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"Nursing in General Practice - get more out of your nursing career "
The aim of the Nursing in General Practice program is to support and coordinate practice nursing activity, across the region. Studies have indicated that the increased capacity provided by the utilisation of nursing services in general practice, improves the quality and accessibility of primary care for patients, particularly those with chronic disease and/ or complex conditions.
This aim is achieved through a strategic approach to evaluating and building the capacity of divisions to deliver support services for NiGP, and in particular to recruit and retain nurses in general practice. Additionally the program aims to assist in the retainment of nurses in general practice by brokering, coordinating and funding education and professional development opportunities for nurses. GPNW works in collaboration with the other Tasmanian Divisions to provide state wide consistency, ensures high quality speakers and a range of resources.
Practice Nurses work in collaboration with General Practitioners, providing a range of services including chronic disease management and population health activities. Their role is diverse and influenced by factors such as practice population, national incentives and programs.
Healthy Start for School Initiative
The Healthy Start for School Initiative, an Australian Government initiative, commenced as of 1 July 2011. If a parent receives income support during the financial year in which their child turns four, the child will be required to undergo a relevant health check to ensure they are healthy, fit and ready for school. This is a requirement to receiving the Family Tax Benefit A Supplement, for the financial year in which a child turns four.
As a result of this initiative doctors may receive an increase in requests from parents and carers for their child to have a health assessment. The patients who will be effected by this new initiative will include those who:
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Are receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A,
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Have a child turning four; and
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Have received an income support payment from Centrelink (e.g. Parenting Payment, Newstart Allowance, etc.) or the Department of Veterans' Affairs, at any time during the financial year in which their child turns four.
Parents or carers may choose to have the health assessment completed at a medical practice or through the state and territory health and maternal clinics. Should parents or carers choose to have the assessment completed by their doctor at their usual medical practice, for a child who is receiving or has received their four year old immunisation, the Medical Benefit Schedule (MBS) includes time based health assessment items 701, 703, 705 and 707, and item 715 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Health Assessment. These items can be claimed for a Health Kids Check.
Alternatively, a health assessment provided by a practice nurse or registered Aboriginal health worker on behalf of a medical practitioner for a child who is receiving or has received their four year old immunisation can be claimed under Medicare item 10986.
For the purpose of this initiative, the conditions may also be met if the health assessment criteria are preformed using the MBS general practice attendance items.
The health assessment must include the following examinations and assessments:
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Height and weight
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Eyesight
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Hearing
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Oral health (teeth and gums)
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Toileting
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Allergies
The health Assessment must also include:
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Information collection including taking a patient history
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making an overall assessment of the child
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Recommending appropriate interventions
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Providing advice and information to the child's parent(s) or carer
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Keeping a record of the health assessment and offering the child's parent(s) or carer a written report about the health assessment
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Updating any relevant records such as a parent-held child health report.
Further information
DoHA - Health Kids Check Resources
Link to Healthy Kids Check Resources (Illawara Division of General Practice)
Link to Healthy Start for School Initiative Resources (General Practice NSW)
Useful Website Links
http://www.familyassist.gov.au/payments/healthy-start-school.php
http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/publications/fpr080.htm
Useful Resources
Eat Well Tasmanian: http://www.eatwelltas.com.au/index.php
Dairy Australia: http://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/Health-and-nutrition/Health-Professionals/Good-Health-Recipe-Books.aspx
Lift the Lip Poster: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/resources/cohs/lift_the_lip_A4_poster_pdf.asp
Lift the Lip Brochure: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/resources/cohs/lift_the_lip_A5_brochure_pdf.asp
Oral Health Services Tasmania: http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/76537/20110819_OHST_Clinics_-_Statewide.pdf
Lift the Lip Referral Pathway: lthelipreferral pathwayhp21.11.2011
» Drug Calculations Resource for Practice Nurses
Event Resources and Presentations
» Strengthening Nutrition in General Practice – Infant and Child Nutrition FAQ
Lift the Lip Presentation
Lift the Lip Referral & Resources
TML Stakeholder Presentation by Lynette Purton
TML Afterhours Communique
» APNA Immunisation Online Activities
» Australian General Practice Network - NiGP
» Australian Nursing Federation
» Australian Nursing & Midwifery Council
» Australian Practice Nurse Association
» Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
» Royal College of Nursing Australia
Australian College of Nurse Practitioners: http://www.acnp.org.au/index.html
Bronwyn McLaren
Program Officer
Email: bmclaren@gpnw.com.au
Ph: 6425 0800
Fax: 6425 0888
