July has been a busy month for the Rural Faculty. We had a member meet-up in Lismore in conjunction with the NSW & ACT Faculty, a Point-of-care Ultrasound (POCUS) workshop in Darwin and the Australian College for Emergency Medicine’s Regional, Rural and Remote Emergency Medicine Conference, also held in Darwin.

Unfortunately, in what is seemingly becoming a concerning trend across the country. The Queensland Government announced the opening of its first walk-in nurse-led clinics in the Brisbane CBD. This move breaks the State government’s promise to improve access to women’s healthcare for regional Queenslanders, instead delivering fragmented care in an area with no real need for such a clinic. The funding could have been better utilised in establishing GP practices in regional communities lacking existing GPs or providing funding for practices to have women's health nurses onsite. Nurse-led clinics are associated with cost overruns and do not represent value for money. We will continue advocating for funding to be redirected to establish GP clinics in regional areas, where our communities can truly benefit. 

In more optimistic news, universities have recognised the importance of rural clinical exposure during medical studies. Flinders University in South Australia recently received additional funding allowing students to complete their entire four-year degree in rural regions of the State. Rural exposure during medical studies plays an influential role in where students practice after graduation. We encourage more universities across the country to introduce similar programs to support our future rural workforce. 

Lastly, we celebrate the appointment of Professor Jenny May AM as the new Rural Health Commissioner starting 2 September 2024. As most of you will be aware, Professor May, a Fellow of both RACGP and ACRRM, is a dedicated rural GP who has tirelessly advocated for regional communities throughout Australia. We welcome this appointment and wish Professor May all the best in her new role.


Dr Rodney Omond
Acting Chair, RACGP Rural

Deputy Chairs Report

Dr Vicki Mattiazzo

The RACGP Rural Awards are a time to recognise and celebrate the hard work of GPs and their teams in caring for their communities. The awards acknowledge not only the contributions of GPs and GPs in training make as health professionals, but also their roles as supervisors, researchers, advocates and leaders within their local communities. You can nominate someone whom you believe deserves recognition for their work here.

It is also important that we are recognised financially for the work that we do. GPs working in MMM 3-7 may be eligible for Workforce Incentive Program doctor stream payments. Those of you working in a local emergency department or providing other specialised services may also qualify for the new Workforce Incentive Program advanced rural skills stream payments. This webinar offers an overview of the Rural Advanced Skills stream.

 There has been good uptake of the program despite some initial difficulties. If you have any questions about your eligibility, please contact your local Rural Workforce Agency.

Boost your skills with the Rural Procedural Grants Program

The Rural Procedural Grants Program (RPGP) is a Department of Health program administered by the RACGP. It provides financial assistance to GPs who provide procedural and/or emergency medicine services in unsupervised settings in rural and remote areas MMM3-7. 
 
This funding enables access to relevant educational activities aimed at maintaining or updating procedural and/or emergency medicine skills.

New program guidelines that reflect revised activity eligibility arrangements, including overseas activities and the continuation of online activity eligibility, were released in May 2024 and are available for viewing on our website as well as the Department of Health and Aged Care Rural Procedural Grants Program website.
 
Please visit our website for more information and details on how to register.

Doctors for Women in Rural Medicine Committee

RACGP Rural’s Doctors for Women in Rural Medicine Committee invites you to join us at our next online member meet-up.
 
Date: Thursday 29 August
Time: 7.30 – 8.30 pm AEST
Location: Online
Cost: Free
 
At this event, we’ll hear from Dr Dinara Markhabullina and A/Prof Ayman Shenouda who’ll share their some of their stories and perspectives on the challenges females IMGs working in a rural environment face, and what’s helped them on their journey.
 
Dr Dinara Markhabullina has been practising in Australia since 2021 after migrating from Russia. As an International Medical Graduate, her journey has been filled with unique challenges, particularly after relocating to Australia and subsequently moving interstate from New South Wales to Western Australia. Balancing professional responsibilities while being a mother of three and pursuing further training as an RACGP trainee and a Rural Generalist Pathway trainee has added to these challenges.
 
A/Prof Ayman Shenouda is the Chair of RACGP’s International Medical Graduates Committee and former Chair of RACGP Rural. After migrating from Egypt more than 28 years ago, A/Prof Shenouda commenced his medical career in Australia as a surgical registrar in Tasmania in 1995, and has been a rural GP in Wagga Wagga for the past 20 years, where he established Glenrock Country Practice.
 
We invite you to come along and hear from these two inspiring GPs. You’ll also have the chance to connect with rural and remote members from across the country, learn from your peers and share your own stories.

Do you know an extraordinary GP, GP in training or medical student going above and beyond? Nominate them for an RACGP Rural Award today!

The RACGP Rural Awards recognise outstanding achievements and exceptional individuals for their contribution to rural general practice. This year, we are seeking nominations for the:

• Brian Williams Award – acknowledging a rural GP whose guidance and support to their peers enabled them to safely dedicate themselves to their rural community  
• Rural Registrar of the Year - recognising an exceptional general practice registrar who demonstrates a commitment to improve rural health and wellbeing
• Medical Student Bursary - open to medical students studying at university who are members of a rural health club and have an interest in general practice
• Rural Community Research Project of the Year – recognising innovative research that has contributed to healthcare improvement in rural and remote general practice.

Visit the RACGP website to nominate now.

RACGP Specific Interests Psychological Medicine Masterclass

Are you interested in psychological medicine? Join RACGP Specific Interests’ upcoming masterclass where you’ll learn from three expert GPs who will explore challenging issues in GP mental healthcare, including difficult and complex patients, eating disorders and the complexities of ADHD.
 
The masterclass includes a two hour webinar where you’ll discuss short, sharp and effective mental health strategies to support your patients. This is followed by three hours of peer reflective groups where you can further your knowledge and have in-depth case discussions with peers.
 
You can choose to attend the whole-day masterclass or just the morning webinar.
 
Date: Saturday 27 July 2024
Time: 10.00 am – 3.30 pm AEST (10.00 am – 12.00 pm for webinar only)
CPD: Two EA (webinar) add three RP for full masterclass – both sessions accredited for Mental Health CPD by the GPMHSC
Cost: $175 (full masterclass) / $50 (webinar only)
 
Visit the RACGP website to register and for further information,

The General Practitioner Procedural Training Support Program (GPPTSP) provides $40,000 for eligible GP Fellows to complete the RANZCOG Associate Training Program (Advanced Procedural) or Advanced Rural Skills Training in Anaesthesia.
 
The GPPTSP aims to improve access to obstetric and anaesthetic services for women living in rural and remote communities by supporting GP Fellows to attain procedural skills in obstetrics or anaesthetics.
 
Eligibility
To be considered, applicants must be working principally in Monash Modified Model classifications MMM 3–7 and have achieved Fellowship of the RACGP and/or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).
 
How to apply
Obstetrics – applications are open until 28 July 2024. Visit the RANZCOG website to apply.

Anaesthetics – applications are open until 31 July 2024. Visit the ACRRM website to apply.

Women in general practice retreat

With the theme of “Expand your expertise”, the event will include the following sessions:

• Cardiovascular health in women
• The critical role of boundaries for female GPs
• Career fulfilment in medicine and beyond
• Business and finance skills for female GPs.

GP24 is coming to Perth!

Join us at the RACGP’s annual general practice conference, taking place from 21-23 November 2024. 
 
Where: Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre 
When:  Optional pre-conference workshops: Wednesday 20 November 
GP24: Thursday 21 November – Saturday 23 November 2024  
 
Secure your spot today at early bird prices and save on accommodation. For details and registration, visit https://www.racgp.org.au/gp24/home.

Date: Saturday 24 August 2024
Time: 8.30 am – 4.30 pm
Venue: Warrnambool Rural Clinical School, Warrnambool, VIC 3280
Cost: $995 for RACGP members
 
Why attend
The full-day workshop will enhance your understanding of the applications of point-of-care ultrasound in the diagnostic process. Experts will guide you through the diverse applications of point-of-care ultrasound in primary care services using advanced, high-end mobile ultrasound equipment provided by our sponsor GE Healthcare.

The workshop
The workshop will begin with an introduction by a GP with ultrasound expertise, who will explain the benefits of ultrasound and its various applications. For the remainder of the day, participants will rotate through six skills stations.
 
CPD and grants
This workshop is an RACGP CPD Accredited Activity eligible for 10 CPD hours (five hours Education Activity and five hours Reviewing Performance) and is approved for all categories of the Rural Procedural Grants Program.
 
Member meet-up
We invite you to join us for a free member meet-up and come together for drinks, nibbles and networking.
 
We’ll share some of the RACGP's key achievements and provide an update for Victorian members and stakeholders.