From 1st November, the TGA and ATAGI have approved a third, booster dose of an mRNA vaccine to all patients 18 and over if they've completed their first course of either AZ or Pfizer 6 months prior. From our perspective, while this is welcome news, there will still sadly be some wastage due to the drop in demand, and the fact that many in local populations and within striking distance of the practice will have only completed their regimen within a few weeks, let alone 6 months.

That being said, we've re-opened clinic dates in the next fortnight (to 13th November) to  gauge demand, and will take further steps within the week to best allocate resources and provide for the community broadly. This may include running Friday clinics again to avoid reallocating GPs back from regular consultation for other patients.

We'll also be co-ordinating through the PHN for our next doses of Pfizer, given that they're better placed in terms of local delivery, as well as allocations of supplies to other practices in the area to minimise wastage. It is still worth saying that Newtown and the surrounding areas are at 70-80% fully vaccinated (including people aged 12-18).

There's currently no word on doses for children aged 5-11 at this stage, but we'll keep you posted as information becomes available!

The rebranding of both Alfred Imaging and Specialist MRI into I-MED Radiology is now complete, with all sites now having undergone the facelift and staff re-education program!

From our perspective, this means that Alfred Imaging has been merged into I-MED Radiology within our Best Practice contacts, as well as in the preferred providers. As I-MED is configured for eReferrals by default (and to minimise the amount of physical paperwork between ourselves and imaging locations), you'll note that all clinical staff have had their default provider changed accordingly, as well as the template format to Alfred template. Given that all of the legwork is done, you need only click 'Print and Send' when writing an imaging referral!

For more information on using the I-MED eReferral system, click on the button below!

Speaking of eReferrals...

DHM have also been on the eReferral bandwagon, albeit with a slightly less streamlined approach (click HERE for details).

In essence, to cut down on the amount of both  referrals and sample jars that are slowly annexing the front desk, please maximise the use of eReferrals, even if:

• The patient will NOT be attending a DHM facility for collection (all NATA labs accept their competitors' request forms)
• The patient will be attending 'later on' (i.e. during the week/month, etc.)

We've estimated that roughly 60% of generated referrals left at the front desk are either not completed or left too long, and thus generating a significant amount of waste; if we can move some of that paper to eReferrals, it may go some ways to reducing our overall carbon footprint!

After a number of years with the feature languishing in development purgatory, the team at Best Practice have finally upgraded their email integration! The process is simple and allows any user to send referrals or results via emails to both patients and specialists. Take a look at the video below, and let me know if you have any questions?:

• CSMP Christmas!: Christmas is NOT cancelled! This year's event will be on Sunday, 5th December, and is a cruise around Sydney Harbour (12pm - 2:30pm)!
• Please click HERE for more details
• RSVP: 5th NOVEMBER!!!
• Secret Santa: If you'd like to opt OUT, please let me know!
  

If you're yet to submit your paperwork for accreditation, please do so by clicking:

• HERE for Admin and Nursing Staff
• HERE for GPs