February 2025

In this second month of the year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the significant strides we’ve already made in advocating for our members, and their patients in 2025. 

A key focus of our advocacy efforts in recent months has been around expanded ADHD prescribing rights for GPs both nationally and within our State and Territory. We have been working closely with government and professional bodies to highlight the ideal placement of GPs to provide diagnosis, management, and ongoing support for patients with ADHD. Our ongoing advocacy is aiming for clearer prescribing pathways and better support for GPs in this space, ensuring more accessible and timely care for patients. I am feeling optimistic about the outcomes of these conversations, and I look forward to sharing updates with you soon. 

In the last month, we have also seen significant progress in achieving GP involvement in the rollout of the NSW Single Digital Patient Record (SDPR). Our advocacy efforts in this space have seen the establishing of an NSW PHN SDPR GP Advisory Group and several member practices being invited to join the initial pilot which is scheduled to begin in March 2026 in the Hunter LHD. This work will help ensure the system meets the needs of both GPs and patients 

This week, I have enjoyed connecting with my colleagues as our NSW&ACT Faculty Executive Council met for the first time this year. I have also been in Canberra this week, making sure that GP voices are heard at our annual national GPs@Parliament event. Over the course of my three -day visit, I met with a number of federal ministers, and I look forward to sharing the outcomes of these meetings with you soon. My Canberra visit also saw the launch of the RACGP Federal Election platform before I travelled back to Sydney to appear on the SBS television special, ‘My Body: My Choice’. 

I am looking forward to celebrating International Women’s Day next month with an event on Thursday 6 March in our North Sydney office. To mark the theme ‘March Forward’ I will be joined by Dr Amanda Cohn MLC, as she outlines her journey from general practice to politics, and shares what drives her in this space. I hope that you can join me, in person, to mark this important event in our annual calendar.

After a very busy month, I am feeling confident about everything we are set to achieve this year. Until next time, take care.  

Dr Rebekah Hoffman
RACGP NSW&ACT Chair

Event	Date	CPD hours
Managing hepatitis C in general practice settings	10 March 7.30 – 8.30 pm (AEDT) Venue: Online	1 EA hour
Peer Group Learning Session – Project ECHO: NSW Opioid Treatment Program	13 March 2025 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM (AEDT) - Early prescribers 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (AEDT) - Advanced prescribers Venue: Online	Completion of 5 early prescriber sessions = 3.5 RP hours & 1.5 EA hours Completion of 4 advanced prescriber sessions = 3 RP hours & 1 EA hours
Syphilis Overview in NSW: Risk, Testing, Treatment & Support	8 April 2025 7:30pm – 8:30pm (AEST) Venue: Online	1 EA hour
Sexual health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients in NSW	15 April 2025 7:30pm – 8:30pm (AEST) Venue: Online	1 EA hour
Diabetes management and support	16 April 2025 7:30pm – 8:30pm (AEST) Venue: Online	1 EA hour

Celebrate women in general practice at our International Women’s Day event in Sydney on Thursday 6 March.  

Hear from the inspirational Dr Amanda Cohn MLC, and engage in meaningful discussion on driving change and achieving gender equality.  

This is a free event for all RACGP members, $45 for non-members, and is open to everyone regardless of gender.

Date: Thursday 6th March 2025 
Time: 6.30-9.00 pm 
Venue: North Sydney Office, Level 12, 1 Pacific Highway, North Sydney 

The NSW&ACT Faculty Council is the driving force behind our Faculty. The Council oversees and advises on activities related to patient care, clinical practice, education, CPD, and research. Our Council is based on regional representation, with each member acting as the voice of the community in which they live and work. 

 We would like to invite expressions of interest for the following roles: 

• Central Coast Representative 
• Sydney Central & East Representative 
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Representative 

To express your interest in any of these roles, please reach out to nswact.faculty@racgp.org.au with your CV and a brief summary of your interests and experience. 

RACGP Rural is seeking GPs at all stages of their career to join the Doctors for Women in Rural Medicine committee. Members must have either previous experience or a keen interest in working in rural or remote general practice at the time of joining. 

The objective of the DWRM is to unite rural and remote GPs from around Australia through facilitating connection, delivering educational activities and capturing the voice of and issues affecting female GPs in rural and remote locations.     

Expressions of interest can be registered here 

Marguerite Harb	Rosanne Arentz
Golnar Mousavi	Laura Shane
Genevieve Vergel Maher	Anita Jenkins
Iryna Miadzvedzeva	Xiao Huang
Syema Khan	Melanie Tolnay
Amineh Nick Nahad Gharmakher	Min-Qing Lee
Jonathan Grimshaw	Thiri Naing
Victoria Bellinger	Tasneem Tabassom
Abdulmuminu Sambo	Victor Vo
Ismat Emu	Rahul Lal
Nigel Beetson	Hayley Hall
Ayshvariya Balachandran	Jana Wan
Stephanie Chiu	Myat Su Wai Tin
Cho Paing	Moubani Majumdar
Aniefiok Ufot	William Yuen
Victoria Rajkumar	Lisa Collins

For those yet to finalise your 2024 CPD, this is an important reminder that the recording deadline for the 2024 CPD cycle is 28 February 2025.   

Your CPD compliance status will be reported to the Medical Board of Australia/Ahpra mid-2025 for the 2024 CPD year.  

If you need tips or general advice to help finalise your 2024 CPD, visit our dedicated advice page today. If you require additional assistance with recording last year’s CPD, reach out to our team 1800 716 853 as a matter of priority so that we can help you ahead of the recording deadline.  

Planning a successful 2025 

Have you made a start on your 2025 Professional Development Plan (PDP)? When you do, consider how you prefer to upskill and which sources of MO hours might suit you best in in 2025. Some MO ideas include: 

• In-practice quality improvement activities (including practice meetings with a QI focus) 
• Monthly AJGP MO companion activity – new activity format as requested by members 
• Provider audits (annual or shorter cycle) 
• Using the Measuring outcomes tool to record improvements to your practice throughout the year. 

We’re here to help 

Whether you need assistance finalising your 2024 CPD ahead of the recording deadline or you’d value advice about this year’s CPD, reach out to the team by calling 1800 716 853 or email cpd.assist@racgp.org.au.    

Don’t miss out on our upcoming event taking place in Melbourne on Saturday, 29 March 2025.

This free, full-day workshop is designed to help Victorian GPs build their skills, knowledge and confidence to identify signs of abuse, and equip you with the tools to support patients affected by violence. You'll have the opportunity to hear from keynote speakers including Rosie Batty AO, Dr Bill Liley, Dr Ian Freckelton AO, KC and Dr Chelsea Tobin, CEO of Safe Steps.  This event is RACGP CPD accredited for 6 hours EA and 1 hour RP. 

Date: Saturday, 29 March 2025 
Time: 9.00 am - 4.00 pm 
Venue: RACV City Club, Level 17, 501 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000 
 

Register now

Co-design a framework for collective action

This project will occur in 2025 through General Practice Supervision Australia (GPSA) as a funded RACGP Education Research Grant.

GPSA, with RACGP funding, is conducting a 2025 study to improve support for IMGs in rural GP training. IMGs play a crucial role in rural healthcare yet need tailored support

We invite IMGs, supervisors, training teams, and rural stakeholders to participate in co-design interviews or focus groups between March and May 2025.

Get involved: Share this invitation across your networks & express your interest. Read more & enrol here.

Contact Belinda O’Sullivan: belinda.osullivan@monash.edu0427 405 030.

Approved by Monash University (#44808)

Turn your ideas into impact!

Do you need support for your major research project?

The Australian General Practice Research Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the RACGP, is now inviting an Expressions of Interest.

If your research has the potential to enhance GP care and strengthen Australian healthcare, don't miss this opportunity—submit your idea today.

Applications close 4 April.

 

Apply now

We're offering members with a passion for innovation the chance to present at Practice Owners Conference 2025, taking place in Melbourne from 24–25 May. 

From health economics to business innovation, we want to hear how you're shaping the future of general practice. 

Expressions of interest open Thursday 20 February. 

High-risk Schedule 8 medicines such as opioids, benzodiazepines, psychostimulants, compounded Schedule 8 and some specialised Schedule 4 medicines may require approval from NSW Health before prescribing or supplying to a patient.  

Approval is also required when Schedule 8 medicines are prescribed or supplied for persons with drug dependence, or when treatment with certain Schedule 8 medicines extends for longer than two months.   

Prescribers can apply for approval via SafeScript NSW or submit an application form to Pharmaceutical Services. In some cases, applications submitted through SafeScript NSW may be eligible for immediate approval.   

More information can be found here. 

Young people who vape may be at risk of a lifetime of nicotine addiction – new evidence shows that young people who vape are five times as likely to take up smoking. 

The NSW Health Vaping resources hub has a range of evidence-based resources including a Guide to Support Young People to Quit E-Cigarettes, factsheets and webinars. 

Pave is a free evidence-based vaping cessation app providing tips and tracking tools to support young people to quit.  

Refer patients to Quitline on 13 7848 or make an online referral here. Quitline counsellors understand nicotine addiction and can support young people to quit.