Current Tenders

Vacancies exist for a GP and a practice manager based in the western region to join our General Practice Advisory Group.

North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) is focused on supporting general practice through a quality improvement program. We also support the broader primary health care sector through local learning networks.

NWMPHN is seeking a GP and a practice manager from the western region local government areas of Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton, Moorabool or Wyndham, to join our General Practice Advisory Group (GPAG).

We are looking for people who:

• are passionate about improving patient care and health service delivery
• are interested in driving innovation and change in practice
• embrace the principles of safe, coordinated, accessible and person-centred care
• are willing to share, collaborate and inspire others
• understand the population health needs of the north western Melbourne region
• are currently working in general practice in the Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton, Moorabool or Wyndham local government areas.

We are looking for a diverse range of experience; people who are new to practice and emerging leaders as well as those who have experience working with NWMPHN are encouraged to apply. You do not need any previous experience on clinical leadership or advisory groups or with a PHN to participate in the GPAG.

All members will be remunerated for their attendance in accordance with the NWMPHN Stakeholder Reimbursement Policy.

How to apply

For more information and to apply, download, complete and return the below application form.

 Application form (.docx)

Applications close Sunday, 16 May 2021.

For questions and to apply contact:

Bianca Bell
Director, Primary Health Care Improvement
North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network
Phone: (03) 9347 1188
Email: primarycare@nwmphn.org.au

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 May 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:

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

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

“What do you do when the client does open up and it’s the end of your 15-minute appointment?… How to make them feel safe and also listened to and validated and get them back in another day?”

North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) is partnering with Professor Kelsey Hegarty from the University of Melbourne Safer Families Centre to offer practices an opportunity to participate in a fully supported five-month quality improvement activity.

The approach is to build and sustain greater internal capacity within primary care providers to respond to the high prevalence of family violence-related presentations in primary care. The project team will deliver a comprehensive, practice-based education program tailored to overcome challenges affecting your capacity to respond to family violence.

This opportunity is open to the whole NWMPHN catchment. Project waves will continue to commence throughout 2021.

Please note: we are now considering non-accredited practices to participate in this project.

 Watch our webinar on the shadow pandemic of family violence for more information.

What’s involved?

• Support throughout the project from the NWMPHN project lead and a family violence support worker from a local service.
• Three in-practice education sessions delivered by clinical GPs from the Safer Families Centre and a family violence support worker from Northern Specialist Family Violence Services.
• Two virtual workshops with other participating practices to provide an understanding of quality improvement methodology, and to support sustainability of practice improvements.
• Secondary consult/mentoring support from the Safer Families Centre’s family violence support worker.
• Monthly visits from the NWMPHN project lead to support your practice’s selected quality improvement activities.

Benefits for your practice

• Incentive payment of $3,000 (+GST) for participating practices that complete the program.
• RACGP-accredited CPD activity opportunity (previously 40 Category 1 points).
• Facilitated learning workshops with subject matter experts.
• Dedicated support from the NWMPHN project lead and a local family violence support worker to help you complete this quality improvement activity.
• Opportunity to share, network and connect with other practices involved in the project.
• Participation in this facilitated quality improvement project will help to meet the requirements for the Practice Incentives Program Quality Improvement Incentive.

How to apply

Please complete the below application form and email to primarycare@nwmphn.org.au

• Download application form (.docx)

If successful, our project lead will work with you to determine when your practice would like to start the project.

Please direct all queries to:

Irina Basanko
IQI Project Lead – Family Violence
North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network
Phone: (03) 9347 1188
Email: Irina.Basanko@nwmphn.org.au

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)

We are inviting all general practices to register for free access to complete the Emergency Response Planning Tool (ERPT), endorsed by the RACGP.

Has your practice got an up-to-date plan in place to help you respond to and recover from an emergency or disaster?

The 2020–21 bushfires had a devastating impact on the community and the threat of a third wave of COVID-19 remains ever present for clinicians.

Seemingly minor internal emergencies can also strike practices at any moment and have the potential to disrupt your business. How would your team respond to:

• a burst water main or gas leak?
• a power outage, loss of data or IT hack?
• equipment theft or loss of medical records?

The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is offering more fully subsidised ERPT licences for use by general practice. DHHS acknowledge the importance of an up-to-date emergency response plan in ensuring that communities are able to continue to access essential health services during a range of emergency events.

Now is the perfect time to take advantage of a free licence and update your emergency response plan. Make sure all staff are informed and prepared in the case of an emergency.

The ERPT is easy to complete and you will receive free training and support from the Healthpoint ANZ team.

Licences are limited – please register now to avoid disappointment.

Applications are open until further notice.

What will your practice receive?

Each participating general practice will receive:

• fully subsidised access to the ERPT in 2021 (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