ACRRM is calling for Expressions of Interest from Fellows located in North West HHS, Central West HHS, South West HHS and Torres or Cape HHS to represent the College on this Committee, which supports these rural and remote hospital and health services in processing credentialing and clinical scope of practice.
With more state borders reopening, border bubbles being expanded and school holidays starting, Australia’s peak rural medical bodies are urging rural Australians to keep getting tested for COVID-19…even if they are only showing the mildest of symptoms.
Extending until 31 March 2021, the temporary MBS telehealth items are available to GPs, medical practitioners, specialists, consultant physicians, nurse practitioners, participating midwives, allied health providers, and dental practitioners in the practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Since the availability of electronic prescribing in May there has been a rapid increase in the number of prescriptions produced electronically instead of on paper. The recent focus of the roll out has been the greater Melbourne area and there are trial sites running in each state resulting in over 100,000 ePrescriptions generated so far.
Today’s announcement of a $115 million extension to the Rural Health Outreach Fund (RHOF) is welcomed by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).
Earlier this year, the Department communicated temporary changes to requirements around provider numbers and programs, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. When designing the temporary measures, the key considerations were promoting a safe, quality health workforce; removing barriers and administrative obligations; and maintaining continuity of services to the community
The Cancer Institute NSW is collaborating and consulting with a wide range of government, non-government, community and consumer stakeholders to inform the next Plan. The current plan can be found here. Consultation will include a series of co-design workshops, involving key government and non-government agencies, and community and consumer stakeholders.
ACRRM has been invited to participate in the upcoming review of Assessing Fitness to Drive, including an invitation to nominate a representative to participate in the project advisory group.
Resumption of on-site assessments to the RACGP Standards for general practices will occur from 26 October 2020 for practices that are at low risk of transmission of COVID-19.
In 2018 Life Fellow Dr Mark Craig generously created a bursary to further the professional development of ACRRM staff. The donation was made in recognition of the work staff at the College undertake each day to support rural and remote doctors.
ACRRM supports today’s announcement of a six-month extension to Medicare-subsidised telehealth to facilitate access to vital primary health care services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Rachel James is a rural general practice obstetrician registrar who is currently undergoing two weeks mandatory isolation in order to return to Perth for family matters. Interested to gain fist-hand insight, we asked Dr James to discuss her thoughts about self-isolation, extended periods of quarantine, and mental health.
Rural doctors are asking patients to be honest about any cold and flu-like symptoms they may have when visiting a hospital or doctor. Dr Adam Coltzau, Clinical Lead of the COVID-19 Rural and Remote Response, said that it was essential that patients always be honest about any symptoms they may be suffering.
The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) proudly supports Nursing in the Community Week and acknowledges the integral role nurses play in health care teams and patient care in rural communities.
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has released a Discussion Paper on Quality Use of Medicines in the Aged Care Sector. This is part of a larger project to develop a national baseline report for the Quality Use of Medicines and Medicines Safety National Health Priority Area.
Primary Health Tasmania has created a COVID-19 guide for aged care facilities. In addition to the guide and to better enable communication between general practitioners and aged care facilities, a form has been designed to ensure facilities have access to relevant detailed contact information for GPs in the event of an outbreak.
The Rural Workforce Agency Victoria (RWAV) is seeking Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified applicants to fill Director vacancies on the RWAV Board for a term of three (3) years. Nominations close on Monday 28 September 2020 at 5.00pm and should be forwarded board@rwav.com.au
ACRRM says today, RU OK and World Suicide Prevention Day, provides a timely reminder to rural and remote health professionals to look after themselves and each other.