RACGP

In the June issue of , Jasneek Chawla and colleagues provide GPs with an overview of the issues that commonly arise during .
https://bit.ly/459NDYh

The RACGP congratulates Professor Jenny May AM for her appointment as Australia’s National Rural Health Commissioner.

The National Rural Health Commissioner provides health policy advice and advocates for reforms which support better access to safe, quality and affordable health care in rural, regional and remote Australia.

Professor May brings a wealth of experience to the role after working as a rural GP for more than 35 years in rural, regional and remote WA, NT and NSW as well as overseas in rural Canada.

To read more click here: https://bit.ly/3z39Xqz

The Federal Government will spend $1.1 million to have the NHMRC develop new guidelines for and /CFS.

newsGP - Advocate says long COVID guidelines will help address ‘medical gaslighting’ The resource is also set to incorporate treatments for ME/CFS, but there are suggestions patients would benefit more from support for longer...

Australia’s Asthma Council is urging GPs to consider dry powder inhalers wherever possible, in an effort to improve patient outcomes and reduce the reliance on inhalers filled with ‘potent gases’. https://bit.ly/3Xu8UKH

Thinking about becoming the next RACGP President?

Nominations for the next RACGP President open on 24 June 2024.

Watch our webinar to learn about the role from our current RACGP President. You’ll be taken through the requirements of the election nomination process, campaigning and the voting process.

To view the webinar, click here: https://bit.ly/4b9b3OT

The NSW Government has announced a payroll tax rebate for contractor GPs and waiver for past unpaid liability in an estimated $189 million spend targeted at .
https://bit.ly/3z2DuAW

Following the recent call for nominations for Censor-in-Chief, the RACGP are delighted to announce that Dr Tess van Duuren was elected un-opposed. This will be her third term as our Censor-in-Chief.

At the end of this third elected term in November 2026, Tess will become our longest-serving Censor-in-Chief at the RACGP.

Please join the RACGP in congratulating Tess on her successful re-appointment as RACGP’s Censor-in-Chief.

NSW payroll tax announcement!

The New South Wales Government has announced a full retrospective waiver for past payroll tax liabilities on GPs in the Budget.

“This gives GPs across NSW certainty that they can continue to operate and keep their doors open for patients, without fear of being hit with a huge tax bill that will shut them down,” said RACGP NSW&ACT Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman.

The RACGP has told the NSW Government that some practices might need to raise fees to cover the costs of payroll tax on independent GPs.

https://bit.ly/3VJH63C

ACT health bureaucrats grossly underestimated the cost of its nurse-led walk-in centres, according to new emails released under freedom of information laws. https://bit.ly/3VNCKso

Applications for the 2025 AGPT Academic Post Program are open!

Don’t miss the opportunity to explore different career pathways in general practice and enhance your job opportunities.

Apply by 15 July: https://bit.ly/4aXqUQF

GP24 abstract submissions close tonight!

Don’t miss your chance to present your work at the RACGP’s annual GP conference.

Visit our website for more information, including topics, submission guides and submission templates:
https://bit.ly/3yUtw4k

A recent RACGP submission has called for changes to after-hours care that would increase the period in which patients can receive higher Medicare rebates when attending a general practice. https://bit.ly/4bX3rQJ

GP24 abstract submissions close this Sunday!

If you have an innovative and engaging workshop, presentation or poster on a topic you think will be of interest to GPs and the wider medical profession, we’d love to hear from you.

Submit your clinical or research abstract by 11.59pm AEST 16 June.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/3VDFXKK

In the June issue of , Amy Reynolds and colleagues discuss some challenges and considerations for GPs when assessing and managing sleep disorders in shift workers.
https://bit.ly/3VcZikq

Chiropractic manipulation of infant spines was banned for four years but recently returned via a members’ only update. Mark Butler MP has now asked for an urgent explanation. https://bit.ly/45uQr2r

Nominations for the 2024 RACGP Awards are now open!

These awards celebrate outstanding contributions to general practice, and shine a light on the GPs and practices going above and beyond for their communities.

Submit your nomination today: https://bit.ly/3xciJlI

There was a big win this week for Queensland, with the Government announcing a $40,000 incentive for doctors to train as GPs. This will help cover the pay and entitlements disparity junior doctors experience when training as GPs and address the GP workforce crisis.

The RACGP Queensland Faculty Chair, Dr Cath Hester spoke to the media, welcoming the announcement.

This is a big step forward in boosting the GP workforce so that no patients miss out.

Doctors have reassured those with that topical corticosteroids are safe and effective when used as prescribed, in the wake of high profile media coverage highlighting what they say is a ‘very rare’ reaction to the treatment. https://bit.ly/3VC32gZ

This week, the RACGP organised a delegation of specialist GPs to visit the Parliament of Western Australia to talk with politicians about improving their health and the health of Australia’s largest state, and provide health checks.

RACGP WA Chair Dr Ramya Raman said: “Having a regular GP is important for everyone. Seeing your GP when you are well will mean health conditions can be picked up earlier, treated earlier and ultimately, will help reduce the risk of a patient going to hospital.”

Make lasting connections with leading academic institutions, mentors and other GPs in training during the AGPT Academic Post Program.

Apply now: https://bit.ly/3x1s141

This week marks the 30th anniversary of International Men’s Health Week! This year focuses on the importance of regular health checks for the early detection of chronic disease and mental health concerns.

Dr Forgan-Smith, a Melbourne GP, said having a regular GP is the first step in preventive health and ongoing harm minimisation. Making regular checks part of normal conversations is key, he says.

For more information view the Australian Men’s Health Forum (AMHF) Men’s Health Check toolkit here: https://bit.ly/3Xfhk8n or make an appointment with your GP.

Read our newsGP article here: https://bit.ly/4bWVife

Is Australia headed down the road of a two-tier US-styled health insurance system?

newsGP - Fears ‘forgotten middle class’ may soon be unable to afford a GP Are Australian middle class families and individuals the ones most unable to afford to see their GP in this cost-of-living crisis?

Are you interested in presenting your work at GP24?

The RACGP is accepting clinical and research submissions on a range of important topics, including environmental health, technology, ageing, mental health, diversity and inclusion and more.

Explore the topics and make a submission here: https://bit.ly/3yWts47

Submissions close at 11.59pm (AEST) Sunday 16 June.

If you’re a rural GP looking to increase your understanding and gain hands-on experience of point-of-care ultrasound, register now for the Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound workshop.

The workshop is capped at 30 participants, so it allows increased opportunity for hands-on experience. There are six ultrasound skills stations to rotate throughout the workshop, including:

✅ eFast
✅ deep venous thrombosis
✅ heart and lung ultrasound
✅ intravenous line placement and foreign object retrieval
✅ musculoskeletal soft tissue
✅ first trimester transabdominal obstetric ultrasound.

Learn more and register today: https://bit.ly/4aRU4AL

Amid a cost-of-living crunch which shows no sign of easing, researchers have proposed a radical policy shakeup that would see the Federal Government foot the bill for all GP visits.

newsGP - Should primary care be free for everyone? New research has put a pricetag on offering free general practice care for all, but while seemingly within reach the authors caution any changes...

Who will be the next president of the RACGP?

If you’re considering nominating either yourself or a colleague, then it’s your last chance to join our webinar to learn more about the role from current President Dr Nicole Higgins. You’ll hear insights from Chair of the Board Dr Lara Roeske, and Chief Executive Officer of the RACGP Georgina van de Water.

Date: June 11 2024
Time: 7:30pm

Register here: https://bit.ly/45uSq77

Nominations for the RACGP President elections are opening soon.

Let’s make our voices count in the upcoming elections and help shape the future of general practice together.

Join our webinar to learn more about the role from current President Dr Nicole Higgins. You’ll hear insights from Chair of the Board Dr Lara Roeske and Chief Executive Officer of the RACGP Georgina van de Water.

We’ll take you through the requirements of the election nomination process, the campaign period as well as the voting process.

You’ll be able to participate in a live Q&A where you can ask anything you’d like to know about the role.

Date: June 11 2024
Time: 7:30pm AEST

Register your attendance here: https://bit.ly/4bPlR67

GPs across Australia are, once again, pleading for greater support for their profession, with one Cairns practice owner forced to almost halve her opening hours after being continuously unable to recruit staff.

newsGP - ‘I’m on my knees’: GPs cry out for workforce remedies As GPs share heartbreaking stories of practice struggles and recruitment impossibilities, one fed-up doctor says action is needed to ‘build the...

In the June issue of , Matthew Wong and colleagues provide GPs with an approach to managing common problems in and preschool-aged .
https://bit.ly/4aLxt8J