RACGP Rural Member Meeting with special guest Professor Paul Worley
Join RACGP Rural in Adelaide next Friday 25 October 2019 from 4.00 – 5.30pm at its annual Member Meeting, featuring special guest Professor Paul Worley, National Rural Health Commissioner. Professor Worley will provide an update on the National Rural Generalist Pathway and the Government’s upcoming rural and remote health priorities.
This event is free of charge to members and all RACGP members are welcome to attend.
This meeting will also provide an overview of RACGP Rural’s key achievements over the past 12 months, recognise the annual RACGP Rural award winners for their contribution to rural general practice, and facilitate a forum for member discussion.
Enjoy a unique opportunity to meet the members of the RACGP Rural Council, colleagues and key stakeholders. The meeting will be held in Hall K, Adelaide Convention Centre during the GP19 Conference.
Please visit the RACGP website to register.
New advocacy resources – Pharmacy
Recently there have been several moves to expand prescribing to non-medical professionals, including:
- the Pharmacy Board’s proposed models for pharmacist prescribing
- the trial in Queensland which would permit pharmacists to prescribe antibiotics for urinary tract infections and the contraceptive pill.
Prescribing of medicines is not a role to be taken lightly. Some medications can pose a significant risk to patients and the wider community. This issue is an advocacy priority for the RACGP, and we continue to have ongoing discussions with policy makers.
Resources have been developed to help members who want to become involved in the RACGP's advocacy efforts, including talking points, template letters and an infographic outlining the key messages.
Members can visit the RACGP website via the new advocacy resources page to view.
Please contact healthreform@racgp.org.au if you have any questions or comments regarding the RACGP’s advocacy in this area.
Changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule from 1 November
A number of changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) affecting GPs will be introduced on 1 November.
The changes include:
Visit the RACGP website for further information on these and other changes to the MBS (member login required).
New FAQs on mental health training and education
The General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration (GPMHSC) would like to invite all GPs to view the newly added Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section on their website:
- FAQs – Mental health education and training
- FAQs – Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS) item numbers used for the provision of primary mental healthcare.
Contact the GPMHSC Secretariat on 03 8699 0556 or email gpmhsc@racgp.org.au For additional information on the GPMHSC.
New Department of Veterans Affairs allied health referral arrangements
Referrals for Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) clients to allied health services are valid for up to 12 sessions or one year, whichever ends first, from 1 October 2019.
The new ‘treatment cycle’ has been introduced to promote quality clinical care for veterans so they have the best possible prospects for living a healthy life. The treatment cycle places the client at the centre of care and the GP as the care coordinator. It provides a framework for better coordination and communication between GPs, allied health providers and clients. These arrangements ensure health care and allied health treatment is the most appropriate for the client’s needs.
Visit the DVA website for further Information.