Winter is here, with some significantly chilly days. Please encourage your patients to get the COVID-19 booster, flu vaccine and Pneumovax where clinically appropriate. Please remember to use protective measures, like wearing masks, washing hands, social distancing and staying at home if symptomatic. I know this feels burdensome, but it’s the best way to prevent illness for yourself, your family, and your patients. NSW Health has developed a range of
winter respiratory resources for your practice.
The RACGP NSW&ACT Faculty is hosting a Fellowship ceremony at the International Convention Centre in Sydney on 5 August to formally recognise the hard work and achievements of our newest Fellows. This is a highlight of our annual calendar as we share the joy of achieving this significant milestone with New Fellows, their family and friends.
On the national advocacy front, there’s concern that the federal cross bench and even some of the Labor backbenchers are weakening in their support of
60-day dispensing. Consumer, health and doctor organisations have united in urging MPs and Senators to put consumers first and support 60-day dispensing. Jointly, these organisations and RACGP have sent
an open letter to all Federal Parliamentarians asking them to support 60-day medicine dispensing.
More locally, Dr Michael Wright, Dr Rebekah Hoffman, myself and Dr Michael Bonning (NSW AMA President) met with Ryan Park (NSW Health Minister), Courtney Houssos (NSW Finance Minister) and Cullen Smythe (Commission NSW Revenue) to discuss payroll tax. While we continue to push for a permanent exemption on this issue, NSW Revenue provided reassurance that they would not be targeting general practices in any revenue audits for a minimum of two years and agreed to work towards a consistent national solution to payroll tax. They will also work with us to provide webinars for practice owners regarding how to minimise any risk of penalty. I look forward to launching this in the latter half of this year.
In the nation’s capital, the faculty provided a submission in conjunction with the ACT AMA on the ACT Urgent Care Centers, raising our concerns with the proposed model and suggesting the use of a structured GP-led co-design process to determine a more robust and viable model.
On a lighter note, with WONCA 2023 taking the place of RACGP’s annual conference, Sydney will be hosting GPs, family doctors and primary healthcare specialists from around the world. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with all my peers from around Australia and internationally and hope to see you there. This is a conference you don’t want to miss!
Finally, I’d like to congratulate all the candidates across NSW and the ACT on completing their Applied Knowledge Test and Key Feature Problem exams earlier this month.
Until next month, keep your beanie handy.