March 2020

The Australian Government has released temporary Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item numbers for telehealth (video conferencing) and phone services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Where the service is bulk-billed, GP providers of Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) have access to claim a range of MBS item numbers. Visit the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration (GPMHSC) website to access additional infor mation on MBS mental health item numbers.

RACGP members are invited to join RACGP Rural’s webinar, ‘Recognition and treatment of anaphylaxis’ on Thursday 2 April from 8.00–9.00pm AEDT. This case-based webinar is accredited for two continuing professional development (CPD) points and participants will learn about the common causes, signs and symptoms, and emergency management of anaphylaxis. The RACGP Rural health webinar series presents free monthly webinars on important health issues for rural and remote GPs. Each session is held on the first Thursday of the month, with a focus on suppor...

The Department of Health released an updated version of the National vaccine storage guidelines: Strive for 5 in June 2019. The fact this guideline was used to inform the requirements for Criterion GP6.1 — Maintaining vaccine potency in the Standards means some aspects of the explanatory notes were out of date. Specific changes have been applied to the explanatory notes of Criterion GP6.1 — Maintaining vaccine potency . These changes focus on the new requirement that vaccines must be stored in a purpose-built vaccine refrigerator and that domesti...

Are you interested in becoming a GP provider of Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) to offer Cognitive behavioral 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. Level 1 Mental Health Ski...

To support our members currently impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the RACGP is extending application dates for the 2020 Foundation grants. The RACGP understands that GPs across Australia are under significant pressure as they manage their clinical work, academic load and the health and wellbeing of themselves, their families and their communities. It is hoped that the extension of the application period supports GPs in being able to find the time to apply for a Foundation grant. The RACGP is also providing additional flexibility for grants curren...

The Australian Commission on Quality and Safety in Health Care has just released information regarding arrangements for general practice accreditation through the COVID-19 situation. The below changes are to be enacted effective immediately: The accreditation status of general practices will be maintained during the response phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. These arrangements will be monitored with changes anticipated in the recovery phase of the pandemic. General practices that have completed an onsite assessment and are in the remediation phase ...

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listings for antibiotics will change from 1 April.  The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has recommended amending the maximum quantity and repeats for the five most commonly prescribed PBS-listed antibiotic medications: Amoxicillin Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid Cefalexin Doxycycline Roxithromycin Maximum quantities of antibiotics will be amended to reflect a full course of treatment to be dispensed in one prescription for specific indications. Short courses of antibiotics will cont...

This month, the RACGP Practice Essentials Webinar Series places a spotlight on data quality in patient health records. High-quality health records are critical to the provision of safe, effective and personalised patient care. They facilitate good communication with other healthcare providers, and are linked to practice accreditation and incentive programs. Despite this, maintaining health records is not always considered a priority for busy general practices. In this free, on-demand webinar, GP Dr Steven Kaye will review the features of high-quali...