Nominations now open for the 2024 ACRRM Excellence Awards
ACRRM is proud to present the 2024 Excellence Awards. This year, we’re expanding the program to celebrate a broader range of exceptional contributions right across the Australian rural health landscape.
New State Awards Introduced this year are new awards that acknowledge outstanding achievements at a state level. Winners will be announced in August, from which a national winner will be selected and announced at the RMA Conference Awards in October.
New National Awards In addition to our prestigious existing awards and national winners of our state awards, we are introducing two new awards that recognise significant contributions to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare and rural health research.
Nominations for the 2024 awards are now open until 10 August and we invite you to nominate your peers and colleagues who have made a significant impact in rural healthcare and go above and beyond to serve their community.
ACRRM will open elections for the role of President on Monday 5 August.
Two candidates have nominated to lead the College; Dr Emily Harrison and Dr Rod Martin.
Both currently serve on the ACRRM College Council.
Current President Dr Dan Halliday, who completes his term at the College’s Annual General Meeting in October, says both candidates demonstrate a real commitment to ACRRM and the Rural Generalist profession.
Eligible members will receive further information from the Australian Election Company.
The popular Presidents' Breakfast, features a panel of experts and Presidents who will delve into a range of current and topical health matters, key advocacy and policy topics in an interactive Q&A format.
Don't miss out on the chance to hear from some of the industry's most influential voices and engage in insightful discussions. This exclusive event is in high demand and sells out every year, so make sure to secure your spot during registration.
Shingles vaccination resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients
The Shingles vaccine Shingrix ® replaced Zostavax ® on the National Immunisation Program on 1 November 2023.
A 2-dose course is available for free for eligible people most at risk of complications from shingles. These groups are:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over.
People aged 65 and over, and
Immunocompromised people aged 18 and over with certain medical conditions.
A range of resources is available to assist in starting the conversation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients about the free shingles vaccination available under the NIP.
These include resources to help promote the program in your practice or clinic, clinical advice on the program, a podcast for health professionals as well as a series of videos featuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people discussing vaccination.
Find - resources including factsheets and flyers for your patients. Share - these videos featuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people talking about free shingles vaccination. Listen - to a podcast covering all aspects of the shingles vaccine for health professionals. Start the conversation - using SKAI conversation guide on ‘Talking about vaccination with with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families’.
Sponsored: FREE Event & Gain CPD in Wodonga
In partnership with Benchmarque, a leading RTO provider, Serco are facilitating a focused session on Integrated Healthcare:
how it can enhance patient care
boost efficiency
lead to healthier communities.
When & Where: 6-8pm on 15 August 2024 | Wodonga
Who should attend? General Practitioners & Medical Officers
Integrated Healthcare: Gain expert insights from a leading practice management consultant.
Pathways to Meaningful Careers: Delve into the critical role our GPs play and the significant difference you can make.
Networking: Connect with like-minded healthcare professionals.
The next ACRRM Member Forum is taking place in Berri, South Australia on Sunday 25 August at the Berri Hotel – Riverview Lounge from 7:00am - 8:00am (incorporated within the RDASA Masterclass).
If you are practiscing away from your home state or territory, you are invited to attend the member forum that is most convenient for you.
Member forums play a critical part in the College’s engagement to help shape and inform strategy, policy and education across the profession.
Opioid PBS-subsidised authority approval medicines can be requested in real-time through the Online PBS Authorities systems for quantities and/or repeats that provide up to 3 months’ treatment.
Alternatively up to 1 months’ treatment can be requested via telephone and up to 3 months’ treatment if submitting the request in writing (either via HPOS from upload or by post). Telephone authority requests seeking treatment beyond 1 month requests will not be approved.
National Cervical Screening Program - dedicated inbox for healthcare providers
As part of the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) Quality Framework, a number of parameters were determined for ongoing monitoring to ensure the NCSP remains safe and meets its expected outcomes. Parameter 6 (pg. 16) is to monitor Cervical Cancer Case Reviews by performing a review of the screening history of participants diagnosed with cervical cancer:
a) classification of screening history; and b) classification of vaccination history.
The NCSP now has a dedicated inbox for healthcare providers to send cases of cervical cancer to, in order for the NCSP to perform this review and monitoring function.
The new inbox is NCSPnotifications@health.gov.au. Please feel free to distribute this address to other relevant stakeholders and start utilising this inbox as required.
Webinar: Working Together to Prevent Congenital Syphilis
Wednesday 31 July 2024 at 7:00pm AEST
Queensland is currently grappling with a severe syphilis outbreak. Since the early 2000s, the incidence has surged nine-fold, particularly impacting First Nations populations and rural areas.The increasing number of cases among women of reproductive age has led to a concerning rise in congenital syphilis.
This webinar will examine the impact of this outbreak on pregnant women and newborns, and discuss tailored prevention, screening, and treatment strategies for Queensland.
Speakers:
Elena McLeish – CNC, Queensland Syphilis Surveillance Service, Metro North Public Health Unit
Dr Angela Smith – Senior Medical Officer, Metro North Sexual Health and HIV Service
ACRRM’s online course offers a valuable overview of aeromedical retrieval in Australia, with particular relevance for Rural Generalists who may need to utilise aeromedical retrieval services for patient transfers to other facilities.
Patient care takes on new dimensions when it comes to aeromedical retrieval, and this course equips you with the necessary skills to navigate these complexities.
By completing the modules, you will earn 6 educational activity CPD hours and gain insights into providing exceptional patient care in the retrieval environment, delve into the world of retrieval medicine, and explore critical patient transport considerations.
Webinar: AI - Implementation and Effects on the Practice of Radiology
Tuesday 13 August 2024 at 6:30pm AEST
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the field of radiology, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, efficiency, and patient outcomes. This webinar, hosted by I-MED Radiology, is an excellent opportunity for ACRRM members to stay updated on the latest advancements in AI technology within diagnostic imaging.
Join Dr Ron Shnier as he explores:
How AI algorithms can improve the accuracy and speed of diagnostic radiology
Emerging AI technologies in radiology, keep you informed on the latest tools and practices
Effective communication strategies with patients regarding the role and impact of AI in their diagnostic processes.
This webinar is approved as a CPD Accredited Activity by ACRRM
Become a Tele-Derm member: Tele-Derm is free for ACRRM members and non-members working within MMM3-MMM7. Don't miss this valuable opportunity to enhance your diagnostic skills and gain insights from an expert in the field.
Review of MBS health assessment items - consultation now open
The Department of Health and Aged Care is currently undertaking a review of all MBS health assessment items.
The consultation on the review is now open, with a survey available on the department’s Consultation Hub or directly via this link.
The survey and submissions close at 5pm AEST on Monday 30 September 2024.
Participants are requested to refer to the discussion paper available on the Consultation Hub prior to making a written submission or completing the survey. The discussion paper summarises literature review findings and explores health assessment item uptake and utilisation trends.
Feedback from the consultation process will assist in the department’s advice to the Minister and inform the Government’s decision on the future of the items.
Therapeutic Goods Administration Consultation – Future Regulation of Assistive Technologies
TGA is interested in your views around how we regulate assistive technologies. You can read and respond to the consultation paper on Citizen Space here.
ACRRM acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the custodians of the lands and waters where our members and staff work and live across Australia. We pay respect to their elders, lores, customs and Dreaming. We recognise these lands and waters have always been a place of teaching, learning, and healing.