Education Videos & Podcasts List
How to Safely Prescribe Psychiatric Drugs
This webinar outlines the major classes of drugs psychiatrists use everyday, discuss their use and continuation in a GP setting. It will also focus on the high risk drugs lithium, valproate and clozapine. Attendees discuss the use of drugs being used in everyday practice and address questions.
This session also provides local referral pathway information for Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) mental health services in the region.
Target Audience: General Practitioners, Nurse Practitioners, Psychologists and Practice Nurses.
Learning outcomes:
- Describe major classes of medications used by Psychiatrists
- Identify use of psychiatric medication in a general practice setting
- Management of high-risk psychiatric medications in general practice including lithium, valproate and clozapine
Speakers:
Dr Giles Newton-Howes, Psychiatrist
Dr Newton-Homes is an associate professor and consultant Psychiatrist who has been working in Psychiatry since 1999. He trained at Imperial college in London obtaining his MRCPsych in 2004 and specialising in general adult psychiatry with a subspeciality in addictions. In 2007 he returned to New Zealand ( and obtained FRANZCP in 2010) to work in a rural centre before taking up a post at the University of Otago in 2012. Over the last decade or so he has work in public and private adult community settings, worked in clinical management, worked for the university in teaching and research roles as well as support New Zealand’s drug buying agency PHARMAC. His academic and clinical interests include addiction, personality disorder and ethics.
Earlier this year he moved to Sydney where he has taken up a role as the Acting Clinical Director for Northern Beaches Community Mental Health Service. He can be contacted through this service and is happy to provide phone support for GPs. He would be happy to visit your practice to see how local mental health services can partner with you to provide best care to your patients.
Supporting & Managing patients with ADHD – a Paediatric Perspective
This webinar provides General Practitioners, Practice Nurses and Pharmacists with practical guidance on supporting and managing children and young people with ADHD. The session includes an update on recent ADHD reforms in NSW, explaining the pathway for GPs to become continuation prescribers. Through a case-based lens, the session explores the management of ADHD including interactive discussions and clinical cases followed by Q&A.
Learning outcomes:
- Describe ADHD reforms in NSW including pathways for GPs to become prescribers
- Effectively monitor children and young people with ADHD
- Identify treatment management options in paediatric and young person ADHD for children and young people including medications
- Increase knowledge in ADHD presentations and care, with particular focus on considerations relevant to children and young people
Speakers:
- Dr Tamasin Meller | Community Paediatrician, Dalwood/Northern Beaches Community Paediatric Clinic, NSLHD
- Dr Lisa Collins | General Practitioner (BMBS FRACGP MRCGP DCH DRCOG PgDipDerm) | GP Education Lead for First 2000 Days, SNHN
- Dr Anna Gill | Staff Specialist Paediatrician Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital | Clinical Network Director Children and Young People NSLHD
Navigating Behavioral Concerns in the First 2000 Days: Managing ADHD in Early Childhood – Part 2
This session explores the treatment options for children with ADHD under the age of 6 years when medication is not usually recommended. It will identify supports for parents and carers.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder that begins in early childhood. It affects the brains executive functioning and the ability to self-regulate. Early intervention can assist parents in learning behaviour management skills and strategies to assist their children to improve attention span, and address hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Learning outcomes:
- Describe the core diagnostic criteria for ADHD and how to differentiate it from other behavioural concerns
- Describe key factors to consider before referring children with behavioural issues for specialist assessment or intervention Identify non-medical approaches to managing ADHD and behavioural challenges to discuss with families
- Identify which specialists and services to involve when managing children with ADHD or behavioural concerns
- Determine potential cardiac contraindications and safety considerations related to ADHD medications
- Explore strategies and recourses to support families of children with behavioural issues in their communities
Speakers:
- Professor Karen Zwi – Dr Zwi is the Director Clinical Services for Child Youth and Family Health at Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD). She is a Consultant Community Paediatrician at Sydney Children’s Hospital and Conjoint Professor at the University of NSW (UNSW)
- Dr Tamasin Meller – Community Paediatrician, NSLHD
- Dr Lisa Collins – GP and First 2000 Days Project Lead
Resources:
HealthPathways Pages
Username: healthpathways
Password: gateway
Navigating Behavioral Concerns in the First 2000 Days: Managing ADHD in Early Childhood – Part 1
This interactive online education series’ ECHO workshop is designed for professionals working with children who have ADHD or behavioral concerns.
This session covers differentiating core diagnostic criteria for ADHD from other behavioral issues, reviewing key considerations for referring children for specialist assessment or intervention, and exploring non-medical management approaches for ADHD and behavioral challenges.
Viewers will learn to identify appropriate local specialists and services for referrals, assess cardiac contraindications and safety considerations related to ADHD medications, and utilise strategies and resources to support families and engage communities.
Enhance your expertise and improve outcomes for children and their families.
TARGET AUDIENCE:
GPs, Pharmacists, Allied Health Professionals and other professionals working with young children in the Sydney North Health Network region.
Learning outcomes:
- Differentiate core diagnostic criteria for ADHD from other behavioral concerns.
- Review key considerations before referring children with behavioral issues for specialist assessment or intervention.
- Explore non-medical approaches to managing ADHD and behavioral challenges to discuss with families.
- Refer appropriately to local specialists and services when managing children with ADHD or behavioral concerns.
- Assess cardiac contraindications and safety considerations related to ADHD medications.
- Utilise appropriate strategies and resources to support families of children with behavioral issues in their communities.
Speakers:
- Professor Karen Zwi – Dr Zwi is the Director Clinical Services for Child Youth and Family Health at Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD). She is a Consultant Community Paediatrician at Sydney Children’s Hospital and Conjoint Professor at the University of NSW (UNSW)
- Dr Tamasin Meller - Community Paediatrician, NSLHD
- Dr Maria Liddy - GP and the First 2000 Days Clinical Lead, SNHN
Resources:
HealthPathways Pages
Username: healthpathways
Password: gateway
Deprescribing Psychotropics
The overuse of antidepressants and psychiatric medications is a growing concern for healthcare and regulatory bodies, including the NDIS Commission and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Both the Disability and Aged Care Royal Commissions have called for efforts to reduce this overuse.
Stopping these medications safely has been neglected in psychiatric teaching, leading to significant harm from severe and prolonged withdrawal effects. The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines aim to address this gap.
Withdrawal effects are more common and severe than previously recognized, with some people experiencing debilitating protracted withdrawal syndromes. These effects can be mistaken for a relapse or new condition, highlighting the need for better recognition and distinction.
Advances in the science of stopping antidepressants have led to updated UK guidelines on gradual, hyperbolic tapering.
Target Audience: GPs, Nurses, Allied Health Professionals, Pharmacists, any prescribers or clinicians that have regular contact with people using psychotropic medications
Learning outcomes:
- Identify when, why and in whom to stop antidepressants and other psychiatric drugs
- Describe the risks of stopping these medications too quickly
- Distinguish between withdrawal effects from these drugs and relapse of an underlying condition
- Apply the latest principles in safe tapering to stopping these drugs classes, adjusted to the individual patient
Speakers:
Dr. Mark Horowitz MBBS PhD is a Clinical Research Fellow in Psychiatry with the NHS in England and a Visiting Lecturer in Psychopharmacology at King’s College London. He holds a PhD in the neurobiology of depression and antidepressant action.
Dr. Horowitz is the lead author of the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines and co-authored the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ guidance on ‘Stopping Antidepressants’. His work has informed NICE guidelines on safe tapering of psychiatric medications. He has published papers in top journals and is an Associate Editor of Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology. His personal experience with psychiatric medication withdrawal has greatly influenced his work.
Resources:
Dr Mark Horowitz Presentation - Deprescribing Psychotropics
RACGP Link to guidelines: Maudlsey Deprescribing Guidelines
The effect of Drug and Alcohol use on young people and the developing brain
GPs in our region are seeing a growing number of young people affected by substance misuse.
Learn about the impacts of substances on the adolescent brain, strategies to engage young people in a conversation about substance use, harm reduction strategies, and local referral pathways.
Learning outcomes:
- Analyse the impacts of substance use on the developing adolescent brain.
- Develop and implement effective strategies to engage young people in meaningful conversations about substance use.
- Evaluate and apply harm reduction strategies for substance use.
- Utilise knowledge of local referral pathways to support young people with substance use issues.
Speakers:
Dr. David Gordon | is a psychiatrist specialising in child and adolescent psychiatry, as well as addiction psychiatry. Dr. Gordon holds a BSc, MBBS (Hons), MPsychiatry, and is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP). He works in both public and private practice, including at the Northern Beaches Hospital and MindLife Clinic.
Dr Esther Han | GP/Addiction Specialist NSLHD Drug & Alcohol Service /Clinical Lecturer for the University of Sydney in the Discipline of Addiction Medicine, Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health.
National IAR Program: about the Program
The Initial Assessment and Referral for Mental Healthcare Program is an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. The IAR Guidance provides support to clinicians regarding how to respond to people when they first ask for mental health support in primary care settings. It guides clinicians in considering what information should be collected during a mental health assessment.
The decision support tool often referred to as the IAR-DST, is an aid that is designed to provide clinicians with an estimate of the intensity of the mental health response that the person may need. This could confirm your clinical judgement or bring further deliberation to the decision-making process. The aim of using the tool is to connect the person seeking support with the right care as early as possible in their journey.
National IAR Program: how will the IAR DST help my Practice?
National IAR Program: how is the IAR DST used?
National IAR Program: How will the IAR DST help the people I work with?
National IAR Program: A lived experience perspective the IAR DST
Social Isolation and the Impact on Older People
Through discussion and case studies, viewers will be equipped with tools and tips for GPs and Practice Nurses to connect older people to local community hubs and support networks.
Discussion includes the Social/Medical aspects and the interaction between the two and how they impact social isolation for older people.
Learn practical tools/steps that GPs can take to link patients up to services/support.
Learning outcomes:
- Recognise and proactively respond to the impact of social isolation on older people
- Differentiate the need for medical or social prescription when working with patients experiencing social isolation
- Compare available services that promote social interaction and evaluate these against the lifestyle and needs of patients
Speakers:
Dr Stephen Ginsborg | General Practitioner
Dr Stephen Ginsborg is a GP with interests include mental health, and elder, palliative and intergenerational care. He cares for all ages, but the challenges of ageing have great resonance for him in his work. He is committed to developing strategies that assist community, GPs and other health care professionals to offer options for people, based on compassionate care in a manner and place of their choice.
Dr James Ibraham | General Practitioner
Dr James Ibrahim is a GP and Director of Terrey Hills Medical Centre. He is the current Chair of the RACGP Social Prescribing Specific Interest Group and Sydney North Health Network AOD clinical lead. On a mission to personalise primary care.