May was another busy and productive month for the faculty, with a strong focus on advocacy, member engagement and strengthening the visibility of rural general practice nationally.
A particular highlight was attending the RACGP Practice Owners Conference in Sydney, which brought together practice owners, leaders and GPs from across the country to discuss the evolving challenges and opportunities facing general practice.
It was encouraging to see rural practice strongly represented throughout the program, including discussions around sustainability, workforce, financial viability and innovative models of care in remote and regional communities. The conference also marked the launch of the RACGP Advocacy Plan 2026–30, which will guide the College’s advocacy priorities over the coming years. Key priorities include advocacy to increase patient Medicare rebates, particularly increasing rebates for longer consultations (C and D items) by 40%, as well as increasing the rural loading applied to the bulk-billing incentive to better reflect the realities and costs of delivering care in rural and remote communities. The event provided an important opportunity to continue advocating for the unique realities of rural practice ownership and the need for policy settings that support viable, community-led healthcare services outside metropolitan areas.
In support of National Reconciliation Week, the RACGP will host the Healing in Action webinar on Monday 2 June at 7.00 pm (AEST). Presented by Uncle David Wragge, alongside Stacey Wells and Dr Karen Nicholls, this important webinar will explore the ongoing health impacts of forced removal on Stolen Generations survivors and the importance of culturally safe, survivor-centred healthcare. The session will provide practical strategies for recognising trauma triggers, strengthening respectful communication and supporting healing for survivors and their descendants. Members are encouraged to register for the webinar and explore resources from the Healing Foundation.
Associate Professor Michael Clements Chair of RACGP Rural
L to R: Dr Alex Benn, Dr Karen Benn, Dr Ewen McPhee, A/Prof Michael Clements and Dr Casey Going
Rural news
Nominations for the 2026 RACGP Rural Awards are closing soon
Rural GPs and registrars make a profound difference to the health of their communities. If you know someone whose dedication and leadership deserve recognition, now’s your chance to nominate them for an RACGP Rural Award – but be quick, as nominations must close at 9.00 am AEST, Monday 1 June.
RACGP Rural’s Doctors for Women in Rural Medicine (DWRM) Committee invites you to join us at our next online member meet-up.
You’ll hear from three women GPs who have transitioned from rural practice into academia, followed by an opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussion with your peers from across the country.
Date: Thursday 26 July
Time: 7.30 pm – 8.30 pm AEST
Location: Online via Zoom
If you’d like to find out more about the DWRM, and catch up on the recordings of some of our previous member meet-ups, visit the RACGP website or join the DWRM Facebook group.
Rural Procedural Grants Program – End of financial year claiming dates
As we approach the end of the financial year, we’d like to remind you of several key dates to help ensure your claims are processed without delay.
Key dates to remember
19 June: This is the final date to submit your claim for inclusion in the last payment run of the FY25/26 financial year. It is also the final opportunity to submit any outstanding FY24/25 claims – after this date, these claims will no longer be accepted.
25 June: This marks the final payment run for FY25/26 claims.
9 July: Any claims submitted after the June cut-off will be processed in the first payment run of the new financial year (FY26/27).
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.
All of us at RACGP WA Rural, along with his friends and colleagues across the RACGP, warmly congratulate Dr Richard Taylor; GP, Medical Educator, Supervisor, and GP Anaesthetist, on his recent recognition for outstanding service to rural healthcare in the Mid West.
Richard has been awarded the RACGP Faculty Legend Award, acknowledging more than a decade of dedication to the Geraldton community. Known to many trainees for his practical teaching, generosity with his time, and steady support, Richard continues to play an important role in supervision and medical education in WA.
A double whammy for Richard recently when he was also named General Practitioner of the Year at the WA Rural Health Excellence Awards, a reflection of the high regard in which he is held by both colleagues and the community he serves.
Working across Panaceum Medical Group and Geraldton Health Campus as a GP, GP obstetrician, and GP anaesthetist, Richard’s contribution to rural care and workforce development is significant and ongoing.
We are proud to recognise his achievements and grateful for the leadership, experience, and friendship he brings to us and the training community in his hometown, Geraldton. We’re looking forward to seeing what’s coming up... will there be a hat trick for Richard?
Procedural skills grants for obstetrics are closing soon
The General Practitioner Procedural Training Support Program (GPPTSP) provides $40,000 for eligible Fellows to support completion of the RANZCOG Associate Training Program (Advanced Procedural).
The GPPTSP aims to improve access to obstetric and anaesthetic services for women living in rural and remote communities by supporting Fellows to attain relevant procedural skills.
Eligibility
To be considered, applicants must be working principally in MM 3–7 areas and have achieved Fellowship of the RACGP or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine.
How to apply
Applications are open on the RANZCOG website until 31 July.
Are you interested in presenting at GP26? Abstract submissions are open until 9 June
We’d love to hear from Rural members who would like to present on topics across clinical learnings, research and medical education with a rural health focus.
Under the theme ‘The thriving heart of health’ this years’ conference has a focus on five priority areas:
The 2026 General Practice in Addiction (GPADD) Conference brings together GPs and health professionals for two days of practical, evidence-based learning in alcohol and other drug (AOD) care. Build your skills and connect with peers across the health sector.
This year’s theme, ‘the bread and butter of AOD in general practice,’ highlights the central role of primary care in addiction management and focuses on practical strategies for everyday consultations.
This conference is an approved CPD activity with 11 EA, 2.5 RP and 5 MO hours.
If you’ve been thinking about joining the 2026 RACGP Mentoring Program, now is the time to apply. Applications close soon.
Join as a mentor or mentee and be part of a network that supports RACGP Fellows at every stage of their career.
This structured and flexible program connects mentors and mentees to help you be inspired, inspire others and grow your career in general practice. The Mentoring Program is also a CPD accredited activity.
Mentees: receive one-to-one mentoring with guidance on career direction, professional decisions and navigating the next stage of your practice.
Mentors: join a supportive mentoring community and help guide New Fellows. Share your experience, build confidence and support sustainable careers in general practice.
Applications close 31 May. Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of the 2026 program.
The General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration has developed five practical, population-specific resources to support culturally safe, trauma-informed mental health care for:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
refugees and asylum seekers
LGBTQIA+ patients
veterans
culturally and linguistically diverse patients.
Each resource includes guidance for patient-centred consultations, along with referral pathways to support Mental Health Treatment Plans.
Eligible members are encouraged to consider nominating in the upcoming RACGP President elections. Serving as President is an opportunity to help shape the future direction of the College, represent members and advocate for stronger general practice and better health outcomes across Australia. Visit the RACGP website to learn more about the nomination process, eligibility requirements and the role of President.
The RACGP is inviting members to help shape the future governance of the College ahead of the 2026 AGM
This full-day workshop will increase your understanding of the applications of point-of-care ultrasound in the diagnostic process. Capped at 30 participants to allow increased hands-on experience, experts will guide you through its diverse applications in rural primary care. You’ll be introduced to basic techniques using Butterfly iQ+ 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: Saturday 27 June
Time: 8.30 am – 4.30 pm
Location: Bendigo, VIC
Disclaimer: The RACGP does not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage that may result from reliance on, or the use of, any information contained in this newsletter.
The RACGP acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land and sea in which we live and work. We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and culture and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.
