Aligning rural general practice training with community need
I had the pleasure of representing the RACGP’s National Rural Faculty (NRF) at the national event for rural doctors, the Rural Medicine Australia conference, in Sydney earlier this week. Hosted by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA), the conference saw approximately 700 GPs convene to discuss the future of rural general practice. Presenting on the Wednesday, I highlighted the importance of aligning training with rural community need, drawing on the NRF’s recent research into the training needs of rural GPs and respective outcome report, New approaches to integrated rural training for medical practitioners.
Findings of this research have informed the RACGP’s efforts to advocate for a new and flexible approach to rural training. With General Practice Education and Training (GPET) set to be absorbed the Department of Health, I reiterated the need for rural GPs to be supported with a training service that allows them to respond to the unique and changing needs of the communities they serve. We want to see local solutions for local issues in order to meet community need and, by aligning GP training with rural community needs, we can ensure quality and equitable healthcare services for all patients and practice viability for GPs.
The RACGP has long maintained that to ensure a strong and stable primary healthcare future for the general practice profession, training must be profession-led and apprenticeship-based, leading to a Fellowship endpoint. The RACGP and ACCRM are working in collaboration to establish a training governance framework that ensures:
- an integrated national process that supports delivery of two independent GP college training programs
- a profession-led framework of governance, coordination and administration for Commonwealth Government investment in GP training
- high-quality experiences for registrars and supervisors in a cost- and time-efficient manner
- a sufficient and sustainable GP workforce to meet community needs and community health priorities.
The NRF has more than 11,200 members, including in excess of 6000 GPs living and working in rural and remote areas of Australia. The NRF’s strength lies in that membership base and it is through close consultation with the profession that we are uniquely placed to provide valuable input to future rural GP training initiatives. The faculty’s vision is for all rural and remote communities to have equitable access to high-quality primary care and to ensure that future Government reforms and programs are responsive to the unique challenges faces by GPs serving these communities.
Dr Frank R Jones
RACGP President
New Chronic Disease Management billing changes come into effect
The Federal Government has announced it will go ahead with its plan to prohibit GPs billing Chronic Disease Management (CDM) and general consult items on the same day, effective 1 November 2014. Despite firm opposition from the RACGP, patients will no longer be able to claim a Medicare benefit for a general consultation and CDM service on the same day. In an effort to prevent the legislation from coming into effect, the RACGP participated in a series of meetings and provided a fair and equitable compromise in its submissions in December 2013 and July 2014. The RACGP has prepared resources to support GPs and their patients as this new measure comes into effect. A patient flyer and a visual guide to the rebate changes are now available on the RACGP website.
Federal Government makes $3.1 billion commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health funding
The RACGP is pleased to learn the Federal Government has made a $3.1 billion commitment to Indigenous health funding for the next four years, a crucial part of which is supporting the role of Indigenous health workers. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare professionals play a pivotal role in Closing the Gap and improving the health of many disadvantaged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Government has also announced it will continue to work in partnership with Indigenous organisations to create more career opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within the healthcare sector. As a member of the Close the Gap steering committee, the RACGP is committed to achieving the campaign goals and proud of the daily work of many of its members to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.
RACGP feedback poll – Expanding role of pharmacists
In August 2011, the Australian Government, together with States and Territories, signed the
National Health Reform Agreement (NHRA). The NHRA recognises the need to identify new and expanded roles within the clinical workforce to fill gaps in current service delivery and improve system efficiency.
Following the announced agreement, peak organisations representing the pharmacy profession commenced their response, including the launch of the Queensland Pharmacist Immunisation Pilot (QPIP), which has now been broadened to include measles and whopping cough vaccination.
1 The Federal Government has also recently flagged interest in discussing the scope of services provided by community pharmacists.
2
To help inform its position on the delivery of primary healthcare services at the community pharmacy level, the RACGP would like to invite members to participate in its current poll.