Month: August 2024

This recent article in the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) highlights the importance of screening for syphilis. 

An increase in infectious syphilis notifications has tripled over the last 10 years in Australia. Of particular concern is the increasing rates of syphilis in females of reproductive age. Infections during pregnancy can be passed to the baby causing congenital syphilis which can result in serious fetal complications or death. There were 4 cases of congenital syphilis in NSW in 2023 all of which could have been avoided with treatment of the mother during pregnancy.  

As per our previous commitment statement “The AH&MRC is committed to the elimination of Congenital Syphilis in Australia as a priority for Aboriginal communities across NSW…” 

To help achieve this elimination, antenatal screening is critical as outlined in the NSW Health Policy Directive : 

1. Syphilis screening at the first antenatal visit blood screen
2. Second syphlis screening at 26-28 weeks gestation
3. Additional syphilis screening at 36 weeks and birth should be offered to pregnant women deemed as having an identified risk of infection
4. Opportunistic screening for pregnant women who have received minimal or no antenatal care or are at risk of missing an appointment; these women should be offered opportunistic screening for syphilis and blood-borne viruses Hepatitis B and HIV when they present, regardless of gestation.

Additional resources and education on when to screen for syphilis can be found on the ASHM website. 

Let’s work together to eliminate Congenital Syphilis! 

The Syphilis Support Program provides Syphilis management and referral expertise to Aboriginal Health services as well as Public Health Units (PHU), GPs and maternity services.

The program prioritises follow up of people diagnosed with Syphilis during pregnancy and their sexual partners.
Offerings: 

• Searches on Notifiable Conditions Information Management System (NCIMS) and other public health databases for previous Syphilis records in NSW. 

• Complex Syphilis contact tracing, this includes searching social media and dating apps. 

• Syphilis case management support where clients have disengaged with a care provider (Lost to Follow Up). 

• Clinical support for GPs and health care workers inexperienced in Syphilis case work. 

• Contact tracing support to Publicly Funded Sexual Health Services and PHUs experiencing outbreaks and high Syphilis caseloads. 

• Clinical advice Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm and access to a medical doctor when needed. 

• Easy to navigate web-based referral system and prompt service responses. 

This program is coordinated by NSW Sexual Health Infolink (SHIL). SHIL is a state-wide, nurse-led, NSW Health service. SHIL is a key partner in the initiatives of the NSW HIV Strategy 2021-2025, the NSW Hepatitis C Strategy 2022-2025, and NSW Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy 2022-2026.
 

 

 Your Respiratory Health Matters! is a project funded by the Department of Health. The project aims to increase awareness of the impacts of respiratory illnesses for people who use drugs, and support service providers understand and respond to client’s needs.  

Common respiratory conditions include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pneumonia. Progression of these illnesses can be prevented by early detection and management.  

The new webpage includes information on respiratory health, prevention, and management, as well as downloadable resources such as postcards and social media tiles which can be used by your ACCHO and available through this link. 

We know many patients who attend ACCHOs are on regular medications for chronic conditions. To continue this medication has previously required monthly trips to the pharmacy and often CTG co-payments. Most of these patients can now access prescriptions which will give them enough medication for 2 months (60 days). 60-day prescriptions reduce the frequency of pharmacy visits, travel time and medication costs for patients living with chronic conditions. 

Since September 2023, 60-day prescriptions have been allowed for almost 200 Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medications.   

Patients are eligible for the 60-day prescriptions if they:   

• Have a stable, ongoing health condition  

• Have been assessed as suitable by their GP or nurse practitioner 

• Have received a 60-day prescription from their GP or nurse practitioner  

This allows eligible patients living with chronic conditions to get double their medication in one go.  

More medicines will be added in September 2024, with over 300 to be listed for 60-day prescriptions.  

Additional resources and updates can be found on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.