It has been another busy month for RACGP Rural, with several exciting developments that reflect the continued growth and recognition of rural general practice. 

It was a pleasure to attend the Rural Doctors Association of Queensland Conference and connect with members, colleagues and stakeholders from across the country. These events reinforce the importance of strong collaboration in addressing the challenges facing rural healthcare, and are invaluable opportunities to hear directly from those working on the ground. 

Collaboration has also been at the forefront of our advocacy. RACGP Rural has partnered with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) to launch a cross-College initiative aimed at improving rural access to intravitreal injections (IVIs). Through a Queensland pilot, GPs and Rural Generalists (RGs) are being upskilled to deliver IVIs, helping improve access to timely, sight-saving treatment for rural communities. 

Another exciting milestone has been the establishment of the Joint Consultative Committee on Rural Generalism by RACGP and ACRRM. Chaired by National Rural Health Commissioner Professor Jenny May AM, the committee will provide a national forum for collaboration on matters relating to RG medicine, helping to strengthen training pathways, workforce planning and advocacy for the profession. It represents an important step towards ensuring RGs continue to have a strong, coordinated voice in shaping the future of rural healthcare. You can read more in our media release.

Finally, nominations for the 2026 RACGP Faculty Elections open on 31 July. If you’re passionate about shaping the future of rural general practice, I encourage you to consider standing as a Faculty representative. We need passionate rural voices to help lead the next chapter of RACGP Rural. This year we have five representative positions available including Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, remote (living or working in MM 6–7) and RG. Please reach out to the rural team if you are interested and have any queries. 

I thank everyone who has contributed to these events, milestones and successes, and look forward to building on this momentum in the months ahead. 

Associate Professor Michael Clements
Chair of RACGP Rural

Need to meet your FPS CPD requirements?

Developed by RACGP Rural, Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) skills for GPs is a fully online and interactive course designed for GPs who have previously completed Focussed Psychological Skills (FPS) Training and would like to refresh and extend their knowledge of IPT.  

Through eight-self paced learning modules (approximately 8.5 hours of material), learn how to identify the relationship between interpersonal difficulties and psychological symptoms, conduct IPT-informed assessments and formulations, and apply practical strategies to support improved patient outcomes. 

Explore core IPT concepts, assessment techniques, common problem areas, and clinical strategies including clarification, communication analysis, incident analysis, and role play.  

To support GPs undertaking accredited FPS CPD, the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration is currently offering a $300 subsidy for eligible participants who successfully complete the FPS CPD requirements and maintain their Medicare FPS registration. Subsidies are limited and subject to availability. 

To enrol, email the RACGP Rural team with your name, RACGP ID and preferred intake month. 

New melanoma support hub

Melanoma Patients Australia’s Regional, Rural and Remote Support Hub is now providing evidence-based info, support, and practical resources to help individuals and families better manage melanoma. Connections to telehealth melanoma nurses, nurse counsellors, and peer support are available, as well as personalised guidance through the Melanoma Support Line (1300 884 450). 

The hub also provides trusted information on early detection, treatment, recovery and survivorship, all free and accessible nationwide.  

This initiative was developed as part of the Bridging the Great Melanoma Divide grant, funded by the Australian Government through Cancer Australia's Supporting people with cancer grant program.  

Apply for 2027 RGTP Advanced Skills Training

Applications for the first round of 2027 Rural Generalist Training Program (RGTP) Advanced Skills Training positions in New South Wales are now open until 4 August. Are you an eligible PGY3+ doctor considering a career in rural medicine? Become an RG with advanced skills and be part of the team enriching rural health in millions of ways every day.  

For more information email HETI-RuralGeneralist@health.nsw.gov.au. 

Connecting, collaborating and championing rural practice in Queensland

The RACGP was pleased to be at the Rural Doctors Association Queensland conference in Cairns, catching up with members and promoting the value of a GP or RG career to the crowds of rurally-interested medical students and prevocational doctors.  

Vice President Dr Ramya Raman joined a great panel discussion on the single employer model, and Rural Chair A Prof Michael Clements caught up with National Rural Health Commissioner Prof Jenny May, Health Workforce Queensland, and the Rural Doctors Association Australia.  

We also squeezed in a practice managers workshop, a supervisor PD workshop (facilitated by Dr Justin Coleman), and an RG procedural skills day (facilitated by Drs Brendon Evans, Tiffany Flynn, Mike Hurley and Cindi Jackson). 

GP Training, visiting our regions with ears on the ground

In June, our GP Training team – Senior Medical Educator Dr Cindi Jackson, Rural Programs Manager Danielle Sunderland and Operations Team Member Amy Tompkins – travelled through Atherton, Malanda, Innisfail and Tully, connecting with representatives from 14 training sites across the region. These visits were a valuable opportunity to listen, learn and better understand the opportunities and challenges facing our rural and remote communities. A big thank you to everyone who shared their time, insights and feedback over a cuppa. And as a bonus, the team even spotted a cassowary on the Gillies Range! 

The RACGP WA Rural team also recently travelled through Albany and Denmark, connecting with local supervisors, registrars and stakeholders to support rural training. Education and networking sessions helped reinforce the College’s commitment to culturally safe, community-led training, while discussing opportunities to grow a sustainable RG workforce across the Great Southern. 

Capturing moments from the RACGP GP Training team’s regional journey through Albany and Denmark 

Snapshots of the RACGP GP Training team travelling through Atherton, Malanda, Innisfail and Tully. 

Have you been missing out on funding?

The Rural Procedural Grants Program provides financial support to keep your procedural and emergency medicine skills up to date – so you can continue delivering vital care to your community. You may be eligible for up to $32,000 per financial year, depending on the services you’re credentialed to provide. To be eligible to claim, you must first be registered on the program. Visit the RPGP website to check your eligibility for the program and learn more. 

Need assistance? Email the team at rural.procedural.grants@racgp.org.au. 

Future leaders wanted

Ready to grow your leadership skills and help shape the future of general practice?  

The RACGP Future Leaders Program provides fully funded leadership development, expert facilitation, valuable resources and 37 CPD hours. Designed for emerging leaders, the program supports GPs to drive change and make a lasting impact across the profession. 

Expressions of Interest now open: AJGP Journal Advisory Committee

Chaired by Professor Paul Glasziou, the committee will help guide the journal’s strategic direction and ensure it continues to deliver high-quality, evidence-based content for Australian GPs. 

GPs with expertise in clinical practice, research, education, publishing or related fields are encouraged to apply.  

Expressions of interest close on 14 August.  

Embedding culturally safe care into consults

Providing culturally safe clinical care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients is vital to ensure they feel safe, respected and supported during a consult. JCTS’s culturally safe Patient Information Sheets are a great way to share information and start a conversation about the best ways to manage health. 

Download JCTS’s patient information sheets.

Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound – Darwin, NT

This full‑day introductory workshop is designed for GPs and registrars with little or no prior experience in point‑of‑care ultrasound. It provides a practical introduction to the role of POCUS in the diagnostic process, focusing on core concepts, basic image acquisition, and ultrasound applications commonly used in general practice. You’ll be introduced to basic techniques using Butterfly iQ3 mobile ultrasound equipment provided by our sponsor Big Green.  

Participants will rotate through six ultrasound skills stations, including:  

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

CPD and grants 

This workshop is an RACGP CPD accredited activity, eligible for 10 CPD hours (5 hours EA and RP) and is approved for all categories of the Rural Procedural Grants Program.  

Date: Thursday 13 August 
Time: 8.30 am – 4.30 pm 
Location: Darwin, NT