October 2021


Chair report


Message from the Chair - Dr Anita Muñoz

Remember the ‘good news, bad news’ game you played as a kid?

Good news! You’re getting a free ice cream! Hooray!

Bad news! It’s already melted. Argh!

Victoria’s been playing a fair bit of ‘good news, bad news’ in the last month – or ‘bad news, good news’, as it were.

In a heartbreaking but necessary decision, GP21 has been cancelled. What couldn’t be cancelled though was the passion, professionalism, work ethic and innovation of the GP21 committee and of Melissa Avard and her events team. Our fantastic ideas and sessions will be used next year.
COVID: 1
GP21 team: 1

In another tough moment, RACGP Victoria had to suspend all remaining face-to-face engagements due to the sheer unpredictability of the pandemic environment. But you can’t keep a good events team down: we already have 2022 events in the pipeline, including our much-anticipated return to Fellowship Ceremonies for 850 deserving Fellows. I cannot wait to call out those names.
COVID: 1
Events team: 1

One of the hardest realities has been Victoria’s rising COVID-19 numbers and the distress of ongoing lockdowns. GPs across the state have had to dig ever deeper to keep going under very difficult circumstances. Despite the cognitive, emotional and physical fatigue, we’ve endured; in areas of low vaccination rates, especially in the north and west, we’ve seen surges in vaccinated patient numbers.
COVID: 1
GPs: 1

Finally, the challenge of general practice furloughing has stretched us all. Managing the implications of closed practices has been overwhelming. Despite the hugeness of this, we’ve stayed the course in the name of patient and community safety, at great personal costs. RACGP Victoria and the Victorian Department of Health teamed up to rationalise furloughing for our sector and delivered guidance our complex environment.
COVID: 1
GP advocacy and relationship with VDoH: 1

COVID continues to throw curve balls at us, but Victorian GPs are still hitting back.

Dr Anita Muñoz
Chair, RACGP Victoria
 


Calendar of events


RACGP Victoria events

Upcoming online events

Event Details Description
Online Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training: New intakes 15 November 2021 – 12 March 2022
(includes course break 19 December 2021 – 10 January 2022)
On-demand
Venue: Online
Victorian GPs in MMM3–7 areas and GPs working in an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations in MMM1–2 & MMM3–7 areas can access 100 scholarships to complete this training.

Earn 122 CPD points.
Victorian Department of Health and RACGP Victoria webinar series 2021 Wednesday 27 October 2021
6.00–7.00 pm (AEDT)
Venue: Online
Cost: Free

Hear the latest public health advice and Q&A with VIC Department of Health and RACGP Victoria representatives.

Earn 2 CPD points.

Alt Wednesday clinical webinar series Wednesday 3 November 2021
7.00–8.00‌ pm (AEDT)
Venue: Online
Cost: Free

Dr Sally Cockburn facilitates our Alt Wednesday clinical webinar series on the first Wednesday of the month.

Earn 2 CPD points.

Victorian Department of Health and RACGP Victoria webinar series 2021 Wednesday 15 December 2021
6.00–7.00 pm (AEDT)
Venue: Online
Cost: Free

Hear the latest public health advice and Q&A with VIC Department of Health and RACGP Victoria representatives.

Earn 2 CPD points.

MATOD Module 1: Safer Opioid Prescribing On-demand
Venue: Online

Safer Opioid Prescribing: An introduction to implement safe and effective opioid prescribing and to recognise, prevent and respond to problematic opioid abuse. This training is a prerequisite for prescribers who want to attend MATOD Module 

Earn 4 CPD points

MATOD Module 2: Opioid Use Disorder, Pharmacology & Dosing On-demand
Venue: Online

Opioid Use Disorder, Pharmacology & dosing: A comprehensive series of modules with videos and interviews with MATOD experts. It includes live zoom session that will allow participants to ask questions of the experts.

Earn 40 CPD Accredited Activity points

MATOD Module 3: Long-acting injectable buprenorphine On-demand
Venue: Online

Long-acting injectable buprenorphine: Builds on knowledge of prescribing and administering long-acting injection buprenorphine, including how to select, initiate and manage patients who are using these new opioid substitutions.

Earn 4 CPD points.

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Upcoming in person events

Core Skills - Musculoskeletal Care      Saturday 29 January 2022
8.30am-12.30 pm (AEDT)
Venue: RACGP House, 100 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002       
Cost: RACGP Members: $45.00 | Non-Members: $65.00

The Core Skills in Musculoskeletal Care workshop focuses on common presentations, utilisation of evidence-based special tests, and detecting red flags.

Earn 6 CPD points.

GPADD22 - Vulnerable Populations Saturday 26 February 2022
9.00am-5.40pm (AEDT)
Venue: RACV City Club Melbourne, 501 Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Early bird: RACGP Members: $250.00 | GP in training: $175.00 | Non-Members: $350.00

RACGP Victoria Faculty AOD Committee is proud to bring you GPADD22. The long-running, biennial General Practice and Addiction (GPADD) conference is a great opportunity to learn and network with GPs and other health professionals working in this area. GPADD22 will focus on treating vulnerable communities. People with addiction or substance-use disorders are by definition often vulnerable.

Earn 40 CPD Accredited Activity points

GP Wellbeing Weekend Saturday 2 to Sunday 3 April 2022
Mercure Ballarat - Hotel & Convention Centre, 613 Main Rd, Golden Point
Cost: RACGP member: $300 I Registrar member $250 I Non-member: $350
Early Bird: RACGP member: $250 I Registrar member $200 I Non-member: $300

Join us in historical Ballarat in a variety of educational workshops and sessions designed to minimise day-to-day stress and optimise your health, self-care and wellbeing.

With time to network and have some good old fashioned fun. The program is hosted by RACGP Victoria New Fellows Committee for all GPs, including New Fellows and GPs working towards Fellowship.

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Events in the spotlight


Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training

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January intake now open

RACGP and the Rural Workforce Agency of Victoria (RWAV) are offering 100 scholarships to Victorian GPs in Modified Monash Model (MMM) 3-7 and GPs working in an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation in (MMM) 1-2 + (MMM) 3-7  locations to complete Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training (FPS ST).

Each scholarship will provide full funding (valued at $979) to complete the course with RACGP. This program is a partnership between RWAV and RACGP with funding from the Australian Government.

The FPS ST package provides GPs with essential training to enable them to become a GP provider of Foccussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) and provide CBT-derived FPS conselling to patients in their practice.

The training package has GPMHSC accreditation and on completion GPs can gain FPS provider registration with Medicare to access FPS related MBS numbers 2721, 2723, 2725 and 2727.

    Expressions of interest     


Archive news


Kon's Korner

  • RACGP Victoria has been working with the VDoH to discuss us delivering a MARAM and information-sharing GP integration project – announcements to follow.
  • Be sure to review the Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board report of operation (Jan to Jun 2021).
  • We support the recent Coroners Court of Victoria recommendation for referring all patients (especially children and young people) with food allergies to a specialist immunologist or immunology clinic, such as that at the Royal Children's Hospital, for assessment and management.
  • We’re working with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) towards accreditation and co-promotion of updated ASCIA health professionals e-training resources for our members.
  • The VDoH wants feedback from the mental health sector and community to develop the Mental Health and Wellbeing Workforce Strategy. Visit the Engage Victoria website to comment by 25 October 2021.
  • Thanks to everyone who attended our 63rd Annual Members Meeting and Awards night, and congratulations to the deserving award winners:
    • Victorian GP in Training of the Year: Dr Cheten Mistry
    • Victorian General Practice Supervisor of the Year: Dr Peter Mitchell
    • Victorian GP of the Year: Dr Hung The Nguyen
    • Victorian General Practice of the Year: Gateway Health Wodonga

Kon Kakris
State Manager, Victoria Faculty
 

63rd Annual Members Meeting and Awards night

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Thank you to everyone who attended our 63rd Annual Members Meeting and Awards night, and congratulations to the deserving award winners:

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Victorian GP of the Year

Dr Hung The Nguyen

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Victorian GP Supervisor of the Year

Dr Peter Mitchell

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Victorian GP in Training of the Year

Dr Cheten Mistry

Gateway-Health-group.jpg

Victorian General Practice of the Year

Gateway Health Wodonga

 


National news


General practice training on track to return to the colleges in 2023

Our work on bringing general practice training back to the RACGP continues gather pace. In late September, the Department of Health recommitted to returning training to the colleges in early 2023 and expressed confidence in the RACGP to deliver a training model equal to such a significant government investment.

We’ll submit a grant opportunity response later this year detailing our model, its alignment with the government’s outcome framework, our implementation plan and our proposed budget. In the meantime, we’ll continue to work closely with general practice training stakeholders, including regional training organisations, to ensure a smooth transition.

Member Federal Election advocacy resources

Help us advocate for general practice reform in the lead-up to the next Federal Election by making use of our new suite of grassroots advocacy resources.

The RACGP is calling on the Federal Government to invest in more time for quality care. Patients receive limited support to spend the necessary time with their GP. As a result, out-of-pocket costs are skyrocketing, hospitals are becoming overwhelmed and our most vulnerable patients are being put at risk.

Email us at healthreform@racgp.edu.au to discuss the resources and get support for your grassroots advocacy.

   Access the advocacy resources   

RACGP Mentoring Program 2022: Support and guidance from a seasoned colleague

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The RACGP’s Mentoring Program is an exciting opportunity for GPs to build a relationship with a seasoned colleague. The program helps GPs to seek support, guidance and advice on tackling a career in general practice, with a focus on wellbeing, collegiality and career development.

Places are limited, so register your interest now to find out when applications open in November 2021.

   Register your interest   

RACGP survey: Compliance education resources

The RACGP is seeking feedback from GPs at all stages of their careers on educational resources to help you bill Medicare correctly and meet your compliance obligations.

Complete this short survey on the value of existing compliance resources and topics you want covered in future resources. We’ll provide de-identified feedback to the Department of Health to help develop resources that meet your needs.

The survey takes approximately 5–10 minutes, and all responses remain anonymous.

    Complete the survey    

This Rural Life

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The RACGP has launched a new digital project to inspire more GPs to consider a career in rural practice and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

This Rural Life shines a spotlight on rural and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander GPs at all career stages by sharing their incredible stories. It’ll be a living project, and GPs across the country are invited to contribute.

Visit the RACGP website to share your story find out or more.


External news


Sticky Blood and Quite a Difference campaign alert: Supporting patients to stop smoking

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Most people who smoke want to stop, and strong evidence shows advice from a health professional is a major external prompt for a quit attempt.

Quit Victoria’s latest television-led campaign, Sticky Blood supported by Quite a Difference, will run from October 17 to November 27. It gives you the perfect opportunity to help your patients who smoke quit by offering them a proactive referral to Quitline (13 7848) for multi-session behavioural intervention, as well as a prescription to approved pharmacotherapy, if clinically appropriate.

     Campaign resources for GPs     

New Closing the Gap PBS script measure

The Closing the Gap (CTG) Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) co-payment program has expanded and now operates under a new national system.

The system for client CTG registration is run by Services Australia and operates online through Health Professional Online Services (HPOS). CTG registration is virtually real time and no longer occurs by completing the PIP Indigenous Health Incentive form.

For enquiries about the system and HPOS, phone 132 290 or visit the Services Australia website. You can access Health Professional Education Resources, including CTG eLearning modules, from Services Australia.

You can find more information on the changes in the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation factsheet

     Factsheet     

New national syphilis campaign

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The Department of Health has launched a national ‘Don’t Fool Around With Syphilis’ campaign to raise awareness of the current outbreak of infectious and congenital syphilis across Australia.

You can help promote the campaign using the resources kit, which includes:

  • social media assets
  • factsheets and posters in print-ready and electronic formats
  • FAQs about syphilis and the outbreak
  • discussion guides to use when communicating about syphilis.

      Access the campaign resources      

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)

Orygen offers a free outpatient repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) clinic for people aged 18–25 years with depression who haven’t responded to other treatments.

An rTMS treatment course consists of daily (Monday to Friday) 30-minute appointments for four weeks. Patients can do their usual activities immediately after treatment.

Eligible patients must:

  • not have epilepsy or an unstable neurological/medical condition
  • not have any contraindications for an MRI
  • not have any current uncontrolled substance use
  • not be at acute high risk of suicide
  • not be pregnant or lactating
  • be on a stable psychotropic medication regime for four weeks prior to starting treatment.

Find information, fact sheets and a referral form on the Orygen website. For queries, contact tms@orygen.org.au or call 03 9966 9100.

Try the new mobile-friendly HealthPathways platform

The HealthPathways Melbourne team would appreciate your feedback on the new mobile-friendly version of HealthPathways.

Try it out now on your desktop computer, laptop, tablet or mobile device and let the team know how they can make it even better (use the new circular feedback button at the bottom-right of the screen).

The new mobile-friendly platform will soon replace the classic version of HealthPathways. Although the look is new, the information is the same as on the existing HealthPathways Melbourne site.

     Try the new platform     

Bowel cancer screening: Every kit counts

Cancer Council Australia recognises the key role GPs and other primary health professionals play in the success of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP). You’re integral to the success of this campaign and the NBCSP. Evidence shows that a recommendation by a primary healthcare provider is a key motivator for participants to screen.

Currently, only 43.5% of eligible Australians complete the NBCSP home screening test. These resources will assist you to:

  • endorse the program in your practice
  • encourage patients to participate in the program
  • review your practice data to identify patients who aren’t up-to-date with their bowel cancer screening.

    Access resources           Toolkit    

Monash university and RACGP Foundation survey

 

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We’re currently recruiting GPs who worked in Metropolitan Sydney or Melbourne during lockdowns to participate in a short online survey.

The survey forms part of an RACGP Foundation/HCF-funded study exploring the experiences of GPs who provided essential clinical services (ECS) during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also aim to evaluate the adaptability of the UK Royal College of General Practitioners guidelines for an Australian context, regarding providing ECS during the pandemic.

The survey will take 10–15 minutes, and you’ll be compensated for your time with a $30 gift card.

If you require further information about the study please contact our Research Assistant Jennie Raymond

   Participate in the survey   


Visit recruitGP – the RACGP’s trusted, single source for general practice employment opportunities across urban, remote and rural Australia.

It’s free for RACGP members.

The RACGP does not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage that may result from reliance on, or the use of, any information contained in this newsletter.

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