Prevention, screening and immunisation

Chronic disease prevention

The Queensland Government’s My Health For Life (MH4L) program is a free behaviour change program designed for people at high risk of developing a chronic disease.

It is designed to support participants to make small lifestyle changes that can have significant, long-term health benefits.

The program supports the primary health care network by extending on advice given by health professionals and is delivered as follows:

  • six coaching sessions (either phone or group sessions)
  • delivered over a 6-month period
  • MH4L facilitators are qualified health profesionals from across the Brisbane south region.
  • Face-to-face or video conference sessions are available.
Visit the MH4L website
MH4L practice toolkit
MH4L quality improvement toolkit

Get involved

To access the program, patients need to meet the eligibility criteria.

Patients can be referred using the practice software My health for life referral template or calling 13 74 75.

Cancer screening

Brisbane South PHN recommends all practices regularly check and participate in training about current screening guidelines for breast cancer, cervical cancer and bowel cancer:

There are many ways for practices to encourage patients to participate in screening, including:

  • displaying brochures, fliers and posters
  • demonstrating test kit use
  • sending reminders to eligible patients.

National Cancer Screening Register have you linked to PRODA?

Best Practice & MedicalDirector users can now access their patient’s bowel and cervical screening information from within a patient’s records to help maximise participation in these life-saving programs.

Find more information here on how results can be integrated into the patient’s notes at the click of a button.
Have you linked your accounts? If not, book in some time to be supported with this process.

Immunisation in primary care

‘Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting people against harmful diseases before they come into contact with them. Immunisation protects not only individuals, but also others in the community by reducing the spread of preventable diseases.’

Source: Australian Government Department of Health

Brisbane South PHN supports the primary care vaccine service providers to increase immunisation coverage within the Brisbane south area through the National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule and the Queensland Immunisation Program.

Read the NIP Schedule
Review the Queensland Immunisation Program

The Australian Immunisation Handbook provides clinical advice for health professionals on the safest and most effective use of vaccines in their practice.

Read the Australian Immunisation Handbook

Information and resources

Users can access additional information to assist with the interpretation of the recommendations from the Australian Immunisation Handbook website’s Recommendations and Resources pages.

Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) is a national register that records all vaccines given to all people in Australia.

Influenza vaccination for 2023

Annual influenza vaccination is the most important measure to prevent influenza and its complications and is recommended for all people aged 6 months and over. 

Queensland Health 2023 influenza vaccination guidelines: 

ATAGI advice on seasonal influenza vaccines in 2023

Key points:

  • Annual vaccination is the most important measure to prevent influenza and its complications. It is recommended for all people ≥6 months of age.  
  • All vaccinations must be recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).  
  • In 2022, there was a resurgence of influenza virus circulation arising from the reopening of international borders. In 2023, seasonal influenza activity is expected to continue and the importance of influenza vaccination should be emphasised.  
  • Influenza vaccines can be co-administered (given on the same day) as any COVID-19 vaccine. 
  • For adults aged ≥65 years, both the adjuvanted (Fluad® Quad) and high dose influenza vaccine (Fluzone High Dose Quadrivalent) are preferentially recommended over standard influenza vaccine. There is no preference for use between either Fluad® Quad or Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent in this age group.  
  • If a person had a 2022 influenza vaccine in late 2022 or early 2023, they are still recommended to receive a 2023 formulation of influenza vaccine. 

Resources

2023 Influenza vaccination – Program advice for vaccination providers 

National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) 

Quality Improvement Toolkit for General Practice – Prevention Influenza Vaccination 2023

QI toolkits are available online at Brisbane South PHN DiscoverPHN learning portal for access to a pdf fillable version.