30 June 2017


Medicare freeze: Indexation commences 1 July

General practice bulk billing incentives will be indexed commencing tomorrow, with consultations to follow in the 2017/18 financial year. Enhanced general practice care items, such as GP Management Plans, Team Care Arrangements and Health Assessments, will be indexed from July 2020.

The RACGP recognises the gradual thawing of elements of the Medicare indexation freeze as the Federal Government’s first step towards reinvesting in general practice and preventive health. The RACGP will continue to advocate for genuine investment into general practice and recognition of the value of primary care.


Quality and continuity of care in general practice – Proposals invited

The RACGP will shortly be inviting proposals from General Practice Research Networks relating to an 18-month trial on quality and continuity of care for general practice patients across the health system. Interested General Practice Research Networks will be invited to submit a proposal to the RACGP by the end of July.

Further information will be available once the invitation for proposal has been released.


Afluria Quad influenza vaccine now available for the 2017 influenza season

RACGP members have been advised that Afluria Quad (inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine) is available both as a private vaccine and listed on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for the 2017 influenza season.

The trivalent vaccine (Fluvax) will no longer be available in Australia, given the recent shift in Australia from trivalent vaccines to quadrivalent vaccines.

For the 2017 influenza season, Afluria Quad is only indicated for use in adults aged 18 years and over.

For more information about Afluria Quad log in to ShareGP.


Australian General Practice Training Program 2016 Salary Support Program Review

GPs and stakeholders are invited to contribute to an RACGP submission to the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program 2016 Salary Support Program Review.

The program funding specifically supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health training facilities (primarily Aboriginal Community controlled Health Services [ACCHS] and Aboriginal Medical Services [AMS]) to employ GP registrars to undertake a training post in their facility during their core vocational training.

The review is seeking input from GPs and stakeholders on ways to maximise the benefit of salary support funding.

Visit the RACGP website for more information.


RACGP faculty elections – Nominations close on Thursday 13 July

Nominations are now open for elected positions on the RACGP Faculty Boards and close at 5.00 pm Thursday 13 July 2017 (AEST).

For each faculty, an election will be held if the number of nominations received exceeds the available positions in that faculty. In that situation, elections will open on Friday 21 July and close Monday 7 August 2017.

The RACGP Faculty Boards play an important role in shaping the way general practice is delivered across Australia. For early career GPs, Faculty Board membership offers the opportunity to advance your career and broaden your network. For experienced GPs, participation on a Faculty Board allows you to share your experience and help mentor the next generation.

Nomination forms must be completed in full and comply with the RACGP Elections Policy.

Visit the RACGP website or contact your local faculty for more information.


Convocation submissions close at midnight (AEST)

RACGP members have until midnight (AEST) tonight to submit items for 2017 Convocation in shareGP.

Convocation is an opportunity for RACGP members to raise matters of importance with other members and RACGP Council.

RACGP members are encouraged to log in to the Convocation space in shareGP before midnight (AEST) to submit any further items.

RACGP Council will consider all submitted Convocation items after the submission period closes. Voting on selected Convocation items will begin in August with RACGP members invited to comment and vote on items in shareGP.


Clinical pearl: Should you initiate medicines for primary prevention in those with limited life expectancy?

Medicines for frail, elderly patients generally exhibit a worse benefit-risk ratio than in younger people. Adverse effects increase, and estimates of benefit often rely on clinical trials that exclude elderly patients with multiple conditions. Prescription of potentially inappropriate medications for older patients costs the Pharmaceutical Benefit Schedule (PBS) $250–450 million annually.

Medicines aimed at preventing a condition or event may not be consistent with a patient’s life expectancy and their goals of care – particularly medicines where the typical benefit is only seen after some time on continuous treatment.

Proactive deprescribing of medicines that no longer provide enough benefit to patients is integral to end-of-life care and advance care planning. Patients or their carers should be involved in the decision to review the ongoing need for each medicine.

Visit the Choosing Wisely Australia website for evidence supporting this recommendation.


Media enquiries

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

John Ronan

Senior Media Advisor