RACGP 2012–2013 Federal Budget submission

The College has recently provided the Federal Treasurer with a copy of our pre-budget submission for 2012–2013. I would like to thank those members who, over the last few months, provided invaluable feedback on where they felt further investment into primary healthcare could improve patients’ health outcomes. Capturing a true account of the challenges and opportunities facing GPs working at the coalface ensured a well rounded and comprehensive submission. Our submission was also guided by the framework outlined in the College’s recently released discussion paper A Quality General Practice of the Future. Key themes addressed in this year’s pre-budget submission included:

• investing in the future of e-health, including the need for a comprehensive review of the readiness for a Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record 
• building capacity in general practice to remain responsive to current and future healthcare challenges
• chronic disease prevention and management
• revisiting mental healthcare delivery and funding models to ensure some of Australia’s most vulnerable people have access to the mental healthcare services they deserve
• medication safety
• community and residential aged care
• health assessments
• enhancing health outcomes for regional, rural and remote communities
• enhancing the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The RACGP’s detailed Federal Budget 2012–2013 submission is available at www.racgp.org.au/reports/45687. The College’s A Quality General practice of the Future discussion paper is also available online at www.racgp.org.au/futuregeneralpractice.

New report highlights need to invest in primary healthcare

This week, the Productivity Commission’s Report on Government Services 2012, available at www.pc.gov.au/gsp/reports/rogs/2012, was released. The report showed that in 2010 nearly 9 per cent of Australians delayed or did not visit a GP because of out-of-pocket expense. This highlights the immediate need to review the current level of funding of patient rebates in general practices. Through investment in primary healthcare, Australia will benefit from a system focusing on prevention, rather than reaction, gaining much greater benefit from an internationally recognised GP sector.

GPs honoured on Australia Day

Congratulations to the many GPs and members who were recipients of this year’s Australia Day Honours. It is wonderful that their efforts were recognised publicly in this way and we congratulate each of them for their achievements. To view the 2012 Australia Day Honours recipients, visit www.racgp.org.au/honours.

Professor Claire Jackson
RACGP President

RACGP news

Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record Bill 2011

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has provided formal comment on the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records Bill 2011 and the associated Consequential Amendments. The College’s submission is now available at www.racgp.org.au/reports/45606.

International Primary Health Care Reform Conference

The RACGP is a major sponsor of the first International Primary Health Care Reform Conference in Brisbane, taking place from 6–7 March. The program will highlight major initiatives in primary healthcare innovation, e-health, policy development and new models of clinical care. As part of the program, the RACGP will showcase a number of e-health initiatives. To download the program or to register, visit www.racgp.org.au/ff/94.  

NRF 20 year anniversary celebrations – register now

During 2012, the RACGP National Rural Faculty (NRF) will celebrate its 20 year anniversary. This milestone event will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate rural general practice, the achievements of our rural members and the rural initiatives of the College. The NRF is planning a number of events throughout the year including a 20th anniversary celebration weekend, which will feature a gala dinner and stakeholder forum in Canberra. The weekend celebrations will take place from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 April. To download the invitation and registration form, visit www.racgp.org.au/rural/20anniversary.

Getting to know our rural GPs

As part of the RACGP National Rural Faculty 20 year anniversary celebrations, a collection of GP stories will be shared with College members throughout the year. The stories are both inspiring and unique, as told by rural GPs around Australia. Rural GP stories can be found at www.racgp.org.au/rural/ourruralgps and will be updated regularly during 2012.

RACGP learning and development

gplearning case of the month: ‘do I need a heart check?’

Jason, 24 years old, is a personal trainer who presents requesting a heart test after the recent death of a brother who died playing rugby. Is his family history important? What do GPs need to know about genetics for everyday clinical practice? Explore this issue through a series of short cases in February’s gplearning case of the month with medical educator Dr Ronald McCoy. This activity has been approved for Category 2 RACGP QI&CPD points for the 2011–2013 triennium and is available from 3 February 2012. To enrol or for more information, visit www.gplearning.com.au.

RACGP resources

January/February edition of Australian Family Physician now available online

Australian Family Physician (AFP), the flagship journal of the RACGP, features a range of clinical, viewpoint and research articles focusing on key issues in general practice today. The focus for the January/February issue of AFP is teaching in general practice. It includes articles on trainees in the practice, clinical reasoning, HbA1c and monitoring glycaemia and broken heart syndrome. All articles are now available online at www.racgp.org.au/afp.

Audio Digest programs – easy listening via web or download

Audio Digest’s monthly audio programs are a convenient way to keep up-to-date and are now available through the John Murtagh Library. Members can access four Audio Digest titles: family practice, obstetrics & gynaecology , emergency medicine and paediatrics. Audio Digest programs are easily downloaded to PC or mp3 player for convenient replay. Summary sheets are provided for each program offering cases, definitions and suggested reading. CDs of Audio Digest programs can also be borrowed from the library. To access the Audio Digest programs, visit www.racgp.org.au/library/downloads (login to College website is required).

Electronic tools to support chronic disease management in general practice

The PrimaryCare Sidebar® continues to provide tools to support quality care in general practice. The cdmNet function is a web-based service that assists GPs in providing team care to patients with complex and chronic conditions. The Commonwealth Digital Regions Initiative is supporting the use of cdmNet in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia, including its potential to drive uptake and usage of the National Broadband Network. cdmNet is available to GPs and other health professionals and can be accessed through the PrimaryCare Sidebar®. For enquiries about PrimaryCare Sidebar®, call the RACGP Oxygen help desk on 1800 257 053 or email support@racgpoxygen.com.au.

AMH Online search enhanced with PrimaryCare Sidebar®

A recently published update to the PrimaryCare Sidebar® now means that users of Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH) Online will benefit from enhanced search functionality. Users will now be able to enter search terms directly into the search bar of the resources panel. A list of relevant AMH topics based on the search terms entered will then be presented to the user. For further information about the new functionality, or for support linking your AMH Online license to your PrimaryCare Sidebar®, contact the RACGP Oxygen help desk on 1800 257 053 or email support@racgpoxygen.com.au.

Getting involved

Join the telling of the College’s history

The College is seeking contributions from members for its history project, as a means of enhancing the existing member biographies, oral reminiscences, essays, photos and memorabilia in the College’s online museum. Individuals who have had dealings with the College and are willing to be interviewed or provide stories, comments and/or resources are encouraged to visit www.racgp.org.au/historyproject. This webpage features further information about the project and how to register interest in participating by clicking on the ‘History project expression of interest form’ link.

Other news, events & opportunities*

The 19th Wonca Asia Pacific Regional Conference

The 19th Wonca Asia Pacific Regional Conference will be held in Korea from 24–27 May 2012. Offering an exciting and informative conference program, this year’s main theme is ‘Clinical excellence in family medicine: evidence-based approach in primary care’. For more information visit www.woncaAP2012.org or email admin@woncaAP2012.org.

Practice Nurse Incentive Program

On 1 January 2012, changes to the financing arrangements for practice nurses were introduced. The recently established Practice Nurse Incentive Program (PNIP) provides eligible practices with incentive payments to support the enhanced role of nurses working in general practice. PNIP consolidates previous funding arrangements for the Practice Incentive Program and six of the Medicare Benefits Schedule practice nurse item numbers into one single payment for practices. Given these changes, it is important for practices to consider and determine how they will manage this funding under the new arrangements. Further information regarding PNIP can be accessed at www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/incentives/pnip.jsp.

Free heart disease resources from the Heart Foundation

With every copy of the Reducing risk in heart disease summary ordered, the Heart Foundation will give away a free guideline, which provides clinical recommendations for the management of risk in people with, or at high risk of, coronary heart disease. It contains updated blood pressure information, consistent with the Guide to management of hypertension. The summary is a guide for preventing cardiovascular events in people with coronary heart disease. To order a free copy of the summary and guideline contact 1300 36 27 87 or email health@heartfoundation.org.au before 29 February 2012.

* Inclusion does not imply RACGP endorsement