Alcohol and other drugs Archives | South Western Sydney PHN

29 January 2025

In South Western Sydney the demand for alcohol and other drugs (AOD) support services has increased over the past 10 years as the population grows.

But are AOD services easy to access and meeting the unique needs of the community in South Western Sydney?

South Western Sydney PHN (SWSPHN) is bringing together healthcare and service providers, those with lived experience of AOD use and the wider community to discuss service needs, gaps and priorities at our next series of Local Health Forums in April.

You’re invited to Breaking barriers: Help shape the future of alcohol and other drugs support in South Western Sydney to explore what makes it difficult to access AOD services, what makes it easier to access services and identify solutions for enhancing the quality and use of local services, with a special focus on supporting priority population groups.

Our first series of forums for 2025:

For people who live or work in the Southern Highlands and Wollondilly

Date: Tuesday, 1 April
Time: 6.30pm to 9pm
Venue: Park Proxi Gibraltar, 7 Boronia Street, Bowral

For people who live or work in Campbelltown and Camden

Date: Thursday, 3 April
Time: 6.30pm to 9pm
Venue: Rydges Campbelltown, 15 Old Menangle Road, Campbelltown

For people who live or work in Bankstown, Fairfield and Liverpool

Date: Thursday, 10 April
Time: 6.30pm to 9pm
Venue: Rydges Bankstown, 874 Hume Highway, Bass Hill

Registrations now open

Why attend a local health forums

SWSPHN hosts Local Health Forums twice a year to focus on health topics important to people living in our community. Past forums have focused on topics including mental health, primary care workforce need and end-of-life planning. This year, alcohol and other drug support will be a key focus to help ensure services are accessible and effective.

Your input at these forums is vital to ensuring we understand our region’s health needs and gaps in services to ensure the delivery of quality healthcare to our community.

Come along and share your valuable insights.

A two-course meal will be provided on the night.

An online survey is also available for people who would like to contribute but cannot attend.

TAKE OUR SURVEY

Find out more about SWSPHN-funded alcohol and other drug services, including integrated mental health support.

06 September 2024

South Western Sydney PHN’s Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Roundtable 8 brought together experts, service providers and community members at Rydges Campbelltown on Thursday, 29 August.

The 51 participants discussed integrated care and strategies for better mental health and AOD services in South Western Sydney.

This year’s keynote speaker, David Kelly, Executive Director of Programs at Odyssey House NSW, spoke about the importance of fostering partnerships and creating integrated strategies to bridge the gap between mental health and AOD services.

MH & AOD Roundtable 8 keynote speaker, David Kelly

Mr Kelly said individuals couldn’t change the service system but “we can definitely change how we work together as services, and we can definitely change how we work with individuals”.

Mr Kelly emphasised the importance of providing clients with holistic care.

“Integrated care is not just working with people’s mental health concerns and drug and alcohol concerns; integrated care is also working with housing and homelessness and working to manage the responses to trauma, cognitive impairment, family domestic and sexual violence and justice systems,” he said.

He highlighted the complexity of care required for individuals facing both mental health and substance use issues, saying 76 per cent of people in Odyssey House’s residential rehabilitation programs had a mental health concern.

“A lot of people will say the main problem is drug and alcohol services won’t take people with a mental health concern and mental health services won’t take people with a drug and alcohol concern, and sometimes it’s true,” he said.

“But Odyssey House always take people with a mental health concern.”

The roundtable’s discussion section highlighted challenges in the current service system’s state of integration.

“I think it is important for us in both the mental health and AOD sectors to build relationships with communities, identify or recognise the general service access points for consumers or those who are living in the community and where they can go for support,” one attendee said.

“I also think by having their input, we are not only treating the problem but preventing it from happening in the future.”

The event also featured a panel of experts discussing integrated practices and what good care looks like.

“It’s not the drug and alcohol problem or the mental health problem,” one panellist said.

“They might be parts of the overall story, but we want to hear the whole context, the whole story, you as a person, what do you enjoy doing, where do you feel the happiest, tell me about your support network.

“It shows we’re listening to them and their whole story, not just a little snippet or a chapter.

“It’s really important for the service to be safe for the specific community, knowing who they are around, not just copying and pasting other services.”

Throughout the day, we heard from many other speakers addressing issues such as vaping and changes to laws in Australia, SWSPHN Opioid Dependence Treatment grants, and Fairfield Health Alliance Gambling Harm Screening Tool Project.

Participants also heard from those with a lived experience, who shared insights into the importance of incorporating voices from those directly impacted by the system.

Find out more about SWSPHN mental health services and SWSPHN alcohol and other drugs services.

08 July 2024

Are you a GP or other prescriber interested in learning about opioid pharmacotherapy treatments for opioid dependence?

The University of Sydney (funded by the NSW Ministry of Health) is hosting a free one-day training course with local drug and alcohol specialists in South Western Sydney for medical and nurse practitioners to learn more about how to safely prescribe opioid pharmacotherapies (methadone and buprenorphine) for opioid dependence.

The Opioid Treatment Accreditation Course (OTAC) allows medical and nurse practitioners to learn more about the important treatment and gives the opportunity to undertake a clinical place along with being recognised as accredited prescribers of opioid pharmacotherapies for opioid dependence.

The next session will be held at Holiday Inn Warwick Farm on Saturday, 10 August facilitated by Dr Peter Thompson and Dr Jenny James of South Western Sydney Local Health District.

For more information, contact otac.info@sydney.edu.au or call 9515 6419.

Other health professionals may be interested in a range of educational activities such as the monthly clinical case webinars and additional learning activities.

Download the flyer

09 April 2024

We’re seeking your feedback

SWSPHN is considering creating a toolkit with information about free local exercise and weight management programs, weight management apps, online education and resources, and support to quit smoking and, alcohol and other drug use.

While patients may be advised to lose weight, or to exercise more, perhaps as recommendations of the 40-to-49 or 45-to-49 health assessments, many may not be able to afford to see a dietitian or pay for a gym membership, or they may be unsure of where to start or what options are available to them.

We’d like to hear from GPs and practice nurses about whether this resource would be helpful to your patients.

If a toolkit is of interest, please respond to alyssa.horgan@swsphn.com.au with answers to:

would this toolkit be useful?
what would you like to see in this toolkit?
what would be the best format for the toolkit? (ie HealthPathways, hard copy, PHN website etc)
are there other recommendations you make to patients following the 40-to-49 and 45-to-49 health checks which could be included in this guide?
any other feedback

20 February 2024

Two GPs with extensive experience in providing opioid dependence treatment (ODT) have encouraged their colleagues across South Western Sydney to take up financial incentives which aim to better equip primary care providers to support patients to overcome addiction.

SWSPHN is offering remuneration of up to $20,000 to eligible practices for training of two or more GPs or nurse practitioners, practice nurses and frontline staff per practice ($6,000), and the development of referral pathways with SWSLHD Drug Health Services and evidence the training has been put into practise ($14,000).

An Expression of Interest for participation in the Whole of Practice Capacity Building Initiative for Opioid Dependence Treatment opens today (21 February) and closes on 15 March.

Dr Tuan Bui (pictured) from Moorebank Family Medical Practice said he’d been prescribing opioid replacement medicines for several years because he wanted to make it as easy as possible for his patients to access the care they needed.

“I feel if I didn’t prescribe, I wouldn’t be providing a holistic service,” he said. “I have a good relationship and rapport with my patients, and I already look after their physical health, social and mental wellbeing. This is just one aspect of the healthcare that we provide.”

Dr Bui said he was lucky to have the support of a good team at his practice.

He said prescribers could also expect comprehensive, A to Z support from SWSLHD Drug Health Services, including access to Clinical Nurse Consultants and telephone support from the GP Drug and Alcohol Advice and Support Service.

“There are also courses I would recommend, such as the Opioid Treatment Accreditation Course.”

Dr Vince Roche from Southern Medical Centre at Moss Vale said he began prescribing opioid replacement medicines when one of his patients asked if he could prescribe methadone for his heroin addiction – that was 36 years ago.

“He is still my patient … and still on methadone,” he said.

“GP prescribing of ODT is much more convenient and civilised for patients and much cheaper for the healthcare system. It is part of the comprehensive care that GPs can give (eg mental health, chronic and complex care, paediatric care, geriatric care etc).

“Why would we isolate alcohol and other drugs (AOD) from all the comprehensive womb-to-tomb care we give to our patients?”

SWSPHN’s financial incentives initiative comes in response to the Federal Government’s changes to ODT which have made opioid replacement medicines available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule. It is anticipated that as private dispensing clinics close due to the changes, GPs will play a greater role in prescribing ODT medications.

Further information about the initiative is available on our website, including details about training for GPs, practices nurses and frontline staff, and how general practices will work with, and be supported by Drug Health Services.

When asked what he’d say to general practices hesitant to become opioid replacement medicine prescribers due to concerns about stigma or the behaviour of patients, Dr Bui said:

“It doesn’t matter what the patient is like – as long as they’re not difficult or experiencing crisis – you are helping your patient to overcome a problem which is quite difficult to do and has a very wide impact on all aspects of their lives and their family,” he said.

“Once you put your patient on the treatment, you can see a very rapid change to their life. They stop the drug-seeking behaviour, they stop searching for money and they are able to look after themselves.

“In a way it’s like seeing a surgeon for a cataract operation and in the next day or so the patient can see.”

Dr Roche encouraged general practices to try prescribing to one or two patients at first.

“Most of my ODT patients are like all other patients in my practice, courteous, polite and grateful,” he said.

Dr Roche said he “absolutely” encouraged other practices – small, medium and large group practices – to take up the incentives: “Upskill and gain resources!”, while Dr Bui agreed, emphasising the importance of communicating with your team.

“My team is extremely supportive and very professional,” he said.

“You will be able to provide a service to help your patient turn their life around.”

Express your interest

20 February 2024

Expressions of interest are sought from practices within South Western Sydney to take part in the Whole of Practice Capacity Building Initiative for Opioid Dependence Treatment.

Are you interested in developing your practice’s ability to support patients requiring opioid dependence treatment? This unique opportunity offers attractive remuneration of $20,000 and enables practices to gain access to free training and ongoing support.

The initiative is offered by South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN) to GP practices, to maximise their response to Australian Government changes to the PBS in relation to Opioid Dependence Treatment (ODT) medications and treatment.

Background

South Western Sydney PHN is committed to supporting local clinical pathways into primary care to improve outcomes for patients receiving Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) treatment. Ongoing SWSPHN AOD initiatives include promotion of service integration, educational for general practitioners and practice nurses and commissioning of treatment services.

About the initiative

SWSPHN seeks expressions of interest from South Western Sydney GP practices interested in implementing this whole-of-practice initiative. Successful practices will participate in educational opportunities, develop referral pathways for stable patients and be provided with ongoing support from South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) Drug Health Services.

Incentives up to $20,000 per practice are available for completion of activities as follows:

1. One-off payment of $6,000 for completion of all educational opportunities:

Completion of Opioid Treatment Accreditation Course (OTAC) for two or more GPs or Nurse Practitioners per practice, including generous CPD hours. Placements will be provided by SWSLHD Drug Health Services.
Free training and opportunities for one or more practice nurses to work at the top of their scope in treatment of patients on ODT and other AOD presentations. Training will be provided by SWSLHD Drug Health Services with allocated CPD hours.
Free half day training for one or more front line staff to improve confidence and knowledge to work with patients on ODT, and patients with general AOD presentations. Training will be provided by Lives Lived Well.

2. One-off payment of $14,000 for completion of activities to develop referral pathways with SWSLHD Drug Health Services, and evidence that training has been put into practice:

Work with SWSLHD Drug Health Services to transition patients to and from tertiary services into primary care, where stable patients are referred to primary care and patients requiring stabilisation are referred to Drug Health Services.
Engage in supports offered by SWSLHD Drug Health Services, which include access to medical officers, networking and support from Drug Health Services for practice nurses, in-practice support from Drug Health Service Clinical Nurse Consultants and telephone support for GPs and practice nurses from the GP Drug and Alcohol Advice and Support Service.

Eligible practices

Are located within the South Western Sydney region
Have two or more GPs and/or Nurse Practitioners committed to participating in the initiative
Have one or more practice nurses and front of practice staff committed to participating in the initiative
Must have electronic patient health record systems and business intelligence tools
Commitment to increasing numbers of patients receiving ODT

Further information and lodgment of EOI:

EOI opening date: Wednesday, 21 February 2024
EOI closing date and time: 5pm, Friday, 15 March 2024
Review by: 22 March 2022
Advise successful applicants by: 29 March 2024
Commencement: Mid-May 2024

Enquiries and further information:
Val Burge
SWSPHN Mental Health and AOD Programs Coordinator,
Ph: 4632 3057
Em: val.burge@swsphn.com.au

EOI - Whole of Practice Capacity Building Initiative for Opioid Dependence Treatment

"*" indicates required fields

Title

First name*

Last name*

Job title*

Practice business name*

Street address*

Suburb*

Email*

Phone*

This practice has two or more GPs and/or nurse practitioners committed to participating in the initiative*

Yes

This practice has one or more practice nurses and front of practice staff committed to participating in the initiative*

Yes

This practice uses an electronic patient health record system and business intelligence tool*

Yes

This practice has a commitment to increase the numbers of patients receiving Opioid Dependence Treatment*

Yes

Comments

Consent*

I acknowledge and consent to the collection and use of my personal information in accordance with South Western Sydney PHN’s Privacy Policy. I also acknowledge that I am not sharing another person’s personal information without their informed consent. I understand SWSPHN takes my privacy seriously and will handle my data securely.

Next steps

SWSPHN will review each EOI on an individual basis and will contact selected practices to discuss next steps. Unsuccessful practices will receive notification via email.

05 February 2024

Notice of upcoming EOI

SWSPHN will soon call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for an initiative which will provide incentives totalling $20,000 to general practices in South Western Sydney to develop the capacity of staff to provide opioid dependence treatment (ODT) to stable patients.

The initiative comes in response to the Federal Government’s changes to ODT which make opioid replacement medicines available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule.

It is anticipated that as private dispensing clinics close, GPs will play a greater role in prescribing ODT medications.

Practices in the initiative will receive incentives to participate in:

educational opportunities for GPs, nursing and practice staff
the development of referral pathways
and engage with South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) Drug Health Services to access support in treating stable patients

Incentives for participating practices include:

$6,000 for completion of educational opportunities
$14,000 to participate in the development of referral pathways and engage with SWSLHD Drug Health Services

Please discuss your interest in this initiative within your practice and watch out for the release of the EOI in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 21 February.

29 January 2024

Important changes are underway to place stricter controls on e-cigarette and vaping products.

These include:

No more disposable vapes from overseas: As of 1 January 2024, a ban was placed on importing disposable single use vapes. This means, even if a patient has a prescription, they will no longer be able to import disposable single use vapes online from overseas.
No more personal vape imports: From 1 March 2024, the Personal Importation Scheme will cease for all vapes. After this, importers will need an import licence and permit.
Changes to access pathways: Special Access Scheme Category C is now available enabling medical and nurse practitioners’ access through the notification pathway.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners is updating the Supporting smoking cessation: A guide for health professionals.

Draft interim guidance is now available and includes updated access pathways to help patients and young people stop vaping and smoking.

Find out more

Source: Health Update for Primary Care newsletter

19 October 2023

Our services, innovations, collaborations and commitment to improving the health of our community was on display today at SWSPHN’s first showcase since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Centring around the theme of ‘strengthening Medicare’, a room of about 50 people including PHN Board members, PHN member organisations, PHN staff, service providers, committee members and GPs, gathered in the Dharawal Room at Campbelltown Catholic Club.

We heard first from keynote speaker, Dr Stephen Duckett, Chair of the Eastern Melbourne PHN Board and former member of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce, about the challenges facing general practice and primary care in the future.

Dr Duckett told the gathering there had been a steady decline in the number of medical students choosing general practice.

“What this means is that the world of primary medical care in 10 years’ time, 15 years’ time or 20 years’ time is going to be quite different from what it is today,” he said.

“There’s going to be more patients, and either the same, or a smaller number of general practitioners, so we’re going to have to think about different ways of doing things.”

SWSPHN staff then highlighted a small sample of some of the great work we do, including our innovative iRAD and New to General Practice Nursing projects, and an example of collaborative commissioning.

Kristen Short, Director of Innovation and Partnerships, showcased our iRAD interoperability solution which connects health providers who are providing care for the same patient.

“With iRAD, we just need to consent the patient and the information will flow, and be available once they return to their regular GP,” she said.

Ms Short said South Western Sydney was the first location in Australia to have true interoperability working “which was super exciting”.

So far, 85 practices are connected to iRAD, a psychiatrist and after hours clinics, and Ms Short said we were looking to expand locally to add another 35 practices in the next few months.

“One of my favourite quotes from one of our providers is ‘I can’t do my job without iRAD’, they see so much value in it.

“We’ve been working very hard for a few years on being able to view hospital information through iRAd. It will be a complete game changer for GPs to be able to quickly see any information if a patient is admitted to the emergency department or hospital.”

SWSPHN’s Kristina Allen, Clinical Support Team Lead, and Lisa Cerruto, Clinical and Quality Improvement Officer, gave an overview of the New to General Practice Nursing program which provides support for nurses who are new, returning or transitioning to general practice within South Western Sydney.

Val Burge, SWSPHN Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Program Coordinator, followed with a presentation about working with service providers to have a greater impact on client outcomes, giving our work with the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Rendu House clients as an example.

Stephen Suttie, Senior Operations Manager at Neami National, gave a presentation on the new, SWSPHN-commissioned Liverpool Head to Health Centre, a free, walk-in, mental health and wellbeing support service which opened in August.

He discussed the benefits of working in partnership with SWSPHN to engage the community through the codesign process to deliver the best service they could. “What we deliver is a service that is there for people when they need it … which is really closely integrated with the community.”

SWSPHN Chief Executive Officer, Dr Keith McDonald PhD, closed the showcase with an exploration of SWSPHN’s new Employee Value Proposition – A Healthy Community. A Healthy Career. Right here, where you’re really needed – which not only tells, but shows why SWSPHN is a great place to work.

Watch the staff EVP video

Following the showcase, Board members met for SWSPHN’s AGM where our 2022-2023 Annual Report, which highlights even more of the significant body of work undertaken by our dedicated and passionate staff during the last financial year.

Read our Annual Report

25 August 2023

There is no known safe amount of alcohol which can be consumed during pregnancy.

9.09am on the 9th day of the 9th month is observed every year in recognition of the importance of being alcohol free for the nine months of a pregnancy.

International FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) Awareness Day highlights the risks of prenatal alcohol exposure.

Visit Every Moment Matters for information about FASD.

Advertise your practice vacancy

Topic: Alcohol and other drugs