Primary Health Tasmania in Hobart, Tasmania | Medical and health

Primary Health Tasmania

Locality: Hobart, Tasmania

Phone: +61 1300 653 169

Address: Level 2, 85 Collins Street 7000 Hobart, TAS, Australia

Website: http://www.primaryhealthtas.com.au

Likes: 2140

Add/Update information

Reviews

Tags

• Medical and health

25.01.2022 SUICIDE PREVENTION | Christine Timms, owner of TerryWhite Chemmart Prospect Vale, is just one of the many Tasmanian pharmacists to take part in our advanced suicide prevention training. Delivered by the Black Dog Institute, the training explores how pharmacists - uniquely placed to observe changes in their regular clientele - can help recognise and respond to the risk of suicide. "It was a real recognition that we are coming into contact with people that may have mental healt...h issues," Christine says of the training. Read more in the latest issue of Primary Health Matters magazine: bit.ly/35d7ubX

24.01.2022 PRIMARY HEALTH MATTERS MAGAZINE | The latest edition of our twice-yearly magazine, Primary Health Matters, is out now! In this issue, we dive into the experience of a range of health workers of navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, from those on the testing frontline, to data scientists, to volunteers 3D-printing face shields for the local health workforce. At the same time, we've got stories about the great work of Launceston storytellers involved in the suicide prevention trial..., Tasmania's new dementia-friendly aged care village, and the future of eReferral in the state. Read online now: https://bit.ly/35221og City of Launceston Official Headspace Launceston Moreton Group Medical Services Youth Family and Community Connections Inc. Glenview Community Services 3DPPE-TAS Friends of Tasman Island - Wildcare Inc

24.01.2022 DEATH LITERACY | What is death literacy, and why does it matter? Last month, Tasmanian locals involved with our Greater Choice For at Home Palliative Care project heard the answers from Dr Kerrie Noonan, a clinical psychologist and social researcher. You can share in Dr Noonan's insights here: bit.ly/3ipNRBG

24.01.2022 WHAT WE DO | A big part of Primary Health Tasmania's role involves supporting primary health professionals such as GPs, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals. This support takes a number of forms. We run educational events, bring health professionals into the development of resources such as our Tasmanian HealthPathways online portal, and support tailored training aimed at strengthening the skills of our primary healthcare workforce. An example? As part of our work with the suicide prevention trial, Tasmania became the first state in Australia to trial a pilot program aimed at building the suicide prevention skills of pharmacists.

22.01.2022 NEW HEADSPACE CENTRE | The doors are now open at the new headspace centre in Devonport, improving access to mental health services for young people living in north west Tasmania! Here, Youth Reference Group member Ashley Murphy explains why it’s so important that young people have a say in mental health support designed for them. Read our full media release: www.primaryhealthtas.com.au//doors-open-on-new-headspace-/

21.01.2022 BreastScreen Tasmania has appointments available in Hobart. Are you a women aged 40 and over? Make sure you have a screening mammogram every two years. It’s fr...ee and you don’t need a referral from your doctor. A screening mammogram can detect cancer long before it can be felt by you or your doctor. Call BreastScreen Tasmania on 13 20 50 to book your appointment today. For more information visit https://www.health.tas.gov.au/cancerscreening

21.01.2022 ASTHMA | When a doctor told Hobart local Valerie Baxter she had asthma, she didn't want to believe them. She already had to worry about her arthritis, and didn't have the energy to confront the prospect of living with yet another chronic condition. But thanks to the support of Asthma Australia specifically their telephone-based COACH Program Valerie learned to accept her diagnosis and take control of her asthma, and her health. You can read Valerie's story in our May is...sue of Primary Health Matters: bit.ly/3ieTbaJ You can learn more about the COACH Program here: bit.ly/2GJ1Pk0

21.01.2022 MENTAL HEALTH | Coming up on Friday 9 October, Burnie will host its first ever mental health and wellbeing expo! The event is free to attend, and everyone is welcome to come along to talk to around 20 stall holders about their services and programs.

20.01.2022 SUICIDE PREVENTION | A great story from The Examiner about our collaboration with the Black Dog Institute to provide advanced suicide prevention training to Tasmanian pharmacists. "It really increased our skills and confidence in talking to people that appear to be distressed," Meadow Mews Pharmacy's Serena Hayward told the paper. "We can reach out when we need help to support these people."... The project is part of our work for the National Suicide Prevention Trial and supported by the Pharmaceutical Society Australia, Pharmacy Guild of Australia and Curtin University. Read the story: bit.ly/2Y6Dc6I

20.01.2022 HEALTH OUTCOMES | The Healthy Tasmania team are hosting some fascinating discussion as part of their Listen and Learn Series - check it out below!

19.01.2022 QUALITY OF LIFE | Our work spans a wide range of areas - rural health, mental health, chronic conditions, workforce support . . . the list goes on! But even if the topics are diverse, all aspects of our work are guided by the same end goal: to improve Tasmanians' quality of life. That's why we were heartened by the results of a survey of 400 Tasmanians who have received our commissioned mental health services, which found 80 per cent experienced either a measurable improvement, or stabilised, quality of life

19.01.2022 NEW HEADSPACE CENTRE | A few more happy snaps from our event today, marking the opening of the new full headspace centre in Devonport! Read more here: https://bit.ly/35Vxyrb

18.01.2022 JOIN OUR TEAM | Primary Health Tasmania is looking for a new digital health coordinator to join our team on a full-time basis. We’re looking for an experienced professional who can use their experience and expertise to coordinate implementation, support and monitoring of digital health initiatives in Tasmania. Find out more: bit.ly/31l4nwo

17.01.2022 DIGITAL HEALTH | Blurry scans, time-draining phone calls, and valuable patient information lost to ‘fax heaven’ they’re just some of the pitfalls being avoided thanks to a new electronic referral trial project that’s gaining traction in Tasmania. Since our eReferral project kicked off in April, more than 300 eReferrals have been sent to participating hospital departments across the state. Read more: bit.ly/3jzxUci

16.01.2022 ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG SUPPORT | Damian from Youth Family and Community Connections Inc. says his team follow a simple mantra for helping Tasmanians overcome substance dependence. "We often say, 'our counsellors provide the inspiration and the client brings the perspiration'," the team leader, pictured with colleague David, says. "The client is the expert in their own life and circumstances and... without their direction and input, little change will come about. Read more about Youth, Family and Community Connections' alcohol and other drug service in the November issue of our magazine: https://bit.ly/3lDO99y

16.01.2022 PRIMARY HEALTH MATTERS | The May issue of our twice-yearly magazine, Primary Health Matters, is out now! In this issue, we: - Check in with the Karadi Aboriginal Corporation team about the Deadly Choices initiative ... - Talk strengthened mental health support for young north west Tasmanians with headspace Devonport and Headspace Burnie - Hear about the value of APNA - Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association's Transition to Practice Program from three local nurses who took part . . . and much more! Read here: https://bit.ly/3xMaeJk

15.01.2022 LAUNCESTON ADULT MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE | Consultation workshops will take place in and around Launceston from 17 to 19 May to inform the development of the Launceston adult mental health centre. The Australian Government is funding a trial of eight adult mental health centres across Australia, with one to be established in each state and territory. Launceston has been chosen as the location for the Tasmanian centre.... Find out more: tasp.hn/lamhcworkshops

14.01.2022 GRANT OPPORTUNITY | Primary Health Tasmania is proud to support this grant program, which gives community-based not-for-profit organisations the opportunity to apply for Community Wellbeing Grants of up to $10,000 for activities or events that: - build social connections - promote community resilience - facilitate reconnection with local social support networks - promote positive wellbeing messages

14.01.2022 CARERS | Are you a carer for someone who is living with an eating disorder? The Butterfly Foundation is running a five-week carers course, available online, that starts on 4 August. Find out more in this fortnight's General Practice Matters: bit.ly/3380z36

14.01.2022 COVID-19 | Earlier this year, Primary Health Tasmania ran a small grants scheme to help not-for-profit groups, clubs and organisations stay connected via videoconferencing when social restrictions were in place to stop the spread of COVID-19. We're thrilled to report back that 152 local groups benefitted from the scheme, which contributed funding towards the cost of an annual videoconferencing subscription. Find out more: engagepht.com.au/community-access

14.01.2022 WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY | Today is World Suicide Prevention Day - an annual event that acknowledges that each year, suicide is among the top 20 leading causes of death globally for people of all ages. If you'd like to know more about Primary Health Tasmania's work in suicide prevention, go to: bit.ly/3f5xc3C

13.01.2022 LITERACY AND NUMERACY | 26TEN - Tasmania's campaign for adult literacy's 2020-21 employer grant round opens Monday 7 September 2020 and closes 5pm Friday 12 February 2021. Primary health organisations may wish to apply for the grants, which support employers and peak bodies to run projects to improve literacy and numeracy of Tasmanian workers (paid and voluntary). This covers things like improving the reading, writing and maths skills of employees so they can do their jobs be...tter, and training employees to write work documents in plain English. Find out more: bit.ly/3i6mhsV

13.01.2022 UPCOMING EVENT | Community members will be able to participate in more than 20 online sessions about topics such as grief, bereavement and end-of-life care thanks to a community-run educational event coming up in October. Hosted by locals involved in the Primary Health Tasmania-supported Greater Choice for At Home Palliative Care project, the four-day online educational event will run from 12 to 15 October and will be free to anyone who wants to take part. Find out more, including the full program and how to register, here: bit.ly/3kwFipd

11.01.2022 BIG IDEAS | Do you have an idea to change the way healthcare is delivered? Consumers Health Forum of Australia wants to hear it! The Big Ideas competition is seeking suggestions to change the way heatlh care is delivered and transform the way the health system operates. These ideas will help shape the Big Ideas Forum at the CHF Summit next year! Find out more, including how to submit your Big Idea, here: bit.ly/3l2bjps

10.01.2022 SUICIDE PREVENTION | Tasmanian pharmacists will be given the chance to further strengthen their suicide prevention skills as part of a new partnership involving Primary Health Tasmania, through our work under the National Suicide Prevention Trial. Find out more: http://bit.ly/33Lh1q6

09.01.2022 COVID-19 | The Tasmanian Government has updated its fact sheet for people who have been tested for COVID-19, and want to know what to do next. You can check it out here: https://bit.ly/2QVjOZP

07.01.2022 Meningococcal case in NW Public Health Services has been responding to a single case of Meningococcal Disease in a pre-school aged child from the North West of ...the State. The child who attends Ulverstone Child Care Centre was diagnosed with the disease late Friday 18 December. The child is currently in a stable condition at the Royal Hobart Hospital and there is no increased risk in the wider community. Public Health Services worked over the weekend to provide information and advice to the family and close contacts of the child. The contacts included family members, several staff and children who attend the centre. Last night an information sheet was sent to all parents of children who attend the Centre advising them of the situation. The identified close contacts have been advised to have antibiotic treatment to clear any Meningococcal bacteria they might be carrying. This is to help prevent spread to others. The chance of a close contact also developing the disease is very low. All children can continue to attend centre and visit other places. There is no need for isolation or quarantine of people who are close contacts of a person with meningococcal disease. The strain of the Meningococcal bacteria is yet to be identified. Anyone from the Ulverstone community seeking further information is asked to contact the Public Health Hotline Tasmania on 1800 671 738 (Option 5) to speak to a Clinical Nurse Consultant. Background Meningococcal Disease is mainly spread through droplets transmitted from the mouth and nose through coughing, sneezing, or close personal contact. Around one in every 10 people carry the bacteria in their throat without it causing problems. There are several strains of the bacteria and there are vaccines against some but not all of these. It can be several days before the strain of the Meningococcal bacteria is identified. This is the third case in Tasmania in 2020. Numbers peaked in 2017 at 16 cases, which subsequently dropped to 11 cases in 2018, and decreased further to 6 in 2019. Immunisation against some of the more common strains of Meningococcal are a part of the national immunisation schedule for children and other at higher risk. All people should make sure they are up to date with their recommend vaccines.

06.01.2022 HAPPY HOLIDAYS | Primary Health Tasmania would like to wish all Tasmanians a happy, healthy, and safe festive season! Our offices will close for the holiday period on the afternoon on 24 December 2020, reopening at 9am on Monday 4 January. A reminder that you can check out our Tas Afters Hours website for local information about the range of medical services available after hours (at night time, on weekends and public holidays) and how to find them: tasafterhours.com

06.01.2022 COVID-safe behaviours protect lives. Reduce the risk by staying 1.5 metres away from others when outside your home. Maintain physical distancing every day in ...your workplace, on the street, in the shops and markets, when queuing, at restaurants/cafes and when at a gathering, event or meeting place. Physical distancing is the single biggest action you can take to stop the spread of germs and illness. Make 1.5m part of your daily life. Visit: www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/COVID-safe

04.01.2022 RURAL HEALTH | Great to see one of the providers of our rural primary health program, Corumbene Care, showcased in this recent ABC story. We support Corumbene Care to deliver the program to residents of the Derwent Valley, Central Highlands and Southern Midlands with chronic health conditions. "It's aimed at improving their quality of life and improving their health literacy and their self-advocacy around their chronic health conditions," Community Services manager Michelle G...arland told the ABC. Read the full story here: ab.co/31xdESn Find out more about our southern-based commissioned rural health services here: bit.ly/3jie9FL

03.01.2022 DO YOU HAVE A WILL? | This week, the Primary Health Tasmania team is farewelling our colleague Emma, who sadly lost her sister Kate this year. Since then, Emma has been spreading the word about the vital importance of having a will, including in this powerful story she wrote for the team at Insight. "We are still very early on in our grief and navigating this process is confusing, frustrating, hurtful and expensive," Emma says of trying to settle her sister's affairs. "The pr...ocess is incredibly drawn out and seemingly illogical. I feel overwhelmed with guilt whenever I need to share yet another complication with my dad. It’s a constant uphill battle when you’re running on fumes. I’ll never see my sister again and every hurdle is a reminder of this." Read Emma's story: https://www.sbs.com.au//it-s-not-about-money-how-my-sister [Please be aware this story contains reference to suicide, which might be distressing for some, particularly those with lived experience. If you need help or would like to talk to someone, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.]

03.01.2022 RSVP EXTENDED | This great event is happening in Launceston soon, and has extended the RSVP deadline - if you're interested in learning practical skills to tackle gambling and alcohol issues, as well as improve your mental health and wellbeing, head along!

03.01.2022 MENTAL HEALTH CARERS | Primary Health Tasmania had a great time chatting to SANE Australia's Hocking Community Award 2019-20 recipient Alison Salisbury - a Tassie local - for the last edition of our twice yearly magazine. Now, you can hear Alison explore the issue of mental health by talking to those with direct and first-hand experience, via her podcast: Do You Really Want to Know? Check out the podcast here: bit.ly/3jCVoxG... Read our interview with Alison here: bit.ly/39mjsQK

02.01.2022 PALLIATIVE CARE | Waratah locals involved with the Greater Choice For At Home Palliative Care project have come up with this wonderful idea - if you're handy with arts and crafts, please consider getting involved :)

02.01.2022 MENTAL HEALTH | Today, we're releasing Rethink 2020, which represents a new, shared approach to Tasmania’s mental health plan. Rethink 2020 is a collaboration between Primary Health Tasmania, the Tasmanian Department of Health, and the Tasmanian Health Service, and takes stock of key milestones achieved so far while also elevating new areas of focus as key mental health priorities for the state. It comes five years after the Tasmanian Government published its plan to improve ...mental health outcomes for all Tasmanians: Rethink Mental Health Better Mental Health and Wellbeing A Long-Term Plan for Mental Health in Tasmania 2015-25. Read more: https://bit.ly/2JTpFvb

02.01.2022 SUCIDE PREVENTION TRIAL | Break O'Day locals involved in the Tasmanian component of the National Suicide Prevention Trial have been busy over the duration of the trial: training scores of community champions, running an outreach-style mobile 'cafe', creating practical and eye-catching resources to support help-seeking behaviour on a local level. Here, Casey talks through the Safe Place Cafe initiative, which you can read more about here: bit.ly/35CSRyX To watch the full update, go to: https://youtu.be/8_jhqF5RM5E

01.01.2022 PALLIATIVE CARE | What is 'death literacy', and why does it matter? Clinical psychologist and social researcher Dr Kerrie Noonan explored the questions in a free online event held last month, organised by Tasmanian community members involved in our Greater Choice for At Home Palliative Care project. Check out what Dr Noonan had to say: