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Dr Dan Wilson on being an RG trainee on the frontline
May 5, 2020Dr Daniel Wilson (Dan) is a Rural Generalist trainee with ACRRM and Board Director at Rural Doctors Association Victoria (RDAV). We caught up with Dan to see how he is copying with the impacts COVID-19 are having with those on the frontline… -
Updates to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Website - 1 May 2020
May 1, 2020The Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits was updated on 1 May 2020 and the Summary of Changes can be found on the New, Amended and Deleted Items page. Read more for a list of included updates. -
Department of Health announces temporary changes to requirements under s19AA and 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973
May 1, 2020To support doctors responding to the COVID-19 pandemic the Department of Health is implementing a number of short term measures to waive or streamline Medicare program requirements. These will ensure eligible doctors can continue to satisfy their obligations under section 19AA and 19AB of the Health Insurance Act 1973 and provide Medicare services to patients in their current practice. -
Well-being and performance during times of crisis
Apr 29, 2020This webinar recording, presented by registered psychologist, Sharee Johnson, focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores practical strategies to combat information overload, fatigue and burnout for health professionals and looks at ways to manage anxiety and stress for themselves and their patients during these uncharted times. -
Telehealth consultations and e-requesting of pathology
Apr 28, 2020The Department of Health has provided information regarding the requirement for a patient signature for billing and a clinician signature when using e-requesting of pathology, including the need for a pathology request to be signed by the clinician, and for a patient's written consent for a bulk-billed procedure. -
Routine Immunisations help keep rural and remote communities safe during COVID-19
Apr 27, 2020Routine immunisation is the foundation for strong health systems and ACRRM says that World Immunisation Week provides a timely reminder of the importance of vaccination, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. -
JOINT RELEASE: New tool in fight against coronavirus – COVIDSafe App launched
Apr 27, 2020Peak rural medical bodies, ACRRM and RDAA have said that the Government’s new Contact Tracing App, COVIDSafe, is an important additional tool in the fight against COVID-19. -
Voluntarily downloading COVIDsafe app will stem the spread in rural and remote communities
Apr 26, 2020ACRRM says the benefits of the government’s new COVIDSafe app in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic far outweigh any perceived risk. The app, which is available to all Australians to voluntarily download from 6.00pm tonight, will help protect lives by alerting people who may have come in contact with a person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19. -
JOINT RELEASE: Golden opportunity to make rural health better
Apr 24, 2020With thoughts turning to how Australia might adapt to a post-COVID world, rural doctors say the pandemic response could provide the tools for better access to healthcare in the bush. -
Support for people with disability is vital during COVID-19
Apr 23, 2020During this time when Australia is focussed on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to remember the health care needs of people with disabilities in our rural and remote communities, says ACRRM. -
Suspension of colonoscopy recertification program update
Apr 22, 2020The Gastroenterology Society of Australia (GESA) has notified ACRRM that this Program has been suspended until 30 September 2020. -
Cervical Screening during COVID-19 – Message from the National Cervical Screening Program
Apr 22, 2020The National Cervical Screening Program is encouraging healthcare providers to continue to offer routine screening and follow up. -
MBS Telehealth Expansion – Changes announced on 20 April 2020
Apr 21, 2020As of 20 April 2020, specialist and allied health service providers are no longer required to bulk bill telehealth items. Providers are expected to obtain informed financial consent from patients prior to providing the service; providing details regarding their fees, including any out-of-pocket costs. -
JOINT RELEASE: Rural doctors welcome boost to COVID-19 aeromedical support
Apr 21, 2020Australia’s peak rural doctor bodies have welcomed $52 million in Federal Government support for aeromedical organisations to provide additional retrievals, and other assistance, to rural and remote communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. -
JOINT RELEASE: COVID-19 testing: timely results critical to expansion success
Apr 18, 2020Fast turnaround on test results is the key to protecting rural Australia from COVID-19 outbreaks. Rural peak bodies, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) are calling for investment in strategies to reduce the time it takes between testing and results, for people in the bush. -
New position statement: RANZCR advice on appropriate use of CT throughout the COVID-19 pandemic
Apr 17, 2020RANZCR has released a position statement on the appropriate use of CT during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in relation to patients undergoing emergency surgery. -
ACRRM proud to support Gowns for Doctors
Apr 16, 2020ACRRM is proud to be a major supporter of ‘Gowns for Doctors’, a voluntary project coordinated by two Bendigo GPs who are making and delivering gowns to support health workers during the COVID-19 PPE crisis. ACRRM support will see up to 1000 additional gowns being created and sent to practices in rural and regional Victoria – with a strong potential for the project to go national. -
Release of Resources for Medication Management in Cancer Care
Apr 16, 2020The Australian Commission on Quality and Safety in Health Care has published a range of resources to support cancer care services to implement the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. -
JOINT RELEASE: Ticking time bombs – under-prepared hospitals could blow up under COVID pressure
Apr 15, 2020Rural medical organisations are warning that hospitals, particularly the smaller rural ones, need to gear up now, to prepare for COVID-19 emergencies. ACRRM and RDAA have said that good preparation will save lives. -
ACRRM welcomes new telehealth providers
Apr 9, 2020With 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. The directory can be searched by speciality or region and includes information about visiting specialists and those offering mentorship in running a telehealth service.