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In Practice: RACGP Convocation returns
Members are invited to have their say on the future operations of the college, as Convocation is reintroduced for 2025.
RACGP members will vote on the top three Convocation items, with the winning item announced at GP25 in November.
This week’s In Practice also includes a reminder for the final Federal Government information sessions on upcoming changes to bulk-billing incentives, and an interim requirement for after-hours care in the Standards for general practices.
RACGP Convocation 2025
The RACGP is reintroducing Convocation to encourage members to have their say on the future of their college.
This formal process allows RACGP members to propose ideas, vote on key issues, and influence where the college directs its efforts in the coming year and beyond. Past submissions have led to real change – shaping policies, advocacy priorities and resources that support general practice.
If members have something they want to see the RACGP act on, Convocation is the place to start. More information and to submit items before 19 August are available on the RACGP website.
The top three submissions will be put to a member vote, with the winning idea announced during the Convocation event at GP25 in November.
Reminder for final Government bulk-billing info sessions
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is hosting webinars for GPs and practice managers on upcoming changes to bulk billing.
As implementation of these 1 November changes approaches and the 4 August webinar event now full, GPs are reminded to register for the remaining webinars:
Standards for general practices: After-hours care updates
The RACGP has introduced an interim measure to clarify the requirements of criterion
GP1.3 – Care outside of normal opening hours within the RACGP
Standards for general practices (fifth edition), with updates published on 1 August.
The college acknowledges that many emergency departments (EDs), particularly in rural and remote areas, no longer enter into formal agreements with general practices as EDs welcome all patients. This has resulted in ‘unmet’ indicators related to after-hours care for some practices during their initial accreditation assessment.
Given the imminent publication of the sixth edition Standards in 2026, this change is being displayed as a ‘disclaimer’ within GP1.3 of the fifth edition, along with updated explanatory materials, as an interim measure being used until the publication of the sixth edition Standards.
More information about the interim measure is available by
emailing the Standards team.
ANZSOM annual conference
The Australian and New Zealand Society of Occupational Medicine (ANZSOM) Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM2025) is for health professionals working in occupational medicine, including GPs, nurses and allied health professionals.
This year’s theme, ‘Workplaces in transition: The future for occupational health’, explores evolving workplace practices, industry trends, and innovative solutions. The three-day event features international and national speakers, as well as site visits, workshops and a social program.
Key topics include:
- psychosocial hazards – from prevention to work injury management
- innovating occupational health – leveraging emerging technologies
- workplace frontiers – occupational health and safety in emerging industries
- mental health and the workplace
- occupational lung disease
- learnings from COVID about managing workplaces
- clinical aspects of safety-critical work.
The ANZSOM is also calling for submissions to present research or ideas at ASM2025, considered for the prestigious David Goddard Best Paper Award. Submissions close on 11 August.
ASM2025 is a hybrid in-person or virtual event, running from 19–22 October in Melbourne. More information, to register or submit a paper, is available on the
ASM2025 website.
Residential aged care teams with DVA clients
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
Provider News has recently published
new resources for residential aged care teams supporting DVA clients, providing a comprehensive overview of the range of support services available to DVA clients to assist with their care.
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