2023 reports and submissions

The RACGP has responded to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) review of the merger between Australian Clinical Labs Limited (ACL) and Healius Limited (Healius). The RACGP letter highlights the potential impacts of this merger on access to healthcare for patients across Australia.

The PBS invited the RACGP to provide feedback, on the proposed restriction changes to PBS listings for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) medicines, following recommendations made at the March 2023 Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) meeting.

The RACGP has provided a submission to the Mid-Term Review of the National Health Reform Agreement (NHRA) Addendum 2020-2025 to outline opportunities to drive integration and collaboration between primary and secondary health systems and provide maximum return to both health systems.

The RACGP has written to the Medical Board of Australia to raise concerns about the referral requirement in the Advance Copy of the Guidelines for registered medical practitioners who perform cosmetic surgery and procedures

16 May 2023 - The RACGP is pleased to respond to the Amendment to Healthcare Identifiers Regulations, 2020 consultation.

15 May 2023 - The RACGP has provided a submission to the Australian Pharmacy Council on the Accreditation Standards for Pharmacist Training Programs - Aged care and comprehensive medicine review.

The RACGP has provided a submission to the Queensland Parliament’s Health and Environment Committee in response to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Surgeons) Amendment Bill 2023.

The Federal Budget for the 2023-24 financial year was released on Tuesday 10 May. This additional budget outlines the new Federal Government’s priorities for 2023-24 and beyond.

The RACGP has provided a submission in response to the discussion paper for the National Strategy to Achieve Gender Equality. The RACGP's response provides a number of recommendations to help address the health barriers faced by women, particularly those experiencing disadvantage.

The RACGP has provided a response to the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care on the Framework for Australian clinical quality registries, Second Edition consultation.

The RACGP has written to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) seeking clarity on recent changes by PBAC to the General Schedule (Section 85) listing, population criteria and treatment criteria for fluticasone propionate 50 microgram indicated for the prophylactic management of asthma.

The RACGP has provided a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Migration’s inquiry—Migration, Pathway to Nation Building. The inquiry is considering numerous areas related to Australia’s migration system and the respective influences to nation building.

The RACGP has provided a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Migration’s inquiry—Migration, Pathway to Nation Building. The inquiry is considering numerous areas related to Australia’s migration system and the respective influences to nation building.

3 March 2023 - The RACGP has provided a submission to the Department of Health and Aged Care regarding their Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (CRIS) on general practice data and electronic clinical decision support (eCDS).

6 March 2023 - The RACGP has provided a written submission to the Commission on the draft Guide for the National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Health Standards.

6 March 2023 - The RACGP supports the TGA’s decision to reduce paracetamol pack sizes, however, the RACGP recommends that pack sizes should be reduced further. The RACGP also reiterates our previous recommendation that modified release paracetamol should be upscheduled to prescription-only.

6 March 2023 - The RACGP has provided a submission to Ahpra about the changes to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law.

3 March 2023 - The RACGP has written an open letter to Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler about the compliance letters concerning chronic disease and practice nurse MBS items.

28 February 2023 - The RACGP is pleased to respond to the Healthcare Identifiers Framework Project Consultation . The consultation led by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care (the Department) aims to create a more connected and integrated health system with a national approach to Healthcare Identifiers (HIs).

21 February 2023 - RACGP submission to the Senate inquiry on the extent and nature of poverty in Australia.

20 February 2023 - The RACGP has provided a submission to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) on its draft Data strategy.

17 February 2023 - The RACGP response to the Department of Health and Aged Care’s ‘Increasing access to health and aged care: a strategic plan for the nurse practitioner workforce’ (also known as the Nurse Practitioner Workforce 10 year Strategic Plan) reaffirms our position that nurse practitioners should work as part of general practice teams.

15 February 2023 - The RACGP submission responds to the published Terms of Reference for the Inquiry. The submission highlights the key role of GPs for sport players who have received a concussion and repeated head trauma.

15 February 2023 - The RACGP has responded to the Medical Board of Australia regarding the draft revised Guidelines: Telehealth consultations with patients (the guidelines).

30 January 2023 - The RACGP has prepared a pre-budget submission for the upcoming 2023 Federal Budget.

13 January 2023 - The RACGP has provided a submission on the ACSQHC’s draft National Consensus Statement.

13 January 2023 - The RACGP has provided feedback to Dr Pradeep Philip, Chair of the Review of Medicare Integrity and Compliance commissioned by the Minister for Health.

16 January 2023 - The RACGP thanks the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for the opportunity to respond to the public consultation on Potential reforms to the regulation of Nicotine Vaping Products, November 2022.

31 January 2023 - The RACGP response to the National Dementia Action Plan consultation broadly supports the National Dementia Action Plan.

5 December 2022 - The RACGP has provided a response to the Department of Health and Aged Care on the Regulatory options to allow references to the TGA in therapeutic goods advertising consultation.