1. Healthcare

General Practice Matters
30 January 2015
10 local pathways published Map of Medicine
Did you know that Peninsula Health offers a geriatric medicine clinic (no waiting list), a high risk foot clinic and a
quit smoking counselling (no waiting list)?
Would you like more information to help you navigate orthopaedics and endocrinology referrals?
Would you like detailed referral information for 100s of services in your local area?
This information and more is now published in Map of Medicine.
Thanks to a constructive collaboration between GPs, specialists and allied health providers, we have now
published 10 local care pathways in Map of Medicine.
These are already being used by the 83 GPs registered to use the tool. The latest innovation is direct links to
the National Health Services Directory, which will take users directly to a list of local providers that offer health
services. For example, in the diabetes pathway, there is a link to local diabetes educators.
Click here to sign up for Map of Medicine
Registered users can click on the links below to view the pathways.
Hip surgery referral
Smoking cessation
Alcohol and other drug misuse
Knee surgery referral
Behavioural presentations children aged 0-5
Low back and radicular pain
Dementia
Osteoarthritis
Diabetes
Paediatric asthma
Updated Victorian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza (VHMPPI)
and preparedness arrangements,
response and recovery from a
pandemic.
The plan provides a framework to
minimise the impact of an influenza
pandemic on the health sector
and community, it describes the
health response to the planning
The plan also provides operational
guidance for health services and
primary care and includes planning
considerations for aged care
residential facilities, schools and
education and child care facilities,
local government, laboratories
and emergency services. A range
of issues are addressed in these
contexts, including vaccination,
isolation and quarantine,
communication and infection
prevention and control.
The plan is available at
Department of Health
This website also contains
information on seasonal and
pandemic influenza for health
professionals.
Should you require any further
information on the VHMPPI please
contact Elizabeth Birbilis on
(03) 9096 5220 or elizabeth.birbilis@
health.vic.gov.au
Ophthalmic products temporarily unavailable
Zovirax (aciclovir) Ophthalmic Ointment and Siguent Hycor
(hydrocortisone) Ophthalmic Ointment are currently out of stock
until April 2015. Alternative products that could be prescribed are
outlined below.
Zovirax (aciclovir) Ophthalmic Ointment out of stock:
An alternative to topical aciclovir is oral aciclovir 400 mg five times
daily, which is equivalent to topical treatment and avoids corneal
epithelial toxicity. Alternatively (e.g. where renal impairment may
limit systemic use of aciclovir), Ganciclovir 0.15% Ophthalmic Gel is
available under Special Access Scheme which requires a completion
of SAS B form prior to commencement. The usual dose (adults and
elderly) is 1 drop of gel in each infected eye, five times per day until
healed, then three times per day for 7 days.
SAS Category B Approval Form
• On the form, write product as Ganciclovir Eye Gel 0.15%, 5g
• HL Pharma and Symbion are two distributors of this product
(Virgan is the current brand of ganciclovir ophthalmic gel).
The dispensing pharmacy will require a copy of the SAS Approval
Form prior to supply of the medication. It usually takes 5 business
days for SAS product approval, but the TGA has advised that if the
application form is faxed and followed up with a phone call
(02 6232 8111), it can be approved sooner, as they are prioritising all
ganciclovir request forms.
Patients can take the approval form and prescription to their local
pharmacy (or practices can purchase directly). HL Pharma can
deliver the ganciclovir the same day in metropolitan Melbourne (if
ordered before 10am) or the following business day, although some
rural locations may require 2 days delivery.
GP Seeking Employment
VR GP with 30 years experience
• Worked in GP practice in Albury
for 28yrs and for 22 of these years
was one of 2 principals
• Methadone prescriber for 14yrs
(many of which was the sole
prescriber covering a 200km area)
• After 36yrs retired from general
practice 2008/2009
• National registration from 19/08/10
• Vocationally registered
• Over the past 4-5 years has worked
as a GP locum. Locum work in VIC
including Mornington), NSW, TAS
and NT.
For further details
view our website
Clinical images on mobile devices
Distributor details:
HL Pharma Pty Ltd, T: 03 9823 6228, [email protected]
www.hlpharma.com.au
Siguent Hycor (hydrocortisone) Ophthalmic Ointment shortage:
An alternative corticosteroid ophthalmic ointment is not currently
available, so whilst intermittent availability of this product continues
until April 2015, it may be appropriate for general practitioners and
optometrists to prescribe corticosteroid eye drops, instead of the
ointment.
For more information: please contact Pharmacy Department,
The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Phone: (03) 9929 8203
Physical Activity Directory for Older People
The updated Physical Activity Directory for Older People is now
available. Listing over 200 groups, it is a great resource to support
older people to find suitable physical activity options. Many
practices hand them out as part of the 75+ health assessment.
Groups are divided into Gentle Exercises, Walking/Cycling, Water
Exercises, Strengthening Programs, Leisure & Dancing. Each listing
includes the cost, times/day, a description of the session and any
prerequisites.
Click here to view the directory
Hard copies can be ordered by contacting the Agestrong Network
[email protected] or 5976 9071.
In November 2014 the AMA and the MIIAA
produced a new guide for medical students
and doctors on the proper use of personal
mobile devices – including smart phones,
cameras, tablets, laptops, and portable music
devices – when taking and transmitting
clinical images.
The guide is very hospital-centric but can
easily be adapted for private practice. It
outlines the key ethical and legal issues to
be aware of before using a personal mobile
device to take or transmit clinical images for
the purpose of providing clinical care.
Clinical images and the use of personal
mobile devices guide
ATAPS Update
All Suicide / Self Harm Referrals require the
GP to complete the SPP Risk Assessment
Tool for GPs and send with the referral to
the Mental Health Team.
The SPP Risk Assessment Tool for GPs can be
located at ;
SPP Risk Assessment Tool
To complete: For each risk factor please tick
your rating for your client on that risk factor in
either the low, moderate or high and column
then provide an overall assessment of risk
based on your ratings of all the risk factors.
Any questions please contact the Mental
Health Team on 5973 5655.
GP seeking part-time
employment
VR GP with 32 years’
experience in community
health.
Dr Craig Blandy will soon
retire from Monash
University where he has
held many roles including
university community health
& being a GP to the campus.
He has advanced skills and
knowledge in travel
medicine and skin cancer
and is looking for a place
to continue that practice
in a part-time capacity.
For further details please
view our website
Upcoming Events
Pharmaceutical Opioids: The risks, benefits and
challenges - Special Interest Network (SpIN)
Nurses in General Practice – Session 1: Breast
Cancer Screening
Audience: General Practitioners
Breast cancer is most treatable when found early, which is
why screening is so important. In the Frankston-Mornington
Peninsula catchment, rates for breast cancer screening are
lower than the Victorian average and mortality rates are
higher than the Australian average.
Presented by: Dr David Jacka, Addiction Medicine
Specialist, Monash Health
Date: Tuesday 10 February 2015
Venue: The Dandenong Club, Dandenong
Time : 6.30pm - Registration & Light refreshments ,
7 pm - Presentation
Click here to register
or contact Lynn Goon ( Pharmacotherapy Liaison
Coordinator ) [email protected]
Lactose and Fructose mal-absorption: How
breath tests are actually performed
In our first of three cancer screening workshops, facilitated
by John Lee – BreastScreen Victoria, you are invited to learn
more about breast awareness and what to look for, breast
cancer risk factors and the risks and benefits of screening.
Your knowledge, skills and status as a health professional
gives you the opportunity to educate women about the
need for breast cancer screening and to encourage them to
take part in screening activities.
Date: Wednesday 4 February 2015
Date: Wednesday 11 February 2015
Time: 12.30pm – 2.00pm
Time: 18.30 - 20.30 (dinner & refreshments from 18.00)
Venue: Brooklands of Mornington,
99 Tanti Avenue Mornington 3931
Venue: Mornington Endoscopy, Mornington VIC 3931
Speakers:
Click here to register
• Dr. Thuy Dinh – Specialist Gastroenterologist
• Dr. Emily Wright - Specialist Gastroenterologist
Click here to register
Frankston-Mornington Peninsula Medicare Local PO Box 107 Mornington Victoria 3931 t 03 5973 5655 f 03 9708 8157 www.fmpml.org.au ABN: 80 156 428 572
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Frankston-Mornington Peninsula Medicare Local acknowledges the financial and other support of the Australian Government Department of Health