Practical measures to support GPs in bushfire-affected communities

Dear members,

I have witnessed and heard countless stories of the selfless and extraordinary care being provided by our colleagues across the country during this unprecedented bushfire disaster. We have more than 2300 members living or working directly in bushfire-affected areas of New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria.

Thank you to everyone who has risked their own health and safety to calm and care for your communities. Thank you to everyone who has, without hesitation, travelled to the bushfire-affected areas to provide extra support to your colleagues and the Australian people.

We all know GPs have a vital role to play in helping communities in times of crisis, but I have been especially moved by your kindness and dedication.

The RACGP is developing a range of practical measures to support GPs working on the frontlines:

• Faculty Chairs are implementing their existing disaster response plans and working with local disaster management bodies and agencies to determine what support and medical supplies are needed in affected communities.
• The RACGP is liaising with local primary health networks, state and federal governments, the AMA, ACRRM and other key stakeholders to ensure our efforts are not resulting in unnecessary duplication.
• In the absence of a national coordinated approach to ensure GPs are able to provide locum services in the areas most in need, we are supporting efforts already underway in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia to mobilise the GP workforce. If you’d like to offer your services as a locum, contact
  • Rural Doctors Workforce Agency Victoria on 03 9349 7800 or at locum@rwav.com.au
  • New South Wales Rural Doctors Network on 02 4924 8000
  • Rural Doctors Workforce Agency South Australia on 08 8234 8277 or at Mandy.McCulloch@ruraldoc.com.au
• We are examining the feasibility of fast tracking the finalisation of Completion of Training documentation for those who are otherwise eligible for Fellowship and who want to volunteer as locums in impacted areas. We are aiming to expedite this process, normally takes 6–8 weeks, to a single week for GPs who have completed their Fellowship training.
• We are lobbying the Federal Government to institute changes to help GPs get on with the job of immediately helping affected communities. We’re urging the Government to implement the following actions:
  • Continue to prioritise requests for GPs to be allocated emergency provider numbers to work as locums in impacted areas to ensure we have GPs in areas where they are needed most
  • Ensure GPs are more included in emergency planning and responses at state and federal levels
  • Provide financial support for GPs providing patient services to impacted people and communities, including through the MBS.
• The RACGP recognises that the bushfires may mean some registrars cannot complete the number of hours required for their training or may be concerned about their readiness to sit their forthcoming exams. We will work with RTOs and the Government to ensure impacted registrars can access special consideration, and we are working to employ as much flexibility as possible for forthcoming AGPT and PEP exams.

Please remember there are a raft of GP resources on planning for, managing and responding to disasters available on the RACGP website, and there is also further information on how you can help.

Even if you are not working on the frontline, this is an extremely distressing time so please do not forget to care for your own health. The following services are available to anyone in need:

• RACGP GP Support Program – free and confidential psychological support for RACGP members
• Doctor's Health Advisory Service – free and confidential 24/7 crisis and referral service
• CRANAplus Bush Support Service – free and confidential 24/7 telephone counselling service for rural and remote health practitioners.

Please contact your local faculty or the call centre on 1800 472 247, or email racgp@racgp.org.au if you have any questions or concerns. The Commonwealth Department of Health has also set up an email address for GPs, health.ops@health.gov.au

The RACGP is here for you during this difficult time, now and into the future.

Kind regards,

Dr Harry Nespolon
RACGP President