important that patients are treated close to home, and the team at Caboolture Hospital encourage local GPs to refer to our specialist surgeons.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4957,162774,1,'2021-05-19 01:20:05','2021-05-19 01:20:05','a360ccfc-3f4e-4b72-aa6e-e596a078a07a','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. It\'s important that patients are treated close to home, and the team at Caboolture Hospital encourage local GPs to refer to our specialist surgeons.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4958,162794,1,'2021-05-19 01:20:10','2021-05-19 01:20:10','98eeeae4-1591-4517-8a89-e7d37500602f','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. It\'s important that patients are treated close to home, and the team at Caboolture Hospital encourage local GPs to refer to our specialist surgeons.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4959,162814,1,'2021-05-19 01:20:41','2021-05-19 01:23:06','9ad6e42d-5774-4b3c-b232-a2071fed53af','<h5><br /></h5>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4960,162908,1,'2021-05-19 01:26:11','2021-05-19 01:26:11','1de5273e-a06f-4d4f-9197-fb5ffb576d7a',NULL,NULL,NULL,'Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.'),(4961,162909,1,'2021-05-19 01:26:34','2021-05-19 01:26:34','474393a1-274b-4766-abc9-1704f310aa92',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL),(4962,162910,1,'2021-05-19 01:29:34','2021-05-19 01:29:34','9f539b2f-9d08-4a82-8341-4ea208716b72',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL),(4963,162911,1,'2021-05-19 01:29:36','2021-05-19 01:29:36','66443103-202b-420b-9c6f-e6ec433d4a14','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. It\'s important that patients are treated close to home, and the team at Caboolture Hospital encourage local GPs to refer to our specialist surgeons.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4965,162913,1,'2021-05-19 01:30:30','2021-05-19 01:30:30','f771c326-3891-47cb-b8a7-5732b2045572','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. It\'s important that patients are treated close to home, and the team at Caboolture Hospital encourage local GPs to refer to our specialist surgeons.</p>\n<p>Keep reading for information on the referral process or scroll down to meet the team. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4966,162933,1,'2021-05-19 01:30:31','2021-05-19 01:30:31','d8342e53-d5ee-4458-917e-0518790b5046','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. It\'s important that patients are treated close to home, and the team at Caboolture Hospital encourage local GPs to refer to our specialist surgeons.</p>\n<p>Keep reading for information on the referral process or scroll down to meet the team. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4967,162953,1,'2021-05-19 01:31:34','2021-05-19 01:31:34','3090e59a-aa22-4116-b112-1120ab05f676','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. It\'s important that patients are treated close to home, and the team at Caboolture Hospital encourage local GPs to refer to our specialist surgeons.</p>\n<p>Keep reading for information on the referral process or scroll down to meet the team. </p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4969,162992,1,'2021-05-19 01:36:50','2021-05-19 01:36:50','eff05368-c2de-48ad-9022-51d989343264','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. It\'s important that patients are treated close to home, and the team at Caboolture Hospital encourage local GPs to refer to our specialist surgeons.</p>\n<p>Keep reading for information on the referral process or scroll down to meet the team. </p><h5><strong>The referral process</strong><br /></h5>\n<p>You and your patient can choose to direct your referral to Dr Hendahewa, as the Director of the department, if you are unsure who to send your referral to within the department.</p>\n<p>Please review the outpatient referral guidelines found under <a href=\"https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/specialist_service/refer-your-patient\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Specialist Outpatient Services</a> prior to completing your referral. This is to ensure you have included all essential information and investigations prior to referral to triage your patient correctly.</p>\n<p>When referring to outpatients we encourage GPs to refer electronically; GP Smart Referrals makes this easy. It advises GPs of essential clinical information required in a referral, allows you to attach images to your referral and indicates current outpatient wait times in each facility.</p>\n<p>For assistance setting up on GP Smart Referrals contact your Brisbane North PHN <a href=\"{entry:14774@1:url||https://brisbanenorthphn.org.au/practice-support/primary-care-liaison-officers}\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Primary Care Liaison Officer</a>. If you don’t use GP Smart Referrals, you can also use e-referral templates using <em>Medical Objects</em> to send a referral to the Metro North HHS Central Patient Intake Unit.</p><h5><strong>Need specialist advice before making a referral?</strong><br /></h5>\n<p>There are several specialist advice services available to GPs, including the ED Specialist Advice Line (Virtual ED) and the Residential Aged Care District Assessment and Referral Service (RADAR).</p>\n<p>To find all the specialist advice options available to GPs, please visit the <a href=\"https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/refer-your-patient/gpadvice\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Metro North Health website</a>.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4970,163010,1,'2021-05-19 01:36:51','2021-05-19 01:36:51','e5c8191a-1253-4265-ba03-2f2be61c8bfb','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. It\'s important that patients are treated close to home, and the team at Caboolture Hospital encourage local GPs to refer to our specialist surgeons.</p>\n<p>Keep reading for information on the referral process or scroll down to meet the team. </p><h5><strong>The referral process</strong><br /></h5>\n<p>You and your patient can choose to direct your referral to Dr Hendahewa, as the Director of the department, if you are unsure who to send your referral to within the department.</p>\n<p>Please review the outpatient referral guidelines found under <a href=\"https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/specialist_service/refer-your-patient\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Specialist Outpatient Services</a> prior to completing your referral. This is to ensure you have included all essential information and investigations prior to referral to triage your patient correctly.</p>\n<p>When referring to outpatients we encourage GPs to refer electronically; GP Smart Referrals makes this easy. It advises GPs of essential clinical information required in a referral, allows you to attach images to your referral and indicates current outpatient wait times in each facility.</p>\n<p>For assistance setting up on GP Smart Referrals contact your Brisbane North PHN <a href=\"{entry:14774@1:url||https://brisbanenorthphn.org.au/practice-support/primary-care-liaison-officers}\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Primary Care Liaison Officer</a>. If you don’t use GP Smart Referrals, you can also use e-referral templates using <em>Medical Objects</em> to send a referral to the Metro North HHS Central Patient Intake Unit.</p><h5><strong>Need specialist advice before making a referral?</strong><br /></h5>\n<p>There are several specialist advice services available to GPs, including the ED Specialist Advice Line (Virtual ED) and the Residential Aged Care District Assessment and Referral Service (RADAR).</p>\n<p>To find all the specialist advice options available to GPs, please visit the <a href=\"https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/refer-your-patient/gpadvice\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Metro North Health website</a>.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4971,163028,1,'2021-05-19 01:36:58','2021-05-19 01:36:58','2234bdf2-1c02-441b-95e5-6e4133ea448e','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. It\'s important that patients are treated close to home, and the team at Caboolture Hospital encourage local GPs to refer to our specialist surgeons.</p>\n<p>Keep reading for information on the referral process or scroll down to meet the team. </p><h5><strong>The referral process</strong><br /></h5>\n<p>You and your patient can choose to direct your referral to Dr Hendahewa, as the Director of the department, if you are unsure who to send your referral to within the department.</p>\n<p>Please review the outpatient referral guidelines found under <a href=\"https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/specialist_service/refer-your-patient\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Specialist Outpatient Services</a> prior to completing your referral. This is to ensure you have included all essential information and investigations prior to referral to triage your patient correctly.</p>\n<p>When referring to outpatients we encourage GPs to refer electronically; GP Smart Referrals makes this easy. It advises GPs of essential clinical information required in a referral, allows you to attach images to your referral and indicates current outpatient wait times in each facility.</p>\n<p>For assistance setting up on GP Smart Referrals contact your Brisbane North PHN <a href=\"{entry:14774@1:url||https://brisbanenorthphn.org.au/practice-support/primary-care-liaison-officers}\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Primary Care Liaison Officer</a>. If you don’t use GP Smart Referrals, you can also use e-referral templates using <em>Medical Objects</em> to send a referral to the Metro North HHS Central Patient Intake Unit.</p><h5><strong>Need specialist advice before making a referral?</strong><br /></h5>\n<p>There are several specialist advice services available to GPs, including the ED Specialist Advice Line (Virtual ED) and the Residential Aged Care District Assessment and Referral Service (RADAR).</p>\n<p>To find all the specialist advice options available to GPs, please visit the <a href=\"https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/refer-your-patient/gpadvice\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Metro North Health website</a>.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4972,163049,1,'2021-05-19 01:39:35','2021-05-19 01:39:35','8eca1144-9cb6-4c3d-ab01-7adf2b83602d','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. It\'s important that patients are treated close to home, and the team at Caboolture Hospital encourage local GPs to refer to our specialist surgeons.</p>\n<p>Keep reading for information on the referral process or scroll down to meet the team. </p><h5><strong>The referral process</strong><br /></h5>\n<p>You and your patient can choose to direct your referral to Dr Hendahewa, as the Director of the department, if you are unsure who to send your referral to within the department.</p>\n<p>Please review the outpatient referral guidelines found under <a href=\"https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/specialist_service/refer-your-patient\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Specialist Outpatient Services</a> prior to completing your referral. This is to ensure you have included all essential information and investigations prior to referral to triage your patient correctly.</p>\n<p>When referring to outpatients we encourage GPs to refer electronically; GP Smart Referrals makes this easy. It advises GPs of essential clinical information required in a referral, allows you to attach images to your referral and indicates current outpatient wait times in each facility.</p>\n<p>For assistance setting up on GP Smart Referrals contact your Brisbane North PHN <a href=\"{entry:14774@1:url||https://brisbanenorthphn.org.au/practice-support/primary-care-liaison-officers}\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Primary Care Liaison Officer</a>. If you don’t use GP Smart Referrals, you can also use e-referral templates using <em>Medical Objects</em> to send a referral to the Metro North HHS Central Patient Intake Unit.</p><h5><strong>Need specialist advice before making a referral?</strong><br /></h5>\n<p>There are several specialist advice services available to GPs, including the ED Specialist Advice Line (Virtual ED) and the Residential Aged Care District Assessment and Referral Service (RADAR).</p>\n<p>To find all the specialist advice options available to GPs, please visit the <a href=\"https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/refer-your-patient/gpadvice\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Metro North Health website</a>.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4974,163084,1,'2021-05-19 01:40:44','2021-05-19 01:40:44','50b9ac41-00d1-4c85-a98c-9333e08869db','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. It\'s important that patients are treated close to home, and the team at Caboolture Hospital encourage local GPs to refer to our specialist surgeons.</p>\n<p>Keep reading for information on the referral process or scroll down to meet the team. </p><h5><strong>The referral process</strong><br /></h5>\n<p>You and your patient can choose to direct your referral to Dr Hendahewa, as the Director of the department, if you are unsure who to send your referral to within the department.</p>\n<p>Please review the outpatient referral guidelines found under <a href=\"https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/specialist_service/refer-your-patient\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Specialist Outpatient Services</a> prior to completing your referral. This is to ensure you have included all essential information and investigations prior to referral to triage your patient correctly.</p>\n<p>When referring to outpatients we encourage GPs to refer electronically; GP Smart Referrals makes this easy. It advises GPs of essential clinical information required in a referral, allows you to attach images to your referral and indicates current outpatient wait times in each facility.</p>\n<p>For assistance setting up on GP Smart Referrals contact your Brisbane North PHN <a href=\"{entry:14774@1:url||https://brisbanenorthphn.org.au/practice-support/primary-care-liaison-officers}\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Primary Care Liaison Officer</a>. If you don’t use GP Smart Referrals, you can also use e-referral templates using <em>Medical Objects</em> to send a referral to the Metro North HHS Central Patient Intake Unit.</p><h5><strong>Need specialist advice before making a referral?</strong><br /></h5>\n<p>There are several specialist advice services available to GPs, including the ED Specialist Advice Line (Virtual ED) and the Residential Aged Care District Assessment and Referral Service (RADAR).</p>\n<p>To find all the specialist advice options available to GPs, please visit the <a href=\"https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/refer-your-patient/gpadvice\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Metro North Health website</a>.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4975,163102,1,'2021-05-19 01:40:44','2021-05-19 01:40:44','24fd5d32-5f2c-4bf0-97a7-496ea506b086','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. It\'s important that patients are treated close to home, and the team at Caboolture Hospital encourage local GPs to refer to our specialist surgeons.</p>\n<p>Keep reading for information on the referral process or scroll down to meet the team. </p><h5><strong>The referral process</strong><br /></h5>\n<p>You and your patient can choose to direct your referral to Dr Hendahewa, as the Director of the department, if you are unsure who to send your referral to within the department.</p>\n<p>Please review the outpatient referral guidelines found under <a href=\"https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/specialist_service/refer-your-patient\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Specialist Outpatient Services</a> prior to completing your referral. This is to ensure you have included all essential information and investigations prior to referral to triage your patient correctly.</p>\n<p>When referring to outpatients we encourage GPs to refer electronically; GP Smart Referrals makes this easy. It advises GPs of essential clinical information required in a referral, allows you to attach images to your referral and indicates current outpatient wait times in each facility.</p>\n<p>For assistance setting up on GP Smart Referrals contact your Brisbane North PHN <a href=\"{entry:14774@1:url||https://brisbanenorthphn.org.au/practice-support/primary-care-liaison-officers}\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Primary Care Liaison Officer</a>. If you don’t use GP Smart Referrals, you can also use e-referral templates using <em>Medical Objects</em> to send a referral to the Metro North HHS Central Patient Intake Unit.</p><h5><strong>Need specialist advice before making a referral?</strong><br /></h5>\n<p>There are several specialist advice services available to GPs, including the ED Specialist Advice Line (Virtual ED) and the Residential Aged Care District Assessment and Referral Service (RADAR).</p>\n<p>To find all the specialist advice options available to GPs, please visit the <a href=\"https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/refer-your-patient/gpadvice\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Metro North Health website</a>.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL),(4976,163120,1,'2021-05-19 01:40:52','2021-05-19 01:40:52','e8bbf270-38d5-4796-9022-363af169a072','<h5>Caboolture Hospital is entering a new and exciting era, expanding through a redevelopment project and growing the services offered to the local community.</h5>\n<p>Caboolture Hospital Surgical Services would like to introduce their specialist surgical team. It\'s important that patients are treated close to home, and the team at Caboolture Hospital encourage local GPs to refer to our specialist surgeons.</p>\n<p>Keep reading for information on the referral process or scroll down to meet the team. </p><h5><strong>The referral process</strong><br /></h5>\n<p>You and your patient can choose to direct your referral to Dr Hendahewa, as the Director of the department, if you are unsure who to send your referral to within the department.</p>\n<p>Please review the outpatient referral guidelines found under <a href=\"https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/specialist_service/refer-your-patient\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Specialist Outpatient Services</a> prior to completing your referral. This is to ensure you have included all essential information and investigations prior to referral to triage your patient correctly.</p>\n<p>When referring to outpatients we encourage GPs to refer electronically; GP Smart Referrals makes this easy. It advises GPs of essential clinical information required in a referral, allows you to attach images to your referral and indicates current outpatient wait times in each facility.</p>\n<p>For assistance setting up on GP Smart Referrals contact your Brisbane North PHN <a href=\"{entry:14774@1:url||https://brisbanenorthphn.org.au/practice-support/primary-care-liaison-officers}\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Primary Care Liaison Officer</a>. If you don’t use GP Smart Referrals, you can also use e-referral templates using <em>Medical Objects</em> to send a referral to the Metro North HHS Central Patient Intake Unit.</p><h5><strong>Need specialist advice before making a referral?</strong><br /></h5>\n<p>There are several specialist advice services available to GPs, including the ED Specialist Advice Line (Virtual ED) and the Residential Aged Care District Assessment and Referral Service (RADAR).</p>\n<p>To find all the specialist advice options available to GPs, please visit the <a href=\"https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/refer-your-patient/gpadvice\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Metro North Health website</a>.</p>',NULL,NULL,NULL);
commit;

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