I hope everyone’s making the most of the remaining weeks of daylight savings and enjoying the warm evenings outdoors before the cooler nights of autumn begin to make their presence felt.
The Medical Board of Australia’s new CPD requirements took effect in January. As your CPD home, the RACGP has worked hard to provide you with a CPD program that aligns with these new requirements and recognises ‘CPD value’ of activities you do in your practice every day. We’ve also launched an app that allows you to upload and manage your CPD on the go. You can track CPD activities, browse what’s on offer and log your hours. Check out all the resources on the
RACGP CPD webpage. I can promise you it’s really easy to use!
Healthcare reform continues to be a consistent theme in the college’s advocacy efforts. The focus of our recent media appearances has been on the low Medicare rebate and decreasing availability of bulk-billing GPs. We’ve aimed to highlight that the rebate belongs to patients and that all Australians need to stand up for increased funding for Medicare.
Meantime, payroll tax is threatening viability of general practices in NSW and the ACT. The RACGP is stepping up advocacy activities, including a focused media campaign ahead of the NSW state election.
NSW Health is expanding
pharmacy prescribing pilots (and ACT Health has recently joined the trial), so the RACGP has ramped up messaging around patient safety and appropriateness of care. Our high-level oversight of the trial aims to 1) make sure the trial design, data collection and analysis of results is done with patient safety and quality care as the end goal; and 2) ensure total transparency around the protocol, training and outcomes at all times.
On a lighter note, the RACGP NSW&ACT Women in General Practice Leadership group celebrated International Women’s Day with NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce, Executive Director of the NSW Treasury/NSW Productivity Commission Geraldine Carter, and AMA NSW CEO Fiona Davies. Each woman shared her journey to leadership in a panel discussion promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. If you’re interested in being involved in the Women in General Practice Leadership group, email
nswact.faculty@racgp.org.au
RACGP NSW&ACT will host a Fellowship ceremony at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra on 15 April to formally recognise the hard work and achievements of our newest Fellows. This is a highlight of the calendar as we get to share in the joy of achieving this significant milestone with New Fellows, their family and friends.
The Easter long weekend is also just around the corner, bringing an opportunity for many to take some time for some rest and relaxation.