Resources for Practices

Below you will find a list of resouces either developed by or sourced by GPA South Gippsland for use by Practices along with common forms used in the general practice setting.  For more information on any of the forms listed on this page of the website please contact the GPA South Gippsland office on 03 5674 0900. 


ALERTS & NOTIFICATIONS 

Hepatitis C Alert

The Victorian Department of Health has identified a cluster of hepatitis C cases among patients treated by a medical professional in Melbourne. A clear risk has been established for patients treated by the doctor at Croydon Day Surgery between August 2008 and August 2009 but the doctor had worked at the clinic from 2006 to 2009. If a patient who has had a procedure at Croydon Day Surgery between 2006 and mid-December 2009 wishes to have a blood test before being contacted by the Department of Health, please test this patient through your usual pathology process and advise the Department if any positive results are identified and indicate that this is a Croydon Day Surgery patient. The diagnosis of hepatitis C infection is confirmed by testing for hepatitis C virus antibody and PCR to detect viral RNA.

Please read the full alert available Click Here
GP information sheet
Patient information sheet

If GPs or patients have any questions, please contact the call centre on 1300 365 677 from 8 am to 10 pm



Aged Care

Aged Care Access Initiative – Program Guidelines (July 2008)

75+ Health Check Brochure

75+ Health Check Poster (A3)

75+ Health Check Poster (A4)

Step by Step Guidelines for GPs

For further infomation on Aged Care Medicare Claiming Guidelines please refer to pages 14-17 of the Standard MBS Items booklet

Alcohol and Drug Resources

Alcohol and Drug Quick Referral Guide Poster for GPs - A poster listing the contact details of local Alcohol and Drug Services.

ASSIST A comprehensive alcohol and drug screening tool used by Mental Health services to assess comorbidity.

Benzodiazepine prescription and withdrawal guidelines
Due to the increasing number of patients presenting with dependence on benzodiazepine medication and the problems this can create for General Practitioners, RACGP have produced guidelines for prescribing benzodiazepines and how to manage withdrawal from these drugs.

Beyond Benzodiazepines
A guide for clinicians to support withdrawal from benzodiazepines written by Reconnexion.

Drug and Alcohol Clinical Advisory Service (DACAS) - 1800 812 804
A 24 hour phone line for Clinicians working with substance abusing patients, DACAS can provide advice on medication regimes, difficult clients, services and general support.

Drug Info Cleaninghouse
A library of information on alcohol and drug use and comorbidity includig research papers, resources and clinical information overseen by the Australian Drug Foundation (ADF).

GPs role in mental health service provision - the difference between Better Outcomes, Better Access and ATAPS
This one page guide has been developed for community based health services for ease of referral to General Practitioners when clients present with mental health issues.

Guidelines for Alcohol and Drug Workers working with General Practitioners
A guide developed to assist Alcohol and Drug Workers in developing partnerships and good working relationships with General Practitioners, including a list of Practice Managers and contact details for Practices in Bass Coast and South Gippsland.

Guidelines for the treatment of Alcohol Problems
The Department of Health and Ageing have recently released a new set of guidelines for the treatment of alcohol problems and includes information on withdrawal guidelines, complicated presentations, brief interventions and evidence based best practice.         Quick reference guide

Information on comorbidity
As a result of the Victorian Government's acknowlegement of the high incidence of alcohol and drug and mental illness comorbidity, they have funded a project that includes training of service providers, system development and future resourcing around this area. This website has been set up as a networking site for anyone that works with this population. It includs many relevant resources, advice and news on events that may be of interest. http://dualdiagnosis.ning.com

Keeping in Touch Kit - A resource for Alcohol and Drug Education in Schools
A kit designed by the Department of Education and Science and training that includes resources for young people, school staff and the school community.

Management of Patients with psychostimulant use problems - guidelines for general practitioners. 

Psycheck Screening Tool
A screening tool to assess comorbid alcohol and drug and mental health issues. A three part assessment tool that includes assessment of risk, past mental health interventions and a self reporting questionnaire to identify whether preenting symptoms are a result of mental illness or alcohol and drug issues.

Reconnexion - Benzodiazepine and Analgesic withdrawal support service
A clinical support service for individual with benzodiazepine or analgesic addiction, Reconnexion offers advice for clinicians, support for patients and resources on managing anxiety disorders without the use of medication.

Referral pathways for GPs working with Comorbid Alcohol and Drug and Mental Illness patients
Referral pathways from GPs to Alcohol & Drug Mental Health Services

School Resource Card
Developed as part of the GPA project, a small resource card for school based staff with contact details for services and tips on managing intoxicated youth and early warning signs for mental illness.

Turning Point
The peak body in Victoria for Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services, Turning Point conducts research and provide many good resources on addiction, harm minimisation, illicit drug information as well as comprehensive drug treatment.

Allied Health

Allied Health Professionals Registry (current December 2009)

Referral form for Allied Health Group Services under Medicare for patients with type 2 diabetes

For further infomation on Allied Health Medicare Claiming Guidelines please refer to pages 31-32 of the Standard MBS Items booklet

Clinical Risk Management

CRM Program Brochure

Comorbid alcohol and drug and mental illness

Comorbidity Guidelines: A set of guidelines developed by the Naitonal Drug and Alcohol Research Centre to guide clinicians in their work with this client group.
Workers Resources: Useful resources for working this this client group, including links to screening tools, worksheets etc. 

Drought Recovery Support 

Drought Recovery Support Flier

Tip Sheet – Farmers as Patients

South Gippsland and Bass Coast Rural Support Services Directory

Mental Health Local Services Directory   

2008 GP Survey Data Evaluation

Hope, Despair and Transformation: Climate Change and the Promotion of Mental Health and Wellbeing

Mens Line Australia – Getting Information and Help

Mens Line Australia – Men and Mental Wellbeing

Andrology Australia – Psychosocial Factsheet

Better Health Channel – Rural Issues, Coping with Stress

Better Health Channel – Rural Issues, Stress Management

Drought and it’s effect on Mental Health – How GPs can help

Suicide Prevention Australia – Position Statement, Responding to Suicide in Rural Australia

Life Events Scale

Drought Social Panel Report
Coping and Resilience in Farming Families Effected by Drought

There is reason to be concerned about women on the land
Drought/Mental Health Program - relevant website resources 
Drought Mental Health Community Mapping July 2009    
GPA self care strategies work book  

South Gippsland Drought Mental Health Plan 2009    

For further infomation on Mental Health Medicare Claiming Guidelines please refer to pages 8-11 of the Standard MBS Items booklet

Health Checks

45-49 Health Check Brochure

45-49 Health Check Poster (A3)

45-49 Health Check Poster (A4)

75+ Health Check Brochure

75+ Health Check Poster (A3)

75+ Health Check Poster (A4)

Your Guide to Health Assessments

For further infomation on Medicare Claiming Guidelines for Health Checks please refer to pages 20-30 & 39-40 of the Standard MBS Items booklet

Home Medicine Review

Home Medicine Review Program Brochure

HMR Medication Management Plan

HMR Patient Information Sheet

HMR - How to make it work

For further infomation on Home Medicine Review Medicare Claiming Guidelines please refer to pages 12-14 of the Standard MBS Items booklet

Immunisation

Immunisation Program Brochure

For further infomation on Immunisation Medicare Claiming Guidelines please refer to page 38 of the Standard MBS Items booklet

Useful Websites

Australian General Practice Network

National Centre for Immunisation Research & Surveillance
Victorian Government Immunisation Program website

Management Plans

Using a Management Plan Brochure

For further infomation on Medicare Claiming Guidelines for Management Plans please refer to pages 10-11, 14, 21-22, 27-31 of the Standard MBS Items booklet

Mental Health

Mental Health Program Brochure

Mental Health – Not Coping Brochure

Bipolar Booklet
Drought/Mental Health Program - relevant website resources 

For further infomation on Mental Health Medicare Claiming Guidelines please refer to pages 8-11 of the Standard MBS Items booklet

Better Access to Mental Health Initiative (Medicare)

Department of Health & Ageing – Better Access for GPs

Department of Health & Ageing – Better Access for Psychologists

RANZCP - Best Practice Psychiatrist Liaison Model

Better Outcomes (Vouchers) and Better Access (Medicare) - Flowchart

Better Outcomes (Vouchers) vs. Better Access (Medicare) - Explanation

Checklist for the GP Mental Health Care Assessment, Plan, Review & Consultation

K10 Form

New Item Numbers table

Template for Assessment, Plan and Review

For further infomation on Mental Health Medicare Claiming Guidelines please refer to pages 8-11 of the Standard MBS Items booklet

Mental Health Assessment Tools

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia Questionnaire

Alcohol Audit

Alcohol Use Disorder

Depression Anxiety Stress Scale DASS - Anxiety only

Depression Anxiety Stress Scale DASS-A

Depression Anxiety Stress Scale DASS-21
Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders Questionnaire

Edinburgh Post Natal Depression

Gambling Questionnaire

Geriatric Depression Scale

Geriatric Depression Scale Questionnaire

Geriatric Depression Questionnaire

K10 Form
Mental State Examination
Mental State Examination Definitions
Mini Mental State

Mini Mental State 2

Mini Mental State 3

OCD

OCD Questionnaire

Panic

Panic Questionnaire

Post Natal Depression

Post Natal Depression Questionnaire

Primary Care PTSD Screen
Psychosis Screener
Social Phobia

Social Phobia Questionnaire

Suicidality

Suicidality Questionnaire
Suicide Risk Assessment Checklist
Trauma Screening Questionnaire

Pen Clinical Audit Tool

Clinical Audit User Guide Version 2-1-2

Refugee Health

Refugee Checklist for General Practice

Refugee Health Assessment – General Information

Refugee MBS Item Numbers

Refugee Health Assessment Form

Victorian Interpreter Card

For further infomation on Refugee Health Medicare Claiming Guidelines please refer to pages 19 of the Standard MBS Items booklet

Screening

Breastscreen Victoria new GP resource

Cystic fibrosis carrier screening program 

 

Travel Medicine

Travel resource and links about travel vaccines, medical information and travel advice.  
 

Workforce

Other Resources

RA2 Classification overview
Remote Area 2 Detail
Remoteness Vic Maps


Notifiable Conditions changes

From 1 January 2010 the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 and the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2009 came into effect, replacing the Health Act 1958 and the Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 2001. The changes are outlined here.

Sandflies Brochure
Good Medical Practice: Code of Conduct for doctors in Australia  

H1N1 Influenza 2009 (Human Swine Flu)

Please find attached the protocol for safely administering the swine flu vaccine called Panavax H1N1 from a Multi Dose Vial (MDV). Click here for MDV Protocol.
Please protocol as widely as widely as appropriate for careful reading prior to receipt of the vaccine vials.
The Swine flu vaccine program was launched 30 September 2009.
Further resources available at www.healthemergency.gov.au

There have been some reported errors in the administration of the H1N1 vaccine. All practices are reminded that the dosage for all people over the age of 10 years is a single 0.5ml (i.e. 1/2ml) dose.

Letter from CMO to GPs - February 2010    
DHS Situation Report Number 54 - 17 July 2009

Chief Health Officer Alert Change to Dispensing Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) - 26 June 2009
'Protect' phase media release - 17 June 2009
DHS Incident Reporting Requirements – 5 June 2009

MyGeneralPractice - a growing resource for GPs

A new, improved version of MyGeneralPractice (MyGP) was launched on 1 October. The old MyGP and MyPracticeTeam (MyPT) portals have been merged to create a new website that will serve as an extensive and growing resource centre for general practice. Users will still be able to access patient handouts, calculators and dermatology resources, popular evidence based clinical resources and links to the RACGP's online resources. Complementing these features is a new range of high quality information, tools and resources. Most importantly, your experience using the new MyGP will be easier, faster and more relevant. Visit www.mygeneralpractice.org.au