27 January 2026

South Western Sydney PHN is offering cervical screening training scholarships to support practice nurses to build skills, confidence, and capacity in cervical screening. This includes recent updates to self-collection, with the aim of increasing cervical screening participation in general practice using both speculum-based and self-collection options.

Scholarships currently at capacity. We are still accepting registrations for the waitlist, however places are limited and you may miss out.

What’s available

General practices, women’s health centres and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services can receive $1,000 per practice nurse who completes the training. There is no limit of applications per practice.

practices pay the $285 course fee upfront
$1,000 reimbursement is paid after the enrolment receipt and course completion certificate is submitted
funding is intended to help offset course fees, staff time, backfill, travel, and parking costs
up to 50 scholarship places are available
eligible nurses must work in primary care within South Western Sydney. This includes the local government areas of Bankstown, Campbelltown, Camden, Fairfield, Liverpool, Wollondilly or Wingecarribee.

Scholarships are outcome-based and paid on completion. Funding is limited and prior approval from SWSPHN is required before course registration.

About the course

This blended learning course, delivered by Family Planning Australia clinical facilitators, combines online learning with hands-on, face-to-face skills practice.

Practice nurses will strengthen their:

knowledge of cervical screening
practical skills and technique
confidence in discussing and providing screening, including self-collection

The online learning component must be completed before attending the in-person training session.

Course content includes:

updates to the National Cervical Screening Guidelines, with a focus on self-collection
human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer
communication and history-taking skills
taking cervical screening samples
case studies
practising cervical screening on pelvic models

Accreditation

Participants, who complete all the online learning and attend the workshop will be issued with a Statement of Completion.

The course is a CPD Activity under the RACGP CPD Program and gives 3 Education Activity hours and 2.5 Reviewing Performance hours.

This course is equivalent to 5 hours to meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) requirements for CPD.

Family Planning Australia course: Cervical Screening Comprehensive Skills Training

Course dates and locations

The below course dates are current as of 18 February 2026. This page will be updated as new dates become available.

Tuesday, 14 April 2026
10am – 12.30pm
SWSPHN Education Room, Level 2, 1 Bolger St, Campbelltown

Tuesday, 5 May 2026
10am – 12.30pm
Family Planning Australia, 13 Reserve St, Penrith

Tuesday, 2 June 2026
10am – 12.30pm
SWSPHN Education Room, Level 2, 1 Bolger St, Campbelltown

Tuesday, 16 June 2026
10am – 12.30pm
Family Planning Australia, 8 Holker St, Newington

Friday, 26 June 2026
2pm – 4.30pm
Family Planning Australia, 8 Holker St, Newington

How to apply and receive reimbursement

To help manage limited funding, practices must receive SWSPHN approval before registering for the course. (We encourage practices to book and pay for the Family Planning Australia course, rather than nurses paying personally, as reimbursement will be made to the practice.)

Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to SWSPHN
- Eligibility will be confirmed
- Approved applicants will receive written confirmation to proceed via email, including instructions
Once approved, visit the Family Planning Australia website course page
Click Register here and select an available course date
Register and pay the course fee of $285 (save the payment receipt)
Complete the training and obtain your course completion certificate
Submit the below reimbursement form, attaching:
- your payment receipt from Family Planning Australia (bank statements and course registrations will not be accepted)
- your course completion certificate
Complete the short pre-training practice survey
- survey details will be in the confirmation email we send you
- this survey only needs to be completed once per practice

Reimbursement will only be made for applicants who received SWSPHN approval before enrolling.

Please allow two to four weeks for payment processing.

If you have any concerns about scholarship eligibility, please phone or email the Integration and Priority Populations Coordinator – Deborah Ferry before enrolling.
Em: deborah.ferry@swsphn.com.au
Ph: 4632 3000
Deborah works Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

EOI – Cervical Cancer Screening Nurse Scholarship

Scholarships currently at capacity. We are still accepting registrations for the waitlist, however places are limited and you may miss out.

Complete this expression of interest for the Cervical Screening Comprehensive Skills Training scholarship.

Reimbursement instructions

Once the course is complete and your practice has completed the pre-training practice survey, you can request reimbursement.

Step 1 – Complete the survey
Complete the survey linked in your confirmation email from SWSPHN.
This survey only needs to be completed once per practice.

Step 2 – Complete the reimbursement form
Download and complete the reimbursement form:
Reimbursement form

Step 3 – Email your request
Email the completed reimbursement form with all three attachments below:

completed reimbursement form
$285 course payment receipt from Family Planning Australia
Course completion certificate from Family Planning Australia

Send to: deborah.ferry@swsphn.com.au
Once received, your practice will be reimbursed $1,000.

Cancer Institute NSW recommended cervical screening resources for participants

Translated cancer resources for multicultural communities

20 January 2026

More than 1,900 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year in Australia.

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is held annually in February to educate, advocate, and increase awareness of ovarian cancer.

According to Cancer Institute NSW data, there has been an 18 per cent increase in the rate of ovarian cancer diagnoses in South Western Sydney over the past decade, with 71 women diagnosed in 2021.

Unlike other cancers, ovarian cancer has no screening test, and symptoms can be vague.

Research by Cancer Australia shows almost half of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer are unable to recognise any symptoms.

It is crucial to be aware of your body and look out for any symptoms which may arise.

Common Symptoms include:

increased abdominal size or persistent abdominal bloating
abdominal or pelvic (lower tummy) pain
feeling full after eating a small amount
needing to urinate often or urgently

Additional signs and symptoms:

changes in bowel habits
unexplained weight gain or loss
excessive fatigue
lower back pain
indigestion or nausea
bleeding after menopause or in-between periods
pain during sex or bleeding after

If you are concerned about your family history of breast or ovarian cancer, your doctor can assess your risk.

You know your body better than anyone else, so always listen to what your body is saying and trust your instincts.

Track your symptoms in the Ovarian Cancer Australia symptom diary and take this record with you to your doctor.

Find out more about symptoms

During February, wear a teal ribbon to show your support, raise awareness, start a conversation which could change a life and help raise funds to support people affected by ovarian cancer.

You can purchase a ribbon through the Ovarian Cancer Australia website.

What support is available?

If your GP refers you to an oncologist, you can visit one of these local cancer centres. The staff at these centres provide caring and best support during your treatment.

- - - Liverpool Hospital Cancer Services: Phone 8738 5211
    - Campbelltown Hospital Cancer Services: Phone 4634 3000
    - Bankstown Lidcombe Hospital Cancer Services: Phone 9722 8606
    - Bowral and District Hospital Medical Oncology Clinic: Phone 4861 0200
    - Southern Highlands Private Hospital Cancer and Day Infusion Centre: Phone 4862 9470
    - Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre: Phone 4634 4300

Private specialists are also an option. Ask your GP to refer you.

08 October 2025

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer amongst women in Australia.

Screening for breast cancer is also known as a mammogram. The aim of screening is to detect breast cancer early, when it is most treatable.

A screening mammogram is an x-ray of your breasts, it should be done every two years. Learn more about having your free breast screen with BreastScreen NSW.

Should I have a breast screen?

You should get a free breast screen if you are:

Aged 50-74 (every two years from age 50 up to the age of 74)
Aboriginal women are now eligible to attend every two years from age 40 up to age 74 (factsheet)
Aged 40-49 and have spoken to your GP about whether a breast screen is right for you

How do I get a breast screen?

BreastScreen NSW has many service locations where you can receive your free screening mammogram, including:

Hospitals
Shopping centres
Mobile vans

Where can I book my breast screen in South Western Sydney?

Permanent clinics:

Bankstown: Bankstown Civic Tower Building, Ground Floor (past the coffee kiosk), 66-72 Rickard Road (entrance is via Jacobs Street), Bankstown
Bowral: Bowral Specialist Centre, ground floor, suite 4, 72 Bowral Street, Bowral
Campbelltown: Mawson Centre, ground floor units 3-5, 4 Browne Street, Campbelltown
Liverpool (George St, Screening Centre): 157-161 George St, unit 5, opposite Liverpool Court House, Liverpool
Liverpool (Bigge St, Screening & Assessment Centre): Bigge St Screening & Assessment Centre, 102 Bigge Street, Liverpool

Mobile vans:

Cabramatta: McBurney Road car park, beside PCYC, opposite Cabramatta Community Centre, Cabramatta (available from 7 October to 12 December 2025)

Book now at book.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au or call 13 20 50

22 September 2025

Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October highlights the impact of breast cancer on individuals and communities.

Did you know?

more than 21,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia this year
it is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Australia
a woman’s lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia is one in seven, and for men it’s one in 556

Breast Cancer Awareness Month aims to:

educate the community about breast cancer prevention, detection and treatment
support breast cancer research and survivors
encourage screenings and early detection

What can you do?

If you’re a woman aged 50 to 74, ensure you have a breast screen every two years – it’s the best way to detect breast cancer early. A breast screen (or mammogram) can find cancer before you notice any symptoms. When breast cancer is caught early, there are more treatment options available, and a greater chance of survival.

Visit the BreastScreen NSW website to find out more about screening or to make an appointment.

Visit the Cancer Council website to find information about breast cancer – symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, screening and early detection, prevention and prognosis.

25 August 2025

Direct Access Colonoscopy (DAC) is available at Liverpool and Campbelltown hospitals, and referrals are available through the Triple I Hub.

GPs can refer patients with positive FOBT, conducted via the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program or through private pathology, directly for colonoscopy without first needing an appointment to see a gastroenterologist.

The gastroenterologist will only see the patient on the day of colonoscopy.

The Direct Access Colonoscopy service is available to patients who are:

FOBT positive result
45 to 75 years
Living in Fairfield, Liverpool, Campbelltown, Camden, Wingecarribee or Wollondilly local government areas

Patients referred to the Direct Access Colonoscopy service will be triaged, and if appropriate, allocated to the next available gastroenterologist. Healthy patients with minimal co-morbidities will be triaged directly to their colonoscopy. The DAC Coordinator will liaise directly with the GP and patient, and guide the patient through the entire process. Patients with chronic co-morbidities who are not suitable for Direct Access Colonoscopy will be scheduled for an appointment within the regular Gastroenterology Department and clinics, as per current practice.

GPs must use the Triple-I referral form, completing the FOBT positive section and sending the completed form to the Triple I Hub so the referral is triaged appropriately. Incomplete referrals will be returned to the GP.

16 July 2025

Reduced waiting times and a lower cost are just two of the benefits for patients accessing the Direct Access Colonoscopy (DAC) service in South Western Sydney.

Available at both Campbelltown and Liverpool hospitals, DAC is a streamlined, specialised nurse-led service which enables rapid access to a public hospital colonoscopy for patients who return a positive Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT).

Dr Ken Koo is the DAC service clinical lead at Liverpool Hospital

Patients have a telehealth appointment with a DAC nurse who guides them through the process of having a colonoscopy.

This comprehensive assessment includes discussing the reasons, benefits and risks of having a colonoscopy and providing bowel preparation instructions, as well as completing their admission forms and scheduling their colonoscopy.

They do not need to see a specialist prior to their colonoscopy which helps reduce barriers such as taking time off work to attend face-to-face appointments and out of pocket expenses. The service also improves wait times for the procedure.

Each hospital has a clinical lead who oversees the running of the service – Dr Ken Koo at Liverpool Hospital and Associate Professor Ian Turner at Campbelltown Hospital. The DAC service is run by clinical nurse consultant Nada Vujasin and clinical nurse specialists Karen Williams and Dhanya Jacob.

Dr Koo explains: “We have developed a clinical pathway that ensures a safe and effective, patient-centred service. The clinical leads oversee the running of the service while providing clinical support and supervision to our DAC nurses on all matters relating to patient care and the service”.

Associate Professor Ian Turner is the clinical lead at Campbelltown Hospital

“This nurse-led clinic helps ensure rapid access to a colonoscopy, bypassing the need to first see a specialist,” Dr Koo said. “The fact that it reduces the cost involved with seeing a specialist and time off work to attend the appointment is an important consideration in South Western Sydney.

“Our nurses are excellent patient navigators and are readily accessible and contactable by patients and GPs alike. This service also frees up space in the public hospital clinic for patients with more complex medical problems,” Dr Koo said.

The service was first established in 2016 at Liverpool and Campbelltown hospitals with the assistance of a grant offered by the Cancer Institute of NSW.

Residents of Liverpool and Fairfield local government areas can attend Liverpool Hospital for their procedure, while those living in Campbelltown, Camden, Wingecarribee and Wollondilly go to Campbelltown Hospital.

Planning is underway to include Bankstown Hospital, anticipated to commence in late 2025.

To be eligible, patients must have a Medicare card, a positive FOBT or bowel cancer screening test, be aged between 45 and 75 years old and reside in the relevant local government areas.

The patient’s GP completes a referral form which contains a list of clinical criteria to determine their eligibility. The clinical leads and DAC nurses then assess the completed form, and suitable patients are scheduled an appointment with one of the DAC nurses.

Patients with health issues who are not suitable for the DAC service will be scheduled to see the clinical lead at their respective clinics prior to having their colonoscopy.

Dr Koo said the service offered by DAC service was important because bowel cancer was the second leading cause of cancer-related death in Australia.

Clinical nurse consultant Nada Vujasin (centre) and clinical nurse specialists Karen Williams (left) and Dhanya Jacob (right)

“This highlights the need for proactive screening,” Dr Koo said.

“It helps detect early bowel cancer or precancerous lesions, often before they cause any noticeable symptoms. Early detection is the key as it significantly increases the chances of successful surgery and ultimately improves survival.”

SWSPHN Chief Executive Officer, Dr Keith McDonald PhD, said increasing the level of screening was a key priority in a region which had a low participation rate.

“In 2022 to 2023 the annual bowel cancer participation rate for people aged 50 to 74 in South Western Sydney was only 33.8 per cent,” Dr McDonald said. “Bowel cancer is increasing in people under 50 and there is a need to increase participation in the screening program, especially in the younger portion of the target group.

“Encouragement and guidance from GPs in normalising screening behaviour has been shown to increase participation.”

Direct Access Colonoscopy referral form

25 June 2025

BreastScreen NSW has released clinic screening dates for South Western Sydney for July to December.

Bankstown permanent clinic – Saturday screening is now scheduled every month, in addition to the normal weekday screening
Fairfield van – the van is open until 18 July and there are still appointments available
Airds van (Aboriginal specific) – there are two Aboriginal specific van visits to Tharawal Aboriginal Medical Service – 21 to 25 July and 29 September to 3 October 2025
The ABCentral (Airds) community hub van visit – 1 to 5 September 2025 – is at a new location which will cater to all the community in the Airds/Bradbury and wider Campbelltown area. All nationalities are welcome at this van clinic as part of a Women’s health Week initiative. Health Services such as the menopause clinic and health promotion will be holding stalls at the event.
Oran Park van visit – 18 to 29 August – will provide additional access to breast screening for those women who missed out on the van visit earlier this year
The Oaks van visit – 8 to 26 September – is at a new location. This site is an alternative for any women who have missed the site at Tahmoor or who live locally and would like to take advantage of this convenient site.
Cabramatta van visit – starting 7 October and running February 2026. Bilingual, Vietnamese-speaking radiographers and receptionists will be rostered at this site on a daily basis.

The BreastScreen NSW program is specifically for asymptomatic women.

While breast screening is most effective for women aged 50 to 74 years, the BreastScreen NSW program is also available to women in their 40s and over 75.

Women are encouraged to speak to their doctor in relation to their choice to screen.

Refer to Breast screening guide for GPsBreast screening guide for GPs for more information.

There are good reasons to recommend BreastScreen NSW to your eligible patients:

biennial breast screens are free for eligible women
breastScreen NSW cultivates a relationship with its clients and operates a reminder service
all screens are independently read by two specially trained doctors
breastScreen NSW is equipped with the latest digital technology
all staff rostered for screening are female.

Appointments: Call 13 20 50 or book online at book.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au.

Free Telephone Interpreter Service on 13 14 50.

28 May 2025

As we approach Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in June, GPs are reminded South Western Sydney Local Health District’s (SWSLHD) Direct Access Colonoscopy Clinic (DACC) is open for referrals of patients aged 45 to 75 with a positive faecal occult blood test (FOBT).

GPs can refer patients with one positive FOBT, conducted via the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program or through private pathology, directly for colonoscopy without first needing an appointment to see a gastroenterologist.

The DACC service expedites access to a colonoscopy and reduces cost barriers such as consultation fees, travel, parking and loss of income, by replacing the specialist consultation with a nurse-led telephone triage assessment.

The nurse liaises directly with the GP and patient and guides the patient through the process. A gastroenterologist will only see the patient on the day of colonoscopy, at either Campbelltown or Liverpool hospitals.

The service is open to residents of Wingecarribee, Campbelltown, Camden, Wollondilly, Liverpool and Fairfield who meet the eligibility criteria. Referrals can be made by completing this referral form and returning it to the Triple I Hub for triaging.

Throughout 2025, SWSPHN staff and a Clinical Nurse Consultant will make practice visits across the region to discuss bowel cancer screening, referring patients to the DACC, and to provide support in flagging and recalling patients for bowel cancer screening.

For bookings or enquiries, contact SWSPHN’s Integration and Priority Populations Coordinator Alyssa Horgan via email alyssa.horgan@swsphn.com.au or call 4632 3088.

Find out more about Direct Access Colonoscopy services in NSW.

Have your say on DACC service utilisation

The Liver, Urology and Gastrointestinal Clinical Stream within SWSLHD is conducting a survey to understand the utilisation of the Direct Access Colonoscopy (DAC) service and to identify ways to improve it. Your participation is crucial for the success of this service. The survey should take about five to eight minutes to complete. 

Take the survey

20 May 2025

Bowel cancer claims the lives of 101 Australians every week – but it’s one of the most treatable types of cancer when detected early, with more than 90 per cent of cases successfully treated.

While the risk of bowel cancer increases significantly with age, the disease doesn’t discriminate, affecting people of all ages.

June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, a month devoted to raising awareness of Australia’s second deadliest cancer and promoting early detection through screening.

Find out more about bowel cancer:

Bowel Cancer Australia

Cancer Council

Health Resource Directory

Bowel Cancer Australia’s campaign: #Never2Young

It is a common misconception bowel cancer is ‘an old person’s disease’, but the reality is early-onset bowel cancer is rising and you should never be told that “you’re too young to have bowel cancer”.

Although most newly diagnosed bowel cancer cases occur in people aged 50 years and over, one in nine (11 per cent) Australians diagnosed with bowel cancer are under the age of 50.

No one knows your body better than you, so listen to it and if something isn’t right make an appointment to speak with your GP as soon as possible.

Bowel Cancer Australia’s Never2Young initiative aims to raise community awareness of early-onset bowel cancer, provide better support to young people diagnosed with the disease, as well as give younger people a voice in helping change clinical practice and policy.

Find out more about the campaign.

Bowel cancer screening in South Western Sydney

As of 2022-2023, the annual bowel cancer participation rate for people aged 50 to 74 in South Western Sydney was 33.8 per cent – one of the lowest rates in NSW.

Bowel cancer screening participation rates across the target age group, 50 to 74 years, increase with age, however bowel cancer is increasing in people under 50 leading to the participation age being lowered to 45 years from 1 July 2024. There is a need to increase participation in the younger portion of the target group.

A key focus for SWSPHN is improving these screening participation rates.

National Bowel Cancer Screening Program

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program reduces illness and death from bowel cancer by detecting the early signs of the disease using a free, simple test which can be done at home.

The test is for people who have no signs or symptoms of bowel cancer. This is because bowel cancer can develop without you noticing the early signs.

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing lowered the eligible screening age for the program from 50 to 45 in July last year.

Anyone aged between 45 and 74 with a Medicare care can now take part in the screening program.

People aged 45 to 49 can request their first bowel cancer screening kit (you can request your first free kit by submitting a webform or calling 1800 627 701)
People aged 50 to 74 will continue to receive a bowel cancer screening kit every two years

Find out more about bowel cancer screening:

Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Health Resource Directory

12 March 2025

Lung cancer and its prevalence in Australia

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), lung cancer is one of the top five most commonly diagnosed cancers in Australia. In 2022 lung cancer was the most common cause of cancer death in Australia. Due to the low survival rate of lung cancer and the increase in incidence rates, the AIHW estimates that in 2024 lung cancer will again be the most common cause of cancer death in Australia.

There was an estimated 8.918 deaths from lung cancer in 2024

(Cancer Australia)

National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP)

To address the high mortality rates associated with lung cancer, the Australian Government in partnership with Cancer Australia and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) has developed the National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP).

The NLCSP which is due to rollout in July 2025, has been designed to increase early detection of lung cancer and therefore optimising effective treatment options. The program offers eligible patients who are deemed at high risk of developing lung cancer, the option of undergoing a low dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan to increase the possibility of detecting any abnormalities or early-stage cancer.

Eligibility

People will be eligible to participate in the program if they:

are aged 50-70, and
show no signs or symptoms suggestive of lung cancer (for example persistent cough, coughing up blood, shortness of breath), and
have a history of at least 30 pack-years of cigarette smoking and are still smoking, or
have a history of at least 30 pack-years of cigarette smoking and quit in the past 10 years.

MBS items

The NLCSP will have two new Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item numbers associated with the LDCT scans for eligible patients. More Information on these item numbers will be available on the MBS website from July 2025.

How the screening plan will be implemented

The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care has outlined four main steps involved in the NLCSP:

Healthcare provider checks eligibility and asks patient age and smoking status.
If patient consents to participate in the program, the healthcare provider refers the patient for an LDCT scan.
Patient has LDCT scan completed by radiology provider.
Patient and healthcare provider receive scan results to discuss and arrange any follow-up tests (if required). If LDCT scan has nil abnormalities the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR) will notify patient of results and send reminder for repeat screening in two years.

Flowchart showing how patients will start by seeing their GP, then agree to participate in the NLCSP and get a referral scan, then get the scan, then get their results. Depending on the results the patient will either see their GP for next steps or screen again in two year's time.
(Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care)

General practice role in cancer screening

Primary care practices play a pivotal role in the promotion and implementation of cancer screening programs as they are usually a person’s first point of contact. According to the Cancer Institute NSW, participation in cancer screening programs reduces cancer related illness and mortality. General practice’s involvement is crucial in ensuring patients are guided through appropriate screening pathways, receive timely follow-ups, and access to early interventions.

Healthcare providers in general practice will assist in determining patient eligibility and working with radiology providers to refer eligible patients for LDCT scanning. Sometimes screening may require further investigation and follow-up testing, in these cases the patient would return to their healthcare provider to discuss these options following relevant clinical guidelines.

How your practice can prepare for the NLCSP

It is important to ensure primary care practices are ready to promote the program with eligible participants and be ready to make referrals. Whilst the program is not released yet, there are a few things your practice can do to ensure that your practice is ready:

Review information about the program on the Department of Health and Aged Care’s website Department of Health and Aged Care | National Lung Cancer Screening Program.
Register and integrate with the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR). More information can be found on the NCSR website National Cancer Screening Register | Accessing the NCSR, including links to user guides and walkthrough video guides.
Identify patients who could be eligible from July 2025. This includes reviewing and updating smoking history in clinical patient records.
Ensure patients’ smoking status is routinely asked and accurately recorded in the clinical software. This can be achieved by incorporating smoking history questions into your practices standard consultation process and maintaining consistent and correct documentation.

SWSPHN has some useful resources for documenting in the correct location within a patient record, and how to perform a POLAR search to assist your practice in measuring the smoking status recording rate.

Clinical Guide for Best Practice Software | How and where to document – Data Cleansing

Clinical Guide for MedicalDirector Software | How and where to document – Data Cleansing

POLAR Walkthrough – Data Quality

Helpful tips for GPs, managers and nurses

Private bookmark

The Private Bookmark Function in POLAR allows the user to save searches of specific patient cohorts by creating a bookmark. The user can create these bookmarks by clicking the tab at the top right-hand corner of the page.

Note: Private bookmarks saved in the Clinic Summary Legacy report will not be transferred to the new Clinic Summary Beta report when the Legacy report is decommissioned.

POLAR QIPC Report - cancer screening. Location of Bookmarks link.

Download Private Bookmark Walkthrough

Correct documentation

For POLAR to obtain precise and reliable data, it is crucial to ensure every item is accurately documented in the patient’s file. To assist clinicians and practice staff in documenting care items in the appropriate location in their clinic’s medical software, data mapping of each tab is accessible in the Help menu.

POLAR QIPC Report location of Help menu.

If you wish to find out more about cancer screening in POLAR or SWSPHN’s QIPC program, please email cqisupport@swsphn.com.au or visit our website Quality Improvement in Primary Care.