World Suicide Prevention Day
This Sunday 10 September is World Suicide Prevention Day, which is why I thought I would write about our work in suicide prevention.
Following the co-investment of the Commonwealth and State Governments into the Suicide Prevention Place Based Trials, a number of projects were completed and evaluated, informing the need for a strategy across the Western Victoria Primary Health Network (WVPHN) region. This strategy will inform a range of initiatives targeted to the entire care continuum: from building resilient communities, identifying people at early stages of risk, targeted services for people seeking help, support and treatment for people following episodes or incidents and comprehensive supports for families, friends and communities postvention.
The learnings of the Suicide Prevention Place Based Trials, together with the initiatives already undertaken as a result, leads us to important partnerships with the Suicide Prevention and Response Office of Victoria, the National Suicide Prevention Office, the Interim Regional Bodies, and our local communities. These partnerships ensure there is a comprehensive approach across western Victoria to address this complex social issue.
An example of some of the important work being undertaken in the region, WVPHN is working closely with Barwon Health and Deakin University to research opportunities to improve system integration. WVPHN is also investigating opportunities and initiatives to further this important work.
Service delivery has been redesigned in cooperation with service users, people with lived experience and families. These services are being monitored by people who use the services to ensure optimal outcomes.
Central intake and Step Thru Care services cover the entire region and will assist people through an initial conversation to help align the level of care that is most appropriate for a person seeking help at any given time.
You can find more information about how and where to access Step Thru Care here.
60-Day Dispensing of PBS Medicines
On 1 September the first tranche of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines became available on a 60-day prescription for those who are eligible – people who are living with an ongoing health condition and are assessed by their prescriber to be stable on their current medication/s. Sixty-day prescriptions will be life-changing for many people living with illness as they will receive twice the amount of medication for the cost of a single prescription. It will also mean that people who have limited mobility because of their illness or age will have to make fewer visits to the pharmacy to collect their medication. Further medications will be added to the 60-day prescribing list in three stages over the next 12 months, and by the time the program is completed by 1 September 2024 the changes will apply to more than 300 commonly used medicines. You can read more here.
RACGP Awards
Finally, the RACGP has announced the state winners of its annual awards. It was wonderful to see some winners from our region. Dr Chris Paulin from Kardinia Health has been awarded Victorian GP Supervisor of the Year, for his contribution to the incredibly important job of mentoring and supporting young doctors. A big congratulations should also go to our board member, Dr Bernard Shiu, and his fellow colleagues at Banksia Medical Clinic, which has won Victorian Practice of the Year. I have no doubt that Banksia’s pioneering work in establishing a long-COVID clinic was instrumental in its win. You can find a full list of the winners here.
Rowena Clift, WVPHN CEO
6 September 2023