Over the past two weeks to 26 September 2021 there have been 3483 locally acquired cases in the CESPHN region, a 17% decrease over the previous period. The largest concentrations are in the following Local Government Areas (LGAs) Canterbury-Bankstown (779), Sydney (710), Randwick (464), Bayside (410) Georges River (324), Sutherland (228) Inner West (195), and Strathfield (114).
Click here for all the latest information relating to the NSW outbreak including case locations and alerts.
COVID-19 testing locations
See here for information on the latest testing locations.
Please remember to refer your patients to a GP respiratory clinic if they need a respiratory assessment. You can find contact details here.
Vaccination update and locations
Within the region 82% of the population aged 15 and over have received one vaccine dose and 61% are fully vaccinated (an 8% increase from last week). 18% of the population remain unvaccinated. The number of vaccinations administered last week increased by 11% from the previous week. You can view vaccination uptake by postcode and local government area here.
SESLHD has vaccination clinics open this week. Priority for the Pfizer vaccine will be given to people under 60 years who:
Live in social housing
Are experiencing homelessness
Are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Have disability or significant health problems
Are not eligible for Medicare e.g. international students
AstraZeneca vaccine is available for anyone 18 years and over.
Rockdale Town Hall 448 Princes Highway, Rockdale Monday 27 September – Friday 1 October 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
St Mary’s and St Joseph’s Church 246 Malabar Road, South Coogee Monday 27 September – Friday 1 October 9.30 am – 3.00 pm
Northcott Community Centre 163 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills 9.30 am – 3.00 pm, every Monday
The Hub @ Lexo Lexington Place, Maroubra 9.30 am – 3.00 pm, every Friday
Stapleton Avenue Community Centre Belmont Street, Sutherland Tuesday 5 October – Friday 8 October 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
Kooloora Community Centre 167 Bilga Crescent, Malabar Tuesday 5 October – Friday 8 October 9.30 am – 3.00 pm
Bookings are also available for people from vulnerable groups at two new Aspen Medical vaccination clinics:
Flourish Australia Centre 43 Buckingham Street, Surry Hills Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 3.30pm Book here
Alf Kay Vaccination Clinic 2 Florence Avenue, Eastlakes Monday to Friday, 10.00 am to 2.00 pm Book here
A new vaccination clinic has opened at Centennial Park
Centennial Park Vaccination Clinic 22 – 32 King Street Randwick (UNSW Building R14), the clinic is open from 8:00am – 4:00pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Bookings required.
Ultimo Community Centre 40 William Henry Street, Ultimo 16-59 year olds 10 .00 am to 4.00 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (closed next Monday) Book here
CESPHN Vax at Home program
We are aware that some people in our community may not be able to access a GP or vaccination hub to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. As a result CESPHN in partnership had developed the Vax at Home program.
The CESPHN Vax at Home Program is ONLY for those people who are housebound and not able to leave their house to receive a COViD-19 vaccination (their carers will also be able to be vaccinated). The Program is ONLY being offered across Sydney Local Health District and South Eastern Local Health District.
Patient self-referrals will NOT be accepted. Patients should speak with their GP for referral to this program if appropriate.
Referrals can be accepted from General Practitioners and Disability Provider Organisations only.
Referrals for people who live in the South East Sydney Local Health District can be emailed to vaxinhomesesydney@gmail.com
Referrals should include:
Name of patient
Date of Birth
Patients residential address and contact details
Name of usual GP.
Medicare details
Contact details of any carers.
This service is now operational and accepting referrals (please note there might be some delays as we respond to demand).
How to get proof of your COVID-19 vaccination
Services Australia has a range of resource available to support employees and the community get proof of their COVID-19 vaccinations. There are also specific resources for Indigenous and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities. Visit the Services Australia website for further information and to view the resources available. Order free printed resources by either emailing publications.production@servicesaustralia.gov.au or calling 1800 067 307.
If your practice requires additional AstraZeneca doses, please email coronavirus@cesphn.com.au. Some practices have an oversupply and we will ensure these additional doses reach those practices that need it.
Additional PPE available
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) packages including surgical and N95/P2 masks, face shields, gloves, gowns and goggles and face shields will be made available forcommunity pharmacies and those GPs who continue to see their patients within their practices. PPE guidelines can be found here.CESPHN will continue to distribute these supplies.To order PPE for your practice or pharmacyclick here.
Free infection control advice
CESPHN is pleased to offer general practices and community pharmacies the opportunity to have a specialised one-on-one consultation session with an experienced primary care infection control educator. This consult will enable your practice/pharmacy to:
Send questions prior to the consultation session about your practice
Ask questions on infection control that relates to your practice.
Sessions will be via ‘Zoom’ and will be up to 50 minutes in duration and can be recorded for later use. The aim of these sessions is to support practices and community pharmacies to ensure they have the strongest infection procedures in place and provide tips for improvement where needed. If you would like more information or would like to book a consultation, please email your interest to coronavirus@cesphn.com.au and in the subject line write: “Yes I would like infection control advice”
Call for GPs, pharmacists,nurses and other health professionals to assist in vaccination
We are maintaining a register of GPs, pharmacists, nurses and other allied health professionals who are available to work shifts in COVID vaccination clinics. Please complete this form if you are interested. Thank you to all those of you have already registered.
Closure of AIR authentication files
Authentication file access to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) will close on 30 September 2021 for all providers. A Provider Digital Access (PRODA) account is required to access the AIR via the Health Professionals Online Services (HPOS) portal. To set up AIR access:
Health professionals with a Medicare provider number
COVID-19 vaccination – COVID Vaccination Allocations Horizons (updated 24 Sept): This document outlining the National Vaccination Allocation Horizons by state and territory has been updated to reflect a more accurate picture of Australia’s forecasted allocation of vaccine to the end of 2021.
Maroubra Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) is now open The Maroubra Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) is now open, seven days a week, from 8.00am to 8.00pm. It was officially launched by member for Kingsford Smith, the hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP (pictured at the launch with CESPHN CEO Nathalie Hansen…
Media Release: Central and Eastern Sydney PHN releases Healthy Ageing Strategy to empower older people In response to the increasing longevity and rapid growth of the older population the Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network (CESPHN) is proud to release its new Healthy Ageing Strategy 2023-2028. This comprehensive strategy…
Immunisation Weekly Update: COVID-19 XBB.1.5 vaccine onboarding The Australian Government has accepted the latest advice from ATAGI on the use of the new COVID-19 XBB 1.5 vaccine as part of the National COVID-19 Vaccine Program. All sites currently participating in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program will be onboarded for the three…
Immunisation Weekly Update: Increase in COVID-19 infection cases ATAGI notes a recent increase in COVID-19 cases since November 2023 across Australia and encourages all eligible people who have not yet had their recommended 2023 COVID-19 vaccine dose/s to receive them as soon as possible. A first 2023 dose is recommended…
Immunisation Weekly Update: Vaccination coverage in RACF Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) data suggests that only 36% of people aged 70+ living in the central and eastern Sydney PHN region are immunised against Pneumococcal diseases. Immunisation providers are reminded to check AIR immunisation history statements of patients going into Residential Aged…
Immunisation Weekly Update: Introduction of Shingrix® to the NIP From 1 November 2023, the shingles vaccine Shingrix® will replace Zostavax® on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule for the prevention of shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia. It will be available for eligible people most at risk of complications from shingles. A…
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) annual requirements Below is a snapshot of the continuing professional development (CPD) requirements for doctors, these include annual requirements of: completion of a Professional Development Plan 50 hours CPD each year, split across a range of activities: 25 hours – reviewing performance and measuring outcomes (with five hours minimum…
CESPHN’s Annual Report 2022-23 is now live Central and Eastern Sydney PHN has released its Annual Report 2022-23. The Annual Report is a summary of the key achievements and highlights for the PHN over the financial year. It is split into Improving Care Integration, Improving Practice and Commissioning Services to…