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The Healing Foundation has launched a series of fact sheets for general practitioners, dentists and aged care staff titled ‘Working with the Stolen Generations: understanding trauma’. The resources are designed to guide these professions on providing services to Stolen Generations…

Seven new Optimal Care Cancer Pathways (OCPs) are available to Gippsland general practitioners through the HealthPathways Gippsland. The pathways include information on screening, early detection, appropriate investigations and referrals, along with managing side effects and offering supportive care. The Aboriginal…

The Pain Revolution is hitting the roads of Gippsland next month with the aim of ‘breaking the cycle’ of chronic pain for people in regional locations. Supported by Gippsland Primary Health Network, the fourth annual Pain Revolution Rural Outreach Tour…

A counselling service for people that are bereaved by suicide is available to people in Gippsland. Gippsland Primary Health Network (Gippsland PHN) has partnered with Jesuit Social Services to deliver the Support After Suicide program. This program helps people impacted…

Gippsland communities, including those affected by recent bushfires, will be the first in Victoria to benefit from Beyond Blue’s NewAccess – a free program delivering practical advice about how to manage the pressures and stresses of everyday life. Designed by…

Health professionals across Gippsland have responded to the call to help and support communities in bushfire-affected areas experiencing mental and physical issues. It is also important that health professionals can identify when they too might need assistance, in particular issues…

The Federal Government is supplying additional surgical masks to Gippsland PHN for distribution and use by general practitioners, health workers as ’first responders’ and community pharmacists who are exposed to at-risk customers. General practitioners and pharmacists with a confirmed need…

Eating Disorders Victoria (EDV) has partnered with The Butterfly Foundation to deliver eating disorders education, training and support in Gippsland in 2020 - 21. This 18-month project has been funded by the Gippsland PHN and will see EDV providing face-to-face,…

Grants to assist in the longer-term recovery of bushfire-affected communities have been offered by Budget Direct as part of its Bushfire Recovery Fund. In an effort to help communities affected by the current bushfire crisis impacting large parts of Australian…

 World-renowned leader in the field of eating disorders, Clinical Psychologist, Professor Tracey Wade, will deliver a two-day workshop for Gippsland health professionals in Sale on 20 and 21 April. Organised by the Australian Psychological Society (APS), attendance is open exclusively…

Gippsland PHN commissions an innovative online program to support delivery of mental health services to children. Gippsland PHN Chief Executive officer, Amanda Proposch, said some of the resources may be helpful in assisting children impacted by bushfires manage worry and…

Gippsland Primary Health Network is offering grants of up to $30,000 to address the needs of drought and bushfire-affected communities in Gippsland with a focus on healing, recovery and resilience. The Australian Government has funded Gippsland PHN to deliver initiatives…

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has produced a checklist of key actions general practice can take now to safely assess a patient who may have novel coronavirus infection. A suggested checklist is available in a quick guide…

Healthdirect Australia is working closely with the Commonwealth, State and Territory Health Departments to ensure information and advice on the 2019 novel coronavirus is regularly updated. The healthdirect website includes the following information and tools: Specific information on the new…

A new HealthPathways has been created for Gippsland clinicians to access coronavirus assessment and referral information. HealthPathways Gippsland is an online portal, designed to be used by general practice at the point of care. The Australian Department of Health and…

2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) - Update 2 February 2020   Status: Active Date issued: 2 February 2020 (Update to Alert issued 31 January 2020) Issued by: Dr Brett Sutton, Chief Health Officer, Victoria Issued to: Clinicians and the Victorian public   Key messages As…

The Department of Veteran Affairs provides the Veteran Health Check for all former-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members. This is an opportunity for veterans across Gippsland to access a comprehensive health check with a General Practitioner (GP). Designed specifically for…

The Australian Government's Department of Health has released a collection of resources for the general public, health professionals and industry about novel coronavirus. To familiarise yourself with this information, go to https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/novel-coronavirus-resources

Persistent bushfire smoke has affected many parts of Australia this summer, bringing an increased risk of asthma flare-ups.   It’s crucial to speak with asthma patients about managing their symptoms, good asthma care and control, and steps they can take during bushfire season.…

Bushfire Recovery Victoria is a new permanent and dedicated agency that will work directly with local communities impacted by Victoria's devastating bushfires. Bushfire Recovery Victoria (BRV) is focused on the needs of Victorian communities, working closely with local residents to…

Heat Health Alert West and South Gippsland weather district Friday 31st January 2020 The Chief Health Officer has issued a heat health alert based on the Bureau of Meteorology 7-day forecast.  The forecast conditions may cause an increase in heat…

Heat Health Alert East Gippsland weather district Friday 31st January 2020 The Chief Health Officer has issued a heat health alert based on the Bureau of Meteorology 7-day forecast.  The forecast conditions may cause an increase in heat related illnesses…

 In recognition that many general practices, Aboriginal Medical Services and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations have been adversely affected by devastating bushfires across many parts of the country, the Department of Health has undertaken work to implement a number of…

Gippsland PHN has started delivery of initiatives as part of its lead role in implementing additional services to bushfire-affected communities as part of the Australian Government’s $76 million allocation for emergency mental health services known as the Bushfire Recovery Access…

The Australian Government’s comprehensive bushfire recovery package will provide immediate, short term and medium term mental health support for individuals, families and communities, including emergency services personnel, impacted by the ongoing bushfire emergency. Gippsland PHN has already started the process…

It is normal to have strong emotional or physical reactions after an emergency – these feelings are part of the healing process. If you or a loved one need support during this difficult time, visit your GP or call the…

The Australian Government’s comprehensive bushfire recovery package will provide immediate, short term and medium term mental health support for individuals, families and communities, including emergency services personnel, impacted by the ongoing bushfire emergency. Gippsland PHN has already started the process…

Mallacoota residents have access to free psychology appointments, Monday – Saturday, and outside usual business hours, provided by Victorian Counselling and Psychological Services (VCPS).  The sessions are funded by the Gippsland Primary Health Network (PHN) and do not have any…

The Australian Government has provided a range of information about its  $76 million allocation for emergency mental health services for bushfire-affected communities. Read the attached fact sheet, frequently asked questions and general information. Mental Health Support for Australians Affected by…

Gippsland Primary Health Network (PHN) will implement additional services as part of the Australian Government’s $76 million allocation for emergency mental health services for bushfire-affected communities. The Bushfire Recovery Access Program will provide immediate and ongoing free counselling and support…

The $14.4 million Victorian Bushfires Case Support Program is now available for people in fire affected areas including East Gippsland, Wellington and the Alpine region. The program also includes support for people who may have been impacted by the bushfires…

Gippsland Primary Health Network (PHN) is working closely with the Rural Workforce Agency Victoria (RWAV) to ensure continuation of medical services in bushfire-affected areas of Gippsland. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has appointed RWAV as the health…

Protective kits are available for people returning to properties affected by fire. They are available from your local council or an emergency recovery centre, along with additional masks, disposable coveralls and sturdy gloves. Kits should only be used for personal…

If you live in a bushfire-affected area your water source could become contaminated from debris, ash, small dead animals or aerial fire retardants. If the water tastes, looks or smells unusual, do not drink it or give it to animals.…

A public health emergency order has been issued to enable the supply of prescription medicines from a community pharmacy in emergencies in a bushfire affected area in Victoria. It is effective until midnight 1 April 2020. The usual arrangements for…

Gippsland PHN has continued to seek information from general practices and commissioned services across bushfire affected areas over the last week. We are keen to know how we can best support these services at this time, how services have been…

Hospitals and other health providers in East Gippsland and Northeast Victoria are experiencing staffing challenges due to the bushfires. This is expected to continue as the situation evolves. To support these health providers, the Victorian Department of Health and Human…

Factsheet - Guidelines for use of face masks DHHS

Gippsland PHN is distributing P2 masks to general practices located in Wellington and East Gippsland due to the bushfires. Gippsland PHN is one many organisations distributing the masks to health services, pharmacies and general practices to support people at risk…

A range of organisations, including the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS) are distributing information to assist those responses through each phase of emergency management. This includes planning, response, relief and…

The role of Gippsland PHN during times of emergencies, such as the current bushfires throughout East Gippsland, is to work closely with government agencies to ensure information related to general practice and other primary care services is collated and shared…

The Australian Government has acted on a request from the Victorian Government and provided the state with 450,000 face masks from the National Medical Stockpile to assist frontline workers and those at risk in communities affected by the bushfires.  However…

Gippsland PHN is working in partnership with Rural Workforce Agency Victoria (RWAV) to facilitate GP locum support for general practice in the bushfire affected areas. The RWAV GP Locum Program is a service for rural general practices, the hospitals they…