February is Ovarian Cancer Australia's Awareness Month, which includes a range of events, community activities and media campaigns around Australia to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and its symptoms.
http://www.ovariancancer.net.au/

In 2010 the Health Networks will focus on connecting with health professionals in prevention, primary, community and hospital sectors to develop and implement models of care to improve health care delivery in Western Australia.
To find out more about Health Networks and models of care go to: http://www.healthnetworks.health.wa.gov.au/home/
If you have an enquiry you want answered either phone Health Networks Branch on 9489-2800 or email healthpolicy@health.wa.gov.au.

The Department of Health is advising people not to consume Bonsoy soy milk after it was found to contain very high levels of iodine.
A national recall is underway after ten people in New South Wales recently presented with thyroid problems after consuming the product.
Chief Health Officer Dr Tarun Weeramanthri said the level of iodine in the Bonsoy soy milk was likely to exceed the recommended daily intake when as little as 30ml a day was consumed by an adult. More information…

Due to technical problems no summaries were faxed to GPs from metropolitan EDs from late Oct to end of December. The problem has now been remedied and the back log of summaries will be faxed to GPs over the first few weeks of January.

2009 General Practice Survey Report outlining the findings of research commissioned by Western Australian General Practice Education and Training Ltd (WAGPET) and conducted by the Australian Medical Association of Western Australia (AMA WA) has just been released.
The report provides important up-to-date information about Western Australian medical students’ and interns’ interest in a career in general practice. More information…

The Vocational Graduate Diploma of Women’s Health (VGDWH) is a nationally recognized training program that was presented for the first time in 2004. Each theme consists of ten evening sessions.
What does the program cover?
The program covers three themes:
1. Family planning and sexual health (9/2/10 - 27/4/10)
2. Office gynaecology (11/5/10 - 27/7/10)
3. Non-procedural obstetrics (10/8/10 - 26/10/10) More information…

General practice nurses who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills in paediatric conditions are invited to attend this educational event planned at Princess Margaret Hospital. Topics will include but are not limited to: Paediatric Asthma, Anaphylaxis and Epipens, Immunotherapy and Immunisations More information…

The package, inclusive of information, videos, activities and links to further resources, consists of five self directed learning modules:
• Culture, self and diversity
• Aboriginal history
• Working with Aboriginal people
• Providing clinical services
• Improving cultural security
You can access the Cultural Orientation Plan at http://lms.cucrh.uwa.edu.au/moodle/

All members of the public are invited to a Public Information Meeting of Overeaters Anonymous in Perth on Saturday 16th January 2010.
All Health Professionals, friends or family members interested in arresting the disease of compulsive eating / under-eating are welcome to attend the Overeaters Anonymous Public Information Meeting on Saturday 16th January 2011 from 10am to 11am at City West Lotteries House, 2 Delhi Street, West Perth,
Overeaters Anonymous is not a diet club. There are no dues or fees, no weigh-ins. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop eating compulsively.
For further information about the Public Information Meeting please feel free to contact the following:
Call Shannon: 0412 219 330 Email Serena: serenaw@iinet.net.au

The Cancer Council WA will commence the 2010 Group programs in early February. The program includes Life Now Exercise, meditation/relaxation and yoga groups, free for people living with cancer, their carers and family members. For more information on locations and times or go to www.cancerwa.asn.au

The Department of Health is reminding people of the increased risk of water-borne amoeba in home swimming pools and spas due to the current run of hot weather.
Director of Environmental Health Jim Dodds said there were a number of amoebas that thrived in water between 28 and 40 degrees Celsius that could cause very serious, even life threatening symptoms.
"Pool and spa owners are advised to closely monitor chlorine and pH levels over summer, particularly when there are several consecutive days of high temperatures," he said. http://www.health.wa.gov.au/press/view_press.cfm?id=881

Two new specialist doctors would be appointed to work in the Kimberley following a review of services, Health Minister Kim Hames announced.
Dr Hames said the new appointments would ensure Kimberley residents had access to specialist health care close to where they lived.
The appointment of a new paediatrician would bring the total number to three in the region. A second physician for the Kimberley would also be appointed.
Recruiting for the two positions would begin immediately.
“These new doctors represent a significant investment into health services in the Kimberley by the Liberal-National Government,” the Minister said.
“Our priority is to ensure people living in this region have the best possible paediatric and specialist medical services and these doctors will help ensure that occurs.” More information...

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Federal Government have reached an in principle agreement on the funding envelope and structural elements of community pharmacy through to 2015.
The National President of Guild, Kos Sclavos, said: “The agreed terms will ensure the viability of our highly valued community pharmacy model, while also delivering savings to the Government and to taxpayers.”
Over five years, the cut to predicted spending attributable to community pharmacy will total around
$1 billion. More information…

EPICC the Education Program in Cancer Care is a free, online cancer education and resource program designed for noncancer specialist medical practitioners (general practitioners, general physicians, gynaecologists, etc).
EPICC includes educational activities, relevant literature, resources and links to existing programs and information on general principles of cancer, diagnosis, treatment, side effects and symptoms of treatment, oncological emergencies, psychosocial care and follow up. More information…

Australian women are more likely to have breast cancer detected with new state-of-the-art equipment being introduced at BreastScreen Australia services - part of a $120 million national upgrade funded by the Rudd Government.
Thirteen priority projects totalling $10 million will receive funding this financial year.
BreastScreen Australia invites women aged from 50 to 69 years to have free two-yearly screens for breast cancer. The program has proven highly successful - since its inception, it has been responsible for a 21 to 28 per cent fall in the number of deaths due to breast cancer. More information…

The New Year and holiday period is the season of parties and celebration –it’s important to be aware of the risks of unprotected sex.
The second phase of a national campaign aimed at reducing the rate of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) among Australians, especially young people, begins January 3.
The message will again be: “STIs are spreading fast – always use a condom”. It will target young people and encourage those who have had unprotected sex to see a doctor to discuss getting tested. More information…

Spending time outside during the summer months to have a family BBQ or to lounge around the beach or pool is synonymous with the Australian way of life. While it’s a great time of year to be with our friends and loved ones, it’s also a time when we need to be extra vigilant about protecting ourselves from the sun and the risk of skin cancer.
With a climate such as ours, it is no coincidence that Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world, with 10,684 new melanoma cases in 2005, and approximately 430,000 diagnosed non-melanoma cases in 2008. More information…

From January 1 Australians living with HIV and a rare and serious enzyme deficiency disorder will benefit from new listings on Australian Government drug programs.
The listing of tenofovir with emtracitabine and efavirenz (Atripla®) to the Highly Specialised Drugs Program will provide enhanced treatment for many Australian HIV patients.
This is a combination of three drugs for the treatment of HIV and it is anticipated the listing will lead to greater uptake of the treatment and improvements in treatment compliance as medicine regimens for patients are simplified. More information…

The PHCRIS eBulletin is designed to inform you of recently published articles and reports, news items, media releases, upcoming conferences and courses. http://www.phcris.org.au/publications/ebulletin/

One of the key activities to be undertaken by AGPN under the Nursing in General Practice (NiGP) Program is to host a two day annual forum for Practice Nurse Program Officers and other interested staff. This forum will be our fourth event.
The key aims for the forum are to:
• showcase nationally relevant NiGP initiatives and models;
• share knowledge,skills and resources;
• coach and collaborate with general practice networks to bulid their capacity to support nursing in general practice
• bulid support networks amongst general practice networks (GPNs) NiGP program officers nationally;
• provide an opportunity to review the strengths and weaknesses of the NiGP program and
• prioritise future activities. More information…

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...

Across Australia, there are a number of people, organisations and communities working together to address indigenous alcohol and drug issues and associated harm. Recognising that harmful alcohol and other drug use contributes significantly to the poor
health outcomes of indigenous Australians, the continuing capacity and quality of these efforts is contingent on learning good practices and skills, building a local workforce and strengthening indigenous communities to respond effectively. More information...

The largest healthcare event in Australia
Hear an unrivalled roster of over 60 international and local healthcare leaders sharing their ideas, debate strategy and discuss long term solutions
Policy reform and implementation
Understand how structural reform, funding models and technology will impact on the delivery and quality of healthcare
Have your say in the healthcare reform debate
Make your thoughts known and influence outcomes by participating in high level panel sessions and networking activities
Pre-Conference Masterclass:
Chronic Disease Self-Management More information…

The Australian Health Promoting Schools Association 8 National Conference will be held on 6 – 8 October 2010, at the Burswood Entertainment Complex. This is a biennial conference which will incorporate the association’s AGM.
A range of dynamic local, national and international speakers will address key issues in school health promotion. Delegates can be assured they will not only be inspired but will leave this two day event with a raft of new ideas to apply in their own school/workplace.