RACGP Council election nominations open today
Nominations for the next terms of RACGP President, Censor-in-Chief and Registrar Representative on RACGP Council open today.
The terms for the current President, Censor-in-Chief and Registrar Representative conclude on 11 October 2018, at the close of the RACGP annual general meeting (AGM).
Nominations are open from 9.00 am Friday 11 May AEST, and close Friday 8 June at 4.00 pm AEST.
Visit the RACGP website for eligibility requirements and to download the nomination form, or email elections@racgp.org.au for further information.
RACGP Federal Budget Overview 2018–19
The 2018–19 Federal Health Budget includes a broad range of measures and changes, with a focus on meeting the healthcare needs of rural and ageing patients.
Among the various health measures, the 2018–19 Federal Health Budget announced funding:
- for a Rural Health Strategy, which includes 14 measures addressing workforce issues
- for new and amended Medicare listings, and changes to Medicare items as a result of the Medicare Benefits Schedule Review Taskforce recommendations
- to upgrade the e-prescribing software system and develop an electronic prescribing framework
- for aged care, including funding for improving the My Aged Care website.
Visit the RACGP website to view the RACGP Budget Overview 2018–19.
World Family Doctor Day
In recognition of the important work carried out by GPs and their practices nationwide, the RACGP is again celebrating World Family Doctor Day (WFDD) on Saturday 19 May.
The RACGP theme for WFDD is ‘from our family to yours’, which acknowledges that practice families include not only GPs but registrars, nurses, support staff and other healthcare services provided by the practice.
The RACGP invites members and their practices to participate in WFDD by sharing a photo of their ‘practice family’ on Twitter or Facebook with the hashtags #WFDD2018 and #OurFamilyPractice, tag @RACGP and answer the question: ‘How does your practice family lead the way to better health in your community?’
WFDD is an initiative of the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA), a not-for-profit organisation that represents 126 member organisations – including the RACGP – in 102 countries.
Poll results: Medical clearances
Patients often request medical clearance from their GP to participate in various health-related programs (such as gym fitness programs and medical trials run by health researchers). GPs are often expected to provide clearance with very little information about what the program involves.
The RACGP asked members whether they are comfortable responding to medical clearance requests. Over two thirds of respondents (68%) said they do not feel comfortable providing medical clearances for their patients. A further 17% said they may seek medico-legal advice when responding to a medical clearance request. Only a small percentage of respondents (13%) were always comfortable providing medical clearances for their patients.
Written feedback also suggested that GPs are generally more comfortable providing medical clearance for patients they already know well rather than unfamiliar ones. GPs may be more comfortable providing medical clearance when the provider (eg an exercise provider) details their plan for the patient in a letter to the GP, assisting the GP to understand the risk to the patient participating.
The RACGP thanks all poll respondents for taking time to provide feedback, which will help us to assist GPs in these situations.