News
In Practice: Updates to allied health MBS items
Referral changes to MBS items for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients accessing allied health services are now in place.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can now access 10 annual allied health services with either a health assessment or a CDM plan.
This week’s In Practice also includes details about diabetes medication shortages, and a range of upcoming CPD-eligible webinars on hepatitis, social prescribing, and flu season.
Changes to allied health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
On 1 March, changes were made to MBS items for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people accessing allied health services.
Previously, to access the full 10 allied health services allowed per year under the MBS, this patient population needed to access five services under a chronic disease management (CDM) plan and five under a health assessment.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can now access all 10 annual allied health services with either a health assessment or a CDM plan, and will no longer require both to access 10 services.
To refer for up to 10 allied health services, GPs and prescribed medical practitioners should use the new ‘Referral form for eligible allied health services under Medicare for people of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent’ or a document that contains all components of the form.
More information is available on the MBS fact sheet.
Gliclazide shortage
The TGA has issued a Serious Scarcity Substitution Instrument (SSSI) for gliclazide 30 mg tablets and an accompanying information page detailing the medication shortage for health professionals, patients and carers.
The substitution has PBS subsidy arrangements, and the PBS website has been updated with this information.
‘Zoomapalooza’: Breast medicine, integrative medicine, social prescribing
Webinar: Saturday 23 March, 10.00 am – 1.00 pm (AEDT)
CPD: 3 hours RP
Cost: $55
Limited spaces are available for case-based discussions in breast medicine, integrative medicine and social prescribing in the RACGP Specific Interests ‘Zoomapalooza’ webinar.
The three-hour, case-based peer discussion is led by the Chairs of each of these RACGP Specific Interest groups, who will spend an hour on each subject and rotate through all three in a safe, reflective space to share experiences, and receive feedback and support from colleagues.
Register online.
Winter preparedness: Influenza update
Webinar: Tuesday 16 April, 7.00 – 8.00 pm (AEST)
CPD: 1 hour EA
In preparation for this year’s flu season, Professor Paul Effler, infectious diseases expert and Senior Medical Advisor at the WA Department of Health’s Communicable Disease Control Directorate, is presenting at the RACGP’s annual influenza update.
This webinar will explore what to expect for the 2024 flu season, including timings and vaccine eligibility, and a brief update on the latest in COVID. It will also feature up-to-date Department of Health data, the flu vaccine program and an update on COVID boosters and antivirals. The session will conclude with a Q&A, with any questions able to be submitted prior during registration.
Hosted by RACGP WA Chair Dr Ramya Raman, this webinar is delivered in partnership with the Western Australian Department of Health.
Register online.
Hepatitis B in primary care
Webinar: Wednesday 13 March, 7.00 – 8.30 pm (AEDT)
CPD: 1.5 hours EA
It is estimated just under 21,000 people live with chronic hepatitis B in Western Australia, yet only 8.5% are receiving treatment. GPs play a crucial role in improving health outcomes for people with hepatitis B, through testing, diagnosis, informed clinical management and support for individuals and their families.
Presented by GPs and hepatitis B prescribers Dr Fen Chin and Dr Katie Coles, this webinar provides an update on the epidemiology, screening, diagnosis, and management of hepatitis B in the community, and explores:
- hepatitis B virus epidemiology
- screening, including high-risk and at-risk populations in Western Australia
- testing, diagnosis, treatment and management
- interpreting serology
- monitoring patients with chronic hepatitis B and HCC surveillance
- when to refer to a hepatologist or infectious diseases physician
- incentives, support, resources and community-based/peer organisations available for GPs and patients
- case studies and a Q&A.
This webinar is delivered in partnership with the Western Australian Department of Health and ASHM.
Register online.
World Social Prescribing Day
In celebration of
World Social Prescribing Day on 14 March, the Australian Social Prescribing Institute of Research and Education (ASPIRE) recently hosted a roundtable event, attended by over 50 prominent organisations across health, social, and welfare sectors, including the RACGP.
This gathering underscored the
critical role of social prescribing in primary care, advocating for its national implementation through an upcoming
Consensus Statement to mark a step forward in integrating this vital practice into Australian healthcare.
For World Social Prescribing Day, ASPIRE encourages RACGP members to engage with social prescribing, recognising its potential to enhance patient care without increasing GP workload.
Mackay Hot Topics
In-person event: Saturday 20 April, 8.30 am – 5.00 pm (AEST)
Venue: Rydges Mackay Suites, 9 Gregory St, Mackay
Hot Topics is a unique one-day educational event for regional Queensland GPs to come together to learn and discuss five current and topical hot topics relevant to their region.
In 2024 the following five topics will be covered:
- MyMedicare
- Veteran’s health
- Dermatology
- Women’s health
- Medical termination of pregnancy
Register online.
RACGP Queensland Fellowship Ceremony
In-person event: Friday 19 April, 2.45 – 7.00 pm (AEST)
Venue: Mackay Convention Centre, 258 Alfred St
RACGP Fellowship is a specialist general practice qualification accredited by the Australian Medical Council.
To formally recognise the hard work and dedication required to achieve FRACGP, FRACGP–Rural Generalist (RG) or Fellowship of Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP), the next RACGP Queensland Fellowship Ceremony will be held in Mackay. Invitations and a link to register attendance will be emailed shortly.
Seeking general practices to help improve end-of-life decision making
The
End of Life Law for Clinicians (ELLC) training program is seeking expressions of interest from general practices for the ELLC pilot study.
This Australian-first study will develop GPs’ and nurses’ confidence, skills and knowledge in the law on end-of-life decision making through completion of online training modules and interviews.
Practice managers will also participate in interviews about practice change and training implementation. Gift cards and other benefits are available for participating.
Further information, including how to apply, is
available online, with expressions of interest closing Friday 5 April.
Seeking medical specialists to contribute to the veterans’ support system
The Specialist Medical Review Council is seeking expressions of interest from medical specialists and medical scientists of all disciplines nationally, providing an opportunity to apply knowledge and contribute to a quality system of compensation for veterans.
More information is available on the
Department of Veterans’ Affairs website.
Log in below to join the conversation.
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