International Volunteer Day (IVD) was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985. IVD is now celebrated worldwide with thousands of volunteers involved in a range of IVD initiatives including clean-up campaigns, conferences, exhibitions, morning teas and many other activities all aimed to highlight the role of volunteers in their communities.
Volunteering Australia supports IVD and encourages all volunteer based organisations to be involved and celebrate volunteering. More information...

Professor Fiona Wood is presenting Trauma Grand Rounds to support the WA Non-major Trauma Framework. Look out for the Grand round near you. North Metropolitan 8 December 12:15 pm, Neville Davis Lecture Theatre, Anaesthetic Dept, 1st Floor G Block SCGH; South Metropolitan 10 December 12-1pm, Bruce Hunt Lecture Theatre, RPH; A video conference and presentation for WACHS regional sites will also be held on 11 December 1-2pm, WACHS Head Office, Wellington St Perth. For more information contact Health Networks on healthpolicy@health.wa.gov.au

The data collected from this questionnaire will provide information to guide education programs for GPs, junior doctors and medical students. The topic is ‘radiation dose associated with imaging modalities, patient consent prior to investigation and recommendations for further education’.
Please return the one page questionnaire via fax (08 9433 0250) or email (jrunciman@nd.edu.au) and to include their details (will be de-identified) for a chance to win 2 bottles of Penfolds wine.
This research has been supported by PHCRED Fremantle and WA General Practice Network. More information…

Dr Vincent Cogliano will be in Australia in December, to present at the WA Cancer Research Symposium in Perth and the kNOw cancer in the workplace forum in Canberra.
While in Perth, he will be giving a lunch time presentation on Friday December 4 at the Boulevard in Floreat, entitled; What workplace exposures cause cancer and how do we know?
The presentation starts at 12:30pm, with lunch at 12:00pm. More information…

A conversation about health and healing in Aboriginal communities is being held with Darryl Kickett and Darrell Henry. This event will be held on the 10th of December, Human Rights Day, at Notre Dame University in Fremantle. Everyone is welcome to attend. We would be very pleased if you could distribute this within your networks. More information…
 

Royal Perth, Fremantle, Swans, Bentley, Bunbury and Mental Health, PMH are all sending electronic discharge summaries to GPs. We can now send into Medical Director, Best Practice, Medtech 32, Genie, Practix, Monet, Medical Spectrum Classic, Surgiware, Zedmed and MMEX.
If your practice would like to receive them, please contact GREG HAYES from HealthLink on 0412 474 950.
NB If your practice is already registered but is changing software please contact 1300554563 ext 1 for HealthLink messaging enquiries to ensure you still get your discharge summaries.

Professor Avni Sali is President, of the Australasian Integrative Medicine Association (AIMA).
He is also Director, National Institute of Integrative Medicine. President, of the International Council of Integrative Medicine. International Advisory Board of the American Academy of Anti-Ageing Medicine. On Monday December 7 Professor Avni Sali will be presenting on the above topic. Monday 7 December 2009. 6.30-7.30 pm, St John of God Hospital, 25 McCourt Street – Subiaco. More information…

More than 1,000 children each year will benefit from the $1.9million refurbishment of Princess Margaret Hospital for Children’s (PMH) ward for patients with high-level care needs.
Health Minister Kim Hames, who will officially re-open Ward 5A following the nine-month refurbishment process, said the unit catered for children with some of the most complex and challenging medical conditions.
“This major refurbishment will allow PMH to deliver an even higher standard of care to children with very serious medical conditions and will provide an improved environment for the children, their families and hospital staff,” Dr Hames said.
“Ward 5A caters for children with neurological and renal disorders and those undergoing rehabilitation following head or spinal injuries, neurosurgery, cardiology and cardiac surgery. More information...

Young people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) will benefit from a range of health, medical and counselling services provided under one roof at the new Joondalup Complex Attention and Hyperactivity Disorders Service (CAHDS).
Mental Health Minister Graham Jacobs, who opened the Joondalup CAHDS, said the service was the first of two comprehensive clinics, which together represent an annual $3.3million investment in services for children with ADHD.
“This new Joondalup clinic, and the service to be opened at Murdoch University in 2010, will provide a comprehensive approach to the management of ADHD in children,” Dr Jacobs said. More information...

Nurses and midwives across the State are set to benefit from the first instalment of the Liberal-National Government’s Hospital Nurses and Midwives Support Fund (HNMSF), designed to help attract and retain these key staff.
The HNMSF - a key election commitment - would allow for a range of additions, upgrades and equipment purchases at Western Australia’s public hospitals.
Health Minister Kim Hames said the fund would be used as the nurses and midwives deemed appropriate.
“Hospitals across WA are currently being allocated a proportion of the $28million fund,” Dr Hames said.
“This Government wants to ensure nurses and midwives have access to quality equipment while also having professional development opportunities. More information...

The Looma Aboriginal community in the State’s Kimberley region is defying national trends relating to the incidence of diabetes and obesity, according to an interim report released.
The report, which documents progress with the community-based ‘Roadmap Towards Better Health’ program, was based on the results of a health assessment of Looma residents in August this year. The program is a diabetes management and care initiative that provides regular health assessments such as eye checks and antenatal education.
A joint initiative between the WA Country Health Service (WACHS), the Unity of First People of Australia (UFPA) and Caritas Australia, the ‘Roadmap’ program promotes healthy behaviours and lifestyle choices among Aboriginal people in the Kimberley. More information...

In 2008, the Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC) was contracted by headspace and the University of Melbourne (UoM) to conduct the first independent evaluation of headspace. The evaluation is a longitudinal, mixed methods research project, established to examine the achievements, limitations and future directions of the headspace program. The evaluation draws on qualitative and quantitative data from primary and secondary sources collected over two waves. More information…

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a long-term health condition that is often preventable. It is referred to as a silent condition because up to 90% of kidney function can be lost before symptoms are evident. Consequently, more and more Australians are having dialysis or transplant for the disease’s most severe form, end-stage kidney disease. To view the webcast, you will need to be registered with the Foundation's website by clicking the "live webcast" button on the right-hand side of this page and follow the prompts http://www.rhef.com.au/programs/program-1/?program_id=396

The Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) along with its Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) members are hosting the third annual Australia's Healthy Weight Week (AHWW) 24 – 31 January, 2010. AHWW is part of our comprehensive obesity strategy and aims to help Australians achieve and maintain a healthy weight by eating better, feeling better and moving more NOW.
There are a range of supporting resources available, free of charge, including an A3 poster and A5 consumer brochures. We also have available food and exercise records that can be provided to your patients along with a referral to an APD.
To mark the start of AHWW 2010, DAA is launching a series of ‘Take 10 in 2010’ factsheets. These are sets of ten tips to help your patients achieve a healthy lifestyle by making small changes every week. Download the fact sheets from the ‘Take 10 in 2010’ section of the AHWW website.
To order or download resources, and to find out more about AHWW, visit the AHWW website www.healthyweightweek.com.au

The Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) in conjunction with your State Based Organisation is seeking your assistance in conducting a survey of nurses working in general practice. The information collected is the only comprehensive national dataset on the practice nurse workforce. The survey results provide important information to inform policy makers, government and researchers. AGPN has been collecting this information every two years since 2003. This information assists in planning for the provision of ongoing support for practice nurse recruitment, retention and professional development.
The 2009 survey has been designed as a web based survey in response to feedback in order to lesson the burden upon respondents. PLEASE COMPLETE THIS SURVEY BY Monday 14 December 2009
The survey has three parts:
1) Network Member Survey (Cover Sheet)
2) Practice Survey
3) Individual Nurse Survey https://www.securehost-au.com/aussiethink-com-au/AGPN/Gate.asp

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) is constantly examining methods to improve communication with General Practitioners (GPs), specifically, how to raise awareness of the various DVA-funded health services available to their veteran patients.
To assist in addressing this, DVA as developed an Information for Medical Practitioners package, particularly aimed at newly graduating GPs, those practising in rural and regional areas, and GPs who are International Medical Graduates (IMGs). Moreover, it can be utilised as a ‘refresher’ for any GP who treats members of the veteran community.
The package consists of:
o an Introduction;
o three information modules;
o a list of web links to information referred to in the modules;
o two useful DVA reference documents - the DVA Funded Health Services and DVA Treatment Entitlement Cards Charts; and
o a feedback form. More information...

The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, hosted a consultation at Parliament House in Canberra to discuss the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission final report with private health insurers and private hospitals.
It was the 76th consultation across the country to road-test the Commission’s proposed reforms.
Promoting personal ‘wellness’ and combating chronic disease are priorities of the Rudd Government. The social and economic burden of chronic disease is unacceptably high.
The Government encourages private health insurance providers to continue to extend their products by including positive preventative health treatments such as those to quit smoking, lose weight or manage stress. More information…

Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot welcomed the new perspective on housing for older Australians contained in the Moving or staying put: Deciding where to live in later life report released today by National Seniors Australia.
The National Seniors report found that two in three Australians are moving home between the aged of 55 and 75 due to factors such as the ongoing need to maintain their homes or a decline in their partner’s health.
Minister Elliot said: “It is the clear preference of Australians to maintain maximum independence as they grow older. More information…

The PHCRIS eBulletin is designed to inform you of recently published articles and reports, news items, media releases, upcoming conferences and courses. The latest edition has as its lead “"Funding illness prevention and health promotion in Australia: A way forward.” http://www.phcris.org.au/publications/ebulletin/

Are you a service provider in the alcohol and other drug or mental health sector who would like to work more collaboratively with GPs?
The WA General Practice Network will host a forum to discuss strategies on how your agency can improve their ability to engage with GPs and Divisions/Networks of General Practice.
Items to consider include:
• Are there any current barriers to GPs referring to your service?
• What is the best way to promote your service to GPs?
• How can we improve service integration?
• What is the best way to market your service in the primary care setting?
For further information or a registration contact – dwest@wagpnetwork.com.au

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), the Internal Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand (IMSANZ), and the International Society of Internal Medicine (ISIM) are pleased to host the World Congress of Internal Medicine 2010, to be held in Melbourne, Australia on 20 – 25 March 2010. The Congress will be held in conjunction with the annual RACP Physicians Week. http://www.wcim2010.com.au/

The first Australian Clinical Networks Conference is to be held in Melbourne in 2010 and is being hosted by Victorian Department of Human Services.
The conference will bring together Clinical Networks from across Australia and internationally to provide an opportunity to share and promote ideas on Clinical Networks.
Sharing examples of ‘best practice’ in Clinical Networks will be a key theme looking at areas such as:
• Establishing and maintaining effective networks,
• Evaluation and outcomes of clinical networks,
• Consumers as network participants and partners in improving care, and
• Connected and collaborative care. More information...