News & Announcements

Voluntary assisted dying (VAD) is now a choice for eligible people at the end-of-life and clinicians may be asked how patients may access it.

New South Wales is currently experiencing another COVID-19 wave, with high levels of transmission occurring in the Hunter New England area.

Healthdirect Australia is pleased to announce the extension of the healthdirect Video Call COVID- 19 GP Program and the PHN Exemplar Program to 30 June 2024.

Health Direct provides 24/7 health information, advice and referral for all Australians no matter where they live and when they need help. Funded by government, Healthdirect Australia is the national virtual public health information service.

Dr Dawn Simpson (University of Newcastle & HNE Allied Health Clinical Academic Conjoint) who researches interventions for post-stroke fatigue, would like to speak with a GP who provides care for people with symptoms of neurological fatigue.

Researchers and clinicians from the University of Queensland, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and Metro North Mental Health, are currently conducting a survey on knowledge, attitudes, and readiness for psychedelic-assisted therapy by GPs, psychologists, and psychiatrists

You are invited to participate in the research study ‘Improving medication adherence to reduce asthma exacerbations in children aged 5-9 years’.

The PHN is informing primary care providers that on 24/11/2023, the Public Health and Surveillance Branch in the Office of Health Protection of the Department of Health and Aged Care has issued a quarantine notice for the product; InterPharma Sodium Chloride 0.9% 10ml or 30ml ampoules.

Changes to ATAGI guidelines: Monovalent COVID-19 vaccines - As our regions faces increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has issued updated advice regarding the use of Monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccines.

From 1 November 2023, the varicella virus recombinant vaccine, Shingrix ®, replaces Zostavax®, on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule for the prevention of shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia. It is available for eligible people most at risk of complications from shingles (1). The program changes follow recommendations from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and other clinical experts (1).