May is the month when mothers take centre stage, well, at least for a day! For those of you who juggle the demands of parenting alongside your GP pursuits, I would like to acknowledge your commitment to providing quality care to your patients while balancing your family’s needs. This is certainly no easy task in the current climate of primary healthcare.
2023–2024 Budget—welcome news for general practice and patients
The 2023–24 Budget revealed an impressive amount of more than
$5.7 billion to be allocated to general practice in coming years. This is the biggest investment in general practice in decades and a remarkable achievement that reflects the sustained advocacy efforts of the RACGP over many years.
60-day prescribing policy
The RACGP continues to advocate in the best interests of our community. Our recent efforts led to the introduction of
60-day dispensing for over 320 medicines, which will take effect later this year. Once fully implemented, the 60-day prescribing policy will allow doctors to prescribe a two-month supply of these medicines, making treatment for conditions like heart disease, cholesterol, Crohn’s disease and hypertension cheaper. We estimate it could save patients $180 per medication per year, making it a real difference in their cost of living.
NSW mental health system reform
The NSW/ACT Faculty continues to work with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists to advocate for mental health systems reform in NSW. Respondents to the
NSW mental health survey reported chaos, confusion, fiscal neglect and fragmentation of a poorly funded system.
Payroll tax
The issue of payroll tax on medical practices remains current, and discussions continue with members of parliament. We are actively engaged in discussions with members of the public, including our recent conversation with the
ACT Shadow Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Leanne Castley.
UTI pilot
The
statewide pilot for appropriately trained community pharmacists to prescribe UTI antibiotics has been launched. The University of Newcastle is leading the trial in association with the University of Technology Sydney, Macquarie University, the University of New England, Charles Sturt University, The George Institute for Global HealthHealth, and the Hunter Medical Research Institute. A clinical trial framework has been developed to ensure that patient safety is promoted. This framework will allow the gathering of robust evaluation data during the 12-month trial to ensure a comprehensive review of the pilot.
As we’re all aware, COVID infection numbers remain high. Please continue to emphasise the role of COVID vaccine boosters, prescription of antivirals for those at risk and, of course, to keep the public health measures around face masks and hand hygiene. As always, take care, prioritise your wellbeing, and try to stay viral infection free as the year continues into the winter months.