Practice Nurse update – 11 December 2024

• CESPHN support for nurses working in general practice
• St George Hospital clinical nurse consults (cnc’s) contact list
• CESPHN – programs
• News and announcements
• Infection prevention and control
• Other learning opportunities and programs
• Have your say
• Immunisation Update

CESPHN support for nurses working in general practice

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

St George Hospital Clinical Nurse Consults (CNCs) contact list

If you have a patient that has had a hospital presentation and has now been returned to the care of your general practice, the amazing CNCs are available to help answer any questions you may have about your patients and their care moving forward.

To access the CNC list – CNC contact list_2024.pdf

CESPHN – programs

The role of mainstream General Practice in Aboriginal Health

Mainstream primary care has an important role in ensuring better service provision, including improved health assessment uptake. The CESPHN Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing program aims to improve the capacity of mainstream primary care services to deliver culturally sensitive services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. CESPHN also works with Community Controlled Health Services, including Aboriginal Medical Services to support improved Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing.

To find out more – https://cesphn.org.au/general-practice/help-my-patients-with/aboriginal-health

News and announcements

IMPORTANT – New standards requirements for reprocessing reusable medical devices (RMD’s)

The Australian Commission on Quality and Safety in Health Care has released two new advisories relating to RMDs in health facilities, including effective and safe reprocessing, storage, handling and transportation.

To find out more – https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/newsroom/national-standards-updates/pchs2401-national-safety-and-quality-primary-and-community-healthcare-standards-requirements-reprocessing-reusable-medical-devices-practices

Australia’s health practitioner regulators are united that family violence is unacceptable

In a joint statement, health practitioners are reminded that they play an essential and critical role in the early detection, support, referral, and delivery of specialised treatment of those experiencing family violence as they are often the first point of contact for victim-survivors.

To read the statement – https://www.ahpra.gov.au/News/2024-11-27-joint-media-statement.aspx

Department of Veterans’ Affairs New e-Learning Platform – VETs HeLP

Health providers can now access information and educational resources that they need to support veterans and families, in the one, easy-to-navigate elearning platform.  VETs HeLP equips health professionals to address the unique health needs of veterans.

To find out more – https://www.dva.gov.au/providers/provider-news/vets-help-elearning-platform-helping-providers-help-veterans

Save the date – Primary Health Care Nurses Day

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’.

To find out more and how you can be involved – https://www.apna.asn.au/profession/primary-health-care-nurses-day

Infection prevention and control

RACGP – Frequently asked questions

This document accompanies the Infection prevention and control guidelines for general practices and other office-based and community-based practices (IPC Guidelines), providing answers to questions frequently received by the Standards team.

To view – https://www.racgp.org.au/FSDEDEV/media/documents/Running%20a%20practice/Practice%20standards/5th%20edition/Infection-prevention-and-control-guidelines-FAQ-2024.pdf

Other learning opportunities and programs

St George Hospital Nurse Grand Rounds Webinar Series – 2025

Hear from some of the amazing CNC’s from St George Hospital covering various topics relating to patient presentations in general practice.

Keep an eye on our events calendar for dates in 2025 – https://connect.cesphn.org.au/Events

APNA’s LGBTIQ+ Inclusive Practice in Health Care Training Module

This module will provide you with an introduction to the diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) communities, common barriers that exist for LGBTIQ+ people accessing health care services and the importance of inclusive language in health care settings. Completing this module provides nurses with the opportunity to enhance reflection on their role as a primary health care nurse in relation to their own inclusive practice.

To find out more – https://www.apna.asn.au/product/detail/cbeeb6ab-f6bd-ed11-80e2-005056be66b1

Have your say

APNA’S 2024 Workforce Survey

APNA would like to hear from you to see how they can better support you in 2025.

To complete the survey – https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7920219/2bec938793a7

Immunisation Update

For the latest Immunisation update please click here – https://cesphn.org.au/general-practice/practice-support-and-development/immunisation-gp/immunisation-news-alerts