January 2021

Call it magical thinking, naïve optimism or just a dogged determination to see opportunity even in dark places, but I felt a sense of hope and anticipation when 2020 was relegated to the sin bin of history and 2021 arrived, new and unblemished.

Though I prefer to maintain that we’ll absolutely triumph over this pandemic and its many challenges to general practice, it’d never cross my mind to sit around waiting for solutions. If we want to prevail, we’re going to have to engineer that ourselves, because good things come to those who go out and make them happen.

Our relationship with the DHHS

The respectful collaboration between RACGP Victoria and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) fostered by Cameron Loy is deepening. Meetings with Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton, Health Minister Martin Foley and senior members of the DHHS and a pending meeting with DHHS Secretary Euan Wallace clearly describe the vital role of general practice for our colleagues at DHHS. Victorian general practice is actively sought out for collaboration on matters like the COVID-19 strategy, vaccination rollout, mental health, domestic violence, working with primary care more effectively and digital health solutions.

Rural workforce solutions

RACGP Victoria understands and is concerned about the pressures on regional and rural GPs and the need for capacity building. Working with esteemed rural GPs, we have started discussing strategies to help GPs work in rural areas, including projects in the La Trobe Valley, Practice to Practice pilot ideas with local governments and Rural Workforce Agency Victoria collaborations.

Member engagement

The enormous success of the RACGP Victoria–DHHS webinars have demonstrated the richness that can come from gathering as a community to discuss the concerns of the day.

I’m excited to announce that the webinars will continue into 2021, on the third Wednesday of each month. Our first webinar is scheduled for Wednesday 17 February, during which Brett Sutton will discuss the COVID-19 vaccine.

I’m also pleased to announce the new RACGP Victoria town hall webinars, which will start this year. These monthly webinars will incorporate Q&A sessions and special guests talking science and medicine. Our first session will be held on Tuesday 2 February 2021 at 7 pm where we will cover sarcopenia. Register now.

Anita Muñoz
RACGP Victoria Chair

Date:	Thursday 4 February 2021
Time:	7:30 - 9:00pm
Venue:	Online
Cost:	Free

This webinar will help you become financially secure.

Topics include:

• Understanding the ‘pay yourself’ concept
• Knowing why GPs are vulnerable to financial mistakes early in their careers
• Implementing debt-reduction strategies
• Mastering basic investing principles outside of your business
• Exploring and maximising superannuation
• Building a legacy (wills, personal insurance for GPs).

Date:	Wednesdays (see website)
Time:	6:00 - 7:00pm
Venue:	Online
Cost:	Free

Latest public health advice from DHHS and RACGP Victoria.
 

Date:	On demand
Venue:	Online
Cost:	Free

Online training for Victorian prescribers

Module 1 covers implementing safe and effective opioid prescribing and recognising, preventing and responding to problematic opioid abuse.

Module 2 includes recordings of ‘essential knowledge’ and interviews with MATOD experts, as well as two Zoom sessions to ask questions of the experts.

On completion, you’ll be trained and recognised as a prescriber for methadone- and buprenorphine-based assisted treatment of opioid dependence.
 

Date:	Saturday 6 February 2021
Time:	2:00 - 3:30pm
Venue:	Madeline's café, Jells Park, Waverley Road,   Wheelers Hill
Cost:	Free (bring money for coffee)

Join this walk and catch-up for GPs in their first five years after Fellowship.
 

Date:	Saturday 13 February 2021
Time:	10:00 - 11:30am
Venue:	Southern Sports Pavilion Princes Park,   Carlton North
Cost:	Free (bring money for coffee)

Join this walk and catch-up for GPs in their first five years after Fellowship.

     Register now     

Event	Date/time	Location
International Medicine in Addiction Conference	Friday to Sunday 26 - 28 February 2021	Virtual
2021 Practice Owners National Conference - Save te date	Saturday and Sunday 19 - 20 June 2021	Brisbane (Hybrid)

The RACGP Victoria Facebook group is a place for GPs to ask questions, comment and seek support. Up-to-date information on current issues and upcoming events is also available.

Request to join the group by clicking the ‘Join group’ button and answering a couple of questions about your membership. The RACGP encourages healthy, respectful debate.

Thanks to those GPs who have submitted their applications for Fellowship. This process can take up to 6–8 weeks due to exam season, so we appreciate your patience. If you have any specific requirements, please reach out to our Fellowship team at vic.fellowship@racgp.org.au

The Department of Health has released Australia’s Epidemiology and COVID-19 Vaccine Roadmap, outlining the phased approach to and priority populations for vaccine administration. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will start to roll out mid-to-late February, subject to approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

RACGP President Dr Karen Price provides some insight into the roadmap in this newsGP article.

We’re developing resources to support you to deliver the vaccine and address questions you and your patients may have. We’ll update the new COVID-19 vaccine information for GPs webpage regularly.

State, territory and federal health authorities are devising a plan for managing expressions of interest from general practices interested in administering the vaccine. We’ll keep you updated.

RACGP Plus is the new home for member benefits and rewards. RACGP Plus supports you and maximises the value of your RACGP membership, as well as offering discounts on automotive, travel, electronics, shopping and health and fitness. You can also access benefits and offers to help you while you work, including general practice services, equipment and supplies.
 

The Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Treatment Skills training enhances your ability to talk about AOD use with your patients, assess their readiness for change and determine an appropriate treatment plan.

You’ll be rewarded with a $1200 grant payment upon completion. To check your eligibility and apply, visit the AOD GP Program website or contact aod@racgp.org.au with any questions.

Want to learn how to use the John Murtagh Library’s services and resources? Book a one-on-one training session, tailored to your needs.

The 45-minute sessions will use screen-sharing to cover:

• using library databases, ebooks etc.
• navigating the library website/resource
• searching for literature using a ‘topic of interest’ or a research question.

Contact the library to arrange a session or submit a request via our online request form.