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Timely News for Australian
 Medical Practice Managers

June 2013
Accreditation Workshop RACGP Approved!
Our Active Learning Module, Accreditation - Your Practice Team and the New Criteria has been approved by the RACGP. 
GPs who attend will be eligible for a total 40 Category 1 points! 
Practice Nurses will receive 6 CPD hours. 
Watch out for a workshop near you! We would love to hear from you if you are interested in attending or sponsoring one of our workshops!

 

Training Register on KnowNOW!
GPs and practice staff are required to undertake ongoing professional development. To keep track of this there is a Training Register under the Accreditation tab on knowNOW! where you can record of all your staff training. Staff members must be added as a User to be able to add their training details. 
To add a staff member's training course, click "Add New", complete the details then save. 
There is also a section "Staff Training Materials" where you can upload all your documents relating to your in-house staff training e.g. triage protocols, scanning documents, etc.

  

Sign up today to receive a month's free trial of knowNOW! and once you realise how much it will help your practice it's just $30 per month which includes unlimited users! 
BREAKING NEWS!

 

Federal Budget: 2013-2014

Key points from the Federal Budget relating to general practice:

  • Medicare Benefits Indexation Realigned to the Financial Year - the Government will postpone indexation of MBS fees until 1 July 2014, delaying the expected 2% increase on 1 November 2013
  • Medicare Benefits Schedule: Chronic Disease Management - as of 1 November 2014 the Government will prevent patients from claiming a Medicare rebate for a GP consultation item and a GP Chronic Disease Management item on the same day
  • Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program - the Government has committed $23.8 million in 2013-14 to maintain existing service levels
  • General Practice Rural Incentives Program (GPRIP) - the Government will invest $33.8 million in 2013-2014 to continue support
RACGP Standards for General Practices - Amendments
Since the the RACGP Standards for general practices (4th edition) were first published in October 2010, it has become necessary to make amendments to ensure that they provide clear guidance to practices and up-to-date information ... read more 

New Interpretive Guide to the RACGP Standards for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services

The Interpretive guide to the RACGP Standards for general practice (4th edition) for Aboriginal community controlled health services (Interpretive guide) has been launched as a companion document to the RACGP's current Standards for general practices (4th edition). The Interpretive guide aims to assist Aboriginal community controlled health services to meet the requirements for accreditation against the RACGP Standards and to apply quality measures to their everyday practice ...  read more

 

AMA Backs Plans to Increase Childhood Vaccinations

With concern across Australia about the rate of unvaccinated children and the increasing number of parents who oppose vaccination, the AMA has backed plans to increase childhood vaccinations. The AMA president said parents should be obligated to provide vaccination documentation before children attend primary schools ... read more
 

Vaccination Booklet Launched

A new book highlighting the myths and realities of vaccination - "Immunisation Myths and Realities: responding to arguments against immunisation 5th edition" has been launched by Health Minister, Tanya Plibersek for GPs and other health professionals ... read more

  

End of Triennium 2011-2013

The current triennium ends on 31 December 2013 so it is time to review your/your practice GP's QI&CPD points to ensure that the 2011-2013 triennium requirements have been met. 

Click here to find out what courses are available to assist GPs to gain their points.

 

Measles Alert

A state-wide alert has been issued after a worker in a central Queensland mine contracted measles following a holiday to Asia ... read more. 

 

There has also been two confirmed cases of measles in Melbourne - one case acquired locally and the other an overseas traveller ... read more

 

Kidney Function Test (PIP)

A kidney function test will be added to the "annual cycle of care" under the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) Diabetes Incentive ... read more
    

Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) Online

The 1 July 2013 MBS files are now available to download ... read more
PRACTICE TOP TIP FOR ACCREDITATION
Criterion 3.2.1 Qualifications of general practitioners
All GPs in our practice are appropriately qualified and trained, have current Australian registration and participate in continuing professional development.
  • General Practitioners must be suitably qualified and trained and maintain the necessary knowledge and skills to provide good clinical care
  • For practices unable to recruit vocationally recognised GPs, other doctors can be recruited provided they have the qualifications and training to meet the needs of patients
  • General Practitioners must undertake CPR training in accordance with RACGP QI&CPD recommendations
RACGP Standards for general practices 4th edition: 
ARE YOU READY FOR ACCREDITATION?
  • Have you made all the changes required for the transition from the 3rd to the 4th standards? 
  • Have you actually implemented and documented the new procedures? 
  • Is your practice team aware of these changes?
Medical Directions can help! We can customise a package to meet your practice needs.
Visit our website or contact Kathryn on 1300 978 897.
RECIPE OF THE MONTH 
 

Lemon, Honey & Ginger Syrup

(Popular drink served in NZ cafés and great for those winter colds) 

  

Ingredients

2 cups honey

¼ cup water

2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice

5 tbsp grated ginger

                                                                                   
Method
Place honey and water into a thick bottomed pot over a medium heat and keep stirring with whisk until fully combined. 
Take off heat and add lemon juice and ginger. 
Pour into a glass jar and store in fridge.
For a quick and easy hot lemon, honey and ginger drink use approximately 30mls of syrup with 300mls boiling water. 

  

ENJOY!
Kathryn Davis
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I would love to hear your feedback on my newsletters or if you have a story to share or a question to ask please email me.
 
Until next time ... take care!
Kath Signature PNG  

P: 1300 978 897 | E: kathryn@medicaldirections.com.au | W: www.medicaldirections.com.au

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