04 October 2019


Commonwealth funding for rural GPs

Applications for $40,000 of Commonwealth funding are now open to eligible rural GPs via the General Practitioner Procedural Training Support Program (GPPTSP).

GPPTSP is a workforce support program designed to improve access to obstetric and anaesthetic services for women living in rural and remote communities by supporting rural GPs to attain procedural skills in obstetrics and anaesthetics.

GPPTSP provides funding to complete Advanced Rural Skills in Anaesthesia or an Advanced Diploma of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (DRANZCOG Advanced) qualifications.

If you are a GP Fellow practicing in MMM 3–7, you may be eligible.

Find out more and apply for obstetrics or anaesthetics.

Applications for the obstetric component close on Monday 7 October 2019 and for the anaesthetic component on Monday 14 October 2019.


Stepped-care model in general practice guide now available

It is essential that GPs are able to access and use other primary mental health care services, if the needs of all Australians are to be met. This includes the appropriate use of Primary Health Network (PHN) stepped-care services, and ensuring that consumers and carers are able to access resources that will assist in recovery for individuals experiencing mental health issues.

Working with the Stepped Care Model: Mental health services through general practice provides information on the stepped-care model and helps explain its implementation with a general practice setting to improve the provision of mental health care services. The guide is intended to encourage communication between general practice and PHNs, and promote the role of the GP in mental health shared care decision-making with carers and consumers.

The guide is available from the GPMHSC website.


Reminder: Request for member feedback on the NDIS

A reminder that the RACGP is currently seeking feedback from members on their experiences of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to help inform our submission to the review of the NDIS Act and the new Participant Service Guarantee.

The review has been commissioned in a bid to cut red tape and reduce wait times for people seeking access to the NDIS. The Government has promised to develop and legislate an NDIS Participant Service Guarantee, which will outline timeframes for key steps in the NDIS process.

A discussion paper outlining key topics and issues has been released to guide the development of submissions.
Feedback is currently being collected through an online survey, which can be accessed via our member consultations page. The survey will be open until 5.00 pm on Friday 11 October. Alternatively, you can provide feedback directly by emailing healthreform@racgp.org.au.


Consultation on new guidelines for mandatory reporting

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) has released a public consultation paper on revised guidelines for mandatory notifications.

The guidelines have been revised following amendments to mandatory reporting requirements earlier in 2019.

The RACGP provided feedback on an earlier draft of the guidelines. Much of our feedback is reflected in the public version of the revised guidelines.

Visit the RACGP website to read the guidelines.

We are keen on your views to inform our response.

  1. Are the guidelines clear and easy to navigate?
  2. Do the guidelines answer your questions about recent changes to the laws relating to mandatory notifications?
  3. Is the language used clear, consistent, and adequately defined?
  4. Are the examples helpful? Are there any areas where more examples are needed?
  5. Are the flowcharts helpful? Is there anything that needs further explanation?

Please return comments to HealthReform@racgp.org.au by 9.00 am Monday 14 October.


Online survey: Make real change to the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

RACGP members are invited to participate in an online survey on what is needed to make real change in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The survey will set out what the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations (Coalition of Peaks) and Australian governments do over the next 10 years to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Visit the NACCHO website for further information and to participate in the survey.


Media enquiries

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

John Ronan

Senior Media Advisor