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Timely News for Australian
 Medical Practice Managers

 
January 2016
LATEST NEWS!

Free Catch-Up Vaccines
From 1 January 2016, free catch-up (National Immunisation Program) vaccines will be provided for all children under 10 years on an on-going basis. Parents  who wish to immunise their children who are aged 10-19 years so they can continue to receive family assistance payments will have access to free catch-up vaccines from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2017. Practices can now submit the details of vaccinations given to persons less than 20 years of age to the ACIR ... read more

Catch-Up: Incentives for Vaccination Providers
From 1 January 2016, an additional $6 incentive payment will be made to vaccination providers and GPs who follow up and vaccinate children who are more than two months overdue for their childhood vaccinations ... read more

Changes to the PBS
For a summary of the changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule as from 1 January 2016 please click here. Practices will need to contact their software vendors for all drug updates.

Fair Work Australia
Does your practice open on Public Holidays? An employer can ask an employee to work on a public holiday but the employee may refuse to work if they have reasonable grounds.You can find information about working on public holidays on the Fair Work website ... read more

2014-2016 Triennium
A reminder that your GPs require a minimum of 130 QI&CPD points (RACGP) or 100 PDP points (ACRRM) for the 2014-16 triennium. For more information you can refer to:
Medical Benefits Schedule (MBS) Online
The 1 January 2016 MBS data files (XML, DOC, PDF and ZIP) are now available to download.
Read more on the MBS Online website.

Did you know that ... 
there is a website for Carers who need support or assistance in finding the right advice and services? 
Carer Gateway is a government initiative that provides practical information and resources to support Carers. 
The website has an interactive service finder which is designed to connect Carers with the appropriate information and connect them to local support services ... read more

TOP TIP FOR ACCREDITATION
Our practice has a system for the follow up and review of tests and results.

It is not expected that GPs follow up every test they order; or to contact patients with the results of every test, however there may be considerable risk if they don't follow up clinically significant tests and results.

Clinical significance is determined by the probability that the patient will be harmed if further medical advice is not obtained and the likely seriousness of the harm. 
  • Practices need a documented system for the follow up of tests and results, with a strong focus on risk management
  • The practice system should delineate mechanisms for dealing with normal results, abnormal results (urgent and non urgent) and important tests/referrals
  • The practice system should delineate mechanisms for the follow up of results and the follow up of clinically significant tests
  • The practice system should cover how tests and results are communicated to patients.
 
ACCREDITATION - ARE YOU READY?

Is your practice's Accreditation coming up this year?
Medical Directions can help to identify areas of your practice that may need improving by guiding you through the Accreditation process and assisting in implementing any changes that may be necessary. 
We offer a full Accreditation Package which includes onsite visits and ongoing consultation via phone, Skype and email. 

Other ways we can help ...
  • Create a new Policy and Procedure Manual to comply with the 4th Standards
  • Set up your new practice and assist with purchasing equipment
  • Orientation of new GPs to your practice 
  • Staff training in Best Practice and Medical Director
  • Practice Manager mentoring
  • Treatment Room policies and procedures
Medical Directions can help in lots of ways! Let us customise a package to suit your practice. Click here to find out more about our Consulting Services or visit our website.


KNOWNOW! TIP

Practice Managers - did you know there are quick links down the left-hand-side of knowNOW! to commonly used websites e.g. ACIR, Department of health, etc.

Haven't seen how knowNOW! works yet? Then sign up today to receive one 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! 

WHAT'S ON IN JANUARY?
  • Australia Day: 26 January

RECIPE OF THE MONTH  
 
Brownie Bites
You don't even have to cook these delicious chocolate treats!
 
Ingredients
  • 1½ cups walnuts
  • 1 cup pitted dates
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • ⅓ cup cocoa powder
  • Pinch of salt 
Method
  • Mix walnuts with the salt in a food processor until the walnuts are finely ground.
  • Add dates, vanilla and cocoa powder to the food processor.
  • Mix well until everything is combined.
  • Add a couple drops of water at a time to make the mixture stick together.
  • Transfer the mixture into a bowl. 
  • Roll mixture into small round balls.
  • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
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.
The Paleo Place
The Sunshine Coast's favourite Paleo Cafe - you can order and pay online!

We are open for breakfast and lunch every day of the week and dinner on Saturday nights from 6:00pm with a selection of delicious Paleo meals, snacks, desserts, juices, smoothies and coffee available. Coffee, fresh squeezed juices and smoothies are available daily from 7:00am and meals from 7:30a.

Find out more ... www.thepaleoplace.com.au
Kathryn Davis
Is there someone else in your practice that would like to receive our newsletter? Just click 'Subscribe Now' at the bottom of this newsletter and sign them up too! Or if you currently get our newsletter at work and would also like to receive it at home, we can add your home email address to the distribution list.

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