February 2021

Several changes are being introduced to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) from March 2021. Details of the amendments are available on MBS Online . The changes include: the introduction of 16 new MBS items to enable GPs and qualified health professionals to assess patients for their suitability to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The MBS COVID-19 vaccine suitability assessment service is free to Medicare-eligible patients and the MBS items must be bulk billed reducing the recommended scoring criteria for the ‘STOP-BANG’ screening tool for di...

In the latest episode of The Good GP , regular guest Professor Paul Effler provides GPs with a quick update on the COVID and Influenza vaccinations. Professor Effler is the Senior Medical Advisor, Communicable Disease Control Directorate, WA Department of Health and Clinical Professor, University of Western Australia. Information within the podcast is correct as at 17 February 2021. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts .

The RACGP and the Rural Workforce Agency of Victoria (RWAV) are offering 100 fully funded scholarships to Victorian GPs in Modified Monash Model (MMM) 3–7 locations to complete the RACGP’s Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training . This program is a partnership between RWAV and RACGP, with funding from the Australian Government. The course is delivered through a combination of online technology, peer-group learning and locally available resources. On completion, participants can provide Focussed Psychological Strategies and cognitive b...

Date: Thursday 8 April 2021 Time: 7.30–9.00pm (AEST) Back by popular demand, this webinar aims to ensure GPs have appropriate systems in place to build financial security. The webinar will cover: the pay-yourself concept why GPs are vulnerable to financial mistakes early in their career debt reduction strategies basic investing principles outside of your business how to maximise superannuation building legacy – wills, personal insurance for GPs. Visit the RACGP website to register .

The RACGP educational framework is the way forward for world-class general practice education. Developed in collaboration with GPs, GPs in training, experienced medical educators and subject matter experts, the framework reflects a shared vision of the values and standards of Australian general practice. The framework will help to ensure general practice education is evidence-based, integrated and responsive to changing national health priorities and the unique needs of our communities. Read the framework and provide feedback on the RACGP ...

Do you work or consult in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) and have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout? Would you like to share information with your patients or their families?   The Department of Health has released a resource pack containing information for residential aged care providers, workers, residents, carers and families. The pack is available via the Department of Health website and the RACGP’s COVID-19 vaccine information for GPs . You can also stay up to date by subscribing to receive COVID-19 vaccine upda...

The RACGP Expert Committee – Standards for General Practices (REC–SGP) is seeking member feedback on the RACGP’s definition of a general practice for the purpose of accreditation. Your input will assist the committee to understand whether the definition is reflective of all contemporary general practices. The Standards for general practices (5th edition) set out the current definition that all primary healthcare organisations must meet in full before they are considered eligible for general practice accreditation. The REC–SGP would like your...

You can access all GP20 content on the digital platform until 30 November 2021. For just $99, members can view more than 50 hours of valuable education content on-demand, as well as access useful resources from our industry partners (non-member access is $199). Find out more and register now at GP20.com.au