ACRRM is working closely with the Australian Digital Health Agency (the Agency) and other stakeholders to keep rural communities connected with the improved integration of digital health. The Communities of Excellence Program connects healthcare providers to the national My Health Record system, along with secure messaging and telehealth for patients.

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Senior Australians are at greater risk of more serious illness if they catch coronavirus. As we move towards a COVIDSafe Australia, it is important for people at greater risk to take extra steps to protect themselves.

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The Clinical Excellence Queensland Maternity team is interested in understanding you, your colleagues and consumers experiences during the coronavirus period (i.e. after 1 March 2020) by participating in a survey. The results from these surveys will help inform discussions about the future direction for maternity services and maximising the value of lessons arising from changes to service models.

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It’s more important than ever to adopt safe practices including downloading the COVIDSafe App to minimise the spread of coronavirus, say peak rural medical bodies ACRRM and Rural Doctors Association (RDAA). And, without acting now, it could be too late.

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Cancer Council Victoria is seeking to interview a College representative to discuss identified gaps in skin cancer prevention and detection in the health workforce with a goal to plan and deliver strategies to help fill these gaps over the coming 3 years. Specifically, these discussions will help to inform resources, training and other types of support for health professionals engaging in skin cancer prevention and early detection.

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The appointment of Associate Professor Ruth Stewart as the National Rural Health Commissioner will keep the implementation of the National Rural Generalist Pathway (NRGP) on track and ensure all rural and remote Australians have access to the healthcare they deserve, says the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).

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This week marks the end of Professor Paul Worley's term as the inaugural National Rural Health Commissioner. The College takes this opportunity to acknowledge and commend the work of Professor Worley's leadership and commitment to rural and remote medicine, which has been crucial to bringing a National Rural Generalist Pathway (NRGP) to life.

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While masks can play an important role in preventing the spread of coronavirus, the ‘gold standard’ defence against COVID-19 is still social distancing and hand-washing – and it is critical that all Australians continue to follow these measures diligently, ACRRM and Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) said today.

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As a member of the Close the Gap Steering Committee, the College is pleased to support the newly released Report on Engagements with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to inform the new National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

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The National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) is implementing changes to allow Practice Nurses (enrolled and registered nurses) to complete the certifier section of relevant NDSS registration and access forms following written confirmation of the diabetes diagnosis from the General Practitioner/medical practitioner.

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Many people experience an increase in asthma symptoms and find their asthma harder to control during winter. Among adults and children with asthma, emergency department presentations and hospitalisation rates peak during the winter months which is likely due to the increase in respiratory infections and the annual winter flu season.

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The College has been invited to nominate a representative to join the Emerging Minds GP Special Interest Group to assist with reviewing content for an eLearning on Child Mental Health Skills Training (4hrs). The course is currently in development and comprises four modules covering identification, assessment, care planning and support required for children aged 5-11 at risk of or experiencing mental health difficulties.

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With the NSW and Victorian ski resorts starting to open for the 2020 ski season, rural doctors are warning skiers and snowboarders that they must do everything they can to be COVID safe. Peak rural medical bodies, ACRRM and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA), have warned that includes self-isolating and getting tested - even if you are already partway through your snow holiday.

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With preventable hospitalisations and deaths occurring every day from the misuse of opioids, changes are being made to the way they are prescribed. Rural peak bodies, the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) are supporting the regulation changes in relation to labelling and pack sizes, saying that opioids can hide symptoms that should be checked by your GP.

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With COVID-19 rapidly fading from memories with the relaxing of restrictions, rural doctors are sending a reminder that social distancing needs to be the ‘new normal’. Dr Adam Coltzau, Clinical lead of the COVID-19 Rural and Remote Response said that an increase in presentations of the common cold to doctors’ surgeries is a telling sign.

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To minimise the harm caused by opioid prescription medicines to Australians each year, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is continuing to implement a number of regulatory changes which aim to ensure the safe and effective prescribing and use of opioids while maintaining access for patients who need them.

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Queensland Health has established a Reform Planning Group to prepare advice for the Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services on how best to harness opportunities from Queensland’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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With over 1300 providers offering telehealth at either the patient or distant end of the consultation, the ACRRM telehealth provider directory is one of the most comprehensive multiple speciality directories’ in Australia and is used extensively in rural and remote general practice. We’re pleased to welcome new telehealth providers who recently registered in the ACRRM telehealth provider directory.

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ACRRM welcomes today’s announcement to extend the Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner and commends the decision to expand the expertise of the Office by establishing new Deputy Commissioner roles for Indigenous health, nursing and allied health.

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From 1 July, there are a number of changes to the National Immunisation Program coming into effect. The changes are being implemented following recommendations from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and other clinical experts and are designed to improve protection against meningococcal and pneumococcal disease.

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