News
In Practice: EOIs to join ATAGI
Australia’s immunisation advisory group is seeking applications for new members to provide advice to the Federal Health Minister.
Expressions of interest to join the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation are now open.
This week’s In Practice also includes an upcoming workshop for GPs to support families impacted by violence, a reminder that supplies of Ozempic will remain limited into 2025, and the chance to participate in Alzheimer’s disease research.
EOIs to join ATAGI
Expressions of interest (EOIs) for appointment to the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) are open until Friday 24 January, 11.30 pm (AEDT).
ATAGI provides evidence-based advice on immunisation policies, programs and priorities to the Federal Health and Aged Care Minister. Individuals are being sought to fill vacancies on the non-statutory advisory committee, comprising representatives with research, clinical and implementation expertise. Terms of appointment are for up to four years and commence from 1 July 2025.
Information regarding ATAGI membership or for submitting an EOI is available on the Department of Health and Aged Care website, or via emailing ATAGI.membership@health.gov.au.
Candidate packs can be completed online using the templates provided for ‘Curriculum Vitae’ and ‘Declarations of Interests’. Any queries about the online application form can be sent to recruitment@health.gov.au.
A safe space: Empowering GPs to support families affected by violence
Date: Saturday 29 March, 9.00 am – 4.00 pm
Cost: Free for RACGP members
Venue: RACV City Club, Level 17, 501 Bourke St, Melbourne
Register online
This free, full-day workshop featuring keynote presentations from Rosie Batty, Dr Bill Liley, Dr Ian Freckelton, and Dr Chelsea Tobin, CEO of Safe Steps, is designed to support Victorian GPs to build skills, knowledge and confidence to identify signs of abuse, and equip them with the tools to support families impacted by violence.
Ozempic supply to remain limited in 2025
The pharmaceutical company that manufactures Ozempic, Novo Nordisk, has advised the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Ozempic Medicine Shortage Action Group that supply will continue to be limited until 31 December 2025. A separate semaglutide product, Wegovy, is approved to assist with chronic weight management. Updated advice of the action group for health professionals is to:
- consider the ongoing shortage when prescribing Ozempic, inform patients that supply is expected to be limited in 2025 and discuss alternative treatments when patients are unable to access the medicine
- prescribe and supply both Ozempic and Wegovy according to their approved indications.
Novo Nordisk advises it is continuing to increase manufacturing capacity, but it would take time to build supply levels to meet global and local demand.
GPs in Training Wellbeing Committee report
The GPs in Training Wellbeing Committee has published its inaugural report since its establishment last year as part of ongoing work of the RACGP’s GPs in Training faculty to enhance the general practice training experience.
The 2024 report
highlights key achievements, including advocacy for the ‘Every Doctor, Every Setting’ framework, training program improvements and the launch of the National Registrar Wellbeing Program Working Group. These RACGP GPs in Training faculty initiatives are designed to support the ongoing professional growth of GPs and ensure a positive and supportive training experience.
The report is available on the
RACGP website. To learn more about the college’s impact and ongoing efforts to enhance the general practice training experience.
Participate in Alzheimer’s disease research
The Bionics Institute in Melbourne are seeking individuals who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease to participate in a clinical trial of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
TMS is a well-tolerated non-invasive brain stimulation technique that can change brain activity. The researchers are seeking those who have a:
- diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease
- ‘close other’ to participate as their study partner, such as a spouse, close friend, or close relative.
GPs who have patients interested in participating can contact
dementia@bionicsinstitute.org or visit the
Bionics Institute website.
RACGP Queensland clinical update: Building a healthier future
The 2025 conference theme for
RACGP Queensland’s 64th Clinical Update is ‘Building a healthier future’.
Held from Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 February, the event aims to embrace the ‘rich tapestry’ of multi-generational care, the diversity within general practice and the evolving landscape of healthcare in the future. The GP-led conference program has been curated by the RACGP Queensland Education Committee and will highlight relevant topics and skills, delivered in a variety of engaging formats.
Members are encouraged to save the date for this educational and collegiate event, with early bird registration opening soon.
Department of Veterans’ Affairs update
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has
published its latest advice on supporting patients who have served in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), including the
Veterans’ Health Check.
The DVA-funded Veterans’ Health Check helps GPs to support transitioning ADF members on their paths to health and wellbeing. It includes tools for GPs to make this assessment and seek payment for their time.
Reminder of GP mental health care resources
The
General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration (GPMHSC) has a range of resources to support GPs in providing mental health care:
Log in below to join the conversation.
ATAGI family violence GPs in training immunisation advisory group In Practice mental health training Ozempic
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