ACT Health and Community Services Directorate and Capital Health Network invite you to a webinar on influenza and respiratory virus vaccination for 2026, featuring expert insights from the team and NCIRS speaker Dr Zhicheng (Jeff) Wang.

The webinar will cover:

✅ Influenza epidemiology and the 2026 influenza vaccination program

✅ Influenza vaccines available in 2026, including Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV)

✅ RSV and COVID-19 vaccine updates

Register Here

Speakers:

Alison Kingsbury, Senior Director Immunisation Section.

Alison is the Senior Director Immunisation at Health and Community Services Directorate. She heads up the team who develop, implement and manage government funded vaccine programs and vaccines within the ACT.

Alison has a background in critical care nursing, project management and quality and safety before she joined the Population Health Division in 2020. She has an interest in health system design and improvement.

Dr Nicola Ball, Public Health Registrar

Nicola is a Public Health Advanced Trainee at the ACT Health and Community Services Directorate.

Nicola has worked across communicable disease control, regulatory and research roles during her public health training.

Dr Zhicheng (Jeff) Wang BPharm (Hons), PhD – Research Fellow/Lecturer, NCIRS

Jeff Wang is a Research Fellow at National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS), an Adjunct Lecturer in The University of Sydney School of Pharmacy and a practising community pharmacist. He has qualifications and experience in vaccinology, clinical pharmacy, systematic reviews and guideline development. In his role at NCIRS, Jeff undertakes research and systematic reviews that inform clinical guidelines related to immunisation. He leads the implementation of GRADE methods in the development of recommendations in the Australian Immunisation Handbook.

Register Here

Learning Outcomes:

• Knowledge of the 2026 influenza vaccine program, including which vaccines are available for particular cohorts, and how to obtain government funded vaccine stock.
• Knowledge of the ACT RSV prevention program, including what products are available and where, the eligibility criteria and where to access information about eligibility criteria.
• Define what a Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) is and how it differs from traditional inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV).
• Identify common mild side effects associated with nasal spray administration
• Understand the effectiveness of LAIV
• Understand the multi-step procedure for administering the nasal spray

This webinar is CPD-accredited for 1.5 hours.

About Practice Connect

Join us at Practice Connect, Capital Health Network’s quarterly educational and networking event designed for Practice Managers, Practice Nurses, and other primary health care professionals to upskill, refresh their knowledge, and connect with the primary care community.

All registrations include a complimentary meal on arrival and an opportunity to network with like‑minded primary health care professionals and practice managers.

The Topic

The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) continues to evolve, and keeping up with changes while maintaining financial sustainability can be challenging for general practices.

Capital Health Network, together with representatives from ACT general practices, invites practice managers, GP registrars and primary health care professionals to an insightful evening focused on Medicare billing practices and strengthening patient care in 2026.

Recent MBS changes will be explored from the perspective of both bulk billing and mixed billing practices. An interactive session at the end will help attendees apply the learnings in practical scenarios.

Learning Objectives

We’ll discuss:

• Billing models and why practices may decide to use them.
• Medicare rebates available for mixed billing and bulk billing practices, and what tools practices can use to effectively monitor them.
• Interpreting 2025 MBS changes, including: GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (965 and 967), November 1 2025 changes, including expanded eligibility criteria, Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program and Better Access initiative.
• Caring for First Nations patients – specific MBS items and care plans available.
• Identifying and resolving common Medicare billing challenges, troubleshooting, and where to find support.
• How to use POLAR to identify MBS opportunities and improve practice sustainability

Register Here

Speakers

• Anita Segal – Canberra Operations Manager, Trans‑Ax Healthcare
• Dr Pushpani Herath – GP, Ngunnawal General Practice
• Taylor Carriage – Indigenous Health Program Officer, Capital Health Network

Photo & Testimonial Consent

By attending this event, you consent to being photographed and/or recorded for promotional, educational, and communications purposes by CHN. You also agree that any quotes or feedback you provide during the event may be used as testimonials on our resources. If you do not wish to be photographed or have your comments used as a testimonial, please inform our team.

CPD

Attendees are encouraged to self-report CPD hours to their education dashboard (Educational Activity: 1.5 hours). A certificate of attendance will be provided after the event.

Register Here

Cancellations

Registrations include a complimentary meal and spaces are strictly limited at our Practice Connect event. If you are unable to attend, please advise our team by contacting events@chnact.org.au or primarycare@chnact.org.au. This will allow your seat and meal to be reallocated.

Practical Communication & Safety Skills for Frontline Healthcare Teams

Frontline staff in general practice are often the first point of contact for patients who may be stressed, unwell, anxious or overwhelmed. This interactive 3‑hour workshop is designed specifically for medical receptionists, practice managers and nurses who want to build confidence, safety and effectiveness in challenging patient interactions.

Learning Objectives

Participants will learn how to:

• Recognise early signs of escalating distress or aggression.
• Build a personalised toolkit of empathic, practical de‑escalation strategies.
• Set clear boundaries while maintaining professionalism and privacy obligations.
• Contribute to a safer practice culture through effective teamwork, documentation, incident reporting and self‑regulation strategies.

You will learn how to:

• Recognise early warning signs of escalating behaviour

• Respond calmly and confidently in high-stress situations

• Use effective de-escalation language

• Set boundaries respectfully and safely

• Understand documentation and workplace safety responsibilities

At the end of this workshop you will walk away with your own toolkit of dialogue, practical strategies and greater confidence.

Register Here

Two identical 3‑hour workshop sessions will be offered (9:00am–12:00pm and 1:00pm–4:00pm), and attendees may register for either session.