From 1 February 2021, new employees of NDIS registered providers, including sole traders, will need to apply for an NDIS worker screening clearance at workerscreening.communities.qld.gov.au. Existing yellow card and yellow card exemption holders (or Registered Health Practitioners or Aged Care Providers with relevant checks or registration) can continue to work for registered NDIS providers until their card expires or is cancelled.

The new Worker Screening System will deliver an online application process from 1 February 2021 and workers can apply via the Worker Screening website. Detailed user guides will be available to assist applicants through this process.

It is important for all providers and workers to understand their obligations under the new worker screening system and whether they need a clearance.

All NDIS members are encouraged to read the resources developed by the Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and stay up to date with the latest news about the transition. To find out more visit the Worker Screening website.

Launching in February 2021, Practice to Practice will link up practices in different Modified Monash Model (MMM) areas and encourage a mutually beneficial relationship to develop between them, including: opportunities for coaching and mentoring, locuming, exposure to different skills and services, peer to peer support, problem solving and remote telehealth workforce support.  Each relationship will be different, depending on practice needs.   

Go beyond your current practice to expand your skills, networks and perspectives with Practice to Practice, all while being part of a bigger purpose to help address health inequities. Register your interest on the RACGP website.

Healthy sleep patterns are also linked to hormones that regulate hunger, say researchers, and sleep schedules could play an important role in the fight against childhood obesity and weight problems, according to Health and Wellbeing Queensland Chief Executive, Dr Robyn Littlewood. 

One in four Queensland children are overweight or obese and Dr Littlewood says many overlook the connection between that and sleep problems.

International research shows children are at greater risk of gaining unhealthy amounts of weight during summer holidays.

While Australian researchers are still examining whether or not the same thing happens here, we do know that this year many families stayed at home because of travel restrictions.

Long, unstructured days, less exercise, and more screen time, along with extra holiday snacks, can all add up.

Establishing sleep routines doesn’t always go smoothly at first, but there are certain positive parenting tips and strategies that can help make this process less stressful, and more successful!

To help parents get a head-start on a healthy 2021 with free Triple P Online in Queensland, or some other type of free Triple P, they can visit: www.triplep-parenting.net