The Injury Control Council of WA (ICCWA), through the Stay On Your Feet WA® program is coordinating April No Falls Day for 2010.
April No Falls Day is an inaugural state-wide falls prevention initiative to increase staff and community awareness of falls prevention information and strategies specifically targeting acute care.
ICCWA are encouraging health professionals to embrace the no falls message and conduct an event on or during the week of April No Falls Day to educate all staff (including nursing staff, support staff and allied health) in a fun and innovative way about the importance of falls prevention.
Stay On Your Feet WA® can support organisations by providing falls prevention resources and merchandise that will complement their events. More Information...

The Respiratory Health Network has developed the COPD Action Plan for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease as recommended in the WA Health COPD model of care. The model of care was developed by a working group of medical specialists, GPs, health professionals and consumers. The goal is for all patients to be provided with a COPD Action Plan from their GP, medical specialist or health care coordinator.
To obtain copies of the COPD Action Plan contact HealthInfo on 1300 135 030 and quote reference HP10842. www.healthnetworks.health.wa.gov.au. More information…

The Musculoskeletal Health Network is inviting consultation on the Draft Elective Joint Replacement Service Model of Care. Your valuable feedback will help us to refine the Model which will inform statewide policy on patient care and services provided. To receive a copy of the draft model and provide feedback please contact the Health Networks Branch via email healthpolicy@health.wa.gov.au or call 9489 2800. The consultation period runs until Friday 26th February 2010.

GPs are cordially invited to a breakfast with Professor Markku Maki, Coeliac Society, Finland. The attached invitation has been sent on behalf of the Coeliac Society www.wa.coeliacsociety.com.au.
Markku Mäki is the Chair and Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Tampere and Tampere University Hospital, Finland. He is a prizewinning researcher and author in the field of gastroenterology and particularly coeliac disease. He is visiting Australia to promote Coeliac Awareness Week. His presentation will include a discussion on how Finland improved its diagnosis rates; key findings from the Finnish model; the prevalence of coeliac disease; new research and future directions. More information…

The Commonwealth Respite and Carekink Centre has organised the above expo to provide free information about disability and other health support services available in the wheatbelt area. Dates are
Monday 8 March, Moora Recreation Centre. 1pm - 7pm
Wednesday 10 March, Merredin Leisure Centre. 1pm - 7pm
Friday 12 March, Northam Bridgeley Community Centre. 1pm - 7pm. More information…

Have you been working as a nurse in the general practice setting for less than 12 months? Are you looking to find out more about this new work environment? The Orientation to General Practice Nursing Course could be the answer.
The two day course is a national program that has been developed through the Australian General Practice Network with funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. The course covers Professional Practice, Provision of Clinical Care, Management of Clinical Systems and Collaborative Practice. Practical knowledge and advice on accreditation, immunisation, Medicare item numbers and triage.
WAGP Network is offering the Orientation Course 10-11 March at the State Tennis Centre, Burswood and 4-5 May at Technology Park Function Centre, Bentley
For further information contact Jane Butcher on 9472 2922 or email jbutcher@wagpnetwork.com.au. To register contact Susan Hensley on 9472 2922 or email shensley@wagpnetwork.com.au

The aim of PESG is to educate and inform those who have a loved one with an Eating Disorder to learn about the issues and emotions their loved one and the family are going through.
This is a four week group and there will be presentations from health professionals who specialize in Eating Disorders, self care, A carer’s perspective and one woman’s journey of an Eating Disorder.
Venue: Carers WA
Time: 6.30-9pm
Date: Tuesday 23rd February-16th March
The cost of the group is $88.00 per person or $132.00 per couple.
Please call WOMEN’S Healthworks on 9300 1566 to register

The Aboriginal Health Council of WA have their annual Aboriginal Health Sector Conference coming up on March 24 to 25 2010. The workshop will be at the Vines Resort – Swan Valley. To register your interest please contact Katherine Dann at katherine.dann@ahcwa.org and please check the AHCWA website regularly for further details. www.ahcwa.org.au

The Heart Foundation’s 'Will you recognise your heart attack?' action plan and patient fact sheet are now available in English and six other languages. These include Arabic, Greek, Italian, Simplified Chinese (Mandarin), Traditional Chinese (Cantonese) and Vietnamese.
The resources can be downloaded from the Heart Foundation website.
For more information about Warning Signs resources please call 1300 36 27 87 or email health@heartfoundation.org.au

March 15th 2010 Lynn Barnden and Beth Sperring CNS RPH – Wound Care on a Budget – Wound care options when working with Budget Restraints in the General Practice Setting. Learn new tricks and information in relation to different dressing products when working with limited stock. Start time: 7pm.
27th March 2010
Cost for members : $30 half day, $50 full day
The morning session is in conjunction with WA General Practice Network to present an immunisation update. Meeting the requirements for continuing competencies.
The afternoon session will include:
Paediatric update – Dr Peter Richmond PMH – TBC -“When to worry with a sick child”, Food allergies – Dietician – Ingrid Roche PMH – formulas and when to introduce solids. ASKIA guidelines, Osteo and Rheumatoid Arthritis – Shirley Harrison – Pharmacist and NPS facilitator – What is the impact of these conditions in the community and Interaction of OTC (over the counter) medications - fish oil, glucosomine, etc, also warfarin, Nurofen and many others. Start time: 9.15
Please confirm if wishing to attend any events to allow for catering and seating.
Ph 0449 256 648 or Email: rg_winsor@westnet.com.au - www.wapna.org.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 incidence of anaphylaxis due to allergies is increasing. Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe, rapidly progressive and potentially life threatening allergic reaction in a sensitised individual and it impacts the lives of many children.
Parents of children who are at risk of anaphylaxis are seeking reassurance that school and child care services can help to reduce the risk of exposure to allergens and that staff will know what to do in an emergency.
The WA Government has committed $6.6 million over four years to implement the recommendations in the report Anaphylaxis: Meeting the Challenge for Western Australian Children. Part of this money will be used to provide information, training and resources to staff at schools and child care services. More information…

A Western Australian study has raised concerns about the long-term effects of stimulant medication used to treat children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
The ADHD Study, the first of its type in the world, found that long-term use of drugs such as Ritalin and dexamphetamine may not improve a child’s social and emotional well-being or academic performance.
Chair of the Ministerial Implementation Committee for ADHD in WA Professor Louis Landau said WA was in a unique position to carry out the research because of access to data collected by an internationally renowned Child Health Study*, which is looking at the long-term health and well-being of almost 3,000 WA children. http://www.health.wa.gov.au/press/view_press.cfm?id=884

Western Australians will be able to make important decisions regarding their future medical treatment and lifestyle choices, under new legislation which takes effect immediately.
Health Minister Kim Hames said new laws would give any competent adult the right to document their future wishes to consent to or refuse medical treatments.
“This is progressive legislation which will allow people to make important decisions about their health care and lifestyle, in anticipation of a time when they may be unable to make the decisions for themselves,” Dr Hames said.
“It will, for the first time, provide a legal framework which will protect an individual’s wishes about the medical treatment they receive in the event of incapacity. http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Results.aspx?ItemID=133128

An additional $31million has been allocated to the new Albany Health Campus, bringing the total budget to $166million, Treasurer Troy Buswell announced.
“This increase in funding will ensure the State Government delivers on its promise to build a new, modern and efficient hospital by 2012,” Mr Buswell said.
“As the biggest public country hospital development ever undertaken in this State, the Albany Health Campus is critical to delivering health reform in the Great Southern.
“The Government believes regional communities deserve the full benefits of new, purpose-designed facilities that provide a quality health service. http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Results.aspx?ItemID=133142

The Inaugural Annual Conference of the Australasian Association of Bioethics and Health Law at the University of Adelaide, North Terrace campus (South Australia) 1-4 July 2010.
The Call for Abstracts is now open and submissions close 12 March. Full Conference details are available http://www.plevin.com.au/aabhl2010/

One Day Workshop for General Practitioners, Practice Nurses, Divisions of General Practice and Health Services focused on preventing falls in the community.
40 RACGP CPD points.
This workshop includes information and tools on:
• An overview of falls in the elderly- insights and recommendations;
• Utilizing a multidisciplinary team to reduce falls;
• Utilizing a whole-of-practice approach to reduce falls;
• Managing patients at risk of falling including quick tools to identify falls risks and polypharmacy triggers;
• Strategies to improve patient self-management, fostering self-care
• Community falls prevention programs including the usage of Exercise Physiologists More information…

Research shows that drivers with medical conditions have a significantly increased crash risk, especially when cognition is affected. The crash risk, when cognitively impaired, is known to be similar to that of alcohol impaired drivers. A recent Australian study shows that 42% of men with dementia are current drivers. However, diagnosis alone is inadequate for making licensing decisions & alternatively, functional capacity needs to be considered. Unfortunately, it is difficult to objectively determine the functional impact of a person’s cognitive impairment in a clinical setting. Therefore, more specialised testing is required.
DriveABLE Australia provides an independent, evidence based assessment service for determining fitness to drive in people with chronic medical conditions, in particular those affecting cognitive function. For more details on this service visit: www.driveable.com.au.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects 1 in 100 Australians. It is a major cause of disability and psychological distress due to its chronic, painful and disabling character. Rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory autoimmune disease, is the second most common type of arthritis after osteoarthritis. The disease is more common amongst women and in the older age groups.
Untreated rheumatoid arthritis can result in joint damage and deformities. More information…

Minister for Indigenous Health Warren Snowdon announced high profile leader Mr Tom Calma has been engaged as the inaugural National Coordinator for Tackling Indigenous Smoking.
Mr Calma was most recently the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner from mid-2004 until early 2010 and has been Chair of the Close the Gap Steering Committee for Indigenous Health Equality since its inception in March 2006.
“Tom Calma will bring a wealth of experience, excellent advocacy skills and a strong personal commitment to the role. He has been involved in Indigenous affairs at a local, community, state, national and international level and worked in the public sector for over 35 years,” Mr Snowdon said. More information…

The first board of Health Workforce Australia (HWA) has been appointed, with the Hon Jim McGinty being appointed to the position of chairman of the Board.
The 12 other Members of the Board have experience across a broad cross section of health professionals - including doctors, nursing and allied health - as well as people with knowledge and expertise in teaching, training and running our vital health services.
Mark Cormack, the new CEO of HWA will work closely with members of the board on the Government’s health reform agenda. Mr Cormack has taken up this position after running the ACT health service for 3 years. More information…

The functions of the Medical Training Review Panel (MTRP) will be expanded following a review of its role in supporting the development of Australia’s health workforce.
The independent review found that the MTRP is providing valuable support to Australia’s medical education and training, and that its current work should continue while also expanding some of its data collection and interpretation functions. This will provide a better picture on the current medical workforce as well as the information required to meet the needs of the workforce into the future. More information…

The PHCRIS eBulletin is designed to inform you of recently published articles and reports, news items, media releases, upcoming conferences and courses. This weeks headline topic is “Snapshot 2010: Does your PHC research demonstrate tangible outcomes for the Australian public?" http://www.phcris.org.au/publications/ebulletin/

Registrations for the inaugural World Health Care Networks (WHCN) Conference – In our hands: Transforming health systems through health care networks – are open.
The Conference is the first major event of the newly formed coalition which has come together with the aim of making a real and lasting difference to the health and wellbeing of people throughout the world. It will be held in Auckland, New Zealand, from 22-24 July, and will be preceded by a study tour covering health services in Christchurch and Auckland.
Information on the conference can be found on the WHCN website at www.whcnetworks.com

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. More information... or visit website.

Sharing and collaborating on Indigenous health. Conference partners The Rural Clinical School of Western Australia and Rural Health West invite you to be part of this the fourth annual Rural Clinical School conference and inaugural joint conference with Rural Health West, the Western Australian rural workforce agency. This year the conference will be held in Broome in collaboration with the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council and the Kimberley Division of General Practice.
The Scientific Committee is now accepting applications for papers, posters and workshop presentations. The closing date for submissions has been extended from Monday 5 February 2010 to Monday 22 February 2010. More information…