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From 1 July, the new health workforce classification system, known as the Distribution Priority Area (DPA), will replace the Districts of Workforce Shortage (DWS) Assessment Areas for GPs and Bonded Doctors (DWS will continue as a classification system for international medical graduates who practise a specialty other than general practice). Instead of using GP-to-population ratios as the determining factor, DPA takes into account demographics and socio-economic status of patients living in a GP catchment area.
The DPA does include a set of “blanket” rules:
The DPA classifications utilise the Modified Monash Model (MMM), and it is intended that catchment areas will be fixed for three years to enable areas to stabilise their workforce.
The DoctorConnect locator map, which can be used to pinpoint your practice site and identify its classification, is now within the Department of Health’s website. The map has been updated, and can be used to find multiple layers of classification, including DPA, DWS, MMM, plus historical information relating to the Australian Statistical Geographical Classification Remoteness Area (ASGC-RA) and Rural, Remote and Metropolitan Areas (RRMA).
As the re-classification of a practice location can raise concerns for workforce, it is recommended that you utilise the map, and associated fact sheets on the new DPA, to ensure you are aware of your practice’s individual situation.
Access the DoctorConnect locator map
Read the Distribution Priority Area factsheet
Read the Modified Monash Model factsheet
Read the Rural Bulk Billing Incentives factsheet
The Heart Foundation has made available a suite of resources, including a webinar, on the Heart Health Check MBS item number and absolute cardiovascular risk assessment. The webinar involves a multidisciplinary panel discussing absolute CVD risk assessments, including what the new MBS item means and how it can be applied in practice, key enablers and barriers to the implementation of absolute CVD risk assessment, the role of patient engagement, and what remains unaddressed with respect to national guidelines and the evidence base. Alongside this webinar, aimed at healthcare providers, are a set of resources for both consumers and providers. These include a CVD risk poster which can be displayed in your practice, a DL-size patient brochure about Heart Health Checks, and fact sheets on what you (as a health professional) need to know about absolute cardiovascular disease risk assessments, the clinical approach to the risk assessment, and the Heart Health Check MBS item (this fact sheet has been promoted previously in Practice Connect). Additionally, there is a separate brochure that encourages patient participation in the Heart Health Check by guiding the patient on what questions to ask, and details to record, when undergoing the assessment. This includes risk factors as well as need-to-know information about medications.
The RACGP has commenced work on the development of Standards for residential aged care facilities.
The first edition of the Standards for residential aged care facilities is being developed in response to:
To ensure the standards produced by the RACGP are meaningful and applicable to the profession working within the residential aged care setting, the RACGP is inviting feedback from you during the consultation period. Feedback from the healthcare sector will help the College better understand the challenges and barriers we face when delivering general practice services in these settings.
Your insight is crucial to ensure the Standards are relevant, accessible, and support quality and safety in residential aged care facilities. Accreditation has long been sought by GPs who provide care in residential aged care facilities, but significant challenges are faced by GPs delivering this type of care when trying to meet indicators in the Standards for general practices.
In addition to the drafts released for consultation, the RACGP will pilot the Standards later in 2019 to test their applicability in the residential aged care setting. The College also seeks expressions of interest for the participation of practices as pilot sites for this stage of the Standards development.
The RACGP invites you to complete the survey, and express your interest (if appropriate) in participating in the process. The survey closes on Monday 8 July.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the invitation to participate, please email StandardsforRACF@racgp.org.au or phone 03 8699 0566.
A recent vaccine breach in a Sydney practice provided a timely reminder to practices to ensure that they manage their vaccine storage in accordance with the Strive for Five guidelines and the Australian immunisation handbook.
NSW Health discovered that vaccines administered from the practice had not been stored correctly since 2010, and may therefore have been ineffective, with thousands of patients potentially affected.
Practices must be aware that vaccines are highly susceptible to changes in temperature, and programs in which vaccines are administered offsite (such as school- and employer-based programs) present a particular risk in terms of regulation of vaccine temperatures. The keeping of records at the practice also raised issues, complicating the process of contacting patients to advise them of the situation.
Dr Ken McCroary, Vice Chair of the RACGP Expert Committee – Standards for General Practices, spoke about the importance of both robust cold chain management, and keeping of quality records. He also recommended choosing an accredited practice, particularly for care such as vaccinations. Accredited practices are reminded of the value of promoting their achievement of accreditation and quality assurance, particularly via public-facing communication channels such as websites or social media, where new patients may go for information when selecting a practice.
The National Cervical Screening Register (NCSR) is an integral part of the cervical screening pathway and plays a role in improving participation in the National Cervical Screening Program (the Program). The NCSR integrates with government data sets which, for the first time, enables the identification of never-screened eligible persons in Australia. The data received by the NCSR and received by sources such as Medicare, laboratories and healthcare providers is processed by complex algorithms that are based upon the Program’s clinical guidelines and place participants onto the appropriate clinical pathway. This automatically generates appropriate correspondence to participants and their nominated Healthcare Provider. To support the Program to increase participation, the NCSR has begun to invite newly eligible people aged 25 years and people aged 25 to 30 years who have never been screened. This correspondence commenced distribution in June 2019. The Department of Health is currently planning a broader campaign for the dissemination of invitations to eligible never-screened and under-screened people over the age of 30 to assist the uptake of Cervical Screening Tests and maximise participation. If you have any questions, you can email cancerscreeningengagement@health.gov.au
BreastScreen WA’s free screening mammogram service will be in Kelmscott, between 1 August and 27 September 2019. The service will be located at Rushton Park Pavilion, behind Kelmscott Hotel, at 60 River Rd. All women aged 40 years and over are welcome to attend, and bookings can be made online. You can also order resources, including those in a variety of languages, by using this form or clicking the link within the form to order online.
When ensuring patients of your practice are able to receive information about your practice and from your clinical team, it is important to consider the abilities of the patient to receive the information, and how your practice might meet the challenges presented by communication barriers.
Firstly, for patients that do not speak the primary language of the practice team, the use of an interpreter should be considered. It is not recommended that family or friends of the patient are used as interpreters for a variety of reasons, including the risk that information will not be translated correctly by individuals who are not qualified in medicine, and that the responsibility of translating and delivering information may cause undue stress on the patient’s companion and potentially damage the relationship. GPs who are delivering services eligible for Medicare rebates can access appropriately qualified medical interpreters free of charge through TIS National. These services can also be accessed by administrative staff who need to arrange appointments or deliver results.
For patients who have a communication impairment (which may be a hearing, speech, and / or vision impairment, or disability or cognitive impairment), practice staff should be aware of methods they can use to support communication with the patient. These include asking for direction on the best way to communicate, repeating what the patient has told you to confirm you have understood, and knowing how to access the National Relay Service for patients who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment.
The 5th edition of the Standards for general practices has introduced an aspirational indicator relating to the provision of resources that are culturally appropriate, translated, and / or in plain English. If you have identified that your patient population consists of significant groups of people from particular cultural backgrounds, you may wish to have printed resources translated into the primary language(s) of these peoples. You could also have a directory of resources, services and online tools that help you easily find relevant resources in translated versions.
Ideally, your practice should have a policy and easily accessible resources to enable staff to communicate respectfully and effectively with patients who have low or no English proficiency, or who have a communication impairment. Your policy might describe how staff should identify patients who will require interpreter or other communication services (such as a flag in patient health records), how to access TIS or other services (including procedures and training for using the service, such as conference calling), ensuring interpreter signage / symbols are displayed where patients can see them, and the information that should be recorded in a patient’s health record and referral letters to ensure sensitive, quality care can be delivered with continuity both within and outside the practice.
Indicators under this criterion require you to ensure there is evidence in patient health records that translation and communication services are used when appropriate. Your practice should also be able to demonstrate that staff know how to access interpreters and other communication services. If you have practitioners in your practice who speak other languages, it is always helpful to promote this on your practice information sheet and / or website: this enables patients to select a practitioner who can communicate with them in their primary language. For practices located in WA, your Primary Health Liaison will be able to assist you should you need support in finding information on translation and communication services, or are interested in sourcing information in languages other than English.
Standards for general practices 5th edition Criterion C1.4 Health Translations Directory Translated health information about medicines (NPS MedicineWise) WA Department of Health Language services information
There have been a number of enquiries regarding billing for women who present for follow up of a prior Intermediate Risk cervical screening test result. Women who are due to have a 2 month follow up test are send communications by the National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) nine months after the original screen date. Providers are reminded that the 12 month follow up HPV tests are supported by the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) by claiming MBS item number 73072. Unlike item number 73070, which is intended for primary screening of asymptomatic women, MBS item number 73072 does not have a time restrictor, and can therefore be performed at any time after the date of the original cervical screening test, and be eligible for an MBS rebate. Clinical experts have advised the NCSP that a minimum of nine months should separate the follow up test from the initial screening test. More information on these item numbers can be found at MBS Online.
Influenza vaccinations are being offered to unvaccinated Royal Perth and Bentley Hospital inpatients who are 65 years or older, Aboriginal people, residential facility staff and residents, pregnant women, homeless people, and people with medical conditions which increase the risk of influenza complication. Vaccination details will be included in patient discharge summaries and, where possible, recorded in AIR.
Sub-optimal influenza vaccination rates can have a huge impact on hospital services. While GPs are at the forefront of providing vaccination, offering vaccination to eligible inpatients will reach some patients who may not otherwise present to be vaccinated. Vaccinations may be offered to some outpatients, especially those with high-risk conditions, depending on vaccine availability.
Australia has experienced an increase in reported measles cases in 2019, associated with a 300% increase in cases globally, confirming the need to ensure protection against the disease through vaccination. The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends that two doses of a measles-containing vaccine are required for protection against measles. The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) has developed a guide to assist immunisation providers with decisions regarding measles vaccination catch-up for the Australian community.
All significant adverse events following immunisation (AEFIs) should be reported to the Western Australian Vaccine Safety Surveillance (WAVSS) System. WAVSS is the reporting service in WA for any significant AEFI for the general public and health professionals. The WAVSS team provides expert immunisation safety advice to reported and healthcare workers, and can provide clinical services for children and adults who have experienced an adverse event following immunisation. For more information please click here, or access the WAVSS Online User Guide here.
Congratulations to the recently announced 2019 RACGP state award winners. Awards are presented for GP of the Year, General Practice Supervisor of the Year, General Practice Registrar of the Year, and General Practice of the Year. National winners of these awards are selected from the state winners, and will be announced at GP19 in October.
2019 Western Australia awards winners are:
Dr Lewis MacKinnon - GP of the Year
Dr Derrick Kuan - General Practice Supervisor of the Year
Dr Sylvia Nicholls - General Practice Registrar of the Year
Illawarra Medical Centre - General Practice of the Year
The most recently localised pathway is:
To access HealthPathways, please contact your WA Primary Health Liaison or email the HealthPathways team at healthpathways@wapha.org.au. HealthPathways WA would like to invite your GPs to attend the following events:
Presented by North Metropolitan Health Service and Sir Charles Gairdner and Osborne Park Health Care Group in partnership with WA Primary Health Alliance and HealthPathways WA. Date: Saturday 17 August 2019 Time: 8.30am – 3.30pm (registrations from 8.00am) Venue: Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, East & West Joske Rooms, Hospital Ave. Nedlands Cost: Free (morning tea and lunch provided) Register: To register, please click here RSVP: By Friday 9 August This activity has applied for 40 Category 1 RACGP QI&CPD points and 30 ACRRM PRDP points.
Presented by East Metropolitan Health Service in partnership with WA Primary Health Alliance and HealthPathways WA. Date: Saturday 31 August 2019 Time: 8.00am – 3.30pm Register: To register and for more information, please email EMHSGPed@health.wa.gov.au This activity has applied for RACGP QI&CPD points.
Presented by Fiona Stanley Hospital and Diabetes WA in partnership with WA Primary Health Alliance and HealthPathways WA. Date: Saturday 2 November 2019 Time: 8.30am – 4.00pm (registrations from 8.00am) Venue: Education Building, Fiona Stanley Hospital, 11 Robin Warren Drive, Murdoch Cost: Free (morning tea and lunch provided) Register: To register, please click here RSVP: By Friday 25 October This activity has applied for 40 Category 1 RACGP QI&CPD points and 30 ACRRM PRDP points. All events can be found in the Education and Training section of this newsletter.
The Australian Digital Health Agency will be hosting a national webinar for all healthcare professionals to provide insight into the types of clinical documents that can be found in an individual’s My Health Record, highlighting the origins and accessibility to different document types as well as clarifying common ambiguities. Areas to be covered include
The Australian Digital Health Agency will be hosting a national launch webinar for all healthcare professionals on My Health Record – new Pharmacist Shared Medicines List (PSML) explained. As a healthcare provider, soon you and your patients will be able to view a list of all Pharmacist Shared Medicines Lists that have been uploaded to a My Health Record. This is a list of medicines the consumer is known to be taking including prescribed, over-the-counter (OTC) and complementary medicines at the time the list is created. Allergies and adverse drug reactions information will also be included within a PSML. The PMSL will improve information sharing between health professionals, ensure continuity of medicine management for patients who transfer between care settings, and provide timely access to a curated medicines list. It will also help to reduce medicine interactions, which will help to improve both medicine safety and patient safety. All healthcare providers and support staff are welcome to attend this webinar. Date: Tuesday 30 July 2019 Time: 11.00am – 12.00pm (AWST) Venue: Online (join via your computer) Cost: Free Register: To register, please click here
All events are listed on our Webinars and Workshops page.
The 2019 Aboriginal Health Conference Kids on Country will emphasise the importance of children and youth in Aboriginal communities and provide a forum to exchange ideas on the key issues relating to the health of Aboriginal children.
To continue to aim for health equity for Aboriginal children and communities, health professionals need an enhanced understanding of culturally competent care and the links between the environment and the health of Aboriginal children.
The presentations and workshops at this conference will cover aspects of clinical care, research, community programs, emerging health issues and social determinants of health. The conference will also identify strategies to support the role of traditional interactions in Aboriginal communities. Date: Saturday 6 July and Sunday 7 July 2019 Time: 9.00am - 5.30pm (registrations from 8.30am) Venue: Parmelia Hilton Perth, 14 Mill St, Perth WA 6000 Cost: Click here for more information, including costs Register: To register, please click here
Run and accredited by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, this one-day Advanced Life Support (ALS) course was developed to meet the needs of general practitioners in the management of common emergencies in rural practice. The course incorporates key aspects of Advanced Life Support skills in accordance with the Australian Resuscitation Council guidelines.
The course is conducted by expert instructors experienced in rural general practice. Date: Saturday 13 July 2019 Time: TBC Venue: Mercure Perth, Irwin St, Perth WA 6000 Cost: $1,395 (ACRRM members), $1,545 (non-members) Register: To register, please click here
Rural Emergency Obstetrics Training (REOT) is a one-day workshop designed to equip non-obstetric practitioners with vital emergency obstetric skills.
REOT is relevant to any type of doctor, in any location. This course covers normal birthing procedures as well as common birthing emergencies. It will boost your skills and confidence when dealing with third trimester emergencies. Date: Sunday 14 July 2019 Time: TBC Venue: Mercure Perth, Irwin St, Perth WA 6000 Cost: $1,695 (ACRRM members), $1,895 (non-members) Register: To register, please click here
You are invited to the Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre for an update on the latest information regarding the management of Type 1 Diabetes along with the opportunity to tour the facilities available to your patients and their families. Find out more about
Date: Tuesday 16 July 2019 Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm Venue: Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre, 11 Limosa Close, Stiring WA 6021 Cost: Free Register: To register, please click here or download the flyer by clicking here
The General Practice Conference & Exhibition (GPCE) in Perth is WA's leading CPD event for primary care, and is recognised as one of the most important CPD events on the general practice calendar. GPCE welcomes over 300 healthcare professionals to meet, update knowledge, earn CPD points, and see the latest innovations specific to primary care. THE GPCE 2019 program has been designed to suit the changing needs of all primary care professionals, with high quality CPD content in four categories. Practice These sessions will allow you to update and refresh knowledge, get the latest clinical education, earn CPD points and gain confidence, whilst focusing on practical, simple, useful tips and takeaways. Business If your focus for 2019 is improving your business, these sessions will cover the foundations of practice, profitability, team, risk, reputation, systems, operations and more! Life Turning the stethoscope round to you! If 2018 has taken the stuffing out of you, these sessions will focus on personal health and well-being, work-life balance, time management, communication skills and more. Curiosity Feed your curiosity and learn more about what's new now and what's coming. Covering technology, research, and what others are doing, these sessions and guaranteed to inspire. Date: Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July 2019 Time: 8.15am - 4.45pm (education sessions) Venue: Crown Perth Convention Centre, Great Eastern Highway, Burswood WA 6100 Cost: Please click here for delegate admission costs Register: To register, please click here
Do you want to make a bigger difference in people's lives by enabling them to manage their own health, wellbeing and lifestyle choices? The Better Questions workshop offers highly effective communication strategies and practical tips that will enable you to enhance your communication skills and professional practice. Date: Thursday 8 August 2019 Time: 9.00am - 3.30pm (education sessions) Venue: The Boulevard Centre, 99 The Boulevard, Floreat WA 6014 Cost: $330 per person Register: Please click here to download the flyer and registration form
On Saturday 10 August the Clinical Training and Evaluation Centre (CTEC) is holding its Team Care Bariatric Patient Workshop. This multidisciplinary workshop is suitable for General Practitioners, Nurse Practitioners, Practice Nurses, Consultants, Trainees, Junior Doctors, Anaesthetists, Nurses, Dietitians and Allied Health Professionals. The workshop will be presented by a team of highly regarded specialists in the fields of general practice, surgery, dietetics, and psychology. The workshop will cover co-morbidities associated with obesity, recommendations for referral to specialists and allied health professionals, considerations relating to adolescent and elderly patients, and factors affecting fertility and pregnancy in the perioperative bariatric patient. This activity has been allocated 40 Category 1 RACGP QI&CPD points. For more information, please access the flyer. Date: Saturday 10 August 2019 Time: 8.55am - 4.15pm (registrations from 8.40am) Venue: CTEC, UWA, Entrance No 2, Hackett Drive, Crawley Cost: $295 (Doctors), $245 (Nurses / Allied Health Professionals), $185 (Medical Students) Register: To register, please click here
Presented by North Metropolitan Health Service and Sir Charles Gairdner and Osborne Park Health Care Group in partnership with WA Primary Health Alliance and HealthPathways WA. This event will focus on some areas of healthcare where a collaborative, shared approach between hospital clinicians and GPs will improve patient outcomes. Presentations will be brief, interactive and case-based. Final details are still being confirmed, but topics are anticipated to include mental health and other chronic diseases. Date: Saturday 17 August 2019 Time: 8.30am - 3.30pm (registrations from 8.00am)) Venue: Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, East & West Joske Rooms, Hospital Ave, Nedlands WA 6009 Cost: Free (morning tea and lunch provided) Register: To register, please click here RSVP: By Friday 9 August
People who inject drugs represent approximately 90% of newly acquired hepatitis C (HCV) infections. Clinicians in Drug and Alcohol settings play an important role in improving the health outcomes of people living with HCV and can reduce a patient’s risk of developing advanced liver disease through early diagnosis, appropriate management of co-morbidities, and treatment with new, curative, Direct Acting Antiviral medication (DAAs).
This course is designed to strengthen the capacity of clinical staff working in drug and alcohol settings, or working with people who inject drugs, to effectively test for, treat, and manage HCV. The course will be delivered in three parts:
For more information, please download the flyer. Date: Saturday 31 August 2019 Time: 8.45am - 4.30pm (registrations from 8.30am) Venue: TBC Cost: Free (lunch and refreshments will be provided) Register: To register, please click here
The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine presents this ultrasound workshop offering an introduction and instruction on the use of Ultrasound in Emergency Medicine, trauma, and critical care for the rural generalist or general practitioner with minimal experience in using ultrasound in practice.
A major feature of this workshop is the 'hands-on' practice using live patient models, guided by highly experienced clinical application specialists, sonographers, and clinicians. This course has been designed to cover more common situations that may arise in the Emergency Department, in practice, or basic anaesthetics. Content may vary course to course dependent on the particular skills of the clinical facilitator. Date: Saturday 31 August 2019 Time: TBC Venue: Novotel Langley Perth, 221 Adelaide Terrace, Perth WA 6000 Cost: $795 (ACRRM members), $1,015 (non members) Register: To register, please click here
The Australian College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP) is holding its National Conference in Melbourne from 2 to 5 September, 2019.
The ACNP Conference is a fantastic opportunity to bring together Nurse Practitioners, Advanced Practice Nurses and Health Professionals. As the flagship event for the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners, the theme 'Transforming Health Care' recognises the dimensions of practice and contribution made by Nurse Practitioners and Advanced Practice Nurses across Australia.
This year’s event will be a full day session covering a range of women’s health topics including:
For more information please download the flyer.
Date: Monday 16 September to Thursday 19 September 2019 Time: 7.00am - 5.00pm daily (click here for the program) Venue: Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, 21 Mounts Bay Rd, Perth WA 6000 Cost: Click here for information on delegate costs Register: To register, please click here
The 2019 AAPM National Conference will once again be filled with a range of dynamic and inspirational speakers, workshops and its social events, as well as a celebration of AAPM’s 40th Anniversary! Join AAPM for another exciting conference and celebrate as they acknowledge 40 years of the Australian Association of Practice Management.
Date: Tuesday 1 October to Friday 4 October 2019 Time: Please click here for the conference program Venue: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Merivale St and Glenelg St, South Brisbane Cost: Please see registrations page for delegate costs - early bird registrations available Register: To register, please click here
Rural Medicine Australia (RMA) is the peak national event for rural and remote doctors of Australia. Hosted by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA), RMA attracts a diverse and collaborative community of junior doctors, students, educators, academics, and medical practitioners who are passionate about generalist medicine in rural and remote communities. Date: Wednesday 23 October to Saturday 26 October 2019 Time: Please click here for the conference program Venue: The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach QLD 4218 Cost: Please click here for delegate costs (early bird registrations available until 31 May) Register: To register, please click here
GP19: Your patients Your community Your solutions will see a transition into a full clinical update conference. With an exciting new format delivering dynamic education with a focus on topics that affect GPs in their clinical settings. You will also experience an extensive array of hands-on, interactive and highly engaging sessions with take away skills to implement in your everyday practice. Date: Thursday 24 October to Saturday 26 October 2019 Time: Please click here for the conference program Venue: Adelaide Convention Centre, North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000 Cost: Click here for information on delegate costs - early bird registrations available until 1 August Register: Registrations open shortly
Presented by Fiona Stanley Hospital and Diabetes WA in partnership with WA Primary Health Alliance and HealthPathways WA. Workshops and presentations include:
Date: Saturday 2 November 2019 Time: 8.30am - 4.00pm (registrations from 8.00am) Venue: Education Building, Fiona Stanley Hospital, 11 Robin Warren Drive, Murdoch Cost: Free (morning tea and lunch provided) Register: To register, please click here RSVP: By Friday 25 October
The Department of Health produces a Health Calendar of Events, which can be accessed here.