RACGP ramps up lobbying efforts against revised co-payment model
Following extensive consultation and dialogue with its membership, the RACGP has strengthened its position on the Government’s revised co-payment model, calling for an immediate halt to any measures that jeopardise general practice services. The RACGP stands resolutely against the proposed $5 cut in the patient rebate and the freeze to rebates until 2018, deeming this proposal unacceptable.
The RACGP is extending its advocacy efforts to encompass the Government’s recent announcement, and GPs are encouraged to visit the RACGP website and download a new poster to display in practice waiting rooms and encourage patients to join us in our efforts against the model. The RACGP has also drafted letters for GPs and patients to send to their local member of parliament (MP) to demonstrate their opposition to the revised co-payment model. The RACGP will be launching a dedicated advocacy campaign in January and all members and stakeholders will be invited to join us in our stance against this unacceptable policy.
Season’s greetings from the RACGP
As the year draws to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all RACGP members and stakeholders for your continued support. The general practice profession has faced unprecedented challenges this year, but we have faced them head on, with resilience and integrity.
From the moment it was first rumoured in December last year, the RACGP has stood resolutely against the Government’s proposed co-payment model, calling for greater investment in primary healthcare. The RACGP lobbied and advocated on behalf of GPs and their patients, promoting general practice as the cornerstone of an efficient healthcare system.
The RACGP continued to build its online presence with its social media platforms Facebook and Twitter, strengthening its advocacy reach and raising the public profile of the general practice profession. The RACGP’s #CoPayNoWay social media campaign was launched within 24 hours of the budget announcement and gained unprecedented traction, with more than nine million mentions online to date. We have held the Federal Government accountable to its promises and will continue to reiterate that a $5 cut in the GP patient rebate, along with the other measures proposed in the revised co-payment model, is simply unacceptable.
GP14 in Adelaide was a highlight of the year, with more than 1400 delegates in attendance, making it the largest RACGP conference to date. I am pleased to say plans are well underway for an inspiring program and range of networking opportunities and social activities at GP15, to be held in Melbourne 21–23 September 2015.
Through a number of proactive submissions and position statements, the RACGP has promoted the critical role GPs play in achieving high-quality healthcare for all Australians. We have also continued to meet with key stakeholders throughout the year, ensuring any issues affecting the profession are addressed with our best interests front and centre.
As we break for the year to celebrate the festive season, it is a timely reminder for us all to ensure not only the safety of our patients, but also ourselves. Australia is moving into the hottest part of the year, placing many regions at their highest risk of bushfires. I encourage you all to develop an emergency response plan using the RACGP’s Emergency Response Planning Tool (ERPT) to ensure your practice staff are prepared in the event of an emergency. We also know the festive season has an impact on our road tolls, and I implore you all to take care when driving and encourage your patients to do the same.
The RACGP will be closed from 5.00 pm (AEDT) today and will reopen Monday 5 January 2015. The first issue of In Practice for the new year is scheduled for Tuesday 3 February 2015. Thank you again for your continued support of our profession and the RACGP. I look forward to working with you all in what I am sure will be a prosperous 2015.
Dr Frank R Jones
RACGP President
Notice of RACGP policy update
The RACGP recently updated its Assessment of General Practice Experience Policy. Guidance about the comparability of specific general practice posts has been updated and is shown in Appendix 1. Applicants are advised that, from 1 January 2015, Australian Accredited Medical Deputising Services will typically be assessed as partially similar. A table summarising the comparability rating that may be assigned to a general practice post has also been added to Section 4.4, ‘Comparability of general practice experience posts’.
The RACGP Board of Censors has reviewed the equivalency of Australian Accredited Medical Deputising Services to broad based community general practice for the purposes of assessing general practice experience. Due to a lack of continuing, comprehensive, whole-person care, time in Australian Accredited Medical Deputising Services will now typically receive a comparability rating of partially similar.
Time in partially similar general practice posts is recognised at 50% pro-rata up to a maximum of two and a half years. The cap on amount of time that will be recognised for partially similar posts is to ensure applicants have experience in broad based general practice which includes chronic disease management. Visit the Fellowship Services policies and procedures page on the RACGP website to access the policy.
RACGP feedback poll results – RACGP Standards for general practices
Over the past three weeks, In Practice poll asked its readers about their motivation to seek accreditation against the RACGP’s Standards for general practices (4th edition) (the Standards).
The results indicate that nearly half of respondents (49%) choose to become accredited so they can access support via the Practice Incentives Program (PIP). However, 41% of respondents reported that achieving excellence in quality patient care is the main driver for seeking accreditation against the Standards. A small percentage of respondents (8%) indicated they seek accreditation in order to meet the requirements as a teaching practice, while 2% indicated ‘other’, but failed to provide further details.
The RACGP thanks all poll respondents for helping to better inform the direction of RACGP’s advocacy and standards development. The RACGP will use the results and feedback to ensure it is best placed to represent the views of our profession.