20 October 2017


GP17 less than one week away

In less than one week’s time Australian GPs, other healthcare professions and political leaders will come together for four days of education, networking, fellowship and collegiality at GP17 in Sydney.

This year’s conference will deliver an extraordinary range of topics and issues that sit at the heart of general practice.

GP17 attendees will have the rare opportunity to hear from leaders of Australia’s major political parties and internationally renowned keynote speakers.

Visit the GP17 website for more information.


MBS item changes that impact general practice

The Department of Health (DoH) has announced changes to a number of MBS items, some of which will affect general practice. The majority of these changes will come into effect on 1 November 2017, arising from MBS Review Taskforce recommendations.

The changes affect MBS items relating to gastroenterology and obstetric services, as well as the current administrative block that prevents patients from claiming MBS rebates for consultations with their GP during the aftercare period. Of particular interest is the increase to the MBS rebate for a number of procedural services that have different fees for GPs and non-GP specialists. After this change, some procedural services provided by GPs will attract the same rebate as when provided by non-GP specialists.

Log in to shareGP or contact RACGP Advocacy for more information.


RACGP submissions to the Department of Health

The RACGP has provided two new submissions to the Department of Health (DoH) on the First Principles Review of the Indemnity Insurance Fund (IIF) and improving Medicare compliance.

The submission to the First Principles Review of the Indemnity Insurance Fund (IIF) requests that the Commonwealth not withdraw from its involvement in the IIF, as it ensures the availability of high-quality and affordable healthcare in Australia. As the IIF offers a valuable safeguard for GPs and patients, there is concern that significant change could lead to unaffordable insurance premiums for GPs and result in some being unable to practise due to costs.

The second RACGP submission proposes changes to legislation underpinning Medicare to improve Medicare compliance and protect GPs. While supportive of the changes to compliance arrangements that would allow the DoH to investigate the billing practices of GPs and organisations.

the RACGP recommends that it consider the influence of the organisation a GP works for upon how, when and what claims are made to Medicare, as well as the role of non-clinical practice staff.

Log into shareGP or visit the RACGP website to read the full submissions.


2017 Influenza Season: Cases of incorrect administration of Seqirus' Afluria Quad to children under five

RACGP members are reminded to remain vigilant to the age restrictions for the four age-specific Seqirus’ Afluria Quad influenza vaccines and carefully check prescribed vaccines prior to administration to ensure they are aligned to the age group of the individual.

As of 5 October 2017, there have been 17 cases of the Seqirus’ Afluria Quad influenza vaccine being wrongly administered to children under five years of age.

It is beneficial for practitioners to cross-check with a second person to avoid inadvertent administration of the wrong vaccine.

The four age-specific flu vaccines available under the National Immunisation Program in 2017 are:

  • FluQuadri Junior® (Sanofi Pasteur) for children from six to 35 months of age.
  • FluQuadri® (Sanofi Pasteur) for people aged three years and over.
  • Fluarix® Tetra (GSK) for people aged three years and older.
  • Afluria Quad® (Seqirus) for people aged 18 years and older. 

Visit the TGA website for more information on the 2017 season influenza vaccines.


My Health Record public consultation closes Monday 23 October

Feedback on the RACGP’s submission to the public consultation process on developing a draft implementation plan for the secondary use of My Health Record data closes Monday 23 October.

Under the My Health Records Act 2012, information in the My Health Record may be collected, used and disclosed ‘for any purpose’ with the consent of the healthcare recipient. In addition, one of the functions of the System Operator (the Australian Digital Health Agency) is ‘to prepare and provide de-identified data for research and public health purposes’. Before these provisions of the Act are implemented, a framework for secondary use of My Health Record system data must be established. 

Visit the RACGP website to view the consultation document and provide feedback by Monday 23 October.


Australian Women of Medicine event

The Australian Women of Medicine (AWOM) event will take place on 26 November in Melbourne. This event is an opportunity for female doctors to learn more about professional advancement, as well as personal and financial wellbeing.

Keynote speaker, Australian of the Year Rosie Batty will discuss ‘resilience in the face of trauma'.

Visit the AWOM website for more information and to register. Use the promotional code RACGP before 31 October to pay only $99.


Professional Services Review Panel applications

The Professional Services Review (PSR) Panel is seeking applications from GPs in Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia to take part in the peer review process established under the Health Insurance Act 1973.

To be eligible you must be an Australian citizen, currently practising, and meet the minimum requirements. As part of the selection process, applicants’ names will be forwarded to the relevant professional body that is responsible for providing the Minister with advice on their suitability to perform the role.

Applications close at 5pm (AEDT) Monday 13 November. Visit the PSR website for more information.


Clinical Pearl: Osteoporosis and breast cancer

Bone health is of paramount importance for patients undergoing aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy for breast cancer. While endocrine treatments improve cancer-specific outcomes, they may cause severe hypogonadism leading to accelerated bone loss.

The latest Australian guidelines recommend that all women undergoing AI therapy for breast cancer have a baseline assessment of fracture risk prior to commencing therapy.

Assessment includes review of clinical risk factors, basic laboratory testing, and hip and spine bone mineral density measurement by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

It is important to remember that risk calculators such as the Garvan Fracture Risk Calculator and FRAX do not take AI use into account and may substantially underestimate fracture risk.

In addition to a baseline assessment, general bone health maintenance measures to prevent bone loss should be implemented in all women commencing AI therapy.

Visit the new Osteoporosis guidelines for more information, including the clinical risk factors for osteoporosis in breast cancer.


In Practice poll: Changes to codeine prescribing

From 1 February 2018, products containing codeine will become available on prescription only – no longer able to be sold over-the-counter in pharmacies.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) made this decision after broad consultation and a careful review of the evidence.  However, the Pharmacy Guild continue to lobby against it. The RACGP, along with a number of key health and consumer groups, is continuing to urge federal, state and territory governments to support the TGA in this decision.

In addition to this advocacy, the RACGP aims to support GPs through this change. We are working with the TGA to develop resources for health professionals and consumers. We are also launching our pain management and opioid prescribing guide at GP17. This guide has a focus on acute and chronic pain management and equips GPs to deal with pain management and its clinical governance issues.

The RACGP wants to know if members feel they need further support to prepare for the scheduling on 1 February 2017.


Media enquiries

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

John Ronan

Senior Media Advisor