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Welcome... The Peninsula GP Network is a general practitioner governed organisation that aims to enhance the quality of general practitioner services and improve the health of the local community. These aims are met by the provision of education and information to GPs and the community on a range of current health issues, improving the integration of health care in the local area and improving population health outcomes. Latest News....16th August 2010 ALERTS Cease using Panvax H1N1 2009 Junior pre-filled syringes  30 August 2010 Cease using Panvax H1N1 2009 Junior pre-filled syringes as the vaccine has expired - The upate is an urgent communication from the Immunisation Branch at the Department of Health. Please see here for the immunisation update. Measles Alert for GPs & Emergency Departments - 18 August 2010 The Department of Health (DH) has been notified of 2 confirmed cases of measles in travellers who returned from South Africa on 3 August 2010. With an average incubation period of 10 to 14 days until onset of rash, secondary cases may now be appearing. Children or adults born during or since 1966 who do not have documented evidence of receiving 2 doses of a measles containing vaccine or documented evidence of laboratory confirmed measles are considered to be highly susceptible to measles. Please read the full alert on Measle Alert The full alert raises triage issues for practice staff when patients present at the front desk with suspected measles. Previous Alerts can be located at the Previous Alerts page. PGPN and Primary Health Care Organisations The Board, following its ‘Visioning Day’ meeting on 26th May, has endeavoured to discuss with all the major primary health stakeholders locally the concept of facilitating the creation of Peninsula PHCO. The Board has convened a PHCO committee who have been meeting regularly to look at possible options which may work for our local area. It has been difficult to date with very scant detail about the role and function of these organisations and hence we have not canvassed our membership widely as there are so few so details. At the moment, whilst in Federal election mode the Health Reform process has stalled due to the caretaker mode of the Government departments. Following the August 21st election result the Board intends to enter into a range of forums to canvas the views of you, the membership, about the prospect of working with a PHCO in our local area. New Diabetes, Depression & Anxiety DVD Diabetes Australia – Vic and beyondblue have produced a new free DVD Taking Control: Diabetes, Depression & Anxiety. The DVD features stories from people living with diabetes and depression/anxiety as well as advice from health professionals. Visit the Beyond Blue website to order your free copy. General Practice Supervision Payments Last Wednesday the Government announced a 20 per cent increase to the allowance payable to GPs who supervise doctors enrolled in general practice training. Please see attached Media Release Workforce_Media Release GP Supervision Payments COAG Outcomes and Effects on General Practice On the 20th April 2010 the Council of Australian Governments, with the exception of Western Australia agreed that from July 2011 that the Commonwealth will have full funding and policy responsibility for general practice and primary health care. This will evenually have significant impact on general practice as we now know it. A summary of the details can be obtained from COAG_COAGhere.> PGPN Events GPs and practice staff can see an up to date list of events being run by the Network by clicking on Events in the left hand navigation bar. Update of the Suspension of Seasonal Flu vaccine for Children Aged under 5 years old On Friday 30 July, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Professor Jim Bishop issued an update on the safety of administering the seasonal trivalent influenza vaccine to healthy children from 6 months to under 5 years of age lifting the current suspension. The advice therefore is that from 6 months of age children may be vaccinated with the appropriate dose of Vaxigrip® and Influvac® following a discussion of the risks and benefits of these vaccines with parents and guardians. This includes both children at risk of medical complications of influenza and healthy children. Vaccination of children in this age group with Fluvax® and Fluvax® Junior is not recommended due to the identified increase risk of febrile convulsions. To access the CMO advice please follow this link: CMO Specialist List Peninsula Health have produced a list of all specialists who work at the hospital. It is available from here Produced by the GP Liaison Unit it will be updated every 6 months. Peninsula Health GP Liaison Need any information about Peninsula Health Services? A good place to start is at the Peninsula Health GP Liaison page here.>. While there do the quick 2 minute survey on discharge summaries. From this page you can find information about outpatients, inpatients, maternity services, the emergency department, referral templates and much more. Positions Vacant The Peninsula GP Network website now has a page which list positions vacant and people looking for work in the Peninsula GP Network area. Practices can advertise for staff by contacting PGPN. This page also list positions vacant at Peninsula GP Network. The page can be accessed from here. Updating GP Details General practitioners and practice managers are reminded that GP and practice contact details are centrally held on a database adminstered by the Human Services Department. These contact details are used by hospitals and medical service providers for the provision of medical information such as discharge summaries, results etc. To check your details visit the web page here.> You can obtain a log in and then keep your information up to date. Medicare item numbers The Government has started rationalising the quantity of Medicare item numbers, and attached is an information sheet that outlines the changes to take place from 1 May 2010. here.> Electronic Referrals - Argus Medicare have simplified the requirements for electronic referrals. Electronic referrals sent via Argus to specialists are a valid form of referral; GPs are NOT required to electronically encrypt the message with their individual PKI key, the practice location PKI is sufficient. Full details are available here.> ALERTS Previous Alerts can be located at the  Previous Alerts page.