Practitioner eligibility update for telehealth item numbers
The General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration (GPMHSC) has updated an important factsheet regarding patient and practitioner eligibility for GP providers of Focussed Psychological Strategies wishing to claim rebates for video consultations through the Better Access initiative.
Eligible patients are required to meet the following criteria:
- have a mental health treatment plan
- be located in Modified Monash Model areas 4-7
- must be located more than 15 km from the GP.
The treating GP or medical practitioner can be located anywhere in Australia, subject to the 15 km minimum distance requirement.
Download the revised telehealth factsheet via the GPMHSC website.
RACGP webinar: Social prescribing in general practice
RACGP members are invited to attend the RACGP Specific Interests Sport and Exercise Medicine Network and parkrun Australia webinar on the benefits of social prescribing in general practice.
The material presented in this webinar is a compilation of the 'parkrun and social prescribing' networking events presented at RACGP offices around Australia earlier this year.
The webinar will be presented by RACGP Specific Interests Sport and Exercise Medicine network Chair, Dr Gill Cowen, and parkrun Australia's Health and Wellbeing Lead, Glen Turner.
Social prescribing is a way of linking patients in primary care with sources of support within the community to help improve their health and wellbeing. Social prescribing programs are being widely promoted and adopted in the UK National Health Service.
parkrun Australia supports more than 370 communities around the country with delivering free community events in areas of open space every Saturday morning. More than 600,000 people in Australia participate in these volunteer-led, 5km events. The wide-reaching benefits of parkrun led to the development of a social prescribing initiative with the Royal College of General Practitioners in the UK.
The webinar will be held Tuesday 26 November, 7 – 8.00 pm (AEDT).
Visit Go To Webinar to register.
Vacancy for Recent Fellow on the Advisory Council of Assessment
RACGP new Fellows are invited to apply for the position of Recent Fellow on the Advisory Council of Assessment (ACoA). The position offers new Fellows the chance to explore a new and different aspect of college life.
The successful applicant will be someone who holds a keen interest in the education, training and assessment of GPs and feels strongly about speaking on behalf of doctors on a pathway to Fellowship.
The position advertisement, ACoA terms of reference, and details of how to apply (deadline 17 January 2020) are available on shareGP.
World Antibiotic Awareness Week: 18 –24 November
Each November, World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW) aims to increase global awareness of antibiotic resistance and encourage best practices among health workers and policy makers to avoid the further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.
Professor Brendan Murphy, Australian Government Chief Medical Officer, and Dr Mark Schipp, Australian Veterinary Officer, have also released a joint statement on how Australians can reduce antibiotic resistance.
Visit the Federal Government’s Antimicrobial resistance website to read the joint statement.
Visit the RACGP website to view the RACGP’s position on antimicrobial stewardship.
Nominate for the 2020 WA Rural Health Awards
Nominations are now open for the Rural Health West and Western Australia Country Health Service’s Rural Health Awards.
The awards acknowledge health professionals who have dedicated their careers to caring for rural communities and celebrate the achievements of health professionals who have enhanced the range and quality of healthcare available in rural locations.
Having access to quality healthcare is extremely important for rural communities and these awards are an opportunity to shine the spotlight on health professionals who have contributed to rural health in Western Australia.
Award winners will be announced at the WA Rural Health Conference taking place at the Pan Pacific Perth on Saturday 21 and 22 March 2020.
Nominations close Monday 2 December and can be submitted online, by email or via post.
Visit the Rural Health West website to submit a nomination.