AODAW is the largest public awareness campaign in Australia associated with organ and tissue donation for transplantation. During this week, we aim to raise awareness in Australia by focusing on the pressing need for organ and tissue donation, highlighting the success of transplantation and encouraging Australians to discuss donation, know each other's wishes and register their decision.
The next AODAW will be held between Sunday 21 February and Sunday 28 February 2010. Visit AODAW website for more information.

A workshop will be held next Friday 29th January from 10 am to 2 pm. This workshop will provide consumers, carers and community members an opportunity to comment on the draft National Safety and Quality Healthcare Standards to refine the standards and ensure they are meaningful for health services, practitioners implementing safety and quality systems, and accreditation agencies using the standards to assess compliance, prior to piloting and reporting to Health Ministers in 2010.
A copy of the consultation paper can be obtained by clicking here. or by contacting us on 9221 3422.
A participation fee and lunch will be provided to assist participation. To register for this workshop, please contact Cheryl on 9221 3422 or email cheryl.rugdee@hconc.org.au

Are you a registered or enrolled nurse who has left nursing but maintained your registration?
General Practice Nursing is a rapidly evolving and rewarding style of practice that makes a difference in patients’ lives and may include:

• Flexible hours
• Opportunity for professional development
• Variety of roles

Osborne GP Network is offering a 2 day (5 ½ hours per day) Introduction to General Practice Program. 3 and 4 February 2010 from 9:00am to 2:45pm
Note: This program does not ensure employment in general practice but provides an opportunity to be networked with practices wishing to employ a practice nurse. For further information and to register your interest contact Jennifer Hughes on 9208 9510 or email: jenniferh@ogpn.com.au
This opportunity is offered free-of-charge. Places are limited so registration is essential.

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…

A valuable tool for patient safety education, the documentary of the recent Australian Patients for Patient Safety Workshop held in Perth, provides insight into the importance of collaborative approaches to patient safety and the benefits of incorporating patient’s experiences and perspectives into policy and systems improvement.  Bringing together 40 health consumers, health providers and policy makers from all over Australia - many of whom had experienced the impact of an adverse event in health care - the documentary illustrates that a partnership approach to learning and action, as undertaken in the Workshop, can bring about profound positive momentum and solutions otherwise not considered.    One of the key outcomes of the Workshop was the development of the Perth Declaration for Patient Safety, a united call to action for Australia for patient safety. For further information on the Workshop and the Perth Declaration for Patient Safety or copies of the 17 minute Workshop documentary please contact Health Consumers Council WA at info@hconc.org.au

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/

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…

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

Health Minister Kim Hames announced that expressions of interest (EOI) had been initiated for the first phase of design and construction of the Albany Health Campus.
The move advances the Government’s 2008 election commitment to provide an additional $48.5million for construction of the new $135million hospital by 2012 on land adjacent to the existing Albany Hospital.
Dr Hames said the EOIs for the purpose-built health campus, which would be delivered under an Early Contractor Involvement model, had been advertised today (Wednesday).
“I’m very pleased progress of the new Albany Health Campus is right on schedule. We have a ‘fast-track’ team in place which has ensured we are on time to meet this important election commitment,” he said.
The model includes two phases. The first will review the current master plan and prepare to design and construct the hospital. The second phase, due to go out to tender late this year, will be for detailed design and construction of the hospital. 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…

Patient care will be improved and inefficiency in the health system will be cut by new e-health legislation soon to be introduced by the Rudd Government.
Hon Nicola Roxon MP visited Medicare Australia to see first hand how the secure e-health system currently being developed will work for patients and health care professionals.
The demonstration clearly showed how useful tools like electronic health records, medications-management systems and electronic clinical messaging (discharge, referrals, pathology, and prescriptions) will help improve delivery of health care – particularly when patients are being cared for by multiple providers.
The first step in creating an e-health system will come into effect in the middle of the year when unique healthcare identifiers are assigned to all health consumers as well as to health professionals and the organisations that provide health care in Australia. 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/

COTA WA is pleased to announce the inaugural Living Longer Living Stronger Conference will be held on Friday 12 February 2010 at the University Club (UWA). This day long conference will challenge the LLLS providers and the health and fitness industry to strengthen the delivery of Seniors Programs within their facilities. 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...

Each year, over 2,000 people from all walks of life meet at Happiness & Its Causes to examine the big issues of life. The conference brings together the world's top psychologists, scientists, philosopher's and thinkers to explain practical strategies to enhance the happiness of yourself and others.
Happiness & Its Causes, now in its fifth amazing year, is a conference like no other. http://www.happinessanditscauses.com.au/index.stm

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.