Are you a new nurse working in general practice?
Our practice support team are available to provide you with a Practice Nurse orientation session which includes a copy of our Practice Nurse Resource Guide.
We can also provide you with ongoing support to help you learn and succeed in your new role.
These sessions can either be an in general practice or a virtual visit.
If you would like to book an orientation session or have any questions, please contact practicesupport@cesphn.com.au
We hope you are excited to celebrate primary health care nurses on Wednesday, 5 February.
The first Wednesday in February each year is Primary Health Care Nurses Day, where we celebrate the amazing work that nurses do outside of the hospital setting, in aged care, community, general practice, custodial, schools and a range of other primary health care settings. This year’s campaign is ‘Treating the whole person’.
CESPHN would love to see how you celebrate Primary Health Care Nurses Day so send us a picture for us to share on our social media pages – practicesupport@cesphn.com.au
To find out more and how you can be involved – https://www.apna.asn.au/profession/primary-health-care-nurses-day
Enrolled nurses are a valuable part of the primary healthcare team, but did you know:
An enrolled nurse (EN) is legally required to work under the direction and supervision of an RN and is responsible for providing delegated nursing care to patients within their scope of practice.
In accordance with The Enrolled nurse standards for practice, ENs must work under the direction and supervision of registered nurses. Any RN providing supervision to an EN must be fully aware of the education, experience, and scope of practice of the EN. It is not acceptable for other health practitioners to provide clinical supervision for ENs.
For further information please visit Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia:
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Intellectual Disability
Project GROW is a CESPHN service supporting primary care providers and the disability sector to meet the complex health needs of people with intellectual disability.
Project GROW is a component of the National Roadmap for Improving the Health of People with Intellectual Disability.
Our team are ready to upskill and support primary care to providers on intellectual disability health care. Fill in this EOI to book an in-practice session or email us for more information.
Paracetamol pack size changes come into effect
On 1 February 2025, changes to paracetamol availability in supermarkets and pharmacies will come into effect. These changes follow the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s decision to reduce pack sizes to help minimise the risk of harm from intentional misuse.
To find out more – https://www.tga.gov.au/news/blog/comply-paracetamol-pack-size-changes
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis downloadable management plans
Crohn’s & Colitis Australia (CCA) have developed individual care plans for the management of Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in primary and specialist care settings. The tool can be used to help improve communication between people living with IBD and their healthcare team by storing important information in one document for shared accessibility.
More information – https://crohnsandcolitis.org.au/advocacy/our-projects/gp-aware/management-plans/
virtualKIDS urgent care service now available
The virtualKIDS Urgent Care Service (virtualKIDS) is Australia’s first paediatric-specific virtual healthcare service.
The virtuaKids Urgent Care Service provides video consultations for children (and their families/carers):
To find out more – https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Hospitals/Pages/urgent-care-virtual-kids.aspx
Streamlined pathway to registration for internationally qualified registered nurses
In September 2024, Health Ministers endorsed a new registration standard to help boost the nursing workforce. Australia’s health, aged care, and primary care workforce pressures could be eased with the introduction of a new streamlined registration process for eligible internationally qualified registered nurses (IQRNs) which will take effect by April 2025.
To find out more – https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/News/2025-01-27-media-release-IQRN.aspx
Type 2 Diabetes Patient Education Groups
Do you have patients living with type 2 Diabetes that would benefit from an education group?
St Vincents Hospital are offering free education groups for patients with type 2 diabetes. Groups will be held in March, June and October.
For further information – https://cesphn.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Diabetes-patient-education-group.pdf
Palliative Care Masterclass Program for General Practice Nurses
Most people prefer to be cared for and die at home. This free Masterclass Program aims to make this possible by empowering nurses working in key settings of general practice, residential aged care and home care, to develop the knowledge and skills essential for the delivery of quality person-centred palliative care.
General Practice nurses will receive a $100 gift voucher for attending*
*Limited to the first 50 general practice nurses
To find out more or to register – https://plus.uts.edu.au/palliative-care-masterclass-program/
Benchmarque Group – Perform Venous Blood Collection
The Perform Blood Collection Course (HLTPAT002) is evidence-based and focuses on teaching best practices for both patient care and clinician safety. This course equips students with the essential knowledge and skills to confirm collection requirements, prepare the client and equipment, and perform routine blood collections in a clinical setting.
When: 4 March 2025
Where: Central and Eastern Sydney PHN Mascot
Cost: $450.00
To book – https://www.benchmarquegroup.com.au/courses/perform-blood-collection/#workshops
The Australian Government Dept of Health and Aged Care are offering scholarship opportunities to Registered Nurses and Midwives to undertake post graduate study in the primary care and aged care sectors.
To find out more – https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/primary-care-nursing-and-midwifery-scholarship-program
For the latest Immunisation update please click here – https://cesphn.org.au/general-practice/practice-support-and-development/immunisation-gp/immunisation-news-alerts
Health Referral Forms
Immunisation Weekly Update: Influenza update for health professionals HPV coverage rates continue to drop New measles alert for Sydney TGA safety update: administration of RSV immunisation products Register to contribute to FluTracking New resources: vaccination for people with immunocompromise New RACF vaccination toolkit tackles suboptimal vaccination rates Education Influenza update…
Immunisation Weekly Update: CESPHN national rank continues to improve for childhood vaccination coverage Change to NIP supply of measles-containing vaccines Measles alert for Sydney NSW residents urged to act as COVID levels rise on top of influenza Japanese encephalitis resources updated Education CESPHN national rank continues to improve for childhood…
Immunisation Weekly Update: Join the Immunisation Working Group Register for free QI activities: Vaccination Recall Programs DVA eligibility for RSV vaccine Maternal Abrysvo ® vaccination program success New National Immunisation Strategy COVID-19 updates Education Join the Immunisation Working Group Vaccination providers are invited to join our Immunisation Working Group to…
Immunisation Weekly Update: Cessation of MBS COVID-19 vaccine support items from 1 July 2025 2025 updates to anaphylaxis training RSV vaccine safety data and resources New NCIRS meningococcal vaccines FAQs resource Influenza vaccination coverage data update Changes to pharmacist vaccination programs Education Cessation of MBS COVID-19 vaccine support items from…
Immunisation Weekly Update: Stay up to date with measles Protecting your patients from the flu First clade 1b mpox case in Australia Remind your patients about RSV and maternal vaccinations in pregnancy New First Nations and childhood vaccination resources Stay up to date with measles Lunch and learn recording and…
Immunisation Weekly Update: Federal ministers and national media react to falling vaccination rates Be mindful of measles before and after Hajj COVID-19 vaccine update and new resource Flu Vaccine Updates ‘Possible but rare’ RSV vaccine risk First Nations maternal vaccinations poster Federal ministers and national media react to falling vaccination…
