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.

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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.

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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).

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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…

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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.

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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…

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The Gastroenterology Society of Australia (GESA) has notified ACRRM that this Program has been suspended until 30 September 2020.

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The National Cervical Screening Program is encouraging healthcare providers to continue to offer routine screening and follow up.

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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.

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RANZCR has released a position statement on the appropriate use of CT during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in relation to patients undergoing emergency surgery.

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ACRRM is proud to be a major supporter of ‘Gowns for Doctors’, a voluntary project coordinated by two Bendigo GPs who are making and delivering gowns to support health workers during the COVID-19 PPE crisis. ACRRM support will see up to 1000 additional gowns being created and sent to practices in rural and regional Victoria – with a strong potential for the project to go national.

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The Australian Commission on Quality and Safety in Health Care has published a range of resources to support cancer care services to implement the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards.

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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. The directory can be searched by speciality or region and includes information about visiting specialists and those offering mentorship in running a telehealth service.

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The National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce has launched the new “living guidelines”. These guidelines will provide evidence-based guidance to clinicians caring for people with COVID-19.

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The Department of Health has reported that, based on forecast demand from the states and territories, it is well placed to meet forecast demand for influenza vaccine, including for the National Immunisation Program and to respond to any increased demand that may arise this year.

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As more cases of COVID-19 are confirmed in rural and remote areas, the widening of bulk-billed telehealth to the whole population - and a doubling of the bulk-billed incentive for all consultations - is greatly welcomed.

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