PSCML NEWS

News from Perth South Coastal Medicare Local

SPRING 2012

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Spring 2012

From Managing Director Peter Cook

Welcome… The Commonwealth Government National Health Reform has now led to the whole of Australia being under the Medicare Local banner, and the reform agenda is well and truly underway. Due to the challenges of coordinating establishment across two Divisions of General Practice, whose respective boundaries spanned two Medicare Local regions, we got off to a somewhat difficult start, but can now confidently state we have embraced the spirit of health reform through Medicare Locals and are positioning to be the major player in primary health in our region. Perhaps the most significant step in achieving this goal has been the hard work of the Board and staff to establish a process of determining policy and strategy that is driven by a ground-up approach while embracing community, stakeholders and partners. This ‘take the Medicare Local to the people’ philosophy has seen five Medicare Local launches in each of the five Local Government areas of the Medicare Local. All have been very well attended with strong local community representation and robust discussion at each launch. A key discussion point at the launches related to the establishment of Regional Health Reference Groups in each Local Government area, and a Primary Care Advisory Committee, comprising skill and expertise needed to support the Board’s decision making processes.

Community members interested in either of these two representational bodies should watch out for local advertising, the PSCML web page, Twitter and Facebook for more information.

Early work of the PSCML has included conducting a GP After Hours needs assessment report, and an overall population health needs assessment which will assist the Board in determining health priorities, identifying gaps in health services, and developing strategies to address local needs. Now only six months into full scale operation, we have hit the ground running with service delivery outcomes. Perhaps our most significant achievement to date has been the announcement of a Mandurah GP After Hours Clinic in Anstruther Road, Mandurah. The establishment of the GP After Hours Clinic is a great example of the methodology that PSCML will use to introduce new programs.

Service data analysis has demonstrated significantly lower rates of participation in After Hours services in the Mandurah, Murray and Waroona region compared with Rockingham and Kwinana. The gap in after hours service capacity in the region was investigated further through consumer and provider surveys, and a service model for the Mandurah GP After Hours Clinic was developed. This service, based on a cooperative model of care, has been supported by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, and WA Health as addressing a significant service gap for the region.

PSCML has been able to capitalise on the Clinic’s office space available during the day time to expand its Living Well programs, which includes diabetes education, lifestyle education, smoking cessation, and a range of self-management programs. All programs will be promoted to General Practice and the community through our website, at Regional Health Reference Group meetings, and through our Primary Health Care Support team. Finally, it is pertinent to mention the establishment of the Super Clinic in Rockingham which will be managed by the PSCML when it opens in approximately two years. This facility will not only provide services directly, but significantly it will act as a hub to deliver programs and activities for the Kwinana and Mandurah region, thereby assisting the PSCML to deliver on its key message of ‘connecting health to meet local needs’. Exciting times ahead……

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Spring 2012

In this issue

PM announces GP Super Clinic page 4

Director General of Indigenous Affairs Visits Moorditj Koort page 11

Medicare Local Launches page 5 to 7

Also in this issue page 8 Federal Minister for Health Tanya Plibersek inspects GP Super Clinic page 9 Federal Minister for Mental Health Mark Butler announces headspace page 10 Rockingham unites on suicide prevention page 12 Telehealth update page 13 Diabetes scholarships announced page 15 Antibiotics Awareness

Next issue: Meet the

PSCML Board

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Spring 2012

GP Super Clinic for Rockingham

The Perth South Coastal Medicare Local area received a $7 million boost when Prime Minister Julia Gillard visited to announce the funding of a GP Super Clinic in central Rockingham.

Ms Gillard made the announcement and inspected plans for the 1,254m2 site on the corner of Civic Boulevard and Central Promenade – across the road from the Rockingham Shopping Centre and close to public transport and the central business district, owned by Rockingham Division of General Practice to be managed by Perth South Coastal Medicare Local. Ms Gillard spoke positively of the Super Clinic’s role in providing health services and chronic disease management as well as its educational role – training university students. The Super Clinic has been given the green light from Rockingham Council with Deputy Mayor Deb Hamblin saying the announcement represented a significant victory for Rockingham.

Above: Prime Minister Julia Gillard inspects plans for the GP Super Clinic with PSCML Managing Director Peter Cook and RKDGP Board Chairperson Dr Andrew Png. Top right: Population Health and Planning Manager Janet West with Prime Minister Julia Gillard Bottom right: PSCML Corporate Services and Business Manager Karen Reilly with PM Julia Gillard.

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Spring 2012

Waroona The first information session and launch was held in the picturesque town of Waroona (population 2,500). Local pharmacists, GPs, charity workers and even a five-day-old baby came to hear Managing Director Peter Cook’s presentation, with extremely positive feedback given. The audience particularly welcomed the announcement of the Mandurah GP After Hours Clinic.

September and October were busy for Medicare Local staff as they travelled across the 4,804 km2 of the Perth South Coast Medicare Local region to introduce the Medicare Local to stakeholders including local health care providers, GP’s, pharmacists, other service providers and interested members of the community.

PSCML held five information sessions and launches – in Waroona, Pinjarra, Mandurah, Rockingham and Kwinana.

The information sessions were an opportunity for Medicare Local staff to meet with local stakeholders and to share what Medicare Locals are ‘all about’.

Topics included:

- What are Medicare Locals? - Objectives of Perth South Coastal Medicare Local - Programs provided by Perth South Coastal Medicare Local - Health needs and issues in the Perth South Coastal Medicare Local area - Advisory committees and Regional Health Reference Groups - Membership of Perth South Coastal Medicare Local

Information Sessions and Launches

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Spring 2012

Pinjarra Set in the historic Edenvale heritage buildings built in 1888, the Pinjarra Medicare Local Information Session and Launch was successful, with 11 of the town’s health care community listening to the presentation before exchanging further information and ideas during the question and answer session.

Mandurah Despite blustery weather, 56 community members and stakeholders filled the Halls Head Community Centre to hear Managing Director Peter Cook introduce Perth South Coastal Medicare Local. The question and answer session at the completion of the session focused on the Mandurah GP After Hours clinic, with audience members welcoming the announcement of the service. Mr Cook explained that each year approximately 2,000 people from Mandurah and surrounds travel to the Rockingham GP After Hours Clinic.

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Spring 2012

Rockingham 40 people attended the Rockingham PSCML information session and launch, which provided an opportunity to meet PSCML staff and become familiar with the health reforms and work currently being undertaken.

The question and answer session this time focused on the area of mental health, with many service providers expressing a desire to work together to address this important issue in the Rockingham area.

At the completion of the session, agencies networked and traded ideas.

Kwinana 30 members of the Kwinana community filled the dramatic setting of the Koorliny Arts Centre where Managing Director Peter Cook presented the Perth South Coastal Medicare Local launch and information session and also announced the groundbreaking FIFO research being undertaken in conjunction with Curtin University.

Feedback was positive with a number of community members requesting more information about Perth South Coastal Medicare Local’s mental health programs.

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Spring 2012

Super Clinic site inspection

Perth South Coastal Medicare Local Managing Director

Peter Cook met with Federal Minister for Health

Tanya Plibersek to inspect the site of the soon-to-be-

completed GP Super Clinic.

Minister Plibersek expressed support for the clinic which

was deliberately chosen due to its ideal location

opposite Rockingham Shopping Centre in Rockingham’s

commercial district and close to public transport links.

Plenty of parking is also available.

“It (the Super Clinic) means people in Rockingham will

have access to health care where they need it, when

they need it,” Minister Plibersek said.

Mr Cook described the GP Super Clinic as the most

significant announcement for primary health

infrastructure in the region.

“Patients presenting at the GP Super Clinic will be able

to receive coordinated care in one location,” he said.

“For example, a person newly diagnosed with diabetes

could receive treatment, including podiatry, diabetes

education and if appropriate counselling and support

with their treatment regime. Their progress will then be

shared with their GP.

“Additionally, the clinic’s state-of-the-art facilities will

attract health professionals the community desperately

needs. The Super Clinic will also cater for the education

and training of university students undertaking health

studies, with the hope some will take up positions in the

Super Clinic upon graduation.”

Federal Minister for Health Tanya Plibersek visits the GP Super Clinic site

Above: Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels, Member for Brand Gary Gray, Federal Minister for Health Tanya Plibersek, PSCML Managing Director Peter Cook and Chairman Andrew Png inspect the site of Rockingham’s GP Super Clinic. Below: Peter Cook and Federal Minister for Health Tanya Plibersek

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Spring 2012

headspace for Rockingham

The health of local young people took a step forward as Perth South Coastal Medicare Local Managing Director Peter Cook, Chief Operating Officer Paul Hersey and Population Health and Planning Manager Janet West joined with headspace consortium members to meet with Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Mark Butler to discuss the new headspace centre for Rockingham.

Perth South Coastal Medicare Local is the leading agency for the local headspace consortium.

Also contributing to the discussion was City of Rockingham Director of Community Development Gay Thornton, Member for Brand Gary Gray and manager of YouthReach South Anthony Collier.

CEO Peter Cook said the headspace centre was much-needed in the area, and would provide health advice, support and information for young people aged 12 to 25, including mental health and counseling services, alcohol and drug support, education, employment and other complementary services.

“headspace will help to address this need and assist young people in our community,” Mr Cook said. Rockingham headspace is expected to be housed in the new GP Super Clinic. Below: Federal Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Mark Butler with City of Rockingham Acting Manager of Community Support Services Alicia Kilminster and Director of Community Development Gay Thornton, Member for Brand Gary Gray, Weekend Courier journalist

Katelyn Booth and PSCML Managing Director Peter Cook

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Spring 2012

Rockingham Unites on Suicide

Prevention

October 4 was an important day for suicide prevention in Rockingham, as 13 organisations came together to pledge support for the One Life Suicide Prevention strategy and receive certificates from Minister for Mental Health Helen Morton.

The strategy includes the introduction of suicide prevention initiatives within the workplace including training staff in mental health well-being and suicide prevention strategies and communicating stigma-reducing messages via newsletters, messages on payslips, staff inductions and presentations.

Pledgers included the City of Rockingham, WA Police, RUAH, Perth South Coastal Medicare Local, PARK, Celebrate Recovery, South Coastal Women’s Health Services, Bridging the Gap, Department of Defence, Anglicare WA, Star of the Sea Catholic School, Safety Bay Senior High School and St. Patrick Community Support Services.

Minister for Mental Health Helen Morton praised their commitment in prioritising suicide prevention within the workplace.

Top left: Mental Health Minister Helen Morton, One Life Network Coordinator Ariana Kaa and Agency Coordinator Clive Elliott, PSCML Clinical Services Manager Maureen Roberson and One Life Community Coordinator Ainslie Bayley

Below: One Life suicide prevention pledgers with their certificates

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Spring 2012

Moorditj Koort News

Manager Jonathon Ford met with the Director General of the Department of Indigenous Affairs, Clive Weeks (pictured) welcoming him to Moorditj Koort and briefing him on the many services it provides: -Maternal Care and Coordination Support Services program

-health clinics at Medina Primary School

-Clontarf boy’s health and well-being checks

-chronic disease programs

-diabetes education

-other outreach and support services.

Mr Ford said the centre had been widely embraced by the Medina and Kwinana community.

Mr Ford described the meeting with Mr Weeks as “positive”.

It is the latest in a long line of political meetings for Mr Ford. In recent months he has met with the Directors of the National Congress of Australia’s First People, Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs Warren Snowdon as well as Member for Kwinana Roger Cook and Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams, who is also a member of the Moorditj Koort board.

Moorditj Koort’s Aboriginal Maternal Health program recently celebrated its first birthday with face painting, bouncy castles and some very cute babies.

Acting manager Karen Waigana said the program had assisted 60 pregnant women, providing support to local Aboriginal mothers (or women having Aboriginal babies), their partners and families throughout pregnancy.

Support includes transport assistance to GP appointments, access to midwives and antenatal classes and cultural support through specially chosen "grandmothers".

To access the program clients must be between 6 and 36 weeks pregnant and live in the Rockingham or Kwinana area.

Left: Jodie Jeans and daughter Makayla Little. Right: Amber Harvey’s son Jayceon Brahim.

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Spring 2012

Telehealth News Sometimes described as “the future of health”, telehealth is improving communication and facilitating access to health professionals regardless of geographical location. Here we give an overview of Perth South Coastal Medicare Local’s telehealth role and objectives. Who? Business Development Manager Tom Moreton is overseeing Perth South Coastal Medicare Local’s Telehealth initiative which aims to build awareness and increase the use of telehealth in both our region and throughout the South-West in conjunction with the South West WA Medicare Local (SWWAML). SWWAML and PSCML have built excellent working relationships and have received important input from key stakeholders such as Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and Rural Health West.

We now also sit on a WA Telehealth Advisory Group that aims to build cross organisational relationships for telehealth projects in Western Australia.

What? Telehealth can be defined as ‘delivering care remotely’ by clinician’s to patients, and is most often achieved through the use of mediums such as the internet (ie videoconferencing) and can involve either software or hardware solutions. It aims to provide better access to care, ie patients having to travel to large cities to visit Specialist Doctors could possibly receive care remotely via telehealth over the internet.

How? PSCML was successful in gaining AMLA funding for a Telehealth Support Officer program for the FY12-13 year and is operating a joint program with the South West WA Medicare Local) and this joint partnership approach to delivering the initiative across both a metro and regional area is both beneficial and unique.

Why? We aim to make the program as effective as possible across a large regional area which has many unique local health needs and a highly dispersed population.

We are also developing our eHealth program for the next two years, in line with new funding from the Department of Health and Ageing

For more information about telehealth, visit http://www.amlalliance.com.au/medicare-local-support/telehealth or http://www.racgp.org.au/your-practice/e-health/telehealth/

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Spring 2012

Diabetes Scholarships Announced

Continuing its fight against diabetes, Perth South Coastal Medicare Local has awarded its first annual diabetes scholarships to two local registered nurses. The scholarships are in response to the need for an increased diabetes education workforce in the region and have been awarded to Murray Medical’s Won Hee Han and Pinjarra Doctors’ Karin Dickson. For both nurses, their interest in helping people with diabetes is a personal one – with close family members diagnosed with the chronic disease. “I would describe helping people with diabetes as a passion,” said Karin. “My older sister was undiagnosed for 16 years and by the time she found out, she had damage to her nerves and eyes. “Diabetes can have devastating effects and I want to help as many people as I can. It’s a bit of a personal quest.” For Won, who graduated from Curtin University 12months ago, heading back to the university is part of her long term aspirations to increase her knowledge of diabetes. “Diabetes was an area of interest for me, even before I obtained my degree,” she said. “I run the diabetes clinic at Murray Medical Centre on Monday and Wednesdays so was very pleased to hear that I was awarded a scholarship. “I have family members with diabetes and I want to do all I can to help people manage their diabetes.” Commencing in 2013, the nurses will have their course fees in the Curtin Postgraduate Diabetes Education course paid as well as access to an experienced diabetes educator mentor who will provide support throughout the course, and during the credentialing process. The one-year course is part time and is mainly done via correspondence, outside of working hours, ensuring minimal impact on practices. PSCML Managing Director Peter Cook announcing the scholarships, said they would further diabetes education in both Mandurah and Pinjarra. “Diabetes is a growing area of concern, with diabetes complications among the top five reasons for avoidable hospitalisation for the region between 2006-2010,” Mr Cook said. “I congratulate both Won and Karin on being our first scholarship recipients and we encourage them in their endeavours to make a difference in the Perth South Coastal Medicare Local area.” Perth South Coastal Medicare Local has an existing extensive diabetes education service and practices can refer patients to trained diabetes educators for ongoing management, support and information about diabetes.

Left: Pinjarra Doctors nurse Karin Dickson with patient Raymond Pease.

Right: Murray Medical

Centre nurse Won Hee Han.

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Spring 2012

Type 2 Diabetes: Priorities and targets

Perth South Coastal Medicare Local, in partnership with NPS Medicineswise is offering a program on:

Type 2 Diabetes: Priorities and targets.

This program provides a valuable opportunity to discuss up-to-date, independent, practical, evidence-based

information on current therapeutic issues with a highly skilled NPS facilitator as a one-on-one meeting, or with other

general practitioners.

This program will focus on:

The importance of addressing blood pressure and lipids as a priority in people with type 2 diabetes

The need to individualise blood glucose targets based on patient factors and duration of disease

Glucose-lowering medicine options when intensifying glycaemic therapy

What’s in it for me?

An opportunity to discuss evidence-based information and access key resources

Time-efficient learning with the NPS Medicineswise visitor, Helen Brown

A Quality Prescribing Incentive (QPI) activity within the Practice Incentives Program and eligible for RACGP QI

& CPD and/or ACRRM program points

To participate please provide your details:

Name: __________________________ Practice name: _______________________

Preferred Time: ___________ Day: _______________ Date: ____________________

Phone No.: ____________ Would you like a One-on-one visit or a group meeting?

Email or fax this page to:

Cindy Brannigan

Fax: 9527 1193 Email: cbrannigan@pscml.com.au

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Spring 2012

Antibiotics Awareness

Over-use of antibiotics has caused bacteria to develop resistance to their effects and we are now seeing previously simple bacterial infections becoming very difficult to treat. This means that there is an increasing need to use more toxic second and third line antibiotics to elicit a cure. Antibiotic resistance by bacteria is a worldwide problem and is one of the World Health Organisation’s top health priorities. In order to increase awareness of this problem and to help both doctors and patients minimise the spread of resistant bacteria, NPS MedicineWise commenced a national campaign earlier this year. Consumer information was provided through television and social media and a health professional campaign was also undertaken. (Go to http://www.nps.org.au/bemedicinewise/antibiotic_resistance for more information on the consumer campaign.) The health professional campaign involved one-on-one visits between trained NPS educators and General Practitioners. The key messages were:

Antibiotic resistance requires consideration at both a population and individual level.

Establish a patient’s beliefs and expectations about antibiotics for acute RTIs and tailor communication strategies accordingly.

Encourage self-management of acute RTIs and explain why antibiotics may not be appropriate.

Consider the issue of resistance when prescribing antibiotics.

Consider clinical usefulness and the associated risks to your patient before ordering an imaging test

The main focus was on the potential for over-prescribing of antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). There is minimal evidence for a significant effect of antibiotics in many URTIs and yet there is a strong culture in Australian society of the need for antibiotics in such situations.

Changing this widely (and deeply) held belief can be problematic within the time constraints of a GP consultation.

From our Quality Use of Medicines Pharmacist Helen Brown

In 2007, the World Health Organisation listed the discovery of antibiotics as the third most useful 'invention' of the past 100 years and yet now they are warning us that we are heading towards a return to the pre-antibiotic era.

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Spring 2012

Antibiotics continued… In order to support GPs to NOT prescribe antibiotics when they determine they are not necessary, NPS MedicineWise provided symptomatic management pads that the doctors agreed were very useful to patients. These pads contain information on what can be done to overcome infections, e.g. analgesics, fluid intake, rest and good hygiene to prevent the spread of the infection to others. Throughout the program delivery in Rockingham and Kwinana, 41 individual GPs and 10 practice nurses were spoken to. There were also several community group discussions to increase the awareness of the lay person about their role in preventing the spread of antibiotic resistance. If you would like further information about how bacterial resistance is spread (between bacteria and/or between people) or about ways to minimise this problem, please contact Helen Brown at Perth South Coastal Medicare Local.

FIFO Study

In response to the large numbers of Fly In Fly Out workers in the area, Perth South Coastal Medicare Local has teamed with Dr Robyn Mayes, the author of Peel Away the Mask II and a research fellow at John Curtin Institute of Public Policy to conduct research on the health and wellbeing of the workers and their families. Focusing on Kwinana FIFO workers and their families, the research will include focus groups as well as one-on-one interviews.

Phone interviews can also be arranged.

Managing Director Peter Cook described the research as important and ground-breaking. “In the past there has been a lot of anecdotal information, but very little concrete research into the impacts of Fly In Fly Out employment on workers and their families,” he said.

“This research will assist us to understand the social determinants and have a holistic approach to health.”

Curtin University researcher Dr Robyn Mayes (left) and Perth South Coastal Medicare Local Population Health and Planning Manager

Janet West

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Spring 2012

Child Psychology

Child Psychologist Amy Burgoyne has joined the Perth South Coastal Medicare Local team

Hi everyone! My name is Amy and I am the clinical psychologist registrar for the new child mental health service. My role is to help kids up to the age of 12 years who are struggling with mental health issues.

I help children with a range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, coping after stressful events, grief, low self-esteem, obsessions, sleep difficulties, and problems in their relationships. A great benefit of this service is that a child does not need to be diagnosed with a mental health disorder to be referred to me; a GP just needs to show that they are at risk.

Living Well Lifestyle Education

Perth South Coastal Medicare Local Living Well Lifestyle Educator Kate Gregory presented an information session to members of Rockingham’s defence community recently, giving information about eating guidelines and tips on eating correctly while their partner is away. “It’s easy to get in the habit of not cooking proper meals when you are on your own, due to being tired, running a household and having limited support from family who may be located elsewhere,” Ms Gregory said.

She guided them through the health benefits of eating well, looking after physical and mental well-being as well as describing further PSCML programs that may be of assistance.

The presentation was successful and Ms Gregory has been invited to attend the Defence Expo in February to present further information about PSCML programs, conduct blood pressure checks and provide general health and wellbeing information.

Top: Community development officer Shari Freeman and PSCML’s Kate Gregory. Front: Family liaison officer Nikki Bruechert, Military support officer Warrant Officer 1 Brett Postans and Social worker Kate Haughey.

This service has a short term and early intervention focus and is suitable for children with mild to moderate symptoms. I use a range of interventions, with an emphasis on family-friendly approaches that build on the strengths of a family. I am always happy to answer questions about this service or general child mental health concerns, so please don’t hesitate to contact me.

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Spring 2012

Stay On Your Feet Week

Quality Use of Medicines Pharmacist Helen Brown (right) represented Perth South Coastal Medicare Local at the City of Rockingham’s Stay on Your Feet Week event at the Gary Holland Centre recently.

Attracting hundreds of seniors, the event was an ideal opportunity for Helen to provide information about the safe and effective use of medicines including the benefits of Home Medicine Reviews.

Helen said the event was successful with a number of people expressing interest - asking questions and taking pamphlets.

Madora Bay Fun Run

It’s not everyone’s idea of fun, but two of Perth South Coastal Medicare Locals staff took part in The Good Guys Madora Bay fun run on October 14, raising important funds for the White Ribbon campaign to stop domestic violence while keeping fit.

Kellie Wilson, PSCML’s Clinical Services Program Support Officer and Diabetes Educator Sue Youngman completed the 9km course, and as the photograph proves, still managed a smile at the end.

Kellie placed a respectable 58th out of 360 participants with a time of 45 minutes.

Kellie and Sue are now in training for the HBF Run for a Reason and the City to Surf.

Sue Youngman (left) and Kellie Wilson (right).

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Spring 2012