The RACGP is aware that the newly released public payroll tax ruling from the Queensland Revenue Office (QRO) could impact practice viability and patient out-of-pocket costs. This ruling means rural general practices may soon have increased payroll tax liability that could affect smaller practices, which may find themselves paying this tax for the first time if it all comes to pass.
 
We’ve been working behind the scenes for more than a year to seek concessions for general practices and tenant doctors in an effort to avoid the more serious implications associated with a stricter interpretation of payroll tax liability.
 
We’re concerned that the QRO ruling could end up having nationwide implications and will continue to seek further clarification and expert advice – as well as exemptions for tenant doctors in general practices. Negotiations between the RACGP and the QRO are in progress, and we’ll continue to advocate strongly for a meaningful solution.
 
As of yesterday GP training has officially come home to the colleges! The RACGP team has been working tirelessly to make sure all the pieces are in place to ensure a smooth shift and minimal disruption to our future GPs. You can make sure you stay in the loop by subscribing to the RACGP’s newsletters. Email transition@racgp.org.au to receive the supervisor, practice manager or registrar newsletters.
 
As with every transition, there may be a few bumps along the way. Our goal is to minimise the impact on registrars, supervisors and training practices. If you have any rural-specific concerns about service delivery or trainee support, I encourage you to contact me via the RACGP Rural team by emailing rural@racgp.org.au.
 
A new CPD triennium has kicked off and the new Medical Board of Australia requirements oblige you to log 50 hours of CPD and complete a professional development plan every year, and refresh your skills with one CPR course in the triennium. Although the changes may seem overwhelming, the focus is on regular performance feedback, collaboration with peers, self-reflection and reviewing patient outcomes – things that you’re already doing as a rural GP, like group meetings or hospital rounds. Visit the RACGP website for more information or access an on-demand information session on the changes.
 
Rest assured the RACGP is going to be working hard this year to build on the strong advocacy momentum we built in 2022. RACGP Rural will be spending more time in Canberra, making sure we get a seat at every table to ensure your issues are represented. We’ll also continue to build on our close working relationships with rural health stakeholders like the Australian Medical Association.

Email RACGP Rural or join the conversation in our Facebook group so we can continue to advocate for you on the issues that matter.

Assoc Prof Michael Clements
Chair, RACGP Rural

Join the Rural Procedural Grants Program

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.

Joining the RPGP is a great opportunity to access financial assistance to 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 $20,000 in funding each financial year depending on the services you’re credentialed to provide.

The RACGP rural health webinar series presents free monthly webinars on important health issues for rural and remote GPs. All sessions are recorded and are eligible for 1 Educational Activity hour.
 
Join an upcoming session:

Call for abstracts: South Australian Rural Health Research and Education Conference

The call for abstracts is now open for the inaugural South Australian Rural Health Research and Education conference (SARHRE). The conference will bring together rural clinicians, academics and other health professionals from across SA who are interested in clinical supervision, health education, health research and building rural research capability.
 
The conference themes are:

• clinical supervision and clinical teaching
• showcasing SA rural health research and researchers
• Building research capacity for rural health professionals

Mental health advanced skills workshop

James Cook University (JCU) invites you to upskill in mental health for rural GPs at the Mental Health Advanced Skills Workshop on 17–18 March 2023 at the JCU Brisbane campus. 
 
The interactive upskilling workshop will feature case-based sessions with a ‘non-metro’ focus, recognising the wider scope of practice of GPs working outside cities. Topics will include mental health assessment and mental health emergencies in primary care, child and adolescent health, perinatal mental health, and mental health in older adults. 
 
This workshop is sponsored by Aurora Health, Northern Queensland Primary Health Network and the Rural Doctors Association of Queensland.
 

Dr Sarah Jane McEwan

Dr Sarah Jane McEwan is a Wiradjuri woman and remote GP living and working in Port Hedland, Western Australia.
 
Sarah moved to Port Hedland as a locum in 2009 after first coming to the region as a medical student in 2001 and has now been there for several years. She works out of the hospital setting, balancing her time in the emergency department and maternity, wherever the need is greatest.
 
Sarah says, ‘There are moments that make it all worthwhile, like the time I was able to deliver an Aboriginal patient with an Aboriginal midwife. Apart from the obvious joy of the birth, it was also a moment where it felt like we were finally seeing progress. It shows there’s a bright future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors and medical practitioners.’
 

Point-of-care ultrasound is an increasingly affordable and efficient diagnostic tool in general practice, particularly in areas with limited access to specialist services. RACGP Rural is holding ultrasound workshops around Australia for rural GPs.
 
Why attend?
The full-day workshop will 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 primary care services using advanced, high-end mobile ultrasound equipment provided by our sponsor, GE Healthcare.
 
The workshop
The workshop begins with an introduction by a GP with ultrasound expertise to explain the benefits of ultrasound and its various applications. For the remainder of the day, participants will rotate through six skills stations.
 
This workshop is a CPD-accredited activity and is approved for all categories of the Rural Procedural Grants Program.