28 July 2017


General Practice: The Health of the Nation – Survey closes Monday 31 July

RACGP Fellows have this week received an invitation to complete the RACGP General Practice: The Health of the Nationsurvey. The survey is open until midnight Monday 31 July (AEST).

This survey covers a wide range of topics in general practice, from the amount of time you spend with your patients, through to your views on emerging health issues and advocacy priorities.

The survey results will be released in September to RACGP members, the Federal Government and major stakeholders.

The report to be compiled using the survey results is expected to become a significant, influential and much anticipated commentary on the state of general practice in Australia.

Members’ responses will assist Council to set advocacy priorities for the coming year.

If you are an RACGP Fellow and you have not received the email inviting you to complete the survey, please check your junk email folder.


RACGP submissions – Private health insurance in general practice, after-hours services, and pharmacy

The RACGP has made three formal submissions this month on issues affecting Australian GPs.

The submissions published this week addressed:

Visit the RACGP website to read recent reports and submissions.


Five steps towards excellent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare

RACGP members can now access a suite of resources that provide a clear and concise summary of the programs and funding options available to support care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.

The Five steps towards excellent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare guide has been developed by RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health to provide busy GPs and practice teams with practical advice on the delivery of excellent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare.

Visit the RACGP website for more information and to download the Five steps towards excellent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare summary sheet.


RACGP faculty elections – Voting closes 5.00 pm Monday 7 August

RACGP members have until 5.00 pm Monday 7 August (AEST) to vote for RACGP Faculty Board representatives for 2017–19.

All RACGP members eligible to vote will have received an email from the RACGP’s Returning Officer, the Australian Election Company (AEC).

Visit the RACGP website for further information. 


2017 Australian Association of Practice Management National Salary survey

The 2017 Australian Association of Practice Management (AAPM) National Salary Survey has been extended for a further week and will close on 4 August.

The survey aims to assist the AAPM in understanding the positioning of practice staff members in the current climate, and will capture a full picture of practice managers, administrative staff members and healthcare providers across Australia.

The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete, all participants will go into the draw to win an Apple Watch and all AAPM members will receive five CPD points.

Visit the insync website to begin the survey.


Clinical pearl: How can I prevent pneumococcal disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adults have a significantly higher incidence than non-Indigenous Australians of all pneumococcal disease.

Funded pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) immunisation is available for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and for those aged ≥15– 49 years of age who have high risk of underlying conditions.

A second dose of PPV23 is recommended five years after the first dose. No more than three lifetime adult doses of PPV23 are recommended based on limited data on adverse events and effectiveness.

Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13) is universally applicable to all Australian children as part of the National Immunisation Program.

A booster dose in the second year of life (in addition to the primary course) is recommended for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

Visit the National guide to a preventive health assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (Second edition) for more information.

The third edition of the National Guide to a preventive health assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be released in early 2018.


In Practice poll results

How satisfied are you with the information and support provided for the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in your state or territory?

Roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) across Australia began in July 2016. The NDIS aims to provide Australians under the age of 65 who have a permanent and significant disability with the reasonable and necessary support they need to enjoy an ordinary life.

RACGP members were polled on the extent to which they are satisfied with the information and support provided for the rollout of the NDIS to date. Most members (93%) indicated they have had little information about the NDIS and do not feel supported in providing the required services or evidence for patients. Feedback indicated there is a need to strengthen communication between the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and GPs who complete NDIS requests, and the NDIA needs to invite GP feedback/input on further implementation.

The RACGP thanks all poll respondents for their feedback, which will be used to inform the RACGP’s submission to the Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS regarding the transitional arrangements for the scheme. Further information will be shared with members via In Practice.


Media enquiries

Journalists and media outlets seeking comment and information from the RACGP should contact:

John Ronan

Senior Media Advisor