News
In Practice: MBS, GP22 and women’s health
Members can now access a new online MBS tool, while submissions are being sought for this year’s national conference program.
This week’s round up also includes information on the all new RACGP Plus, a campaign to ‘clear the hospital logjam’, how to become a parkrun practice, the Practice Owners National Conference, EMDR therapy and a Jean Hailes women’s health survey.
MBS Online tool – Full MBS list now available
The RACGP has added a new guide to its MBS Online tool.
The Full MBS list is a compilation of all general practice MBS items included in other guides that are part of the MBS Online tool. It includes face-to-face, videoconference and telephone items.
The tool allows GPs to enter fees for the services provided in your practice and will automatically calculate the patient out-of-pocket contribution based on the MBS rebate.
The following guides are available as part of the tool:
The tool also includes a ‘
Create my own list’ feature that allows GPs to create their own custom list of MBS items from all items available on the MBS.
For GPs who prefer hard copies, all guides can be saved and printed.
Practice Owners National Conference
The financial future of a general practice. Securing finance, measuring business and operational performance. Increasing the good will valuation of a medical centre.
For more information on these topics, GPs can
join CommBank Health at the
2022 Practice Owners National Conference, where
Belinda Hegarty will provide insights into:
- what banks look for in a finance application for medical centres and practices
- what needs to be in place for purchasing a practice, extending an existing practice, equipment purchasing and structuring or refinancing existing loans
- what business plans or practice financial projections should look like for a bank
- how to track and measure key financial or operational metrics in a practice
- what elements affect the goodwill valuation of a practice.
Australian Medical Association’s ‘Clear the hospital logjam’ campaign
The AMA recently launched a campaign calling for hospital funding reform, which highlights the declining performance of hospitals across Australia and pushes for
urgent action to address access to hospital care.
As part of this campaign, the AMA has called for more investment in general practice to help prevent avoidable admissions and readmissions. Other proposed measures include reintroducing funding for hospital performance improvement and expanding capacity in public hospitals.
There are a number of ways interested members can get involved, including by sharing their stories of hospital logjams with
hospitals@ama.com.au.
Any members interested in finding out more information about the campaign can go to the AMA’s
‘Clear the hospital logjam’ webpage.
GP22 call for submissions now open
The GP22 Advisory Group is inviting submissions for this year’s national conference program, which will be held from 25–27 November at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
GPs have the chance to share the unique contribution they, along with their colleagues, make to patients, the general practice profession and healthcare in Australia.
The RACGP is calling for:
- 15-minute oral presentations to share research
- one-hour clinical presentations
- poster/ePoster clinical and research presentations.
More information is available on the
RACGP website.
Become a parkrun practice
RACGP has partnered with parkrun Australia to launch parkrun practice, an initiative that encourages and empowers GPs and general practices across Australia to link with their local parkrun to become ‘parkrun Practices’.
Research shows parkrun can improve the health and wellbeing of patients and staff through exercise, friendship, and personal empowerment. More information is available on the
RACGP website.
The new home of member benefits
The all new RACGP Plus has a larger range of offers from leading Australian retailers, including everyday essentials, professional services for practices, a wide range of electronics and luxury car purchases.
More information and to set up an eWallet is available on the
RACGP Plus website.
RACGP ‘Mental bites’ webinar series
EMDR therapy – a ‘trauma-informed’ approach to mental illness – where is the evidence?
Webinar: Thursday 7 April, 1.00 – 1.30 pm (AEST)
1 CPD point available
‘Mental bites’ addresses common issues in mental health, with the second webinar in
the series set to discuss evidence-based practices regarding trauma treatment.
EMDR therapy is one such approach and was included in the list of Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) in 2020 – the only addition since the introduction of the Better Access Program in 2006.
Attendees will gain insight into practical skills and have the chance to participate in a Q&A with an expert on this topic.
Whether GPs have a high level of experience and training in psychological medicine, or simply wish to upskill and increase confidence in applying these skills in consultations, this webinar series will cover common and pertinent topics in psychological medicine that GPs face in daily practice.
Register online.
What do Australian women need to be healthy and happy?
RACGP community partner Jean Hailes has launched the 2022
National Women’s Health Survey.
This is a chance for every woman in Australia to voice what they need to be healthy and happy. Participants who complete the survey can enter the draw for one of 10 $100 EFTPOS gift cards.
Log in below to join the conversation.
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