New whistleblower policy for all RACGP members, staff and contractors
The RACGP has updated its whistleblower policy to incorporate legislation changes that came into effect on 1 January 2020.
The RACGP is committed to holding high standards or ethical behaviour and conducting business fairly, openly and honestly.
As a member, you are also covered by this policy. If you see something that you have good reason to believe is improper, unethical or illegal, you can and should make a disclosure. You can make a disclosure to the Whistleblower Officer, Ruth Feltoe, via the Make a disclosure page on the RACGP website or as set out in the whistleblower policy.
Your disclosure is confidential and you can also choose to be anonymous. The RACGP has systems put in place to make sure whistleblowers are protected.
The policy gives clear guidance as to how to make a disclosure as well as provides examples of the type of situations and behaviours that it covers. It also explains in detail the extensive protections granted to whistleblowers.
The whistleblower policy applies as of 21 August 2019 and is available on the RACGP website.
Become a GP provider of Focussed Psychological Strategies
Are you interested in becoming a GP provider of Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) to offer cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-derived FPS counselling to your patients?
The RACGP Rural online Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training (FPS ST) package provides essential mental health skills training without having to leave your practice or community.
The flexible, innovative training package is made up of four modules and uses a combination of technology, peer learning groups and locally available resources. This course has been developed by RACGP Rural but is open for registration by GPs in any location.
Level 1 Mental Health Skills Training (MHST) is a prerequisite for enrolment. The training package has GPMHSC accreditation and on completion, GPs can gain FPS provider registration with Medicare to access FPS related Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) numbers 2721, 2723, 2725 and 2727.
The 2020 intake is now open. Register for the February intake now.
Updated information regarding MBS changes to support patients affected by bushfires
Further information regarding changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) to support patients affected by bushfires is now available.
Six new MBS items (91721, 91723, 91725, 91727, 91729 and 91731) were introduced on 17 January 2020 to support GPs to provide Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) for mental health services to patients affected by bushfires.
MBS items 2121, 2150 and 2196, which provide rebates for GP telehealth services provided to patients with mental health issues in drought-affected areas, have been expanded to include patients affected by bushfires. This change took effect on 10 January 2020.
Visit the RACGP website to view updated information regarding these changes.
The RACGP website also contains bushfire information for GPs, with regular updates provided on the latest information to support GPs during the current bushfire disaster. Please check the page for regular updates.
Novel coronavirus information for GPs
RACGP members can access up-to-date resources on coronavirus via the
RACGP website.
The resources, provided by State and Commonwealth Departments of Health will be updated with the latest information as it becomes available.
As of 23 Jnauary 2020, there have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia.