Joondalup Health Campus
GP Bulletin
Quarterly GP Newsletter
Issue Three : Spring
Welcome!
Hello and welcome to the spring issue of the Joondalup Health Campus GP Bulletin. In this issue we will
look at the upcoming OrIgIns project, an exciting cohort study that will be conducted at JHC in partnership
with the Telethon Kids Institute. I also caught up with JHC’s Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Dr Cliff
neppe for a Q&A session. Women’s health will also be the focus of our next gP education event, scheduled
for saturday, 22 October. Online registrations are now open for this ALM, entitled ‘Every Woman – A Women’s
Health Active Learning Module for GPs’. see details in this newsletter for how to register.
I hope to see you there!
Dr Farid Taba
JHC gP Liaison
Early referrals make pregnant women eligible for ORIGINS study
gPs are being encouraged to make early referrals to Joondalup Health Campus’ antenatal clinic. referrals within the
first 12-weeks of pregnancy will make expectant mothers eligible to participate in the landmark study, ORIGINS.
The upcoming OrIgIns project is a study of
10,000 children and their parents that aims
to prevent chronic disease, both in childhood
and later in life. As part of the study, which is
a joint effort between JHC and the Telethon
Kids Institute, detailed information will be
collected from the expectant mother and her
partner during pregnancy.
It will relate to health, diet, physical activity
and a range of other environmental factors.
The study will then assess how these early life
experiences influence the child’s growth and
development, as well as their general health.
JHC Head of Paediatrics and OrIgIns
Project Director, Professor Desiree silva,
said the project was groundbreaking and an
exciting project for families to be involved with.
“It is a small contribution by families estimated at just five hours a year,” Professor
silva said.
“Participants will be involved in internet-based
communications with the project team,
including questionnaires, project updates, and
As part of the study, detailed information will be collected from the expectant
mother and her partner during pregnancy.
timely reminders for health-based events such
as immunisations and child health clinic visits.
“At age one, two and a half and five, ORIGINS
participants will be invited to attend a oneand-a-half hour health check, which not only
contributes to the study, but leads to early
detection of any developmental issues and
referral to services where appropriate.”
For more information on the OrIgIns project,
visit: originsproject.telethonkids.org.au
This is an official publication of Joondalup Health Campus
joondaluphealthcampus.com.au l joondalupprivatehospital.com.au
Did you know?
JHC has a team of dedicated gP
Communications Officers who will chase
up discharge summaries for gPs.
Simply call 9400 9381 Monday to
Friday from 8am-4pm.
Q&A: Dr Cliff Neppe
JHC gP Liaison Dr Farid Taba caught up with Director of Obstetrics
and gynaecology (O&g) Dr Cliff Neppe to learn about his mission to
deliver outstanding women’s health care at JHC.
Let’s start with your background
I started my career in south Africa as an
articled accounting clerk. After completing
university, I enlisted in the defence force
where I had the opportunity to train as
a military medic. I have not looked back
since. I migrated to Australia in 2000 and
have since worked for the royal Flying
Doctor service and have held consultant
positions at glengarry Private Hospital,
Osborne Park Hospital and JHC. I am a
general obstetrician and gynaecologist with
a passion for individualising each patient’s
care. I was appointed Director of O&g at
JHC in December 2014. I feel privileged
to lead a talented team of specialists and
medical professionals.
What services does O&G offer? Are
there any limitations?
We offer the full range of general O&G
services at JHC. Equipped with both
public and private birth suites and a Level
2b special Care nursery, we deliver
patients from 32 weeks gestation. We have
a tertiary ultrasound department onsite
and we have an obstetrician who provides
advice on high risk pregnancies. We have
recently established an Early Pregnancy
Assessment Clinic and we have 24/7
onsite obstetric, paediatric, anaesthetic
and theatre cover. JHC also offers the full
spectrum of gynaecology services (apart
from gynaecological oncology). We offer
the full range of radiological services (apart
from interventional radiology) and we have
access to urodynamics studies. JHC also
specialises in minimally invasive surgery and
in 2015 became Australia’s first designated
‘Centre of Excellence in Minimally Invasive
gynaecology’. Leading this program are
gynaecological Laparoscopic surgeons,
sunny Baruah and gian Urbani.
What clinics are associated with the
O&G Department and how do they
compare with public hospital services?
Public patients can access the Antenatal
Clinic, Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic
and inpatient gynaecological procedures
with no out of pocket expenses. The Early
Pregnancy Assessment Clinic is currently
accessed via Emergency Department
referrals but there are plans to accept
direct referrals from gPs in the future.
Our gynaecology Clinic is private, so
consultation fees apply, however a
Medicare rebate is available.
What are your expectations for the
future of O&G at JHC?
We are proudly building our reputation as
a centre of excellence for women’s health.
Perth’s northern corridor is growing rapidly.
JHC has seen a 80 per cent jump in births
over the past five years, a trend that is set
to continue. We will also continue to offer
outstanding gynaecological services.
How can GPs refer and how do you
ensure efficient clinical handover for GPs?
Public obstetric patients should be referred
AsAP to our Antenatal Clinic via email or
fax. We kindly ask GPs to arrange first
trimester screen and serum scanning
as appropriate. Private patients should
be referred AsAP to the patient’s private
obstetrician via fax, email or Healthlink.
referrals to our gynaecology Clinic should
be sent to a named doctor via fax, email or
Healthlink. The clinic will then contact the
patient to inform them of a booking date.
Post appointment, a letter will be sent to
the GP detailing the clinical findings and
management plan.
Can you outline your approach for
engaging effectively with GPs?
We are hosting an Active Learning Module
(ALM) for gPs on women’s health education
in October. gPs are also able to call JHC’s
oncall obsterician or gynaecologist for advice
when they are with their patients.
Coming Up...
We are now taking registrations
for our next full day ALM entitled
‘Every Woman – A Women’s Health
Active Learning Module for GPs’.
Our specialist obstetricians and gynaecologists will cover a range of women’s
health issues including metabolic issues in pregnancy, contraception,
infertility, miscarriage, endometriosis, prolapse and menopause.
What:
‘Every Woman: A Women’s Health Active
Learning Module for gPs’
When:
Saturday, 22 October 2016
Time:
9.15am – 5.15pm (lunch and refreshments included)
Where:
Community Clinical school Lecture room 1 and 2,
Joondalup Private Hospital
Register: Online at www.joondaluphealthcampus.com.au
– click on ‘For gPs’, ‘gP Events’
Enquiries: Contact Dr Farid Taba, 9400 9775 or email
[email protected]
This workshop will earn Group 1 CPD+/_ QI (40 CPD points+/- QI)*
*Early registrations strongly recommended – limited places available
GP Relevant Phone Numbers
GP Priority Line 9400 9775 ED Consultant oncall 9400 9066
GP Communications Officer (For discharge summary enquiries) 9400 9381