News
In Practice: Pathways to the Rural Generalist Fellowship
There are several options to obtain RG Fellowship – including for junior doctors training on the Australian General Practice Training Program.
The Rural Generalist Fellowship recognises the extra requirements and skills of rural GPs to support them in meeting the unique needs of their communities.
Also included in this week’s round up are updates to Victoria’s local public health units that were established during the pandemic, as well as new information on the upcoming rollout of the Provider Connect Australia tool.
Becoming a Rural Generalist with the RACGP
The RACGP’s Rural Generalist (RG) Fellowship is a recognition of the extra requirements and skills achieved by rural generalists. Training towards the RG Fellowship supports participants to meet the diverse health needs of rural and remote communities.
Rural generalist trainees will have the support of a local team in their region, including program staff and educators who will provide contextualised support, as well as high-quality training resources.
The RG Fellowship requires an extra year of additional rural skills training, as well as six months of core emergency training in a hospital setting.
How to apply
- Junior doctors: Apply to undertake the RG Fellowship through the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program, with applications for the 2024 intake now open.
- GPs in training completing Fellowship of the RACGP (FRACGP): Opt in to the RG Fellowship at any point during training.
- GPs in training completing the Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP): Transition to the RG Fellowship until 31 December 2023.
- FARGP graduates: Obtain the RG Fellowship via recognition of prior learning and experience until 31 December 2023.
- Practising GPs with the FRACGP and significant rural general practice experience and procedural or non-procedural skills: Apply to obtain the RG Fellowship via recognition of prior learning and experience.
More information is available on the
RACGP website.
Update on Victoria’s local public health units
During the pandemic, local public health units (LPHUs) were established to manage local cases and outbreaks of COVID-19. Since July 2022, the nine LPHUs – including three metropolitan and six regional – have broadened their responsibilities to include disease prevention, population health, and investigation and response to notifiable conditions.
Changes in public health management of notifiable conditions in Victoria
LPHUs are now responsible for managing local cases and outbreaks for over 30 notifiable conditions. The remit of LPHUs in managing notifiable conditions will continue to expand over the coming year and will enhance the state’s capacity to respond.
The Victoria Government Department of Health retains overall Stewardship of the notifiable conditions prescribed under the
Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 and its Regulations (2019), and notification requirements for medical practitioners and pathology providers remain unchanged.
Notifications for urgent conditions should be via phone on 1300 651 160, and routine conditions should be
reported online.
Prevention and population health
LPHUs partner with local organisations (including local government and Primary Health Networks) to deliver localised programs for chronic disease prevention and health promotion. To assist in this work, LPHUs will develop a catchment-wide population health plan that aligns with state-wide and municipal public health and wellbeing plans.
More information on the role of LPHUs and how to find a local LPHU is available on the Victorian Government Department of Health
website.
Provider Connect Australia: Updates for general practice
Webinar: Tuesday 4 April, 12.30 – 1.30 pm (AEST)
CPD: 1 EA hour
Register online
The RACGP, Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) and Australian Association of Practice Managers (AAPM) are collaborating to update general practices on
Provider Connect Australia (PCA), a new online tool designed to reduce administrative burden on general practices and other healthcare providers.
This webinar will help general practices learn more about PCA, its time-saving benefits, and the steps involved in making the transition to PCA ahead of the national rollout from
July 2023 onwards. The ADHA and the Department of Health and Aged Care are working together to provide early access to PCA to general practices currently registered with
Vaccine Clinic Finder (VCF) Connect.
Australian Digital Health Agency’s national survey on electronic prescribing
The ADHA has
released an online national survey to gather a better understanding of consumer and healthcare provider perceptions, attitudes, behaviours and outcomes relating to electronic prescribing.
All feedback will be treated as confidential and will be used to improve the experience of prescribing, dispensing and filling electronic prescriptions.
The online survey is now live and is expected to close mid-May 2023. The results of the survey will be analysed by the ADHA and published as part of their 2023 annual report.
Find out more and take part in the survey.
Log in below to join the conversation.
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