June 2025

Reflecting on the month of June, I’m pleased to share the progress we’ve made at RACGP in supporting our members and advancing general practice. 

A key highlight is the NSW Government’s announcement to expand the role of GPs in managing ADHD – a development I’m particularly proud of. I’ve consistently raised this issue with the NSW Health Minister and discussed it with members at every opportunity.

This initiative not only recognises the vital role GPs play in continuity of care but also promises to improve access for patients and families across both rural and metropolitan areas. While many details are still being finalised, I, along with other specialist GPs, am actively involved in discussions with NSW Health. I’ll keep you informed as soon as next steps and requirements are confirmed. 
 

Next week, I look forward to connecting with members in the Murrumbidgee and ACT regions, and to celebrating with New Fellows at the ACT Fellowship ceremony on 28 June. I’ll also be meeting with ACT MPs to discuss ADHD management plans, workforce challenges, and the election commitment around wellbeing funding. 

Finally, I’m continuing to engage with other peak bodies on the growing use of medicinal cannabis. We share common concerns and are working together to bring these issues to the attention of the Federal Government. 

Until next month.

Dr Rebekah Hoffman
RACGP NSW&ACT Chair

 

Event name	Date/Time	CPD points
Liver health in general practice	24 June 7.30 – 8.30 pm Venue: Online	Earn 1 EA hour (additional MO and RP hours offered) CPD points.
Culturally safe gambling harm minimisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples	25 June 7.30 – 8.30 pm Venue: Online	Earn 1 EA hour CPD points.
Women in Leadership webinar: Managing competing priorities and demands	1 July 6.00 – 7.00 pm Venue: Online
Addressing gambling risks in young people and supporting concerned parents in general practice webinar	7 July 7.30 – 8.30 pm Venue: Online	Earn 1 EA hour CPD points.
Navigating Valvular Heart Disease and Post-Coronary CT Angiography Care	23 July 7.30 – 8.30 pm Venue: Online	Earn 1 EA hour CPD points.

Join Faculty Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman and members of the Council for a relaxed evening in the Terrace area of William Farrer Hotel. 

You’ll have the opportunity to network with colleagues and chat with your RACGP Faculty Chair.  

Date: Wednesday 25 June  
Time: 6.30–8.30 pm 
Venue: William Farrer Hotel, 1 Peter St, Wagga Wagga 
Cost: Free for members 

Register here

Join Dr Rebekah Hoffman, Faculty Chair and members of the Council for a relaxed evening in the High Courtyard North of Hotel Realm Canberra.  

You’ll have the opportunity to forge meaningful connections, collaborate, and network with colleagues, Faculty Council members and New Fellows. 

Date: Friday 27 June 
Time: 6.30 – 8.30 pm 
Venue: Hotel Realm Canberra, High Courtyard North, 18 National Circuit, Barton
Cost: Free for members

Register here

The RACGP NSW&ACT Faculty congratulates the following New Fellows on achieving Fellowship of the RACGP. 

This milestone represents years of dedication, resilience and growth. We recognise the personal and professional commitment that brought you here, and we’re proud to welcome you as Fellows. Your work is making a meaningful difference in the lives of your patients and communities, and we’re honoured to stand alongside you as your career continues to evolve. 

 

Dr Robab Sahaf	Dr Alison Ting
Dr Hasina Muttaqi	Dr Ben Ramsay
Dr Jin Yin	Dr Simon Lei
Dr Karrar Bohreh	Dr Stephanie Wong
Dr Tooba Cheema	Dr Karen Zheng
Dr Andrea Wendt	Dr Christopher Dickie
Dr Gowrinanthanan Panchacharavel	Dr Kenneth Lee
Dr Shruthi Damannagari	Dr Amelia Gonsalvez
Dr Marie Smith	Dr Wasayid Chowdhury
Dr Farah Mukhtar	Dr Simon Tyler
Dr Sanjushree Murali	Dr Mary Kozlowski
Dr Ilisapeci Lailai-Tasmania	Dr Jonathan Attia
Dr Shaddy Hanna	Dr Jordan Colless
Dr May Me Myet Chae Aung	Dr Sam Yuk Pui Ng
Dr Nirmala Sathiamurthy	Dr Rufus Ferrabee
Dr Ekanayake Ekanayake	Dr Scott Faulkner
Dr William Hung	Dr Molly Colburn
Dr Shruti Yardi	Dr Anita Chandanani
Dr Vandana Gopinath

Now is the time to champion vaccination against preventable diseases like influenza and measles within your communities. Let’s proactively protect the health of Australians by making vaccination a clear priority in our daily practice, and make it count as CPD. 

Empowering Immunisation Conversations is a great resource to tackle vaccine hesitancy in different population groups. 

Equip your practice to confidently manage potential measles cases with the RACGP’s essential measles fact sheet and downloadable checklist. This is a great resource for teams to discuss in your practice meetings.  Stay informed about the re-emergence of measles and access practical guidance on prevention, response, and recovery to protect your staff and patients. 

You can also explore our in-practice MO recommendations in the latest AJGP issue on breast cancer screening approach for moderate to high-risk women. 

We’re here to help  
Contact us on our dedicated CPD support line 1800 716 853 for personalised assistance navigating your CPD requirements or email cpd.assist@racgp.org.au. 

The RACGP is proud to support activities during NAIDOC week, which is coming up from 6–13 July. The theme for this year is ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’ which celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, marking a powerful milestone: 50 years of honouring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience. 

The RACGP will be hosting a webinar, facilitated by Dr Karen Nicholls and guest speakers on Tuesday 8 July at 7.00 pm (AEST).

Register your interest and we’ll share more information soon.

Early bird registrations are now open for GP25, and we’re excited to announce three of this year’s conference keynote speakers: Leigh Sales AM, Professor Michael Kidd AO, and Australian Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay.

Join us at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 14–16 November, or arrive a day early to take part in one of our always-popular pre-conference workshops.

Secure your early bird registration now, and stay tuned for the full GP25 program.

We’re developing a new Advocacy Plan for 2026–29 and we want to know your top priorities.

Our first Advocacy Plan generated some major national commitments, including investment in the future GP workforce and increased Medicare funding. Building on this momentum, the new Advocacy Plan will be shaped by member priorities and aligned with the RACGP 2025–29 Strategy.

We want to hear from as many diverse voices as possible and invite all members to share feedback on their advocacy priorities. Submissions are open until 20 June, and combined member feedback will then be discussed and considered by faculty councils, RACGP Expert Committees and other groups within the College. Don’t miss the chance to shape the future of the RACGP’s advocacy.

Complete the survey now

Do you know a GP, registrar, supervisor, medical educator or practice making an outstanding impact in their field? The RACGP Awards are your chance to recognise those going above and beyond to improve the health and wellbeing of their communities.

Awards nominations must close at 9.00 am (AEST) on Monday 30 June.

Celebrate your peers and colleagues by submitting your nomination.

Further information on award categories and criteria can be found on our website.

National winners will be honoured at an awards ceremony during GP25 this November.wards nominations must close at 9.00 am (AEST) on Monday 30 June.

The new RACGP-endorsed guide is designed to support general practices to understand the benefits of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners and to effectively embed these clinicians into models of care in a cost-effective and sustainable way. 

The National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners (NAATSIHWP) guide provides information on the role, skills and qualifications of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners, who provide clinical skills, invaluable cultural knowledge and patient care with a focus on culturally safe practice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  

At the launch of the guide, RACGP President Dr Michael Wright noted the RACGP has endorsed the guide to ‘increase awareness and engagement, promote culturally safe multidisciplinary care, and support superior health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients across Australia’. 

Tuesday 24 June, 6.30 – 7.30 pm (AEST)

This session will provide essential updates on the upcoming changes to the MBS, specifically the new Women’s Health Assessment items and updates to Chronic Disease Management (CDM) items effective from 1 July. During this webinar you will gain a clear understanding of how these changes will impact your practice, including how to implement the new assessment items and adjust to the modifications in CDM items.

The detailed presentation from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, facilitated by RACGP President Dr Michael Wright, aims to clarify any uncertainties, ensuring you and your practice team are well-prepared to incorporate these changes into clinical workflows.

Click here for more information and to register. This educational activity is approved for one EA hour of CPD.

Pharmaceutical Services supports co-management and transfer of care arrangements between specialists and GPs when assessing applications for approval to prescribe a Schedule 8 medicine. These approvals, issued by NSW Health, are separate from PBS authorities. 

Co-management involves a specialist collaborating with a GP to direct treatment. The specialist provides clinical oversight while the GP delivers ongoing care. Under transfer of care, the specialist ensures the patient is stable before a transfer of care to the GP.  

Specialist direction is required for any treatment changes. Both models support safe, coordinated care, clear prescribing responsibility and improve patient access to specialist medicines. 

During Hepatitis Awareness Week (22–28 July), NSW Health encourages people to talk with their GP about hepatitis B and C testing and treatment.

Hepatitis C can be treated in primary care with short-course oral direct-acting antivirals, with a 95% cure rate for those without cirrhosis. 

Hepatitis B can be managed in primary care with at least annual testing to prevent liver damage and cancer.  
Screening at-risk patients, and providing follow-up care and management for diagnosed patients means they can live long, healthy lives. 

Explore these clinical tools for your practice: 

• Decision making in Hepatitis B 
• Decision making in Hepatitis C 

Violence, Abuse and Neglect (VAN) is a common issue to address in primary care. Referral pathways into specialist care and community support providers can be hard to navigate.  

Each NSW Local Health District has a VAN service that can provide expert advice and, in some cases, direct patient care in response to VAN: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/ 

NSW Health has worked with Southwest Sydney PHN as the VAN Lead Region PHN to produce a series of VAN HealthPathways, including:  

• domestic and family violence  
• adult strangulation  
• adult sexual assault  
• physical assault and injury recording.  

Log in to the HealthPathways page here. Please note you may need to register for access.