Current Tenders

The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care is funding Primary Health Networks (PHNs) across Australia to commission a new care finder program to help older people navigate the aged care system.

The Victorian PHNs have worked collaboratively to develop a consistent approach to commissioning for the care finder program.  

The Request for Tender to provide care finder services in the North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) region was released on 14 September 2022.  

NWMPHN encourages organisations to view the tender pack and submit their tender application on Tenderlink: tenderlink.com/mpcn 

If you haven’t already registered with Tenderlink, click here.

Key dates 

• Tender release: 14 September 2022 
• Tender closure date: 3pm (AEDT), Wednesday, 12 October 2022 

Questions and enquiries 

All communications and enquiries in relation to this tender must be directed in writing in the online forum via the Tenderlink portal. Responses to enquiries may be shared with all registered applicants. 

Organisations who have registered as a provider on NWMPHN’s Tenderlink website will receive a notification and be able to access the RFT when it is published. NWMPHN will not email tenders to organisations for probity reasons. If others in your organisation want to receive notifications or respond to the RFT, they must also register as a provider using their individual email address.  

Market briefing

A market briefing for organisations interested in responding to PHN tenders for provision of care finder services in Victoria was held online on Monday 12 September 2022. This session was hosted collaboratively by the 5 Victorian PHNs. The briefing included information about the commissioning and contracting process, PHN probity obligations and the steps that will follow the closure of the tender period. 

A recording of the market briefing webinar and a copy of the questions and PHN responses will be shared on the respective PHN tender portals by 16 September 2022. 

About care finder services

NWMPHN will commission service providers to establish, deliver and maintain specialist and intensive assistance to people within the target population.   

This will include: 

• supporting older people to understand and access aged care, and connect with other relevant supports in the community
• specifically assisting people within the target population to access My Aged Care
• transitioning existing Assistance with Care and Housing service providers to deliver the care finder program. 

Needs assessments

NWMPHN’s recent Health Needs Assessment 2022–25 provides a comprehensive compilation of health and wellbeing research and data, plus contextual information gathered through interviews, workshops and surveys of community members, general practices, commissioned services, peak bodies, community health, acute health care and local government.

NWMPHN also developed a supplementary needs assessment to identify needs and priorities of older adults in our region, to inform and guide the care finder program.

Centre for Medicine Use and Safety investigators are seeking expression of interest from general practice clinics to deliver tailored intervention or provide usual care in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Are you a GP or nurse interested in participating in a study on targeting treatable traits in COPD patients?

COPD was the top cause of preventable hospitalisations for chronic diseases in Australia in 2016-2017. ‘Treatable traits’ (TT) refers to individually assessing patients for a specified set of treatable problems, followed by the development and implementation of an individualised treatment program.

In the TERRACOTTA trial, disease management targeting TT will be delivered by an interdisciplinary team of general practitioners, practice nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists and other allied health professionals. This multidisciplinary team of investigations have already demonstrated the real world effectiveness of interdisciplinary interventions for COPD in primary care.

Investigators are seeking expression of interest from general practice clinics with:

• at least 500 patients in their database, and
• have a practice nurse or are able to accommodate a practice nurse to deliver the tailored intervention targeting TT in COPD or provide usual care.

If you would like further information or to complete the online form, click here.

Or contact the TERRACOTTA team via email at: terracotta@monash.edu

Please note North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network supports this study but is not involved in its design or coordination.

Are your middle-aged patients worried about developing dementia? Do you help them to reduce their risk of developing dementia?

Monash University and North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network are seeking practices to be involved in implementing one of two new primary care based interventions for assessing dementia risk and reducing risk factors in middle-aged adults. Nurse training, patient education resources and clinic remuneration are just some of the benefits of being involved.

Expressions of interest (EOI) are now open and documentation is available below.

  The HAPPI MIND Study: EOI

Email happimind@monash.edu to submit your EOI or for further information.

Click here to find our more about our quality improvement project for this study.

Doctors in Secondary Schools aims to provide equitable, accessible and professional primary health care services to young Victorians in secondary schools.

Current opportunities in our region include Melton Secondary College, Bacchus Marsh Secondary College and Manor Lakes P-12 College in Wyndham Vale. Find a list of all current opportunities here.

The program complements existing student wellbeing programs aimed at improving health literacy and encouraging preventive health. Its explicit objectives are to:

• make primary health care more accessible to students
• provide assistance to young people to identify and address any health problems early
• reduce the pressure on working parents and community-based GPs.

Who is involved?

As part of the program, 100 Victorian government secondary schools will have access to a GP trained in adolescent health, for up to one day per week. This service will be located onsite, as an in-reach service, providing medical advice and treatment to students enrolled in the participating school.

The program calls for a medical practice to nominate a general practitioner or eligible registrar to provide services in a ‘satellite clinic’ within the school for a period of four hours weekly. A practice nurse is also supported to spend a full day at the school.

Eligibility

Medical centres must be accredited against the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Standards for General Practice. Practices that are accredited or registered for accreditation and committed to working with the school on an ongoing basis are encouraged to apply.

Practices are required to provide bulk-billing services for students, have a medical software program and have – or are willing to have – a clinical audit tool installed to record and report data.

The program requires GPs with:

• a medical degree and licence to practice in Australia
• Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registration with no restriction on scope of practice
• experience working in a multidisciplinary team.

The program requires practice nurses with:

• AHPRA registration
• no restrictions on scope of practice in Australia.

If you are a GP, nurse or general practice interested in the Doctors in Secondary Schools program, complete this online expression of interest form.

To discuss your interest in the program or ask questions about the EOI process, please contact Carlia (03) 9347 1188 by phone or email: diss@nwmphn.org.au

Find out more on our website here.

Emergency Response Planning Tool (ERPT) – Why you should register to use it now!

Significant environmental events such as bushfires, flooding and even an earthquake could have a catastrophic effect on your practice and your ability to provide services to your community.

As we saw at the end of 2019 and into 2020 the bushfires had devastating consequences and will impact many Victorians for years to come.

General practice in these areas should play a significant role in the community’s response to any major event but to be able to do this your practice, and its staff need to be prepared. Fully completing the ERPT will ensure that your practice has an emergency response plan ready for all eventualities. Have a cloud based online emergency response plan for your practice;

• Consider the risks that your environment and geography pose in your planning process
• Understand that should your clinic be damaged; your emergency response plan should help you to re-establish services as soon as possible
• Staff members personally preparing for the aftermath of an emergency will ensure that they are able to respond appropriately.

Completing the ERPT will help you prepare for accreditation. The ERPT is the RACGP-recommended tool for GP practices to prepare for emergencies and pandemics and complies with the fifth edition RACGP standards.

The Victorian Department of Health is funding GP practices in Victoria to use the ERPT and Healthpoint ANZ is supporting you by helping you get started via a videocall training session.

So, if you are coming up for accreditation in 2022 and you want to go away for the holiday season with minimal interruption, using the ERPT to put all your practice emergency response information in one place is important. Act now to prepare your practice for a bushfire, flooding, power outages and other unplanned events, register for the ERPT at https://erpt.racgp.org.au and start your planning immediately.

Victorian government subsidies for the ERPT will end in December 2023, so make the most of your opportunity to get your ERPT in place now.

What will your practice receive?

Each participating general practice will receive:

• fully subsidised access to the ERPT in 2022 and 2023 (normally $385)
• support from Healthpoint ANZ, including an initial set-up/orientation video call to help you complete an emergency response plan
• ongoing access to the Healthpoint ANZ help desk
• further support from your practice’s relationship manager at North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network as required.

How to register for the ERPT

1. Go to the URL: erpt.racgp.org.au/standardlogin
2. Click on Register your practice for the ERPT, in red. Complete the few details.
3. HealthpointANZ will contact you to arrange training and support

Visit the RACGP website to find out more and watch a video about the ERPT.

For enquiries please contact the Primary Health Care Improvement Team on (03) 9347 1188 or email primarycare@nwmphn.org.au

 View flyer (.pdf)

Would you like to increase staff confidence to use your clinical software, improve data quality and uptake of digital health initiatives in your practice?

North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) is offering practices* access to data quality and digital health modules in Train IT Medical’s online learning management system (LMS). Train IT Medical is run by experienced practice manager Katrina Otto.

The modules aim to increase the capacity and confidence of general practice teams to effectively use their clinical software to:

• improve data quality
• increase quality improvement activities
• encourage the uptake and use of digital health initiatives for providers and patients.

Practice teams will be given access to four online learning modules that must be completed by 31 December 2022. The four modules are:

1. Essential clinical data using Best Practice or MedicalDirector
2. Database cleansing using Best Practice or MedicalDirector
3. Quality Improvement and PIP QI including Pen and Best Practice or MedicalDirector
4. Digital Health and My Health Record using Best Practice or MedicalDirector

Practices will be required to complete four documented Plan Do Study Act cycles throughout the licence period to enable and sustain change within practice, and will need to participate in evaluation and review activities. Practices will receive support throughout the project from their NWMPHN relationship manager.

*Training is only available at this stage for practices with MedicalDirector and Best Practice software.

Benefits for your practice

• Self-paced training on how to get the most out of your practice software including improving data quality, using software to support quality improvement and increase the use of My Health Record.
• Support to undertake quality improvement activities.
• Improved data quality for your practice.
• Opportunities to share, network and connect with other practices through discussion board section of the LMS.
• Completion of all project activities will contribute to requirements for the PIP QI Incentive.

How to apply

For more information and to apply, please download and complete the application form below and email to education@nwmphn.org.au

 Application form (.docx)

Applications are open until all available licences are taken.  

Please direct all queries to:

Saadia Khan
Workforce Development Program Officer, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network
Phone: (03) 9347 1188
Email: education@nwmphn.org.au

Watch the video below to learn more about this opportunity.

Opportunity for general practices to improve the quality of life of patients with life-limiting illnesses.

North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network has partnered with the North and West Metropolitan Region Palliative Care Consortium to offer general practices the opportunity to connect with local community based palliative care providers.

Practices can request a visit from a community palliative care team member to provide information, education, and support, and help improve understanding and access to community palliative care services.

Visits can be virtual or in person as COVID-19 guidelines permit. Visits will be arranged by our liaison officer at a time that suits the practice.

Apply now and help enhance the palliative care journey for patients in our region.

• Online application form

Would you like to support local tradies’ mental health and wellbeing? Apply now to become a HALT-Friendly Clinic.

Background

In 2019 Hope Assistance Local Tradies (HALT) launched the HALT-Friendly Clinic program in Victoria. The first of its kind, the program links tradespeople (blue-collar workers), with general practices that have a specific interest in suicide prevention and men’s health. More information is available in the HALT-Friendly Clinics information sheet (.pdf).

Aims

HALT is seeking general practices in the North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) region to become HALT-Friendly Clinics to:

• Show the community that your practice is committed to suicide prevention and improving the mental health of your patients
• Provide a safe space for tradies to overcome their reluctance to seek mental health support
• Raise the profile of your general practice by highlighting your connection to community and special interest and expertise in mental health

Benefits of your practice participating

• Promote your practice as a HALT-Friendly Clinic and have the potential to increase your patient base
• Staff training and professional development in men’s health and suicide prevention
• Support to undertake quality improvement and education activities to enable your practice to become ‘HALT Friendly’
• Contribute to improving access to health care for a hard-to-reach patient population

How to apply

If you are interested in becoming a HALT-Friendly Clinic, please complete the application form below and return by email to primarycare@nwmphn.org.au

  Application form (.docx)

The Australian Department of Health has extended the healthdirect Video Call COVID- 19 GP Program to 31 December 2022.

We encourage you to continue using this secure video consulting platform which has been purpose-built for primary care settings, in line with the changes to the telehealth MBS items.

For GPs in private practice wanting to start using the service, please register your practice.

For GPs in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations wanting to start using the service, please register for access.

Resources

• RACGP CPD accredited training in healthdirect Video Call is available for your practice. Register here for essential training.
• Visit the Healthdirect website for more information about how Video Call works.
• To help you get started and improve your Video Call skills, refer to the healthdirect webinars, starter guide and other guides and videos.

For more information contact:

Primary Health Care Improvement Team
North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network
Phone: 03 9347 1188
Email: primarycare@nwmphn.org.au