Murray PHN

We’re looking for a person with a business administration background, strong communication skills and an understanding of project management principles, to support the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive and our GP Aged Care Connect program.

To learn more and apply, visit: https://murrayphn.connxcareers.com/job/details/4a5dd763ed4f4dfea5658ccde0c225fa

Applications close on Thursday 12 September.

This year's Wear it Purple Day empowers LGBTQIA+ young people to dream big and share their passion and pride. By wearing purple, you can demonstrate to rainbow young people that they are celebrated and respected, acknowledging all have the right to be proud of who they are and who they are becoming 💜🏳️‍🌈
https://www.wearitpurple.org/your-passion-your-pride-2024-theme

Suitably skilled and interested people are invited to apply for one of three Non-Executive Director vacancies to serve on our Board. These vacancies have come about through Directors reaching the end of their appointed term, with all three eligible to nominate for the vacant positions.

Successful candidates will possess director-level qualifications, experience and skills in areas such as the planning, management and governance of health services, health policy and stakeholder engagement.

Applications close on Tuesday 10 September 2024. For more information and to apply, visit: https://murrayphn.org.au/news/applications-open-for-non-executive-director-vacancies/

Working as a nurse in the Murray PHN region and looking to increase your confidence, competencies, skills and knowledge of general practice?

Eligible nurses can apply for the September intake of APNA’s Transition to Practice Program, with a limited number of placements fully-funded by Murray PHN.

Participants will receive access to resources, educational activities and a community of practice, as well as mentoring from an experienced nurse.

To apply, visit: https://bit.ly/apnatppmentor and for more information, visit: https://bit.ly/apnatppinfo

Applications close at 5pm on Friday 6 September.

The new caring@home Community Palliative Care Resources Box is available to all health professionals and features new and refreshed resources to support the provision of quality end-of-life care for people who choose to be cared for at home. The box is packed with nationally consistent, practical and evidence-based resources, which can assist families and carers supporting a home-based patient 🏠 More information and order details are available at: www.caringathomeproject.com.au

We're seeking a qualified Manager - Finance with CA or CPA certification for a full-time ongoing role. We offer flexible workplace arrangements, including a balanced work from home and office option, and generous salary packaging provisions. Visit: https://murrayphn.connxcareers.com/job/details/f3babff9e5c24ad6b1128f4d02107447

Mildura community members (aged 16 years and older) and health professionals - we have some last-minute vacancies in our applied su***de intervention skills training (ASIST) this Thursday and Friday (22-23 August) from 9.30am to 5.30pm.

ASIST is founded on the principle that everyone can make a difference in preventing su***de. The more people who have su***de intervention training, the more likely it is they will be able to identify someone at risk and intervene to keep them safe.

To learn more and register, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/applied-su***de-intervention-skills-training-asist-tickets-816148962517

Accessing healthcare in rural areas can often be challenging due to workforce shortages and distances to travel, but telehealth – the ability to consult with a healthcare provider by phone or video – can help bridge the gap.

Staff who work in, or provide services to, Commonwealth-funded residential aged care homes, can now access a new training package to learn how to deliver safe and effective telehealth services.

Developed by a group of 15 Primary Health Networks (PHNs) from across Australia, the free telehealth training package aims to upskill professionals.

Importantly, it can help to keep unwell and frail residents from having to leave their homes when they don’t need in-person care at a GP practice or in hospital.

To learn more and access the training, visit: https://murrayphn.org.au/focus-areas/healthy-ageing-and-aged-care/telehealth-training/

Today is Dying to Know Day which aims to ensure that people facing the end of their life have their wishes honoured. This year's campaign is focused on the power of community and self-expression to empower individuals to plan their future end-of-life journey with confidence and support. To learn more about the day and access resources, visit: www.dyingtoknowday.com
Murray PHN's The Caring Circle project aims to improve the health and end-of-life care journey of people in rural and remote Victoria living with a life-limiting illness. To find out more, visit: https://murrayphn.org.au/community/palliative-care/

Did you know that organ donation will only go ahead with the support of your family? This DonateLife Week, register your intent to donate your organs when you die and share your wishes with your family.
There are three ways to register: through your myGov account or the myGov app if you’ve linked Medicare; through the Express Plus Medicare app; and via donatelife.gov.au/register

The National Bowel Cancer Program sends a free at home bowel cancer screening kit every two years to Australians aged 50-74. As of 1 July, Australians aged 45-49 can register to order a kit and join the program. The program aims to reduce deaths from bowel cancer by detecting early signs of the disease. Check in with your loved ones and encourage them to do their free test. Set a reminder in their calendar or ask them to complete it before a milestone date.
Visit www.health.gov.au/nbcsp for information.

Organ and tissue donors can help people to get a second chance at life. With approximately 1800 Australians waiting for a life-saving organ transplant and many more needing tissue donation, DonateLife Week (28 July - 4 August) provides an opportunity to raise awareness and take action.

The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care says that while four in five Australians say they support donation, only approximately one in three are registered to be a donor on the Australian Organ Donor Register.

To learn more about donation, visit: https://www.donatelife.gov.au/all-about-donation

To join the organ register, go to: https://www.donatelife.gov.au/register-donor-today

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus which usually causes a mild illness with a rash. It’s mostly spread through prolonged physical or intimate (skin-to-skin) contact with someone who has mpox.
In Victoria, you can get the mpox vaccine through your Local Public Health Unit and certain sexual health clinics and health services.
To find out more, visit: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/infectious-diseases/monkeypox
Health services can download mpox vaccine promotional posters here: https://bit.ly/3Ykz5Um (.zip file)

Research shows that women generally experience more recurrent pain, more severe pain, and longer lasting pain than men.

The Victorian Government wants to hear from women and their healthcare professionals about experiences of pain and pain care, treatment and services.

The Inquiry into Women’s Pain will report on people's lived experiences, data, and research to help improve models of care and service delivery for pain management.

Have your say by filling in the survey here: https://engage.vic.gov.au/inquiry-into-womens-pain-survey

The survey will close at 5pm on Wednesday 31 July.

Telstra is closing its 3G network on 31 August 2024, which will impact rural communities.

If your devices, such as phones, medical alert devices, smart watches and antennas, have not been upgraded to be 4G or 5G compatible, they will no longer work.

To check if your phone or other devices are affected, text ‘3’ to 3498 to receive a text back that will tell you if you need to take action or not.

To learn more, visit: https://www.telstra.com.au/exchange/3g-network-closure-extended or see Telstra’s FAQs: https://www.telstra.com.au/support/mobiles-devices/3g-closure-faq

Frequently asked questions about 3G closure - Telstra We’re switching off 3G from 31 August 2024. Find the answers to frequently asked questions about the change.

Health professionals, subscribe to our events newsletter and stay up to date with education and networking opportunities across the Murray PHN region. Visit https://bit.ly/3LwPRbk

Primary care nurses and Aboriginal health workers, who would like to master the skills needed for immediate impact in wound treatments, can apply for a scholarship to complete a short course in wound care.

This, in addition to two more scholarships and a chronic wound consumables program (available next year), were announced in last year’s federal budget, as one of the Strengthening Medicare initiatives for increasing access to primary care.

Learn more and apply now: https://www.acn.edu.au/scholarships/wound-care-scholarships

Eastern and North Western Melbourne PHNs have collaborated with Ambulance Victoria to produce a new eight-minute video for residential aged care home (RACH) staff and GPs, on behalf of Victoria's six PHNs.

Through the voices and experiences of aged care staff, a resident, family member, GP, paramedic and emergency physician, the video discusses the after hours toolkit that PHNs have developed for RACHs and how the kit works in practice.

With high demand on ambulance services and sometimes limited availability of medical assistance in rural areas, the video also talks about the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department and what people can expect when using the service.

To watch the video, visit: https://vimeo.com/967415269/bf9fc723db

To access the after hours toolkit and other resources for aged care,
go to: https://murrayphn.org.au/focus-areas/digital-health/digital-health-for-aged-care/

Ambulance Victoria x VVED: Using VVED for Residential Aged Care Homes This is "Ambulance Victoria x VVED: Using VVED for Residential Aged Care Homes" by Ambulance Victoria on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the…

Our CEO Matt Jones and Lisa Chesters MP spoke to local media today about increased rates of bulk billing across the Bendigo region, following the tripling of the bulk billing incentive that was introduced in November last year.

Spread the word: bulk billing is up 9.7% in the Bendigo electorate since the Federal Government tripled the bulk billing incentive on 1 November 2023.

Great to stand with Murray PHN CEO Matt Jones, to speak with media about the positive impact this is having locally.

During NAIDOC Week, hear about what this year's theme of Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud means to First Nations Peoples 🔥 www.naidoc.org.au National NAIDOC

Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud | National NAIDOC Awards 2024 Today marks the start of National NAIDOC Week with the theme this year of Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud.The theme honours the enduring strength a...

Make an impact on an older person’s life by joining the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme.

For as little as one hour a fortnight you can give friendship and companionship to an someone in your community who may be feeling isolated.

You can do things together like:
☕ sharing stories over a cup of tea
🎨 working on a joint hobby
🚶‍♀️ taking a walk.

Anyone can refer an older person to be matched with a volunteer visitor, including their aged care service provider, family and friends, or they can refer themselves. To be eligible, a person must be receiving government-funded residential aged care or a Home Care Package.

To learn more, visit: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/aged-care-volunteer-visitors-scheme-acvvs

Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) – Peter & Jack’s story Peter volunteers to visit with Jack every week at his home. They open up about how Peter is helping Jack share his life story and the importance of their fri...

NAIDOC Week begins on Sunday, celebrating and recognising the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. This year’s theme is Keep the Fire Burning!
Blak, Loud & Proud which honours the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture - with fire a symbol of connection to Country, each other and the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
To see what's happening near you, download our events calendar at: https://murrayphn.org.au/news/naidoc-week/
National NAIDOC

Yesterday, the eligible bowel cancer screening age lowered from 50 to 45.

People aged 45 to 49 can now request their first bowel cancer screening test kit be mailed to them, while people aged 50 to 74 will continue to receive a bowel cancer screening kit in the mail every two years.

Testing is important because more than 90 per cent of bowel cancers can be successfully treated if found early.

To order a free test, visit: https://www.ncsr.gov.au/boweltest

To learn more about the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, visit: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/national-bowel-cancer-screening-program

Have you heard?

Australians aged 45 to 49 can now request a FREE bowel screening kit and join the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.

What does this mean?

💩 Request your free kit by visiting www.ncsr.gov.au/boweltest or phoning 1800 627 701.
💩 Australians aged 50 to 74 will continue to receive their free bowel screening kit in the mail every 2 years.

If you or a loved one is aged between 45 to 49, request the free kit now. Bowel screening could save your life.

To learn more about the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program visit 💻 health.gov.au/nbcsp

Congratulations to the PACE team (pulmonary and cardiac exercise, and education) at Alpine Health, for winning this year’s Victorian Rural Health Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Rural Multidisciplinary Health Team!

Congratulations to the PACE Team, Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation team, Alpine Health on receiving the well-deserved 2024 Winner of the Outstanding Contribution by a Rural Multidisciplinary Health Team Award! 🌟

The PACE Team at Alpine Health, supported by partner private practices, delivers cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation in the Alpine Shire. The team includes Roslyn Bloomer, Nurse Coordinator; Leeah Cooper, exercise physiologist; Fiona Miller, physiotherapist; and Julie Blake, physiotherapist.
They are supported by other Team members, including a Private Pharmacist, and their skills extend to Critical Care Nursing, Health Service Management, Training and Assessment and Nutrition.

The PACE Team is “Tiny but Mighty”, operating at three community-based locations, Bright, Mt Beauty and Myrtleford, where the team has helped over 700 participants significantly improve their quality of life.

Their innovative, flexible model of care, including telehealth and tailored programs, has led to a marked decrease in hospital admissions for COPD among Alpine Shire residents.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/4c8vrBf

Regular COVID-19 vaccinations (also known as boosters) are the best way to maintain protection against severe illness, hospitalisation and death from COVID-19.

Murray PHN has opened a new round of small grants to support continued access to COVID-19 vaccines for people most at-risk of severe disease. This includes people who are aged older 65 years and older, who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, are from a culturally, ethically and linguistically diverse background and those that live with a disability or are homebound.

Local primary care providers who have the availability to vaccinate and would like more support for infrastructure, communications, partnerships, staffing or travel to increase reach to these vulnerable populations, are invited to submit an expression of interest.

For more information and to apply, visit: https://app.eprocure.com.au/murrayphn/home/public

Applications close on Friday 5 July.

We're looking for three new people to join our team. All roles offer flexible office location options and generous salary packaging provisions.

Coordinator Commissioning Implementation: https://murrayphn.connxcareers.com/job/details/b949ef6a24404f35ab80ea38cd713591

Consultant Digital Health (Aged Care): https://murrayphn.connxcareers.com/job/details/85d2e23729e446e6895f6517059557f2

Manager Finance: https://murrayphn.connxcareers.com/job/details/a22aece8ad6e4232b197f8f71575a792

Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-Operative in Mooroopna has not one but two employees, who’ve been announced winners of the 2024 Victorian Rural Health Awards!

Shannon won the Outstanding Contribution To Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health Award, and Merinda the Outstanding Contribution To Rural Practice Management Award.

Congratulations to both women who have been recognised for their dedication and commitment to improving First Nations health and wellbeing👏

We have a role in working with the Commonwealth and state health departments to support primary care services in local emergency situations such as bushfires, floods or pandemics. This role may include helping coordinate staff to field health clinics or seeking local professionals to act as a temporary workforce in affected general practices and other primary care services. If you’re a health professional and interested in registering to be part of our emergency volunteer register, visit: https://murrayphn.org.au/health-professionals/primary-care-preparedness/emergency-volunteer-register/

People aged 16-25 who have lived experience of mental ill-health and their carers, family or kinship group members are being asked to participate in a study to help prioritise mental health research topics. You can have your say via an online survey, photo interview, crowdsourcing activity or emotion mapping. Visit https://alivenetwork.com.au/2024-anu-alive-national-lived-experience-priorities-survey/ for more information.