In this episode, Dr Tanusha speaks with Dr Claire Fotheringham, who is a Senior Medical Officer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology with Queensland Health. 

QVEMToPS is a statewide virtual service delivered by the Queensland Virtual Hospital. It provides eligible women and pregnant people across Queensland with access to an early medical termination of pregnancy up to 9 weeks (63 days) gestation.

Visit the QVEMToPS site to refer a patient or to check eligibility.

In this episode, Dr Tanusha speaks with Dr Candice Holland and Paula Hale, who are members of Metro North Health's Sexual Health team.

They discuss the services of the first Nurse Navigator for Sexual Health, based within the Queensland Syphilis Surveillance Service (QSSS).

Located at the Metro North Public Health Unit, but responsible for southern Queensland, the QSSS enables accurate monitoring of syphilis infections and contributes to the clinical management of people infected with syphilis by providing support for the clinicians who treat them.

Resources

Queensland Clinical Guidelines - Syphilis and pregnancy

Queensland Syphilis Action Plan 2023 – 2028 Overview

For further information or to seek support, advice, or referrals to the Nurse Navigator, primary care professionals are encouraged to contact the QSSS on 1800 032 238 or email [email protected].

In this episode, Dr Tanusha speaks with Danielle Pentony, who is the Chief Information Security Officer at the Australian Digital Health Agency. 
They discuss cyber security and what it means in the context of primary care, and why its essential for protecting patient data and ensuring the resilience of healthcare services.

Resources

For everyone:

• Cyber security for digital health privacy

For practices:

• Small business | Cyber.gov.au

• Cyber security for healthcare providers
• Cyber security training and support
• Cyber security fundamentals
• Cyber security awareness

Cyber Outreach Program

• Uplifting hygiene of small and medium businesses through their Cyber Champions Network - which is a community of healthcare professionals who choose to come together to foster a security conscious healthcare ecosystem. Launched in mid-August 2024, the Cyber Champions Network is a program aimed at enhancing cyber capability within Australia’s healthcare system, including fostering an informed and resilient healthcare workforce.  

• The Agency is also working towards strengthening current information sharing practices for sharing of cyber threat information with the healthcare community. This will support an uplift in cyber knowledge and awareness in the healthcare community by enabling knowledge sharing with trusted peak bodies and health organisations. The Agency actively monitors potential cyber security risks through their dedicated Cyber Security Team and sends out alerts and advice regarding relevant threats to the health sector: Digital Health Cyber Security Alerts.

• Basic Cyber Security Training to help practices understand the concepts of cyber security and the fundamentals for better cyber hygiene: DHSA2023 | DigitalHealth

In this episode, Dr Tanusha speaks with Director and Occupational and Environmental Physician at ⁠Phoenix Occupational Medicine⁠, Dr Sid O'Toole.

As a Medical Specialist, Dr O'Toole is an industry leader, always seeking opportunities to make improvements in the occupational health and safety space.

Dr Tanusha and Dr O'Toole discuss the relationship between GPs and Occupational and Environmental Physicians in supporting patients to return to work, and preventing work-related injuries and illnesses.

In this episode, Dr Tanusha speaks with Dr Ben Brimblecombe, who is a Public Health Registrar at the Darling Downs Public Health Unit, about an increased incidence of JE across the region, and the importance of mosquito prevention.

Resources

Eligibility: Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccination centres | Queensland Health

Prevention: Japanese encephalitis | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government

In this episode, Dr Tanusha speaks with Dr Catherine Quagliotto, Public Health Physician at the West Moreton Public Health Unit, about what GPs need to look out for in the recovery phase of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Dr Tanusha also provides an update on key services, and how the PHN is here to support practices in the recovery phase.

Resources

• Queensland Government: Flood health and safety
• Subscribe to our alerts
• SMS Emergency Alerts
• Is your practice disaster ready?
• Find your local disaster information

Remember the PHN is here to support. If you have any queries, please contact [email protected].

In this episode, Dr Tanusha speaks with Fran Avon, who is the CEO of Rural Doctors Foundation. 

Rural Doctors Foundation is a national rural health charity and exists to give those in rural and remote regions better access to lifesaving healthcare.

In this episode, Dr Tanusha speaks with Angela Wilkinson, who is West Moreton Health's Assistant Director of Nursing - SOPD Optimisation, about their referral process. 

Resources

• Refer your patient | West Moreton Health

• Important numbers for GPs in the West Moreton region

In this episode, Dr Tanusha speaks with Dr Theresa Johnson, who is the Deputy Director of Medical Services at Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service.

In this episode, Dr Jo speaks with Karen MacKellar, who is the Clinical Nurse Consultant for the Voluntary Assisted Dying service at Darling Downs Health.

Referral to VAD

Phone number: Phone 07 4616 6000 or email [email protected] with patient name, date of birth and their contact details or go through Medical Objects or HealthPathways

Legislation

Voluntary assisted dying information for health professionals:

https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/voluntary-assisted-dying

Darling Downs HealthPathways:

Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD): https://darlingdowns.communityhealthpathways.org/613209.htm

Voluntary Assisted Dying Referral:

End of Life: https://darlingdowns.communityhealthpathways.org/152004.htm

Last Days of Life: https://darlingdowns.communityhealthpathways.org/24336.htm

West Moreton HealthPathways:

Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD): https://westmoreton.communityhealthpathways.org/613209.htm

Voluntary Assisted Dying Referral: https://westmoreton.communityhealthpathways.org/1086558.htm