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Timely News for Australian
 Medical Practice Managers

May 2014
LATEST NEWS!

 

QI&CPD Provider Update

The RACGP is currently finalising all GP QI&CPD records for the 2011-13 triennium - if GPs have any queries regarding the upload they can contact their state faculty QI&CPD team

 

The RACGP recently released new QI&CPD activities on the 2014-16 QI&CPD platform (Note: GPs are required to log-in to this platform). Category 1 activities include:

  • GP self-directed clinical audit individual application
  • GP self-directed clinical audit group application
  • GP self-directed educator application (with and without quality improvement reflection)
  • GP self-directed small group learning application
World Family Doctors' Day - 19 May 2014
World Family Doctors' Day is an initiative of the World Organisation of Family Doctors (WONCA) and was first celebrated on 19 May 2010. You can download a poster to display in your practice from the RACGP website. 
 
The RACGP has also created videos that highlight the value of general practice.   
 
Medical Board to Fund National Health Services
The Medical Board recently announced $2 million in funding for doctors' health programs which will mean medical practitioners and medical students will have access to services such as advice and referral, education and awareness, general advocacy and the development of case management services .... read more
 
Pain Management Network Website
A new website to provide information on how to manage chronic pain has been developed for practitioners and patients by the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI). The website contains pain assessment tools that can assist GPs complete GPMPs and TCAs. It also has links to item numbers available for referrals to allied health for chronic disease management and recommendations and guidelines for opioid prescribing ... read more

Collaborative Approach to Accreditation
Following a national review of the administration of the Practice Incentive Program (PIP) by the National Audit Office, the RACGP and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care have commenced a project to develop a governance and reporting framework for general practice accreditation in Australia. 

Consultation with general practices has started and the project aims to:
  • identify issues general practices have with the existing accreditation scheme
  • maximise opportunities to enhance the safety and quality of patient care through the application of accreditation
  • identify options for the coordination of general practice accreditation, including an appeals mechanism ... read more

Fair Work Website

Not too sure which Award a member of your staff should come under - the Fair Work website has an 'Award Finder' that you can use to find the correct Award for your staff. If you're still unsure, you can get help by phoning the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.

 

Many employers are unsure whether they are required to give their employees a written warning before terminating their employment. Find out what your obligations are and avoid an employee making an 'unfair dismissal claim' by visiting the Fair Work website.

 

Measles Elimination in Australia

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that Australia has no local strain of measles circulating in the community and has announced that Measles elimination has been achieved in Australia. The National Immunisation Program has played a crucial role by ensuring high vaccination levels for Measles ... read more

 

Severe Obesity in Teens Tied to Possible Kidney Problems

A new study has shown that almost one-fifth of severely obese teenagers have poor kidney function. The study included 242 severely obese teens taking part in research on weight loss surgery ... read more


Did You Know.....
The Death Cap mushroom is the world's most deadliest mushroom and is commonly found in the ACT where three people were recently treated for poisoning after eating them. The mushrooms are also found in Victoria and South Australia and are said to be responsible for 90% of all deaths related to mushroom consumption.
 
Just one Death Cap mushroom contains enough poison to kill an adult. Symptoms include stomach aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea and normally appear 6-24 hours after ingesting.

TOP TIP FOR ACCREDITATION
Practices need to consider how they ensure the practice is a safe working environment for the practice team.

Our practice implements strategies to ensure the occupational health and safety of our GPs and other members of the practice team
 

At least two members of the practice team must be present during normal opening hours. Normal practice hours are the hours the practice advertises as being its regular hours of opening for routine consultations during which patients can see a GP.

 

A GP cannot be both a receptionist and a medical practitioner at the same time. During normal practice hours, practices need to be staffed by at least one additional person who is trained to take telephone calls, make appointments, assess the urgency of requests for appointments and assist with medical emergencies.

 

Practices are encouraged to consider setting up a duress alarm system as a mechanism for protecting the safety of practice staff.

 
ARE YOU READY FOR ACCREDITATION? 
  • Is your practice coming up for Accreditation?
  • Is your practice team aware of the changes from the 3rd to the 4th Standards
  • Do you need to update your Policy and Procedure Manual
Medical Directions can help! We can customise a package to meet your practice needs.

RESOURCES ON KNOWNOW!
Did you know that there are many direct links on knowNOW! that may be useful to your practice. Under Clinical/Doctors/Risk Calculators you will find links to:
 
 
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 $38.95 per month which includes unlimited users! 

  

 

Click here to register for your FREE 30 Day trial of knowNOW!



RECIPE OF THE MONTH  
 
Bree & Jessica's Peach & Apricot Tarte Tatin

Manu on MKR said this was the BEST Tarte Tatin he has ever tasted!  

   

 
 
 
 
Ingredients - Filling 

110g caster sugar

125ml water

2 large firm ripe peaches, peeled, cut into 2cm dice

4 firm ripe apricots, peeled, cut into 2cm dice

60g butter, cut into 5mm dice


Ingredients - Pastry

200g plain flour

200g cold butter, chopped

80ml ice cold water

pinch of salt


Method 

To make pastry, pulse flour and butter in a processor five or six times until mixture is rough with large chunks of butter through it. 

Working very quickly, turn the processor on, add the water and after 2 seconds turn it off. 

The mixture should still be rough and flecked with butter. 

Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 30 seconds to bring the dough together. 

Shape into a rectangle and wrap in cling film, refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Roll out pastry between two sheets of baking paper into a 30cm x 15cm rectangle about 1.5cm thick (you will be able to see streaks of butter). 

Fold into thirds from the short end. 

Wrap in cling film and refrigerate for 30 minutes. 

Repeat rolling, folding and resting twice.

 

Preheat oven to 200ºC. 

Grease four 8cm round (base measurement) pie tins. Line bases with baking paper.

 

To make the caramel for tarte tatins, stir sugar and the water in a small heavy based saucepan over medium heat, without boiling, until sugar dissolves. 

Use a wet pastry brush to brush any stray grains on side of pan back down into mixture. 

Bring to a boil and boil, uncovered, without stirring, until mixture begins to turn light golden brown. Pour caramel evenly into pie tins.

 

Divide fruit among tins and top with butter.

Roll out the pastry until 5mm thick. 

Cut out four circles just large enough to extend to the rim of the pie tins. 

Lay circles over the top, lightly tucking in edge around fruit. 

Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until pastry is crisp, golden and puffed.

 
To complete your dessert, make Bree and Jessica's cinnamon ice-cream with thyme and cinnamon syrup - find the recipes on MKR's website 

 

ENJOY!

 

If you have a favourite recipe that you would like to share, please send it to chris@medicaldirections.com.au and we'll include it in our newsletter.
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  

P1300 978 897 | Ekathryn@medicaldirections.com.au | W: www.medicaldirections.com.au


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