OxyGen gives you the whole story about tobacco so youth can make thier own decisions about smoking. At OxyGen you'll find hard facts about the tobacco industry, the truth about smoking myths, comebacks if youth get pressured to smoke and lots more. OxyGen is about youth - share your stories and smoke free ideas in 'Your Stuff'. http://www.oxygen.org.au/

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…

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

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 visit thier website.

Fremantle Mental Health and Arafmi hold monthly evening Information & Discussion forums on topics for anyone who has a loved one with a mental health issue.
These sessions are open to all Carers, parents and significant others. A specialist will present information; and this will be followed by an opportunity to discuss and explore the impact for carers. More information…

The If not dieting® Health Professional 2-day Training Program will be presented by Dr. Rick Kausman in Perth on Thursday 22nd & Friday 23rd of July 2010 at the St. John of God Hospital, 12 Salvado Road, Subiaco. The If not dieting® health professional training program assists Doctors, Nurses, Psychologists, Dietitians, Social Workers, and other Allied Health Professionals, to effectively help patients achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Not only does this exciting workshop draw from the most current world research in the field of weight management and eating behaviour, but incorporates Dr Rick Kausman’s 20 plus years of practical and unique experience in this field, and importantly, from the experiences of thousands of his patients. For more information about this training please contact Louise Wigg at louise@ifnotdieting.com.au or visit www.ifnotdieting.com.au

Diagnostic Imaging Pathways (DIP) is a web-based, education and decision support tool to assist clinicians to choose the most appropriate diagnostic examination in the correct sequence. DIP provides more than 130 evidence based, diagnostic pathways covering all the major organ systems and common clinical scenarios for use by clinicians when requesting and providing Imaging services.
Information for Consumers (patients and their care-givers) is now available on the DIP website. Consumers may find information regarding consent to imaging services, radiation risks, imaging procedures, and imaging pathways. This information is useful to all Patients needing diagnostic imaging.
Information provided on the DIP website was created in collaboration with Consumers. All brochures are written in basic English, making information easy to read and easy to understand. Brochures are available to download into a pdf file, making the information easy to access and easy to print from your computer.
For further information on DIP please refer to the website at More information...

WA Health has completed its investigation into fraudulent salary packaging claims, which has resulted in the termination or resignation to date of 17 administrative staff, two health professionals, 23 doctors and 18 nurses from across the metropolitan area health services.
Acting Director General Kim Snowball said all meal entertainment activity had been examined as part of the investigation into concerns that some staff were fraudulently claiming meal entertainment expenses.
All those subject to investigation have received letters regarding their alleged misconduct requesting an explanation.
Mr Snowball also announced a raft of changes to the meal entertainment salary packaging scheme in the wake of the misconduct, which will come into effect on 1 April 2010.
More information...

Health Minister Kim Hames has urged West Pilbara residents to have their say on the future needs of Nickol Bay Hospital and health service delivery in the region, as part of a master planning process.
The State Government has allocated $10million to fulfil an election promise to improve health services, infrastructure and staff accommodation in the West Pilbara. The project has been funded through the Liberal-National Government’s Royalties for Regions program.
The funding also includes $1million for a master planning project to evaluate the future needs of the Nickol Bay Hospital and health services in the West Pilbara.
“An important step in the master planning process is for WA Country Health Service Pilbara staff to meet face-to-face with community members, local stakeholders, shires and anyone who has an interest in health care,” Dr Hames said. More information...

Mandurah mental health support service, the June O’Connor Centre, has received a last-minute reprieve thanks to a $230,000 State Government grant which will allow it to continue operating for the rest of this year.
Health Minister Kim Hames, representing the Premier, said the Lotterywest grant would ensure the centre continued to assist up to 200 people with mental illness in the Mandurah area.
“Without this important Lotterywest support, I know the June O’Connor Centre would have been forced to close its Mandurah centre this year,” Dr Hames said.
“Instead, it will now trial weekend and evening opening hours, which is when people fighting mental illness can experience the most difficulty.
“This centre is exactly the sort of service the Liberal-National Government’s new Mental Health Commission, which started operations this month, may support to provide non-government, community-based care close to where people live.” More information...

The State Government has appointed Perkins (WA) Pty Ltd to build the new radiotherapy centre - the first of its kind for regional Western Australia - at the South West Health Campus in Bunbury.
Health Minister Kim Hames said the appointment marked a significant milestone in the $15.2million development which was on target for completion by mid-2011.
“This new centre, which was a Liberal-National Government election commitment, will provide state-of-the-art facilities and services for the majority of cancer patients requiring radiation oncology treatment in the South-West,” Dr Hames said.
“Importantly, this will reduce the need for these patients to travel to Perth and enable them to remain closer to their homes and the support of family and friends.
More information...

The State Government has advertised for the provision of non-clinical support services for the new $166million Albany Health Campus.
Health Minister Kim Hames said the aim was to determine the level of interest within the private sector to provide non-clinical support services at the new facility.
“We want to explore the options for involving the private sector in delivering first-class support services at the new Albany Health Campus,” Dr Hames said.
“Detailed analysis of the project has shown private sector involvement could provide greater flexibility and value-for-money in the delivery of non-clinical support services.” More information...

A report card on Indigenous child health, presented to the Rudd government by its advisory committee on Indigenous health, the National Indigenous Health Equality Council (NIHEC),has shown that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child mortality rates have been improving, particularly for infant mortality and that the gap may halve by 2018 if current trends continue.
“While there have been improvements in antenatal care and child mortality overall, work is still required to reduce smoking during pregnancy and low birth weight rates,” Professor Ian Anderson, Chair of NIHEC, said. More information…

Concerns about the alarming number of Australians suffering from persisting pain during their lifetime underpins the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ (RACGP) participation at the National Pain Summit, which will be held in Canberra at Parliament House on 11 March 2010.
One in five Australians suffer from persisting pain during their lifetime, yet up to 80 percent are missing out on treatment that could improve their health and quality of life. An Access Economics report from 2007 has shown that long term pain costs the Australian economy over $34.3 billion a year.1 In addition, more than 36 million working days are lost each year due to painful conditions. At the National Pain Summit, the RACGP will help finalising a national strategy to address this pressing economic and social issue. 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…

The program covers the Guideline recommendations in the primary health care setting and focuses on short term care, long term care planning and management, and multidisciplinary co-ordination. It outlines the evidence regarding effective management of symptomatic hip and knee osteoarthritis in adults up until referral for joint replacement. More information…

Research that helps map the progress of improving Indigenous child mortality and health and sets targets was launched today by an expert Indigenous health advisory body.
The National Indigenous Health Equality Council (NIHEC) has completed two reports: the Child Mortality Targets: Recommendations and Analysis and National Target Setting Instrument.
NIHEC was appointed by the Prime Minister in 2008, to advise the Federal Government on improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. 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 “NEW PHC RIS infoByte: Writing great abstracts." http://www.phcris.org.au/publications/ebulletin/

Fremantle GP Network is currently looking to fill the vital position of Liaison GP for the Kaleeya Hospital.
GP Liaison aims to: work collaboratively in the GP Liaison program at Fremantle Hospital and Health Service, to optimise the continuum of patient care as patients move between the hospitals and general practice. This position has prime responsibility for GP Liaison services at the Kaleeya campus.
The position is 3 hours each week and the role deals with:

1. Provide a general practice perspective on the continuum of care as patients move between FHHS and general practice.
2. Facilitate communication between the hospitals and GPs in relation to patient care.
3. Contribute to an annual business plan for GP liaison in accordance with the contractual agreement and local health service priorities.
4. Provide a general practice perspective on patient care to the work of the health service to improve planning, decision making and allocation of resources.
5. Participate in the development/implementation of collaborative initiatives involving the hospital, general practice, Divisions of General Practice and other health care agencies.
6. Liaise with Divisions of General Practice (DGP) and the GP community on issues pertaining to the hospital/GP interface.
The position works alongside the GP Liaison Project Officer, GP Liaison Surgical/Medical and the GP Liaison Mental Health and is a salaried member of staff at Fremantle GP Network.

If you would like further details I can be contacted on 9319 0555 or email: claire.woolfitt@fremantlegpnetwork.com.au

The conference will cover aspects of trauma medicine through a series of interactive academic sessions coupled to discussion groups and workshops intended to extend participant's knowledge and practice of trauma medicine. More information...

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…