About the program
The RACGP is committed to supporting members in their pursuit of clinical excellence and ensuring that general practice remains a satisfying and rewarding vocation. Our College recognises that a healthy work life balance is essential for GPs to create the best practice environment for our members and the patients we serve.
The RACGP's GP support program is a free service offered to foster a culture of self care for GPs. The service is available to all RACGP members who are registered medical practitioners across Australia, including in regional and remote areas. Support is offered via telephone counselling or through wellbeing resources and self-help tools.
Supporting the wellbeing of GPs
The GP support program provides members with professional advice in areas such as:
- Strengthening relationships
- Improving communication
- Depression, anxiety and stress
- Children or family member concerns
- Maximising performance
- Addictions
- Work life balance
- Conflict and communication
- Grief and bereavement
- Retirement
- Organisational changes
- Elder care
- Financial and legal support
Who provides the service?
The service is delivered by Telus Health (formerly Lifeworks). They have been operating internationally since 1975 and are one of the largest EAP providers globally. Telus Health delivers employee and member assistance programs, trauma and critical incident stress debriefing services and trainingin accordance with Australian and New Zealand international quality standards. (AS/NZS ISO 9001:2008)
Making an appointment
Appointments for face-to-face or telephone counselling during business hours can be made by calling 1300 361 008. Your call will be answered by a caring and professional team of EAP coordinators. Initial registration takes 3-5 minutes.
For traumatic incidents or crisis counselling call Telus Health on the same number 1300 361 008. This service is available after hours, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Locations
Telus Health has one of the world’s most extensive associate practitioner networks, supporting RACGP members in a wide range of metro, regional and rural locations across Australia.
For further information on the nearest office location, please contact Telus Health National Contact Centre on 1300 361 008.
If you have any queries about how this service operates, please call the RACGP member helpline on 1800 472 247. Your queries will be handled discreetly.
Yes. Three free consultations have been made available to all RACGP members who are registered medical practitioners.
Your psychologist will assess whether you require further assistance. They may either request additional free counselling sessions or they may refer you to another specialist who can provide further support.
GP members can access three free sessions of counselling per presenting issue. If you are experiencing multiple concerns in your life, your psychologist may recommend additional free counselling sessions.
Information relating to participation in the EAP is strictly confidential. No information will be shared with anyone without informed, voluntary and written consent.
Data is stored in the Telus Health case management system (CMS), which is hosted in Azure, in accordance with the international standard for information security (ISO 27001).
Yes, the same psychologist will conduct each session.If, for any reason, you would like to see a different psychologist just talk to one of Telus Health EAP Coordinators.
Generally, each session will last for about one hour.
Telus Health employ appropriately qualified and experienced clinicians who are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Psychologists) or the Australian Association of Social Workers (Social Workers).