Vision Initiative coming soon to Moira Shire eye health
The Vision Initiative and Murray PHN are working in partnership to eliminate avoidable blindness and vision loss in Moira Shire. Moira Shire residents are identified at being at increased risk of vision loss with 19 per cent never having had an eye test. In Australia, 90 per cent of vision loss is preventable or treatable, if detected early.
General practices are often the first point of contact a person has with the health system and play a critical role in identifying patients at risk of eye conditions, educating them on eye health and vision care and referring them to have regular eye examinations. To assist with integrating eye health and vision care into general practice, the Vision Initiative will be meeting with general practices across the shire to provide information about the program and free resources for your practice and patients.
These visits will take place from May 2018. If you would like to organise a meeting in advance, call the Vision Initiative on 9656 2020 alternatively you will be contacted by a Vision Initiative team member. For more information on the Vision Initiative visit visioninitiative.org.auFlu and other adult vaccines can be recorded on Australian Immunisation Register immunisation
Your patients may need proof of vaccination for employment or to enrol in child care or school. You can record vaccines on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) for people of all ages. This includes vaccines for adults such as Zostavax, pneumococcal and private vaccines for flu and travel.
The quickest way to submit information to the AIR is using your practice management software or the AIR site. If you don’t have access to the AIR site, you can request access. Patients can see their Immunisation History Statement by using their Medicare online account through myGov. They can also use the Express Plus Medicare mobile app.
Cervical screening and women aged under 25 cancer screening
A reminder that on 1 December 2017, the National Cervical Screening Program was renewed and the Pap test was replaced by the human papillomavirus (HPV) Cervical Screening Test. Routine cervical screening is now recommended for women aged 25 to 74 years old.
Pap tests are no longer eligible for Medicare rebates - patients may be charged if this test is requested. Routine cervical screening is not recommended for women under the age of 25. These patients may be charged for pathology testing of routine cervical screening tests. Patients of any age - including those aged under 25 and over 74 years - with abnormal vaginal bleeding require diagnostic testing, which is covered by Medicare. For more information, click here.
Hepatitis A information for homeless rough sleepers immunisation
The Department of Health and Human Services has announced a public campaign to provide information about hepatitis A and the availability of its associated vaccine. Rough sleepers are now able to access the vaccine after evidence has emerged that they are at an increased risk of developing the acute infection.
The department has developed a guide that can be shared with members of the public and others who do not have a medical background. Click here for more details.
'Ask the Flying Doctor' service launched telehealth
The Royal Flying Doctor Service's (RFDS) has launched 'Ask the Flying Doctor,' an initiative designed to help GPs practicing in rural Victoria seek specialist RFDS advice to help treat and manage patients. The free service offers access to leading specialists, including psychiatry, respiratory and endocrinology, who are part of the Flying Doctor Telehealth service.
'Ask the Flying Doctor' has evolved out of broad consultation and feedback from many rural GPs across Victoria that often practice in isolation. The email support service offers GPs the option to seek an opinion from one of the RFDS Victoria specialist team. Click here for more information.
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