As warmer weather approaches, now is a timely opportunity to review your vaccine storage practices and complete your essential cold chain management audit.

South Eastern Melbourne PHN has launched the Clinical and Referral Guidance Hub (the Hub), a new platform providing primary care professionals in south east Melbourne with centralised access to local referral information and clinical guidance.

Sublocade® (long acting injectable buprenorphine) will be discontinued in Australia after 31 December 2026. The decision is not related to safety, quality or efficacy concerns and people currently receiving Sublocade® should continue their treatment as prescribed.

Thursday 10 September is World Suicide Prevention Day, a global day to raise awareness of suicide prevention and encourage open, compassionate conversations about suicide.

The Victorian and Tasmanian Primary Health Network Alliance (VTPHNA) is now the PHN Southern Alliance, following the welcome admission of Adelaide Primary Health Network. The Alliance now comprises eight PHNs operating across three states.

Childhood vaccination coverage is rising, with the latest National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) influenza data reporting a national increase of children vaccinated with at least one influenza vaccine.

In Victoria, cases of influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are increasing, while respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases remain high after peaking in July. Health service visits for respiratory illnesses have also been increasing.

Every patient consultation provides an opportunity to review a patient’s immunisation history and vaccination status, while talking through any questions or concerns they may have about vaccination.

The purpose of this activity is to ensure that patients with both a mental health and chronic disease diagnosis are identified and proactively offered guidance and support to register with MyMedicare, improving care coordination and access to relevant incentives and services.