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  • Changes to Opioid Prescribing
    Jun 19, 2020
    To minimise the harm caused by opioid prescription medicines to Australians each year, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is continuing to implement a number of regulatory changes which aim to ensure the safe and effective prescribing and use of opioids while maintaining access for patients who need them.
  • Feedback for College submission to Qld Health regarding system reforms post-COVID
    Jun 18, 2020
    Queensland Health has established a Reform Planning Group to prepare advice for the Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services on how best to harness opportunities from Queensland’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • ACRRM welcomes new telehealth providers
    Jun 17, 2020
    With over 1300 providers offering telehealth at either the patient or distant end of the consultation, the ACRRM telehealth provider directory is one of the most comprehensive multiple speciality directories’ in Australia and is used extensively in rural and remote general practice. We’re pleased to welcome new telehealth providers who recently registered in the ACRRM telehealth provider directory.
  • National Immunisation Program changes from 1 July 2020
    Jun 11, 2020
    From 1 July, there are a number of changes to the National Immunisation Program coming into effect. The changes are being implemented following recommendations from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and other clinical experts and are designed to improve protection against meningococcal and pneumococcal disease.
  • ACRRM Fellow elected as RDAQ President
    Jun 10, 2020
    The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) welcomes the formal announcement of Fellow Dr Raymond Lewandowski as President of Rural Doctors Association of Queensland (RDAQ).
  • Reducing Opioid Harm project - clinical input invited
    Jun 10, 2020
    ACRRM, in partnership with the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) will be managing a project to provide rural and remote prescribers about the changes to the opioid prescribing protocols and associated issues such as the implications for rural and remote prescribers and communities; and pain and addiction management. The project has commenced and is scheduled for completion in June 2021.
  • Nominations requested - Topic Working Group developing a clinical care standard for management of low back pain
    Jun 4, 2020
    The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care will shortly commence the development of a Low Back Pain Clinical Care Standard and has invited the College to nominate a representative to the Topic Working Group advising this work. Please contact Jenny Johnson (j.johnson@acrrm.org.au) by Monday 8 June, if you are interested in nominating for this position.
  • College lodges submission to Senate Select Committee Inquiry into the Australian Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic
    Jun 4, 2020
    ACRRM has provided a detailed submission to the Senate Select Committee Inquiry into the Australian Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The College submission covered a range of issues including the responses that were effective, and suggestions for improvements where these are required. Consideration was also given to the policy initiatives which should be retained in some form into the future and the longer-term implications for the rural health workforce recruitment, training and retention.
  • Regulatory changes to reduce harms caused by opioid prescribing
    May 27, 2020
    The Australian Government, through the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), is implementing a number of regulatory changes in order to minimise the harms caused by opioid prescription medicines to Australians each year. The changes will ensure the safe and effective prescribing and use of opioids while maintaining access for patients who need them.
  • Have your say on Australia’s draft National Injury Prevention Strategy
    May 21, 2020
    The Australian Government is developing a National Injury Prevention Strategy in recognition of the ongoing and substantial burden of injury and following expiration of the previous National Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion Action Plan (2004-2014).
  • Dr Teena Downton on the ACRRM Drug and Alcohol Addiction Education (DAAE) program
    May 8, 2020
    Dr Teena Downton is a FACRRM and current Medical Educator with the College. We caught up with her to discuss why the program is important for rural doctors…
  • Kyra Moss appointed as General Manager Education Services
    May 7, 2020
    Joining the College at a pivotal time for GP training, Kyra will oversee the delivery of the College’s robust education, training and assessment programs, while working with the Executive Leadership Team, Board and Council on transition to College-led training and establishing the new National Rural Generalist Training Program.
  • Dr Dan Wilson on being an RG trainee on the frontline
    May 5, 2020
    Dr Daniel Wilson (Dan) is a Rural Generalist trainee with ACRRM and Board Director at Rural Doctors Association Victoria (RDAV). We caught up with Dan to see how he is copying with the impacts COVID-19 are having with those on the frontline…
  • Updates to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Website - 1 May 2020
    May 1, 2020
    The Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits was updated on 1 May 2020 and the Summary of Changes can be found on the New, Amended and Deleted Items page. Read more for a list of included updates.
  • Department of Health announces temporary changes to requirements under s19AA and 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973
    May 1, 2020
    To support doctors responding to the COVID-19 pandemic the Department of Health is implementing a number of short term measures to waive or streamline Medicare program requirements. These will ensure eligible doctors can continue to satisfy their obligations under section 19AA and 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973 and provide Medicare services to patients in their current practice.
  • Well-being and performance during times of crisis
    Apr 29, 2020
    This webinar recording, presented by registered psychologist, Sharee Johnson, focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores practical strategies to combat information overload, fatigue and burnout for health professionals and looks at ways to manage anxiety and stress for themselves and their patients during these uncharted times.
  • Telehealth consultations and e-requesting of pathology
    Apr 28, 2020
    The Department of Health has provided information regarding the requirement for a patient signature for billing and a clinician signature when using e-requesting of pathology, including the need for a pathology request to be signed by the clinician, and for a patient's written consent for a bulk-billed procedure.
  • Suspension of colonoscopy recertification program update
    Apr 22, 2020
    The Gastroenterology Society of Australia (GESA) has notified ACRRM that this Program has been suspended until 30 September 2020.
  • Cervical Screening during COVID-19 – Message from the National Cervical Screening Program
    Apr 22, 2020
    The National Cervical Screening Program is encouraging healthcare providers to continue to offer routine screening and follow up.
  • MBS Telehealth Expansion – Changes announced on 20 April 2020
    Apr 21, 2020
    As of 20 April 2020, specialist and allied health service providers are no longer required to bulk bill telehealth items. Providers are expected to obtain informed financial consent from patients prior to providing the service; providing details regarding their fees, including any out-of-pocket costs.