This update provides information to help primary care providers tackle current challenges, including COVID-19. Submissions can be sent to covax@murrayphn.org.au

View previous editions here.

Please note that this is the final Primary Care Update for 2022.The next update will be sent on 11 January 2023. 

Our offices will close at 2pm on 23 December, reopening on 3 January. If you require urgent assistance over the holiday period, contact Janine Holland, Chief Operations Officer 0456 976 768 or Janice Radrekusa, Director of Operations 0438 183 425. 

Murray PHN would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your hard work during what has been another challenging year.

Have a peaceful holiday break and a happy new year.

COVID vaccination provider bulletin 12 December

National COVID Health Management Plan
The National COVID-19 Health Management Plan for 2023 launched by the Australian Government, “will ensure Australia’s health system has the capacity and capability to respond to future waves and variants; promote update of vaccination and treatments; and slow the spread of transmission.” Ensuring Australians are fully vaccinated continues to be a priority with primary care providers remaining as critical partners of the vaccination program in the Murray PHN region. 

The COVID-19 vaccination program in 2023 will include:

• A streamlined and simplified system of MBS items as outlined in the bulletin
• Maintenance of the existing remote supervision MBS items
• An increased flag fall item to support vaccination in-reach for aged and disability care residents (the existing PIP in-reach incentive will be extended to 31 January 2023 to cover the transition to the increase)
• The Vaccine Administration Partners Program (VAPP) will continue to provide vaccinations where primary care availability is limited
• The Vulnerable Vaccination Program will continue to 31 December 2023. This funding enables PHNs to continue supporting primary care providers to develop and implement innovative vaccination activities which are tailored to the needs of local priority populations.

Reporting over the holiday period
If your practice is closed over the holidays, the requirement to submit weekly stock management reports is waived. You will be required to complete a report on re-opening and prior to placing your next order.

Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV)
Stock of JE vaccines remains limited. In the lead up to the holiday season, providers should reduce ordering to ensure excess stock is not held during closure periods. Contact immunisation@health.vic.gov.au for assistance with vaccine ordering.

Vaccine breaches
To avoid vaccination errors, please ask every question on the eligibility checklist to ensure the correct vaccine is chosen. If you are unsure which vaccine to administer, do not vaccinate and refer the individual to a medical practitioner.
 
The Department has provided mandatory eLearning. Pharmacists and nurse immunisers must complete online training before administering JE vaccines

Reporting vaccinations
It is strongly recommended that JE vaccination be reported to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) using your medical practice software. Please enter the correct brand of vaccine and not the generic name as well as route of administration (ID vs SC). Reporting these vaccinations to the AIR means that the register contains a complete and reliable dataset and can monitor immunisation coverage and administration. It also means that individuals have a complete record of their vaccinations. More information for Victorian immunisation providers can be found here.

Eligibility
The vaccine is free for eligible people and general practices are encouraged to bulk bill for the service whenever possible. Vaccination can also be administered after arrival in flood affected areas to those from other regions deployed for prolonged recovery efforts. Further information is provided in this factsheet.

Additional resources:

• DOHAC resources including the new ‘Ozzie vs Mozzie’ campaign
• Victorian Department of Health FAQ resource for immunisation providers
• Social media pack that includes posters is available for the promotion of prevention messages to the community.

• GV Health COVID-19 vaccination buses - including Pfizer, Moderna bivalent boosters and JEV vaccines.
• Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit outreach vaccination clinics – COVID, Influenza and JEV. The LMPHU are now taking expressions of interest to receive a JEV vaccination, these will be referred to a local provider or an outreach clinic. 
• Ovens Murray PHU vaccination clinics – COVID-19, influenza and JEV vaccines. There is now a ticketing system in place – people must have a booking to receive their vaccination.

Supporting the disability sector
Murray PHN is helping disability providers and liaison officers to engage primary care providers for in-reach vaccinations. If your practice can assist, email: covax@murrayphn.org.au

Practices can also access support and resources from disability liaison officers in: 

• Albury/Wodonga
• Bendigo/Loddon Mallee
• Shepparton/Goulburn Valley
• Wangaratta/North east

GP respiratory clinics
GPRCs provide free care for Victorians with respiratory symptoms, including comprehensive assessments and support to manage illnesses. If your health service lacks capacity or adequate PPE to manage patients with respiratory symptoms, please refer them to the nearest GP respiratory clinic and not to a hospital, unless it's an emergency. Local GPRCs are:

• Shepparton Respiratory Clinic (Princess Park Clinic), 172 Welsford Street, Ph: 03 5821 9655 - click here for opening hours and bookings.
• Wodonga Respiratory Clinic (Central Medical), 224-226 Beechworth Road, Ph: 02 6067 2437 - click here for opening hours and bookings.

Flood recovery
Here are some quick links to help you navigate recovery. If you require additional support, email gpsupport@murrayphn.org.au or visit our website for helpful advice and information for community and health services.

• The Disaster Response Network (DRN) is a national network of Australian Psychological Society psychologists who volunteer to help those affected by disasters and emergencies. Murray PHN can link you to the DRN to access support for your front-line workers. Contact covax@murrayphn.org.au for assistance.
• Focus on Emergency Response is a quick-reference resource for health staff
• HealthPathways: General Practice Management During a Disaster and Rural Community Support During Adversity 
• Victorian general practices: Emergency Response Planning Tool (ERPT)
• The Pharmacy Guild of Australia: Information for pharmacies affected by disaster.
• Department of Health and Aged Care: Flood and storm information and support
• Victorian Government: Flood Recovery Hotline (1800 560 760) 
• Emergency Relief Centres: here.

• Contaminated floodwater can increase the risk of infection and disease, see advice from Loddon Mallee PHU, NSW Health, Healthdirect and WorkSafe QLD.
• Look out for signs that you or those around you might be struggling. Head to Health services are available by calling 1800 595 212 between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, except on public holidays.

Education and training

Fully Funded Immunisation Endorsement Pathway
Murray PHN has a very limited number of fully funded places in the Immunisation Endorsement Pathway Courses, available to registered nurses who work within a general practice in our region. Details about the course can be found here: Immunisation Endorsement Pathway | The Benchmarque Group

Places will be offered on a first come first serve basis. Please submit your expression of interest to lblackshaw@murrayphn.org.au and include:

• Name
• Workplace (general practice) name and address
• Phone number
• Email address
• AHPRA number
• Confirmation that you meet the entry requirements (AHPRA registered nursing or medical practitioner qualification AND completion of the Foundations of Immunisation Practice Program).

Online learning

• NCCET – CPR and COVID-19: what we know now
• Phoenix Australia: Trauma-informed care during COVID-19 (self-paced approx. 5 hours). Use code PHNMCOVTIC20 to access the course free of charge. Limited places remaining - register before 31 December 2022
• Phoenix Australia: Being Trauma Aware for Trauma-informed Care (self-paced 90-minutes). Use code PHNMCOVTIC20 to access the course free of charge. This course is included as part of the full Trauma-informed care course above. Limited places remaining - register before 31 December 2022
• Victorian Department of Health Immunisation eLearning – JEV and Influenza
• Victorian Department of Health and VICNISS: Infection prevention and control free online learning package
• NSW Health: Fit testing and fit checking videos 

• Health Issues Centre: Covid antivirals – How do they work, who should use them and how do we increase uptake (7 September)

New and updated resources

• NCCET clinical flowcharts – Drug treatments for adults with COVID-19; Management of adults with mild COVID-1; Management of adults with moderate to severe COVID-19; Care at home for children and adolescents with mild COVID-19 (7 December 2022)   
• NCCET – Paxlovid Prescribing Guide (November 2022)
• NCIRS – Vaccination from community pharmacy guidelines
• DoHAC posters – Childrens Remember to check; Babies remember to check; Vaccine preparation and administration don't forget to check
• COVID-19 Referrals and Escalation of Care HealthPathway
• Vic DoH - JEV vaccine eligibility checklist for the public; JEV vaccination consent form
• Agriculture Victoria – flood response
• Better Health Victoria – JEV information in your language
• Health Translations (Victorian DoH) – JEV in Victoria