News
In Practice: Call to join funding reform working groups
The RACGP is seeking members to join Funding and Health System Reform Working Groups on business viability and compliance.
The RACGP Working Groups are advisory groups which the REC–FHSR has oversight of.
This week’s In Practice also includes information on the RACGP’s updated position statement on obesity prevention and management, and upcoming member events in Western Australia and Tasmania.
RACGP Funding and Health System Reform Working Groups
The RACGP is calling for member nominations for the newest Funding and Health System Reform (FHSR) Working Groups:
- Business Viability (RACGP–BVWG)
- Regulation and Compliance (RACGP–RCWG)
Reporting to the RACGP Expert Committee – FHSR (REC–FHSR), these Working Groups are advisory groups. The REC–FHSR has oversight of Working Group activity and decisions.
RACGP Fellows who are financial members as of 1 July 2024 are eligible to apply. Terms of Reference for each group and the EOI form can be downloaded from the
RACGP website.
To apply, complete the EOI form with responses to the selection criteria and send with a current CV to
healthreform@racgp.org.au. Nominations close at 9.00 am (AEDT) Monday 17 March.
RACGP position statement on obesity prevention and management
Webinar: Wednesday 5 March, 7.30 – 8.30 pm (AEDT)
CPD: 1 EA hour
Register online
Current Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Obesity Management Dr Terri-Lynne South and founding Chair Dr Georgia Rigas will cover key aspects of obesity prevention and management, focusing on the updated RACGP position statement.
This webinar aims to:
- highlight GPs’ role in addressing obesity as a chronic disease, incorporating evidence-based strategies, and promoting patient-centred care
- explore effective prevention strategies, addressing stigma and bias, and advocating for environmental and policy changes
- examine challenges GPs face in managing obesity and provide practical solutions to improve patient outcomes, while emphasising the importance of creating supportive, non-judgemental care.
A safe space: Full-day workshop for Victorian GPs
Date: Saturday 29 March, 9.00 am – 4.00 pm
Venue: RACV City Club, Level 17, 501 Bourke Street, Melbourne
CPD: 6 hours EA and 1 hour RP
Register online
RACGP Victoria’s upcoming workshop, ‘A safe space: Empowering GPs to support families affected by violence’, features keynote presentations from
Rosie Batty, Dr Bill Liley, Dr Ian Freckelton, and Safe Steps Chief Executive Dr Chelsea Tobin.
This event is designed to support GPs to build skills, knowledge and confidence to identify signs of abuse, and equip them with the tools to support families affected by violence.
Firearms Health Assessment: What GPs need to know
Webinar: Wednesday 26 March, 7.00 – 8.30 pm (AWST)
CPD: 1.5 EA hours
Register online
RACGP WA presents an overview of the
Firearms Act and the
reforms taking place, including the practical considerations and the role of GPs in the mandatory Firearms Health Assessment (FAHA) process.
The webinar will cover:
- how the FAHA will be rolled out across Western Australia
- the practicalities of the health assessment and how it’s submitted
- IT requirements, safeguards and security in practices
- what role the FAHA plays in the wider firearms licensing process
- who is eligible to perform the FAHA – and can GPs refuse to conduct one? What are the implications?
- what happens if the patient has not seen you before, or doesn’t have a regular GP
- what happens if there are concerns about a patient’s fitness
- what support is available from WA Police
- what medico-legal protections are in place for GPs performing a FAHA.
Presented by Dr Mariam Bahemia and Dr Richard Taylor, and facilitated by RACGP Vice President and WA Chair Dr Ramya Raman, this webinar will have a dedicated Q&A session and the opportunity to submit questions ahead of time.
Find your niche: Where will your career in general practice take you?
Date: Thursday 3 April, 6.30 – 8.45 pm (AWST). Registration and dinner from 6.00 pm
Venue: RACGP College House, 20 Southport Street, West Leederville, WA
CPD: 0.5 EA and 0.5 RP
The New Fellows Committee invites members to look for ways to mix up their career and think about balancing time between different areas of general practice with this interactive evening featuring inspiring GPs sharing their experiences on how they found their niche and balance different career interests.
Speakers include:
- Dr Shanil Yapa (surgical assisting)
- Dr Mohamed Almarzooqi (psychological medicine)
- Dr Sophie Genoni (possum care, lactation and fertility)
- Dr Emilie Pitter (medical education and research)
- Dr Ros Forward (transgender medicine)
- Dr Kim Isaacs (Aboriginal health).
RACGP Tasmania: CPR for GPs
Duration: 1.5 hours face to face and 1–2 hours online assessment
Date: Saturday 15 March, 1.30 – 3.00 pm (AEDT)
Venue: RACGP Tasmania Office, 62 Patrick Street, Hobart
CPD: 4 hours EA
Cost: $50
Register online
Have you completed your CPR requirements for the 2023–25 CPD triennium? RACGP Tasmania is providing a CPR course delivered by Val Ansett from Penny Royal College in line with the Australian Resuscitation Council guidelines.
The CPR requirement aims to ensure all GPs maintain their skills and competency to perform CPR procedures on a patient or member of the community when required.
Registration is essential with sessions capped at 18 participants.
At least one CPR session will be scheduled for members in the north and northwest and additional sessions in Hobart if there is enough demand. Expressions of interest to complete a CPR session and any questions can be sent to
tas.events@racgp.org.au. Registration closes Wednesday 12 March.
RACGP Tasmania: Registrar social meet up
Date: Sunday 30 March, 12.00 – 3.00 pm (AEDT)
Venue: Pooleys Wines, 1431 Richmond Road, Richmond, Tasmania
Cost: Free for RACGP registrars and their families
Register online
RACGP Tasmania invites all registrars for an opportunity to make new connections and catch up with friends and colleagues. Partners and children welcome. Registrations close Wednesday 26 March, and any questions can be sent to
tas.events@racgp.org.au
This event has been scheduled for the day before the skills workshop in Hobart, and for those in the north and northwest unable to attend, a similar event is planned for October.
UNSW Medical Society Women in Medicine Mentoring Program
The University of New South Wales’ (UNSW)
Mentoring Program aims to assist Year 3–6 female students with their clinical practice. Mentors are an invaluable part of the program and contribute towards gender equity in medicine.
Interested doctors can
sign-up online to be a mentor. Applications close Friday 7 March.
Log in below to join the conversation.
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