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Have you had a baby in a South Western Sydney hospital in the last 12 months? Did you have publicly available pregnancy care?
We want to hear about your experience.
The project is a partnership between Western Sydney University, SWSPHN and South Western Sydney Local Health District. Ethics approval: ETH00854
Please take the 10 to 15-minute anonymous survey.
The survey is available in English, Arabic, Hindi and Vietnamese.
With monkeypox now declared a public health emergency of international concern, we’ve put together this special feature to support you in providing care and information to your patients.
The feature includes information about who’s at risk, symptoms, specimen collection, how far it has already spread, vaccines and treatment, educational webinars and other resources which may be of interest.
Monkeypox, also known as MPX, is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus and is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus which causes smallpox.
It is a viral zoonotic disease which occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of Central and West Africa and is occasionally exported to other regions.
Since May 2022, there has been a global increase in MPX infections in multiple countries where the illness is not usually seen.
The symptoms of monkeypox are similar to those of smallpox but are generally milder. They include:
A rash may appear one to five days after the fever starts. Usually the rash begins as flat, red spots, often in the mouth or on the face first. Then the rash spreads to other parts of the body — usually the arms and legs, rather than the trunk. The rash may also appear on the palms and soles, inside the mouth, on the genitals and on the eyes.
Infection can be confirmed by testing a swab collected from the base of a blister from the skin rash.
Find advice on specimen collection and handling
MPX spreads from one person to another by direct contact with infected bodily fluids such as contact with the sores, or scabs on the skin, or through touching contaminated objects the infected person has used, such as linen or clothes.
It may also be transmitted during close physical contact, including sex.
It can also be spread through prolonged face-to-face contact by inhaling infected respiratory droplets (for example coughing or sneezing close to another person’s face for a length of time).
While the current outbreak has disproportionately impacted men who have sex with men, anyone who has been in close and usually prolonged contact with someone with monkeypox is at risk.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared MPX public health emergency of international concern.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 15 August 2022 there have been 31,799 confirmed cases of monkeypox reported in 89 countries.
MPX was declared a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance in Australia in July.
As of 11 August 2022:
On 1 June 2022, MPX became a nationally notifiable disease for six months.
GPs, hospitals and laboratories must notify any suspected cases to the local public health unit immediately. Public health unit staff will initiate a public health investigation, contact tracing and control measures.
You can contact the local public health unit on 1300 066 055 for more information.
There are smallpox vaccines available which are thought to be effective against MPX. Vaccines can be given either before or after a person is exposed to the virus but vaccinating before exposure is recommended for the best protection.
There are two vaccines approved for use in Australia: JYNNEOS and ACAM2000.
JYNNEOS is the preferred vaccine for use in Australia because it has fewer side effects than previous smallpox vaccines and can be safely used by all groups of people, including those who are immunocompromised.
There is a globally limited supply of the JYNNEOS vaccine and high international demand.
NSW Health has begun vaccinating people at highest risk from monkeypox with an initial supply of JYNNEOS.
Doctors and other community partners are identifying people who are most at risk from monkeypox to receive a vaccine when the first supplies of vaccine become available.
NSW Health expects to receive a further 30,000 doses at the end of September and 70,000 doses in early 2023. NSW Health will provide more information about eligibility and access to the vaccine at that time.
If you have patients seeking a monkeypox vaccination, they can register their interest online via NSW Health. Please note: completing the form does not guarantee vaccine access.
Most people require no, or only supportive, treatment for MPX. This may include simple pain relief. Antiviral treatment may be needed in patients with more severe disease. Guidance on the use of treatments for MPX in Australia is available in the Monkeypox treatment guidelines.
You can call the Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055 for more information.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd, held a webinar last Wednesday (10 August 2022) to provide general practices with information about monkeypox. The webinar provided key updates and gave participants the opportunity to answer questions.
SWSPHN will host a webinar, Infection prevention control updates, for GPs, practice nurse, practice managers and other practice staff, on Thursday, 8 September, 7pm to 8pm.
Presented by microbiologist and infection prevention and control consultant/educator, Margaret Jennings, the webinar will address:
Information sources: Department of Health and Ageing; NSW Health; Healthdirect; Department of Health – Victoria
All inpatient maternity services are now located in Campbelltown Hospital’s Clinical Building (Building A).
Information about accessing the services can be found below.
Please call prior to arrival on 4634 4099
Between 6am–9pm enter via the main entrance of the building (Level 2), enter the lifts to your left and proceed to Level 4.
The entry to the Birthing unit is near the lifts, use the intercom button 2 to speak with staff for entry.
From 9pm–6am enter via Emergency Department entrance, and you will be escorted to Birthing Unit.
There is limited parking in P1 (outside emergency), otherwise parking P2 or P3 for access to the clinical building.
Enter the main entrance of the building (Level 2), enter the lifts to your left and proceed to Level 4.
The entry to the Antenatal ward is near the lifts, use the intercom button 1 to speak with staff for entry.
Visiting Hours: 8am–8pm
Enter the main entrance of the building (Level 2), enter the lifts to your left and proceed to Level 5.
The entry to the Postnatal Ward is near the lifts, use the intercom button 1 to speak with staff for entry.
Visiting Hours: 8am–8pm
Enter the main entrance of the building (Level 2) enter the lifts to your left and proceed to Level 5.
The entry to the Special Care Nursery is near the lifts, use the intercom button 2 to speak with staff for entry.
For planned Caesarean admissions.
Enter via the main entrance. Walk straight ahead towards the stairs, enter the lifts to the left of the stairs and go down to Ground level. Exit the lift and turn right.
If you are bringing frozen breastmilk, please go to Postnatal first to store it in the freezer.
Bowel cancer is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer, but if detected early, more than 90 per cent of cases can be successfully treated.
Unfortunately, only 43.5 per cent of all eligible people aged 50 to 74 complete the bowel cancer screening kits sent to them every two years. If the participation rate could be increased to 60 per cent, 84,000 lives could be saved over the next 20 years.
Cancer Council Australia, in partnership with the Australian Government, has launched the Get2it national bowel cancer screening campaign to increase participation in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
The campaign will likely result in a greater number of enquiries to general practices about bowel cancer and screening. This presents an important opportunity for GPs and primary healthcare providers to endorse the program and support their patients’ participation.
GPs are vital in identifying patients who have never screened or are not up-to-date with their screening.
Research undertaken in 2021 by the Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer identified three types of people who are not participating in bowel screening: refusers, intenders and the FOBT naïve.
Each face specific barriers to participation and GPs and primary healthcare providers are critical in responding to these challenges.
Once people choose to screen, 80 per cent will screen again when next invited.
Cancer Council has produced a GP resource which can be used to identify the best approach to support these reluctant or hesitant screeners in choosing to screen, thereby contributing to improving screening program participation rates.
Download the GP resource to support reluctant and hesitant screeners
Find information for health professionals about bowel cancer screening
The BreastScreen NSW service is open and is working to minimise delays for women who are due for their two-yearly mammogram.
Please note:
Please contact BreastScreen NSW on 13 20 50 if you have any questions.
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and curable of all cancers. Having a cervical screening test every five years can reduce the risk of being diagnosed with cervical cancer by up to 96 per cent yet only 50.9 per cent of eligible women in South Western Sydney are screened regularly.
The National Cervical Screening Program reduces illness and death from cervical cancer. Women aged 25 to 74 years of age are invited to have a cervical screening test every five years.
Find more information about the National Cervical Cancer Screening Program on the Department of Health website.
Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect you from HPV. The HPV vaccine is often called the ‘cervical cancer vaccine’.
Breast Cancer is the most common cancer affecting women with one in eight women in NSW developing breast cancer in their lifetime.
The best time to treat breast cancer is when it is still small.
This is why breast screening is so important, yet only 46.3 per cent of eligible women in South Western Sydney are participating in regular screening. Having regular mammograms is the best way to find breast cancer early, when treatment is likely to be most successful.
BreastScreen NSW is a free breast screening service for women aged over 40. The program targets women aged 50 to 74 years, encouraging them to have a screening mammogram every two years. Women aged 40 to 49 and those above 75 are also welcome to have a free mammogram.
BreastScreen NSW provides mammograms at various fixed and mobile locations across South Western Sydney.
Download the 2021 BreastScreen NSW mobile schedule for South Western Sydney
To make an appointment call 13 20 50 or for the free telephone interpreter service, call 13 14 50.
Online bookings are available via the BreastScreen NSW website.
Women are also welcome to visit the mobile van or fixed locations to book an appointment and there are also walk-in appointment slots available. Please note these spots are limited. All staff members at the van are female.
BreastScreen NSW (South Western Sydney) has resumed screening at its permanent screening centres at Bankstown, Bowral, Campbelltown and Liverpool.
The mobile clinic at Cabramatta is also open until 11 February 2022, from 8.45am to 4pm weekdays. Vietnamese, Cantonese and Mandarin-speaking staff are available to provide assistance.
Selected Saturdays will commence at various screening clinics in 2022.
It is now mandatory for all NSW Health staff will be vaccinated.
In line with advice from NSW Health, BreastScreen NSW strongly encourages women to be vaccinated against COVID-19, ideally before attending their breast screen appointment.
BreastScreen NSW has in place measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, these include:
BreastScreen NSW is prioritising clients who had their appointments cancelled during the recent suspension. Clients are asked to wait to be reinvited by BreastScreen NSW before calling 13 20 50 for an appointment.
BreastScreen NSW recommends clients who develop breast symptoms contact their doctor or health worker without delay.
For the most up to date information, visit the BreastScreen NSW website.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australian women.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October provides a timely reminder for us all to focus on breast cancer and its impacts.
Take the time this month to find out what you need to know about breast awareness and share this important information with your family, friends and colleagues.
Finding breast cancer early provides the best chance of surviving the disease. You don’t need to be an expert or use a special technique to check your breasts.
Here are some webpages you might find handy:
Early detection of breast cancer
Symptoms and diagnosis of breast cancer
Breast Cancer Network Australia
Tragically, one woman on average dies in Australia as a result of domestic violence every week.
A number of significant dates are coming up in the next few weeks which shine the spotlight on this alarming figure and call the community to action – to end violence against women and support human rights.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Professional development webinars
Domestic Violence Service Directory
White Ribbon Day brings people together – in person and online – to raise awareness and commit to action to prevent men’s violence against women. In workplaces, schools and communities all over Australia, organisers are asking you to stand up, speak out and act to end gendered violence.
How you can help stop violence against women
Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today and remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it. The United Nations designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women to raise awareness of these facts.
Campbelltown City Council will hold its annual Driving Out Violence Convoy on Wednesday, 25 November which will travel across the LGA to raise awareness. The convoy starts at West League Club at 9am. This date marks the start of 16 Days of Activism.
To find out more, including the route the convoy will take.
The Driving out Violence Convoy will pass Campbelltown Hospital (Parkside Cres) about 9.20am. Come out and show your support
Human Rights Day is the day the United Nations adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration proclaims the rights which everyone is entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Available in more than 500 languages, it is the most translated document in the world.
Each year, from 25 November to 10 December, the 16 Days of Activism campaign calls for action against one of the world’s most persistent violations of human rights – violence against women.
During the 16 Days of Activism, people around the world unite to raise awareness about gender-based violence, challenge discriminatory attitudes and call for improved laws and services to end violence against women for good.
South Western Sydney Local Health District is hosting a series of professional development webinars that will unpack some need-to-know information for building knowledge, skill and application to respond to violence, abuse and neglect.
The webinars start today, White Ribbon Day, and run during the 16 days of Activism, 25 November to 10 December.
The Camden/Wollondilly Domestic Violence Committee’s annual SayNo2DV breakfast has been redesigned to ensure it is COVID Safe. You can join the breakfast via Facebook to listen to a compelling interview via video with a survivor of domestic violence. She will talk about her journey and experiences – both good and bad. The breakfast will be held on Wednesday, 2 December from 8.30am to 9.15am.
To find out more
To register
If you need help finding local domestic violence support services, visit cbdvsd.com.au
This year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign coincides with the 10th anniversary of the 1800RESPECT service.
The national sexual assault, domestic or family violence telephone service was started in 2010 as part of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children. Under the National Plan, 1800RESPECT is to provide to support to people impacted by violence and abuse, their friends and family, and frontline workers in the sexual assault and domestic violence sectors.
Phone 1800 737 732 24 hours
Chat online 24 hours
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