Farewell Faye Goulburn Valley
This week we say goodbye to Murray PHN Executive Director Faye Hosie who is leaving the organisation to spend more time with her family. We thank Faye for her leadership in the Goulburn Valley office over the past two years and the contribution she's made to improving health outcomes in the region.
Mental health community event grants mental health
The Royal Flying Doctors Service Victoria is providing funding for community groups to run events in their community to address mental health in the areas of: social inclusion, mental health associated disability, alcohol and other drugs, mental health stigma, mental health education, mental health carer support/respite, gender diversity and domestic violence. Click here for more details.
Get ready for the implementation of the Medical Treatment Planning and Decisions Act care planning
From 12 March 2018, the Medical Treatment Planning and Decisions Act 2016 will provide a framework for medical treatment decision making for people who do not have the capacity to make their own decisions. The Act includes some significant changes for health practitioners and for the community.
The Act will give people greater opportunity to make their own medical treatment decisions that are more in line with contemporary views. A key change is the ability to make decisions for future medical conditions, where previously this could only be done for current conditions. Click here for more information. Medicare funded BRCA testing for high risk patients cancer
People at high risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer now qualify for free genetic testing under Medicare. The testing will be provided for free once a specialist or consultant physician assesses the risk and orders testing.
The genetic test had cost patients between $600 and $2000 out-of-pocket in the past. Increased access to the test means more patients with gene mutations are likely to be identified.
Item number 73297 allows testing when a mutation has already been identified in a blood relative. Item number 73296 allows testing in a patient who has had cancer and has at least a 10 per cent or higher chance that a mutation is present, belongs to a specific heritage group, or has a specific type of cancer such as triple negative at or before age 40 or invasive non mucinous ovarian cancer at or before 70. Click here for more information.
Know when anxiety is talking mental health
beyondblue has launched a new national anxiety campaign, Know When Anxiety is Talking, aimed at promoting a better understanding of anxiety as a common mental health condition. It highlights early recognition of the symptoms, and encourages people to take action to manage their anxiety.
Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia. One in four people (one in three women and one in five men) will experience anxiety at some stage in their life. The beyondblue website is packed with resources to learn more about anxiety, complete the Anxiety Checklist and discover how to get support. For more information on the campaign click here.
My Aged Care referral pathway changes aged care
A reminder that the referral pathway for community nursing and allied health services for older people funded through the Commonwealth Home Support Program has changed.
Referrals are now required to be made through the My Aged Care platform unless the client has immediate need for services. This is in line with other Commonwealth Home Support Program services such as home care services, domestic assistance, social support, flexible respite, meals and home maintenance. For more information, click here.
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