In recent weeks, I have written to the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) to raise concerns about the eligibility criteria for the Workforce Incentive Program (WIP), specifically within the Rural Advanced Skills stream. Our concern relates to overall employment status being used as a determinant for payment eligibility.

We continue to hear from rural practitioners that the current framework unintentionally penalises GPs who are providing consistent, meaningful care to rural communities – often 1–3 days per fortnight – by excluding them from both tiers of payment and restricting access for doctors genuinely engaged in split rosters across metro and rural areas. With workforce shortages impacting the majority of rural areas across the nation, we want to ensure we are not unintentionally limiting access to incentives for GPs who are committed to delivering care in these communities, even if their service is provided through flexible or non-traditional working arrangements. Supporting and retaining this segment of the workforce is essential to strengthening rural health outcomes and ensuring continuity of care for the populations that need it most.

I have also written to the government to express my concern that the recently announced Distribution Priority Area (DPA) reclassifications could undermine rural workforce retention by encouraging doctors to relocate to already well-serviced locations. We urged the government to ensure DPA classifications genuinely reflect need and to strategically grow the GP workforce to meet rising demand, particularly in underserved rural and remote communities. We also sought clarity on the government’s response to the Working Better for Medicare Review and how its recommendations, especially around workforce distribution, were being implemented.

As we prepare for upcoming planning cycles and policy submissions, I want to open the floor to all members for feedback on our rural advocacy priorities. What do you think we should be focusing on right now? Whether it's improving rural training pipelines, addressing burnout and workforce shortages, telehealth equity, funding reform, or another emerging issue, I’m eager to hear what matters most in your community. Please feel free to reach out through the attached link so that we can ensure the broadest possible representation in our agenda-setting.

A/Prof Michael Clements
Chair, RACGP Rural

Congratulations to our Rural Generalist New Fellows!

Congratulations to our new Rural Generalist Fellows who completed FRACGP-RG in March 2025.

Chronic Wound Consumables Scheme

From May 2025, the Chronic Wound Consumables Scheme (CWCS) will cover the cost of wound consumable products for older people aged 65 and over, or First Nations people aged 50 and over, who have diabetes and a chronic wound.
 
About the CWCS
The CWCS will help eligible patients manage their chronic wounds. It will cover the full cost of products they need to heal, such as bandages, dressings and adhesives. 
CWCS will consult with wound care experts to develop the full list of products the scheme will cover.
 
How it will work
A patient with a chronic wound will go to an eligible health professional. The health professional will assess the wound and order the required wound care products for their patient through an online portal. 
 
The health professional will be able to choose from various wound care products listed on the online portal. CWCS are developing the list of eligible products. The wound care products will be delivered to a patient’s home or health professional's office, at no cost for the patient. 
 
More information
Join a special edition of our Rural Health Webinar series, which will focus on chronic wound management in rural communities. Presented by Australia's first wound nurse practitioner, this webinar will provide valuable insights into practical management and best practice for treating high-risk groups. Attendees will also gain a deeper understanding of the essential elements of the Chronic Wound Consumable Scheme.

Date: Thursday 1 May 2025
Time: 7.30pm – 8.30pm AEST
Location: Online via Zoom
 
Register here

Introduction to Point-of-care Ultrasound - Geelong

RACGP Rural invites you to attend an Introduction to Point-of-care Ultrasound workshop in Geelong.
 
Date: Saturday 7 June 2025
Time: 8.30am – 4.30pm
Venue: RACGP Geelong Office, Level 1, 103 Corio Street, Geelong, VIC 3220
Cost: $995 for RACGP members, $695 for RACGP registrars

About the course:
This full-day workshop will help increase 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 rural primary care. You will be introduced to basic techniques using advanced, high-end mobile ultrasound equipment provided by our sponsor GE HealthCare.
 
The workshop is capped at 30 participants to allow increased hands-on experience. Participants will rotate through six ultrasound skills stations:

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

This workshop is sponsored by our partner GE HealthCare.

AGPT Rural and Rural Generalist Training

The placement process for the 2025.2 semester has begun. Our team has a continued focus on encouraging registrars to choose a rural placement, regardless of pathway, to broaden their clinical experience and make a real difference in underserved communities. A large number of communities across the country have been identified as priority locations and therefore attract incentivised funding to encourage registrars to train there.
 
In addition to the National Consistent Payments (NCP) provided by Services Australia, funding of up to $45,000 per semester is available to help cover the extra costs of living and training in these communities. Check out the locations on our website under Placement Incentives.

Doctors for Women in Rural Medicine Committee

RACGP Rural’s Doctors for Women in Rural Medicine Committee invites you to join our next online member meet-up.
 
We know rural women GPs often work in isolation or with limited peer networks and professional interactions, especially when it comes to navigating leadership roles, advocacy or practice ownership.
 
At this session we're thrilled to welcome Professor Jenny May, National Rural Health Commissioner, who will share practical advice on finding the right mentor – from identifying the right person to building a relationship that supports your growth and goals. 

Date: Thursday 5 June 2025
Time: 7.30 – 8.30pm AEST
Location: Online via Zoom
 
Register here

The Rural Procedural Grants Program (RPGP) helps cover the cost of professional development for GPs who provide procedural and/or emergency medicine services in unsupervised settings in rural and remote areas.

Not in the program?
Join the RPGP. It’s a great opportunity to access financial assistance, maintain or update your procedural and or emergency medicine skills so you can continue to provide vital services to your rural or remote community. You may be eligible for more than $32,000 in funding per financial year, depending on the services you are credentialed to provide.

If you have any questions about the RPGP, or your eligibility, we’re here to help. The dedicated RPGP team can support you throughout the application or claims process and assist with any queries. Please visit our website, email the team or give us a call on 1800 636 764 for more information. 

Rural Generalist Anaesthesia examiners

The Rural Generalist Anaesthesia Training Program is a joint initiative of ANZCA, the RACGP and ACRRM to deliver the education, training and assessment of Rural Generalists providing anaesthesia services in rural locations. This new training has replaced the JCCA’s GP anaesthesia training since 2023. Trainees will undergo 12 months of anaesthesia training at accredited sites, and upon successful completion of training will be awarded the Advanced Certificate of Rural Generalist Anaesthesia (ACRGA).
 
The training program incorporates a mixture of formative and summative assessments, including an online MCQ exam and a RGA-Standardised Structured Scenario-based Asssessment (RGA-SSSA), which is similar to a VIVA VOCE exam. The RGA Court of Examiners comprises of members from all 3 colleges. Examiners work closely together in constructing exam content, examining candidates during the RGA-SSSA exam and reviewing the outcomes after each examination cycle. The number of candidates coming through this program continues to increase every year. 
 
The RGA Court of Examiners would like to invite existing ACRGA holders (previously also called DipRGA holders) interested in becoming an RGA examiner to apply via the RGA assessment team at ANZCA. This is a great opportunity for existing RGAs to contribute to the training and assessment of new RGAs, ensuring that our rural communities continue to receive high standards of perioperative care well into the future. Prerequisites include being a current Fellow of the RACGP and a holder of the ACRGA (or equivalent) for at least 2 years. Examiner training and on-boarding process will be provided. Interested applicants are encouraged to write directly to: rga.assessment@anzca.edu.au
 

Apply for the General Practitioner Procedural Training Support Program

The General Practitioner Procedural Training Support Program (GPPTSP) provides $40,000 for eligible GP Fellows to 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 10 July 2025. Visit the RANZCOG website to apply.

Anaesthetics – visit the ACRRM website for more information and to apply.

Perioperative medicine moves ahead

Here is a link to the March 2025 Perioperative Medicine Communique, the first since the launch of ANZCA's Chapter of Perioperative Medicine, highlighting the expansion in the number of cross-specialty graduates of chapter, the new key committees set to drive policy and education. Meanwhile, the ANZCA Course in Perioperative Medicine has entered its second year.

Study on providing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi) in general practice

Researchers at Bond University and partnering universities are running a study to provide general practitioners working in rural and regional Australia (MMM2 and over) access to a digital CBTi referral pathway. CBTi is the recommended ‘first line’ treatment for long term insomnia but access is currently not available for many Australians, particularly those living in rural and regional areas.
 
The Research and Evaluation Study of digital Treatment of insomnia in Underserved Populations (Rest Up) study is supported by Medical Research Future Fund. Participating practices will be reimbursed $100 per patient recruited for administrative support and time required to identify and recruit participating patients (target 15 per practice). In addition, a ‘practice champion’ gift voucher valued at $200 will be provided to the primary contact person within the practice who supports the management and administration of the research project.
 
Eligible patients will receive free access to a 5-session digital CBTi program (Bedtime Window) as part of this research study. The digital CBTi program being used is not a commercially available product.
 
Click here to receive more information.
 
Alternatively contact one of the research team below:
Lead investigator Professor Nick Zwar at nzwar@bond.edu.au or (07) 5595 5499, trial manager Dr Stijn Soenen at ssoenen@bond.edu.au, or Dr Amanda Tauber at atauber@bond.edu.au.

Join the first Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO)-led Single Employer Model (SEM)

Are you a GP registrar looking for a unique training experience that offers stability, cultural immersion and hands-on rural exposure? This bespoke training opportunity is designed for registrars who are passionate about improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and are ready to take on a challenging yet highly rewarding pathway in southwest Queensland.

Why choose this model?

• Salary security and job stability – enjoy the benefits of a single employer contract, providing consistent pay and employment certainty throughout your training.
• Structured training pathway – gain access to a high-quality, purpose-built GP training model aligned with RACGP and ACRRM standards.
• Rural and remote exposure – work in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) and partner healthcare services, gaining invaluable experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
• Cultural safety and mentorship – be supported by respected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health leaders, Traditional Owners and community mentors, ensuring strong cultural and professional development.
• Make a lasting impact – contribute to improving health outcomes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, playing an active role in creating meaningful change in the healthcare system.

Online Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training (FPS ST)

RACGP Rural’s Online Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training (FPS ST) package provides GPs with essential training to enable them to become a GP provider of Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) and provide cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-derived counselling to patients in their practice.
 
This flexible, fully online and accredited training package uses technology, peer learning groups and locally available resources to provide GPs with access to complete all the requirements of FPS ST, without leaving their home or practice. 
 
On completion GPs can register with Medicare as FPS providers and access FPS related MBS numbers 2721, 2723, 2725 and 2727.
 
The General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration (GPMHSC) is currently offering GPs a training subsidy that covers part of the cost of completing accredited Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training (FPS ST). The subsidy is limited and subject to availability.
 
Eligible GPs will be reimbursed $600 once they complete the requirements for the Online FPS ST package and register as GP providers of FPS with Medicare Australia. For more information on the FPS training subsidy, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit the GPMHSC website.