03 August 2020
The Australian Health Department has advised that participants in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program will now have their bowel screening results uploaded to the My Health Record (MHR).
When accessing bowel screening results through the MHR, participants will see a copy of the results letter they will have received from program’s pathology service provider, Sonic Healthcare, following testing of their returned samples.
In 2019, the program’s participant details form was revised for transition in November to the National Cancer Screening Register and includes a checkbox on the last page for participants to select if they do not wish their bowel screening results to be uploaded to the MHR. If participants do not have one of the new participant details form, they can hand-write on their form ‘Do not send reports to My Health Record’.
If a participant’s results are uploaded to the MHR and they want them removed, they can do this by:
- logging into their MHR and removing the result; or
- contacting the MHR Helpline which is available 24/7 on 1800 723 471.
Please note that participant’s bowel screening results are unable to be uploaded to the MHR retrospectively.
To find more information about MHR
If you have any questions, please email NBCSP@health.gov.au
29 June 2020
Recruitment for breast density study
GPs and practice nurses are being recruited for a study examining their knowledge and understanding of breast density, and their perspectives around messaging, information and notification of breast density in Australia. The study is being conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Sydney and the University of Wollongong and clinicians and general practitioners affiliated with the Royal Hospital for Women, The Westmead Breast Cancer Institute and RACGPs. It uses semi-structured phone interviews, about 30 to 45 minutes in length. Primary care clinicians will be compensated with a $100 gift voucher for their time in participating. The study has been approved by The University of Sydney’s Human Ethics Research Committee (Project No: 2020/161). The Participant Information Statement which has more information about the study is attached. To register your interest in being interviewed or if you require any further information about the study, please contact Brooke Nickel, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, direct at 9351 7829, 0478 585 117 or brooke.nickel@sydney.edu.au; or Hankiz Dolan, Research Assistant at hankiz.dolan@sydney.edu.au
Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital seeks GP feedback on patient discharge summaries
Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital is conducting a short, three-minute survey to gather feedback from GPs on the discharge summaries they receive when patients leave the hospital. The service wants to know if they are doing well and where they can make improvements. It would also like to know how GPs access information about its services and how it can make it easier for GPs and their patients to receive relevant, up-to-date information. To learn more To complete the survey
Seeking GPs for online survey on GP-EP referral pathways
GPs are invited to participate in an online survey for a research project focusing on enhancing physical activity by exploring the perceptions of GPs, Exercise Physiologists (EP) and their patients in relation to the outcomes of referral pathways. The findings from the study will aim to advance knowledge on the barriers and facilitators to GP-EP relationship and enhance their interprofessional collaboration. Participants will also qualify for entry into a draw to win one of five $200 gift vouchers. To take the survey
Mackenzie’s Mission recruiting patients
Mackenzie’s Mission is investigating the best way to provide reproductive genetic carrier screening as a national program in Australia. Healthcare providers at selected sites across Australia, including GPs, are inviting couples to take part in this study. Participating healthcare providers receive training from the Mackenzie Mission study team, enabling them to appropriately offer information about Mackenzie’s Mission and ensure their patients can make informed decisions about participating. If you are interested in being involved and recruiting your patients to take part in Mackenzie’s Mission, please contact the study team. Interested GPs would need to attend an education session (via Zoom) so they can upskill in how to offer this project to their patients, remembering that the majority of enrolment is completed by the couple at home online.
To find more information
28 May 2020
BreastScreen NSW has recommenced routine breast screening. It suspended services temporarily to protect women, staff and the community from the risk of COVID-19 (coronavirus).
It is currently inviting women to have their regular breast screen, starting with clients who had their appointments cancelled during the suspension period.
Please wait to be reinvited by BreastScreen NSW before contacting them on 13 20 50 or making a booking online.
To read more
To download the BreastScreen NSW service schedule
To download information about safety measures
12 May 2020
Health professionals are advised that BreastScreen NSW is now open and preparing to resume breast screening from 18 May. It may take a few weeks before all screening clinics across the state are open as capacity is impacted by the redeployment of staff and the requisitioning of clinics.
Women who had their appointments cancelled will be prioritised and contacted directly, as soon as possible, to reschedule their appointment. Women are being asked to wait for their invitation before contacting BreastScreen NSW.
BreastScreen NSW is taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its clients and staff during this time. It is not anticipating any disruption to the screening pathway.
BreastScreen NSW recommends:
- women who develop breast symptoms speak with their GP without delay
- symptomatic women should be referred to a specialist clinic or breast surgeon
BreastScreen NSW will provide regular updates via its website and Facebook page about the breast screening service.
If you have any questions, contact BreastScreen NSW at CINSW-BreastScreenNSW@health.nsw.gov.au or by calling 13 20 50.
07 May 2020
BreastScreen NSW is now open and preparing to resume breast screening from 18 May. It may take a few weeks before all screening clinics across the state are open as capacity is impacted by the redeployment of staff and the requisitioning of clinics.
Women who had their appointments cancelled will be prioritised and contacted directly, as soon as possible, to reschedule their appointment.
Women are being asked to wait for their invitation before contacting BreastScreen NSW.
BreastScreen NSW is taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its clients and staff during this time. It is not anticipating any disruption to the screening pathway.
BreastScreen NSW recommends:
- women who develop breast symptoms speak with their GP without delay
- symptomatic women should be referred to a specialist clinic or breast surgeon
BreastScreen NSW will provide regular updates via its website and Facebook page about the breast screening service.
If you have any questions, contact BreastScreen NSW at CINSW-BreastScreenNSW@health.nsw.gov.au or by calling 13 20 50.
For more information on COVID-19, visit health.gov.au NSW Health.
02 March 2020
Health professionals are invited to the BreastScreen Australia Conference at the National Convention Centre in Canberra from 27 to 29 August.
Inspiring International and Australian speakers and experts will be presenting in many disciplines, including breast radiology, pathology, public health, radiography, health promotion and counselling.
With a focus on the early detection of breast cancer, and the future of breast cancer treatments and diagnostic methods, the conference will highlight current research, explore new technologies and emerging developments in breast imaging, diagnosis and interventions.
Evidence-based innovative practices across the country will also be showcased.
Keynote speakers include:
- Dr Matthew Wallis, Consultant Radiologist, Cambridge University Hospital, United Kingdom
- Prof Dr Ruud Pijnappel, Breast Radiologist, Department of Radiology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Solveig Hofvind, Head of Section, Breast Cancer Screening Programme, Cancer Registry, Norway
- Dr Donna Taylor, Consultant Radiologist, BreastScreen WA and Royal Perth Hospital, Australia
- Dr David Clouston, Anatomical Pathologist, Tissupath, Australia
- Prof Nehmat Houssami, Clinician Researcher, Public Health, University of Sydney and Faculty of Medicine and Health, Australia
Early bird registrations are now open. The registration fee includes the opportunity to network with health professionals at dinner at Australian Parliament House.
To register.
04 February 2020
Canrefer 3, the third iteration of the Canrefer cancer specialist and services directory, is now live. Canrefer is designed to promote multidisciplinary cancer care by helping GPs to refer to cancer specialists who are active members of cancer multidisciplinary teams. Treatment for some cancers is complex. There are a number of centres that specialise in treating these cancers. Through Canrefer you can search for recommended hospitals in NSW and ACT. To access the website.
