General Practice Matters 22 October 2014 The Child Health Alliance is working to improve integration between GPs and Maternal Child Health Services The Child Health Alliance has been working to improve relationships between GPs and Maternal Child Health Services and increase the understanding of each other’s business, with an aim of improving integration. The Maternal Child Health Service interacts with parents and their children from 0-5 years, providing health and development monitoring (including physical and developmental assessments) at 10 key ages and stages. GPs are funded to conduct a Healthy Kids check when a child is 3-4 years (which includes physical and developmental screening). We have received feedback from GPs and Maternal Child Health Services about their frustration over duplication between GPs and Maternal Child Health Services, in relation to these screening and assessment processes. The Child Health Alliance is implementing the following strategies to address this issue: • Providing resources for GPs to understand the Maternal Child Health Services role in developmental assessment • Encouraging referrals between sectors (and developing referral pathways to streamline access) • Establishing meetings with GPs and their local Maternal Child Health Services staff to talk about their roles and agree on future communication approaches • Developing protocols for Maternal Child Health Services to communicate with GPs All practices will receive a resource bag that includes: • Copies of the Step by Step resource (a resource for parents that describes developmental milestones) Step by Step • Maternal Child Health Services poster for the GP waiting room (target audience families with young children) • Maternal Child Health Services poster for the GP tea room (target audience GPs) • Healthy Kids Check Flowchart and Checklist • Dental Services Victoria information on dental care for children GPs and practices servicing high numbers of young families (in particular vulnerable families) will be offered a visit to meet with the local Maternal Child Health Services team to develop a better understanding of each other’s services. For more information or to request a practice visit, please contact Suzanne Heppell via [email protected] or 5973 5655. Advance Care Planning (ACP) Advance Care Planning is a process that helps a person plan their medical care in advance so that their wishes are respected by healthcare teams, families and carers when they become too unwell to make decisions for themselves. GPs can facilitate this process by introducing Advance Care Planning to their patients as part of consultations. GPs may also be asked to sign ACP documents such as Advance Care Directives and Medical Enduring Power of Attorney. The following resources were developed by an ACP working group (part of the Peninsula Model), that included practitioners with expertise in this field, to assist GPs and practice nurses to support their patients. Quick Reference Guide for General Practice Referral form for Peninsula Health Advance Care Planning service Advance Care Planning consumer materials Consumer fact sheet Advance Care Planning brochure Advance Care Planning poster The full range of resources are available via for people living in the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston City council regions. Phone: 9788 1593 Email: [email protected] Peninsula Health Website Fax (GP referral forms): ACCESS intake 9787 9954 Address: Mt Eliza Centre, 33 Jacksons Rd (PO Box 192) Mt Eliza, Victoria, 3930 Peninsula Model Website Additional help with Advance Care Planning Peninsula Health provides free assistance with Advance Care Planning First Ever Survey of GPs Attitudes about Chronic Kidney Disease Kidney Health Australia is collaborating with the Hunter Research Foundation (HRF) to conduct the first ever study of current clinical practice in relation to chronic kidney disease (CKD) detection, management, and continuing professional education. Participant packages will be mailed to selected GPs in October 2014. Participation involves a 15 minute time commitment to complete a short paper or online survey about current practice, knowledge and experiences in the area of CKD. Improvement (QI) activity, and can earn RACGP QI&CPD 40 Category 1 points for the 2014-2016 triennium. GPs who choose to enrol in the additional QI activity will receive support from Kidney Health Australia to complete the research activity. The HRF will randomly select 4,000 Australian GPs to take part in this important national study. By completing the survey, the selected GPs are eligible to enrol in an Individual Research Quality For more information about this study contact Dr Marie Ludlow via [email protected]. Frankston Medicentre needs GPs to fill the doctors’ roster Medicentre is a separate After Hours general practice entity located within the Frankston Hospital complex that provides after hours primary health care: around other commitments. • Monday – Friday • There is no minimum or maximum 6.00pm – 10.30pm • Saturday 12.00 Midday – 10.30pm • Sunday & Public Holidays 9.00am – 10.30pm Medicentre is a fully computerised and accredited after hours practice delivered in collaboration with participating GPs. The practice refers patients back to their own GP clinic for follow up care. It requires more GPs to fill the roster. GPs can do as many or as little number of sessions to fit in Upcoming Events The remuneration is currently 75% of billings, or a minimum retainer. 22 October - Mens Health Pub Clinic • Medicentre is a DWS. 30 October - Identifying and Responding to Family Violence number of sessions, Medicentre is flexible • Nursing staff are available on weekends and public holidays. If you would like further information about joining this service, please contact Medicentre’s Practice Manager Jacquie Haigh via 9784 8464 / 0405 443 221 or fmcadmin@ frankstomedicentre.com.au Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated. 5 November - Persistent Pain Management - The dos and dont’s 11 November - Shoulder Complaints: Diagnosis and Management 12 November - Mother-Infant Mental Health Workshop 18 November - AOD Reform, Smoking Cessation and the Role of the Health Professional 19 November - Adolescent Mental Health on the Peninsula 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 To unsubscribe to General Practice Matters, please email [email protected] with unsubscribe in the subject line. Frankston-Mornington Peninsula Medicare Local acknowledges the financial and other support of the Australian Government Department of Health