Friday Fax (weekly newsletter)
College fax 15 August 2008
Message to members
Two weeks left to register for AGM
Associate Members will be interested to know that they may be eligible to vote at the RACGP Annual General Meeting being held at this year’s 51st Annual Scientific Convention / Wonca Asia-Pacific Regional Conference in Melbourne. However, you are only eligible to vote if you upgrade your membership before 31 August 2008. To apply to upgrade your membership, simply download the forms to apply to convert to full membership and send the form to your faculty office. Forms can be downloaded at www.racgp.org.au/membership/categories As per the current terms, international medical graduate members may need to pay $300 to have their application assessed. If you are experiencing financial hardship you may request for the fee to be waived. I encourage you to ‘upgrade’ your membership to ensure that you can have a say on the future direction of your college. Please be aware that you can vote in person or by nominating a proxy.
Chronic disease management Medicare items
Medicare Australia is working to increase awareness and correct use among general practitioners, practice staff and eligible allied health professionals of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items 721 and 723 relating to chronic disease management (CDM). You can access details of the CDM items, including MBS item descriptors, explanatory notes, questions and answers, an overview fact sheet and example scenarios at www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/pcd-programs-epc-chronicdisease Quick reference guides are available from www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/education Also, be on the lookout for information packs that will arrive from Medicare Australia. I encourage you to read this information to ensure that you are up to date on the support offered through the MBS to manage the health care of patients with chronic medical conditions, including patients who need multidisciplinary care. For more information on this initiative, please email medicare.education@medicareaustralia.gov.au or contact Lee Rasmussen on 07 3121 5095.
GP Aged Care Access Incentive
The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing advised the college that Qualifying Service Levels (QSL) for the incentive for 2008–2009 have now been set. Information can be obtained from www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/aged_care_access
Medicare Australia will write to GPs shortly with details of the incentive.
Fake medical certificates for sale
The RACGP is aware of a website in the UK (www.doctorsnotestore.com/australia_fake_medical_certificate.html) selling fake medical certificates. The site claims that certificates are modelled on doctors’ notes, and stamps are modelled on real doctors’ signature stamps. The RACGP is concerned about the possibility of sensitive practice material being stolen if left unsecured. Please be aware of security matters in your practice to ensure that access to sensitive material is always restricted.
NPS complementary medicines research project
The National Prescribing Service (NPS) is conducting a project to assess the information needs of consumers and health professionals around complementary medicines. For more information visit www.nps.org.au/research_and_evaluation/research/current_research/complementary_medicines
Given the holistic nature of our craft, it is important that patients inform their GP of any complementary medicine they are using, and that their GP has enough knowledge to interpret and evaluate this information.
President’s diary
This week I participated in a council committee teleconference and joined a teleconference for the ASC/Wonca steering committee. Next week I will be in Melbourne to attend a meeting of the National Primary Health Care Strategy – Expert Reference Group and I will be in Queensland to attend the AGM of our RACGP Queensland Faculty.
Dr Vasantha Preetham
RACGP President
Announcements
Are you coming to Melbourne for the ASC/Wonca?
If you haven’t already registered, we invite you to join us in Melbourne for the RACGP 51st ASC, which this year is combined with the Wonca Asia-Pacific Regional Conference, from 2–5 October 2008. With a bumper program, due to the record number of abstracts, the conference is a great opportunity to learn, share ideas and meet your colleagues from around Australia and the world! Don’t miss out! For program and registration details visit www.wonca2008.com
RACGP faculty AGMs
Queensland: The RACGP Queensland Faculty AGM and Fellowship and awards evening will be held on 23 August at the Presidential Ballroom, Sebel Citigate from 7.00 pm. Please RSVP by 15 August to Cathy Cook on 07 3456 8944 or cathy.cook@racgp.org.au
South Australia and Northern Territory: The RACGP SA&NT Faculty AGM will be held before the annual dinner on 30 August in the Broughton Room at the National Wine Centre at 5.00 pm. Please RSVP by 22 August to Michelle Fahey on 08 8267 8325 or michelle.fahey@racgp.org.au
New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory: The RACGP NSW&ACT Faculty AGM will be held on 5 September at College House, Level 7, 12 Mount Street, North Sydney at 6.30 pm. Refreshments and networking from 6.00 pm. Please RSVP to Emma Ford on 02 9886 4700 or emma.ford@racgp.org.au
Tasmania: The RACGP Tasmania Faculty AGM will be held on 6 September at Cradle Mountain Chateau, Cradle Mountain Tasmania at 10.30am. The AGM will be followed by a faculty forum. Please RSVP to Julia Ray on 03 6278 1644 or julia.ray@racgp.org.au
Victoria: The RACGP Victoria Faculty AGM will be held on 17 September from 7.00 pm for a 7.30pm start at The Willows, 462 St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Dinner and refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP by 8 September on 03 8699 0488 or vic.events@racgp.org.au
Western Australia: The RACGP WA Faculty AGM and college award night will be held on 19 September at 6.30pm at the University Club, University of Western Australia. Please RSVP to Abby Roberts on 08 9489 9555 or abby.roberts@racgp.org.au
Registrar applications for 2009 training toward FRACGP and FARGP
Applications for the Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS) for 2009 close on 1 September 2008. The scheme provides vocational training toward FRACGP and the RACGP Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP) for medical practitioners in remote and isolated communities throughout Australia. The RVTS is a four year program delivering structured distance education and supervision to doctors while they continue to provide general medical services to a remote and/or isolated community. For more information and to download forms visit www.rvts.org.au or contact Ms Jeanette McLaren on 02 6021 6235 or email jmclaren@rvts.org.au
More effective communication with radiologists
Are you satisfied in your dealings with radiology services? The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists and the RACGP are involved in a project to explore enablers and inhibitors to more effective communication and interaction. The project will pilot and then roll out a series of focus groups with GPs and radiologists in September. The process will provide important information on future directions for both of our colleges, and will pave the way for more substantial collaboration in the future. At this point we are looking to identify the major issues confronting our members around more effective communication and interaction with radiologists. If you are able to assist this process, contact Pete Marshall on 03 8699 0559 or email peter.marshall@racgp.org.au
New style of gplearning discussion forum
gplearning has released a new activity based discussion forum. To participate, you need to complete the ‘Travel medicine – GP case’ activity (prerequisite) by the end of October. The discussion forum will be available in November to everyone who has completed this activity by October. RACGP QA&CPD Category 2 points are available for completion of the prerequisite activity and then separately for participation in the discussion (three postings). For more information, visit www.gplearning.com.au or access gplearning via MyGeneralPractice.
Clinical Emergency Management™ Program intermediate and advanced workshops
The successful one day Clinical Emergency Management™ Program (CEMP) intermediate workshops are offered nationally. Upcoming intermediate workshops: Canberra (30 August), Sunshine Coast (13 September), Sydney (20 September), Melbourne (1 October). The two day CEMP advanced workshop focuses on adult trauma and paediatric emergencies. Upcoming advanced workshops: Melbourne (6–7 October), Perth (20–21 October). Both workshops have been approved for RACGP QA&CPD points and you may be eligible for the procedural skills grants of up to $2000 a day. To learn more freecall 1800 284 732, email gpeducation@racgp.org.au or visit www.racgp.org.au/cem
RACGP Victoria Faculty board: call for nominations 2008–2009
The RACGP Victoria Faculty is seeking nominations for the positions of chair, provost, four general board members and five regional board members. For a full description of duties and nomination forms visit www.racgp.org.au/vic/news/26096 For further information please contact Stewart Potten on 03 8699 0490 or email stewart.potten@racgp.org.au Nominations close 20 August 2008.
Early bird closing this weekend – register now for the RACGP medical receptionist course: 4–5 September 2008, North Sydney
This course covers a range of topics relevant for nonmedical practice staff to increase staff confidence and skills, including front office procedures incorporating telephone management, appointments, receipting, coping with sick people, risk management, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid emergencies, and stress management and relaxation techniques. For more information contact the RACGP NSW&ACT Faculty on 02 9886 4700, email nswact.events@racgp.org.au or visit www.racgp.org.au/nswact/events
Do you have an interest in photography?
Showcase your talents at the RACGP/Wonca Asia-Pacific Regional 2008 Photo Competition and celebrate ‘diversity’. Enter in either the faces (portrait) or places (landscape) category. The competition is open to the entire practice team. For more information, visit www.wonca2008.com/photog.php
National Prescribing Service (NPS) GP dementia survey
The NPS will introduce a new program in August that explores the evidence around prescribing for the symptomatic treatment of dementia. To assist the NPS in evaluating this program and to ensure it is of value to GPs please complete this five minute survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=qy55cKWWNhGepdlEjVLXhQ_3d_3d by 22 August. For more information contact Steven Riddell on sriddell@nps.org.au or Svetlana Aristidi at saristidi@nps.org.au
NSF ‘Know your numbers’ campaign
The National Stroke Foundation (NSF) has developed a blood pressure awareness campaign called ‘Know your numbers’. The aim is to convey the importance of having regular blood pressure checks and to increase the understanding of high blood pressure as a key risk factor for stroke. ‘Know your numbers’ will be held from 25 to 31 October 2008 throughout Victoria and South-East Queensland. For further information contact Belinda Wilkinson on 03 9670 1000 or visit www.strokefoundation.com.au/know-your-numbers
Palliative care registrar positions in Adelaide
General practice registrars and RACGP Fellows have the opportunity to work as registrars with multidisciplinary palliative care teams in Adelaide hospitals and in the community. Registrars will be well supported, supervised, and can participate in a statewide tutorial program. Wherever possible, training will be accredited with the RACGP for those wishing to undertake advanced training in palliative medicine. Candidates must hold an MBBS degree and be eligible for registration with the Medical Board of South Australia. Preferred candidates will have experience and excellent communication skills. For more information contact Dr Roger Hunt on 08 8222 6825 or email roger.hunt@nwahs.sa.gov.au
Migration survey of South African medical graduates in Australia
Dr Peter Arnold, together with the assistance of a sociologist and a statistician, wishes to study the migration of all South African doctors in Australia. Dr Arnold and his colleagues are planning a survey of as many as they can contact of the 1776 South African medical graduates who are registered in Australia in order to chronicle this unique migration. Please contact him at parnold@ozemail.com.au and forward this information to South African medical graduates you know to be in Australia.
The National Forum on Safety and Quality in Health Care: 29–31 October, Adelaide
The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards in collaboration with the Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care and the Department of Health, South Australia will host the National Forum on Safety and Quality in Health Care at the Adelaide Convention Centre on 29–31 October. The theme for the forum is ‘Safety and quality is everyone’s business’. For more information, visit www.sapmea.asn.au/conventions/forumsqhc2008/index.html
Australian Resuscitation Council’s 7th International ‘Spark of Life’ Conference: 30 April – 2 May 2009, Hobart
Updated information will be posted on the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) website at www.resus.org.au when available. Registration material, including a preliminary program, will be available July/August 2008 and will be forwarded to all ARC subscribers and posted on the ARC website.
10th National Rural Health Conference: 17–20 May 2009, Cairns
The 10th National Rural Health Conference will be taking place from 17–20 May 2009 in Cairns. Call for abstracts and exhibition bookings are now open and there are sponsorship opportunities available. For more information visit www.ruralhealth.org.au
GP diary – RACGP events
You can find out full details of RACGP events in your state and across Australia by visiting www.racgp.org.au/events
Did you know?
Did you know that until early last century many GPs qualified by working as practice assistants, instead of going to university?
Share this on Facebook