March has also seen the progression of several of the College’s advocacy efforts onto their next stages. Early in March, I met with the Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding team to discuss the RACGP’s submission. We have pushed, and will continue to push, for GP-led care to remain central to the government’s initiatives. In mid-March, our President, Deputy Chair, and I met again with NSW Ministers for Health and Finance to discuss payroll tax. I look forward to sharing the outcomes of that meeting with you very soon. The NSW&ACT Faculty Council have also been working hard to engage their local MPs in conversations regarding payroll tax. I met with my Local MP, Ms Eleni Petinos, to discuss the importance of general practice and the impact that payroll tax imposition could have on primary healthcare in her electorate. Don’t forget our payroll tax resources remain available for you to use and can be found on our website. I encourage you all to please book a time to speak with your local members about the impact that payroll tax would have on you as a GP, as a business and the impact that a fee increase may have on your patients.
It was wonderful to bring the NSW&ACT Faculty Council together for our first council meeting of the year. Feeling invigorated after our strategic planning meeting last month, we focused on our objectives of advocacy and member engagement. I am greatly looking forward to putting our plans into action later this month when I will be meeting with members in Newcastle and touring some of our local GP practices in the Hunter Valley. This month I am also looking forward to engaging with our stakeholders in the ACT as I visit Canberra for RACGPs GPs in Parliament.
Being so busy this month has served as a reminder of the importance of self-care and carving time out for oneself and our loved ones. As GPs, between patient loads and multiple, competing responsibilities, it can be difficult to prioritise ourselves. So, I would like to encourage you to take a moment for yourself this month.
Best wishes,
Bek