RDN MONDAY MESSAGE 2005

News and Highlights of Events from the NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN)

Monday, 26 September 2005 Volume 8 Issue 34

NSW Rural Doctors Network Ltd,
Suite 19, Level 3,	Phone: 02 4929 1811
133 King Street	Fax: 02 4929 1911
NEWCASTLE NSW 2300	Web: www.nswrdn.com.au

Changes to RDN Medical Recruitment team

Since Lisa McFayden has transferred to RDN’s new position of Manager of Evaluation and Policy Development, the Medical Recruitment team now comprises Tony Miles (Director of Recruitment and Retention), with three Project Officers (Margaret Young, Kerri Foulds, Jenni Scott) and Katie Petric as Administration Trainee. Enquiries about OTDs, RLRP, provider numbers etc are best addressed to Tony in the first instance, while enquiries about advertising vacancies continue to be directed to Jenni.

Lisa will be working on evaluation of RDN programs and projects, writing discussion papers and assisting in developing policies which are likely to flow from the more thorough evaluation.

Female Leadership II Workshop:

There are still some places available in RDN’s Female Leadership II workshop.

Where: Marriott Hotel, Sydney

When: 21 – 23 October 2005.

Cost: $100

This is a great opportunity to build on the skills gained in workshop I. Course II is designed to increase the confidence and competence of female rural GPs who are currently in leadership positions, or intend to pursue leadership roles within the medical community.

The workshop will build on the communication, presentation, facilitation and situational leadership skills covered in workshop one. In addition, the following areas will be covered: negotiation and conflict management, time management/prioritisation, developing and maintaining relationships with your constituencies and mentoring.

Only 12 places are offered, and are available on a first come first served basis.

For more information visit the RDN website www.nswrdn.com.au or contact Michelle Lawson by telephoning 02 9313 5955, or emailing mlawson@nswrdn.com.au.

NSW RDN Anaesthetics Conference:

RDN’s second Procedural Anaesthetics Conference for 2005 is scheduled for October 28 – 30.

Where: Marriott Hotel, College St, Sydney

Cost: GP Registration: $1200 (Includes simulator session at RNSH)

GP Registration: $990

A repeat of the very successful May conference, this conference will again provide GPs with lectures, hands on workshops and an opportunity to undertake a half day simulator workshop at Royal North Shore Hospital. Topics will include emergency and paediatric anaesthesia, pain relief, new infusions, medico-legal issues, difficult airways and complex cases.

Only 60 places are available and are offered on a first come first served basis. For those who have already lodged an expression of interest, the registration book will be sent out this week.

Rural GPs are eligible for procedural grant through Commonwealth Government’s Medicare Plus.

For more information please visit the NSW RDN website www.nswrdn.com.au or contact Michelle Lawson by telephoning 02 9313 5955, or emailing mlawson@nswrdn.com.au.

NSW RDN/ RDA (NSW) AGM Conference:

The beautiful Peppers Fairmont Resort, Blue Mountains is the venue for this year’s Annual General Meeting.

When: 25 – 27 November 2005

Cost: GPs $275/ Partners $55

Proposed lectures and workshops include emergency medicine, radiology, paediatrics, endocrinology, palliative care, microbiology and well-being of GPs.

The RDN AGM will be held on Friday 25th November at 3:30pm and RDA (NSW) AGM will be held on Saturday 26th commencing at 2pm.

Activities for partners and children include the explorer bus day trip incorporating a visit to the 3D edge cinema, scenic train/skyway pass, bushwalks, high/low ropes course, kids club and babysitting.

You can down download an expression of interest form from the website www.nswrdn.com.au under CPD events, or call Michelle Lawson at the Sydney office (02) 9313 5955 or email mlawson@nswrdn.com.au.

Newborn and Paediatrics Emergency Transport Service (NSW) Numbers

Please be advised that the numbers for calling NETS are as follows:

CLINICAL COORDINATION CENTRE

Hotline: 1300 36 2500

Press 1 for urgent retrieval of a baby or child.

Press 2 for urgent obstetric case discussion with a particular tertiary centre in NSW, ACT or adjoining states; or via NETS coordinator to statewide advisor.

Press 4 for elective retrieval of a patient.

Press 9 for non-urgent case discussion.

Faxline: 1300 36 2498

Email: help@nets.org.au

Backup hotline: (05) 0055 NETS (05 0055 6387) for use in case of failure of the 1300 network.

NETS ADMINISTRATION

(05) 005 CHILD (05 005 24453) or (02) 9633 8700

Fax: (05) 008 CHILD (05 008 24453) or (02) 9633 8782

Email: secretary@nets.org.au

Post: PO Box 563

Wentworthville NSW 2145

The old '1800 04 7777' number (which hasn't been promoted since 1996) is now being used for a donations number. Please ensure that it doesn't appear on any documentation in your organisation which might lead to callers inadvertently ringing that number for a clinical discussion. A flip chart with all this information (and more) is available to all hospitals. Please contact NETS if more copies are required.

Rural Health Education Foundation, Live Satellite Program Broadcast Immunisation Update - Tuesday 11^th October 8pm

Funding provided by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing

Effective uptake and delivery of immunisation relies on the availability and distribution of vaccines and the availability of current information to primary health care professionals and the public. A national coordinated approach facilitates this and, as core business of primary health care, immunisation results in the reduction of communicable diseases.

This program focuses on the recent changes to the National Immunisation Program Schedule (due to commence on November 1st 2005) and the basic principles for safe vaccine management. The special vaccination needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and the specific changes to the schedule are discussed. Case study discussion focuses on the challenges of setting up an immunisation program in an Aboriginal community – what are the challenges, how can it be made sustainable, and what models are available.

Program objectives

At the end of this program viewers will understand:

The program changes to the National Immunisation Schedule which commences on 1st November 2005, including the National Varicella Vaccination Program, the polio IPV to polio OPV vaccine ;
The changes to the National Immunisation Schedule in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children;
The recent changes to basic principles for safe vaccine management;
The challenges and appropriate models of setting up a successful immunisation program in an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

Panelists:

Chair: Dr Norman Swan, Presenter of the Health Report on ABC Radio National.

Professor Peter McIntyre, Director, National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Sydney.

Dr Rod Pearce, General Practitioner, Adelaide & Chair AMA Council of General Practice.

Ms Leila Kennett, Program Co-ordinator (Child Health), Nganampa Health Council.

Sue Campbell-Lloyd, Manager Immunisation Program, NSW Department of Health.

For more details visit the http://www.rhef.com.au/programs/511/511.html program page.