Issue 258 – 12 November 2026
Welcome to Practice Connect, a fortnightly update for practice managers, principals, nurses and administration staff on relevant issues, upcoming events and education.
Practice Catalyst
Practice Catalyst is almost here
What if your practice could get a clearer view of what is working well and where to focus next in just 25 minutes?
Practice Catalyst is an online self-assessment and improvement tool tailored for WA general practices. It is not an audit or compliance exercise. It is a confidential, supportive way to reflect on your practice’s strengths, identify priority opportunities and receive a tailored action plan with practical next steps and supporting resources.
Participation is voluntary and fully funded for WA general practices.
Keep an eye on your inbox — invitations are coming soon.
Find out more about Practice Catalyst
To learn more about the tool, what it covers and how it can support your practice, visit the WA Primary Health Alliance Practice Catalyst webpage.
Medicare and MyMedicare updates
MBS changes in primary care since 1 November 2026
A number of changes came into effect on 1 November that will impact general practice.
3-year-old Healthy Kids Check
As part of the Government’s Thriving Kids initiative, this check aims to support the early identification of developmental delay and neurodevelopmental differences to connect children and families with appropriate supports or referrals where needed.
The check can be billed once per child at any time during the child’s third year using existing time-tiered health assessment items.
Further information is available at:
- Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Online – Medicare Healthy Kids Check
- Australian Journal of General Practice – A guide to the 3-year-old health check for general practice
Chronic Conditions Management
Four new phone attendance items have been introduced for review of a patient’s Chronic Condition Management (CCM) plan.
Patients must be registered with MyMedicare and the GP must work at the practice where the patient is registered.
Further information is available at:
Bone densitometry services
Participating nurse practitioners can refer patients for bone densitometry testing using MBS items, providing an additional referral pathway to improve access for patients.
Improved access to PSMA PET studies
Patients will have increased access to repeat prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) Positron Emission Tomography (PET) studies where clinically appropriate, up to once in any 12-month period, supporting earlier detection of disease progression and more informed treatment decisions.
Further information about these initiatives is available at:
For more information and future updates, visit the MBS Online News webpage.
MBS Quick Guides
Download the latest Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Quick Guide and MBS Telehealth Quick Guide to stay up to date with changes relevant to your practice.
For support with MBS changes, contact the Practice Assist Help Desk on 08 6278 7900 or via email at practiceassist@wapha.org.au
Have your say: MBS-referred Chronic Conditions Management
In 2024, the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Review Advisory Committee (MRAC) began a review of the MBS-referred Chronic Conditions Management items.
The aim of the review is to assess whether these services adequately support eligible patients, considering calendar limits, consulting times, condition-specific restrictions and eligible health providers.
The MRAC working group met seven times between 2024 and 2026 and has released its draft report and recommendations for public consultation.
Read the draft report and associated evidence and complete the online survey before 9 December 2026 to share your feedback on the recommendations, concerns or potential unintended consequences.
MRAC Referred Chronic Condition Management Services Draft Report
MyMedicare Minute from the Australian Government Department of Disability and Ageing
The Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing “MyMedicare Minute” series provides bite-sized information to help general practice staff build their understanding of key MyMedicare updates.
Patient consent matters
Informed patient consent is an important part of MyMedicare and helps ensure patients, practices and providers have a shared understanding of the ongoing care relationship. Documented patient consent is required before a MyMedicare registration can be submitted and practices are responsible for ensuring registrations are accurate and supported by appropriate consent processes.
Read the MyMedicare Minute edition for more details.
Practice updates
Bushfire preparedness: help your patients plan ahead this season
With Western Australia expecting a hot, dry summer, now is the time for general practices to help patients prepare for the health and safety impacts of bushfires.
Bushfires can create dangerous conditions, reduce air quality and threaten community safety.
General practice teams are well placed to identify higher-risk patients and start preparedness conversations before an emergency occurs. A brief discussion, reminder or sign poster to trusted resources can help patients protect their health, maintain access to medicines and make informed decisions.
Who is at risk?
- Patients with asthma or respiratory illnesses
- Children, older people, pregnant women and people experiencing homelessness
- Patients with chronic conditions or taking multiple medications
- Patients unable to respond due to dementia, disability or other factors
- People exposed to environmental factors, such as outdoor workers
- Aboriginal people living in remote areas
Take action in your practice
Use upcoming appointments and recall opportunities to encourage patients at higher risk to prepare and plan by:
- Prompting them to identify a safe place to go if evacuation is required
- Encouraging them to keep enough medicines and scripts on hand
- Reviewing asthma, respiratory and chronic disease care plans
- Directing patients to trusted, up-to-date emergency information
- Promoting digital health tools such as My Health Record to support continuity of care during emergencies
To learn more, visit the Bureau of Meteorology website and the WA Primary Health Alliance emergency preparedness resources.
Mental Health Treatment Plan Referral Quick Guide
The General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration, with The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian Psychological Society, has developed a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) Referral Quick Guide outlining what GPs need for an MHTP referral. Clinicians can find it at the bottom of the Better Access Changes and Updates to the MHTP Referrals webpage.
Referral letter templates, including one for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, are also available.
Conversations About Weight: Paediatric Support
Conversations About Weight: Paediatric Support is a series of three RACGP-accredited eLearning modules designed for primary care clinicians supporting children and their families living with overweight or obesity. Available through WA Primary Health Alliance’s SHAPE website, these modules give clinicians practical strategies to start sensitive conversations, assess without stigma, and involve families in holistic, sustainable care plans.
The modules are free to access and take approximately three hours to complete. They align with best-practice principles and support clinicians in improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations. Each of the modules is accredited for 1 hour of educational activities through RACGP Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Primary Sense
General practice data helping tell a bigger story
A new study by WA Primary Health Alliance and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows how de-identified general practice data can help build a better understanding of Australians’ health. The findings highlight the close connection between mental and physical health, and the complexity of care provided every day in general practice.
These insights would not be possible without the support of WA general practices that share de-identified data through Primary Sense. Your contribution is helping build valuable evidence about community health and demonstrate the important role of general practice in caring for people with complex and interconnected health needs.
Latest Primary Sense release notes and resources for your practice
Keep track of Primary Sense updates and access useful resources through the links below. Release notes accompany each update and explain any changes to reports, clinical prompts or data.
Helpful Primary Sense links:
- Release notes – Primary Sense
- User manuals – Primary Sense
- Training videos – Primary Sense
- Troubleshooting tips – Primary Sense
- Primary Sense – Practice Assist
Need help with Primary Sense? Reach out to your Primary Care Navigator or contact Practice Assist on 08 6278 7900 or primarysense@wapha.org.au
Immunisation updates
Redesigned Western Australian Immunisation Schedule launched
The redesigned Western Australian Immunisation Schedule (the Schedule) was launched on 5 November.
The Schedule Redesign Project was a collaboration between immunisation service providers and peak agencies across Western Australia (WA).
The Schedule has been redesigned to enhance usability, accessibility and navigation and to support providers to deliver immunisation programs safely and effectively. It also supports the vision of the WA Immunisation Strategy 2024–2028 for every Western Australian, in every community and at every stage of life, to engage confidently with immunisation.
Key changes include:
- Improved layout and readability
- Pregnancy section moved to the start of the Schedule, separate from the adult cohort, to support a lifespan immunisation approach
- Content in the important information column made more concise and understandable
- Improved navigation by presenting catch-up guidance in chronological order
- Expanded content covering all WA Health-distributed vaccines, including temporary outbreak response and special-risk programs
- Addition of a QR code for easy access to the live content on the immunisation Schedule webpage
Please note that the WA Aboriginal Immunisation Schedule remains a separate document.
The redesigned WA Immunisation Schedule is now available online and replaces previous versions. Immunisation providers are encouraged to use the digital Schedule to ensure they have the most current version and can easily access supporting resources.
Redesigned WA Immunisation Schedule webinar
Presented by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing – Immunisation Program
20 January (3pm to 4pm AEDT) – online webinar via Microsoft Teams
The Immunisation Program will be hosting an information webinar to support the launch of the redesigned WA Immunisation Schedule.
This session will provide an overview of the new Schedule and highlight key design features and navigation improvements. Participants will also have the opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions.
The webinar will be presented by the Immunisation Program and Dr Paul Effler, Senior Medical Advisor.
Find out more and register here.
Shingles update webinar 2026
Presented by Immunisation Coalition
25 November (6pm to 7pm AEDT) – online webinar via Microsoft Teams
This webinar gives viewers an update on epidemiology, eligibility criteria including immunocompromised individuals and risk categories, disease burden, safety, co-administration opportunities and current trends in vaccination rates.
This is the last Immunisation Coalition webinar of the year and completes the previous seven infectious diseases webinars.
Find out more and register here.
Have your say: Draft Standards for the Accreditation of Immunisation Education Programs
Health Education and Services Australia (HESA) is inviting stakeholder feedback on the draft revised Standards for the Accreditation of Immunisation Education Programs (the Standards), which apply to education programs seeking or maintaining HESA accreditation.
Your input will help ensure the Standards reflect current policy, practice, education and workforce development and maintain nationally consistent expectations that support public health and safety.
Clinicians can provide feedback by emailing a written response (subject line: Immunisation Education Standards Consultation) or by commenting directly in the draft Standards PDF.
Consultation closes Monday 30 November 2026.
Learn more and access the draft Standards.
Education and events
Webinar: A QI focus on recalls and reminders
Presented by WA Primary Health Alliance
2 December (12pm to 1pm)
Effective recall and reminder systems are an important part of safe, proactive and preventive care in general practice.
This webinar will explore how quality improvement can help practice teams review and strengthen these systems to support effective patient follow-up.
To find out more, view the flyer and register today.
Practice Manager Virtual Networking – December
Presented by WA Primary Health Alliance
3 December (11am to 12pm)
Join us for our December Practice Manager Virtual Networking Session, which will provide an opportunity for you to connect, discuss topics of interest, share information and raise questions with your WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) support team and other local general practices.
When you register for each virtual session, you can indicate which topics you would like to be discussed by using the free text box.
To make the most of these interactive virtual sessions, you will need to have access to a microphone and camera, if possible.
To find out more, view the flyer and register today.
Webinar: Progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Presented by WA Primary Health Alliance and Kidney Health Australia
3 December (6:30pm to 7:30pm)
90 per cent of kidney function can be lost before people experience symptoms. As a result, late referral is common and 17 per cent of people commence dialysis within 90 days of being referred to a kidney service.
Join WA Primary Health Alliance, Kidney Health Australia and nephrologist Dr Andrew Sunderland for this practical webinar about progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD).
To find out more, view the flyer and register today.
Building capacity in disaster preparedness and response for general practice
Presented by WA Primary Health Alliance
Ongoing eLearning training
These comprehensive eLearning modules are specifically designed to enhance participants’ knowledge and understanding of key emergency management principles and practices in Western Australia, including modules that are specific to roles within general practice, from general practitioners to practice managers. Through interactive, scenario-based learning, participants will explore:
- WA State Emergency Management Arrangements
- Roles and responsibilities of Hazard Management Agencies
- The 28 Prescribed Hazards
- Command and Control structures in WA
- The Australian Warning System (AWS)
- Core concepts of Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery (PPRR)
- The relevance of emergency preparedness to primary health care
Benefits:
- The modules are available to all practices and will offer RACGP Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours and CPD options for other health professions
- Get your practice prepared for disaster to minimise the impact it will have on the business and to maintain practice continuity
- Gain information and insights to support your practice in meeting the RACGP standards for National General Practice Accreditation
Find out more and access the course here.
National Training – Initial Assessment and Referral (IAR) for mental health care
Presented by Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
October and November (two online options available)
The Initial Assessment and Referral (IAR) Guidance and Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST) are designed to establish a national, standardised approach to conducting initial mental health assessments and support general practitioners and other health professionals to recommend the most appropriate level of care for a person seeking mental health support. The IAR-DST is an Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing initiative bringing together information from various sources, including Australian and international evidence and advice from leading experts.
There are two options to complete the training.
- Online live workshop
The first component covers:
- The IAR, supporting guidance and stepped care in Australia
- The domains, levels of care and IAR-DST
The second component is a practical activity covering:
- Applying the IAR-DST to a consumer scenario
- Clinical judgement and supported decision-making
- eLearning Module
The self-paced eLearning module is for health professionals experienced in mental health assessment or treatment, as well as intake interviewers, care navigators and non-clinical staff. It can be completed at a convenient time and place.
Find out more and access the course here.
Other webinars, events and workshops
| BreastScreen WA mobile visit Narrogin Presented by BreastScreen WA 9 November to 22 December |
| BreastScreen WA mobile visit Denmark Presented by BreastScreen WA 12 November to 8 January |
| De-escalation skills: Core concepts Presented by WA Association for Mental Health 13 November |
| Recurrent urinary tract infections and bladder pain Presented by WA Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia 14 November |
| GP education: Screening in women’s health Presented by LUMA 18 November |
Acknowledgement
WA Primary Health Alliance acknowledges and pays respect to the Traditional Owners and Elders of this country and recognises the significant importance of their cultural heritage, values and beliefs and how these contribute to the positive health and wellbeing of the whole community.
