The National Drugs Campaign (NDC) is part of the National Drug Strategy 2004-2009 and specifically aims to reduce young Australians’ motivation to use illicit drugs by increasing their knowledge about the potential negative consequences of drug use.
The Campaign also encourages young people using illicit drugs to re-consider their use and direct them to relevant support, counselling and treatment services. http://www.drugs.health.gov.au/

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…

Local Maternity Unit for Women with Low Risk Pregnancies In order to reduce the clinical load at KEMH and promote community based maternity care, GPs are encouraged to continue referring low risk antenatal patients to their local maternity unit. Postcodes for the catchment area for each hospital are as follows:

The ‘Let’s Talk Culture’ seminar series aims to assist mental health clinicians and service providers across all sectors to work confidently in a culturally competent way with clients from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. The seminar is on Thursday, 18 March, 9:30am – 12:30pm at the theatrette, Department of Health, 189 Royal Street, East Perth on 15 March 2010. Contact Bernadette.Wright@health.wa.gov.au or Gill Van der Watt on 9224 0289. More information…

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…

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 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 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…

The GP Psych Support service provides general practitioners with free patient management advice from our team of psychiatrists. The service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. GP Psych Support provides specialist advice in drug & alcohol psychiatry, child & adolescent psychiatry as well as perinatal psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry and general psychiatry. You can provide patient information by submitting a webmail query at www.psychsupport.com.au, by calling 1800 200 588, or by sending a completed FaxBack form, downloadable from www.racgp.org.au/gpsychsupport/access, to 1800 012 422. GP Psych Support is managed by the RACGP, although you do not have to be a member to use the service. To register with GP Psych Support, please call 1800 200 588 or visit www.psychsupport.com.au.

Silver Chain Home Hospital is supported by the Friend in Need - Emergency (FINE) scheme, a Government of Western Australia initiative. Silver Chain Home Hospital caters for patients who have a range of short term clinical care requirements, offering the following services: Priority Response Assessment (PRA), Hospital@Home, Post Acute Care and Community Nursing.
Silver Chain Home Hospital is the next step in increasing the community’s capacity to maximise health, independence and wellbeing. Silver Chain look forward to working together to deliver a service that contributes to positive health care outcomes for the community. Download a Silver Chain Home Hospital brochure here or for more information visit www.homehospital.org.au/ or to refer your patient contact the Silver Chain Home Hospital referral line on 9242 0347.

Perth will have a new state-of-the-art children’s hospital by 2015 with the Liberal-National Government announcing the purchase of land, design concepts and consultation with young patients as part of the design concept.
Construction on the new hospital, to be built on the QEII site in Nedlands, is scheduled to start in 2012.
“The $23million to be spent in detailed planning works is the first big decision. The State’s new children’s hospital is officially under way,” Premier Colin Barnett said.
“This will allow us to build a hospital to meet the needs and expectations of those who will be using it the most - young patients and staff.
“We promised to build a leading paediatric care and research facility under a Public-Private Partnership model and we are moving to ensure construction starts on time.” More information...

A new service launched by Health Minister Kim Hames will help up to 500 elderly and chronically-ill patients each day to stay out of hospital by providing high-quality health care in the comfort of the patient’s own home.
Dr Hames said Silver Chain Nursing Association’s new Home Hospital service was the centrepiece of the Liberal-National Government’s $84million Friend in Need Emergency (FINE) scheme.
“The FINE scheme is a State Government election promise which aims to assist people with complex and ongoing health care needs to remain in their home rather than visiting emergency departments or being admitted to hospital,” he said. More information...

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has demonstrated its dedication to closing the gap for Indigenous Peoples by announcing a new faculty representing the health issues of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The launch of the RACGP National Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health follows data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), which in 2009 found life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was 67.2 years for men and 72.9 years for women. This is about ten years less than non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This gap was highlighted in the Close the Gap campaign’s Shadow Report released earlier this month. More information…

The Skills Laboratory at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Melbourne is conducting a two-day workshop in Minor Surgery for General Practitioners on 1 & 2 May 2010 at the Skills Laboratory, Level 1 East Wing Skills & Education Centre, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Corner of Spring Street and Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
This program aims to enhance the surgical skills required for minor surgical procedures most likely to be carried out by GPs in rural or remote settings where specialists are not readily available. For more information please contact Dr David Lawrence, Manager, Skills and Education Centre, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons on (03) 9276 7455 or via email on david.lawrence@surgeons.org

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…

This 26 minute program will be broadcast on the Foundation's satellite network and was awarded winner in the psychiatry section of the International Medical Media Awards - "The Freddies" in 2009.
The program is also available to order free from the Foundation. Visit the program page to order http://www.rhef.com.au/programs/program-1/?program_id=376

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…

The Australian Government unveiled details of a $10 million boost to the Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMs) program, to give homeless Australians with a severe mental illness greater access to one-on-one support.
Six new services will be established in communities with significant homeless populations in New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia to help people with a mental illness who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness.
In addition, six new dedicated homelessness workers will be shared among four existing PHaMs sites in Victoria and Queensland to work solely with homeless clients in these areas.
In total, 36 additional personal mentors will be on the ground by mid 2010 to provide intensive assistance to homeless Australians with a severe mental illness. More information...

National efforts to close the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation received a boost today with the announcement of 83 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Outreach Worker placements across Australia.
Minister for Indigenous Health Warren Snowdon said funding had been approved for 83 positions, more than half of the 160 positions that are being funded under a $42 million commitment to build the capacity of the Indigenous health workforce over four years. More information…

In recognition of the ongoing community and stakeholder interest in e-health, the Government has referred the Healthcare Identifiers Bill to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs.
This gives the public and stakeholders an additional opportunity to find out further information about Individual Healthcare Identifiers and provide feedback on the proposed legislation.
The legislation, the Healthcare Identifiers Bill, allows for a unique 16 digit number to be created for every Australian and all health care providers by the middle of this year.
Individual Healthcare Identifiers or IHIs, are to be provided to all individuals, in addition to Medicare numbers, as a further step to ensure the privacy and security of an e-health system. 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 week’s 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 theme of the conference is: Primary health care research and health reform: Improving care.
Primary health care and prevention are at the forefront of the reform agenda, research in these areas is vital to ensure changes will improve care. The Conference will provide a forum for the presentation of research relevant to Australian primary health care and to health reform.
This conference is a must for anyone with an interest in primary health care research, evaluation and development. It will provide essential opportunities for researchers, decision makers, practitioners and consumers to share ideas, debate critical PHC matters, form collaborations and network with speakers and other delegates. http://www.phcris.org.au/conference/2010/index.php?promoid=305&stk=di

The Local Organising Committee of the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia (CNSA) invites you to attend the 13th Winter Congress to be held at the Hyatt Regency, Perth from the 29 – 31 July 2010.
The CNSA is an independent body for cancer nurses in Australia who are committed to achieving and promoting excellence in cancer care. The theme for this Congress is “Leadership, Diversity and Innovation: The Global Picture”. The local organising committee are currently developing what is set to be an impressive program, which will encompass the Congress theme.
http://www.cnsa2010.com/

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…