It is hard to believe that it has been a month since I took leave with my family and enjoyed some time away from work with them. I encourage you all to take a breath and seek an opportunity to have a holiday and spend time with loved ones. It is also a couple of weeks since the Federal election was held and the RACGP will continue its strong advocacy with the returning Government.
Visit our webpage for the latest resources to support GPs and practices in light of Federal Government bulk billing changes. This includes posters and on-hold scripts informing patients about whether your billing policies will remain the same or change.
Since I last wrote to you, I have continued to press the NSW Government for a follow-up meeting to discuss prescribing of psychostimulants by GPs and I am pleased to say that this will occur in early June, in a joint meeting with AADPA, alongside attending a new representative working group as part of the Ministry of Health.
Work on the Single Digital Patient Record continues to progress in NSW, with the first tranche of the pilot scheduled to commence in March 2026 in the Hunter New England LHD. Discussions have also commenced around the integration of NSW Health Pathology into this project, this is becoming a very exciting space – and I remain hopeful that it will be successful in its rollout. I am also meeting with the ACT Digital Health Record team in early June to understand that model, and any learnings that may be helpful for NSW GPs.
Medicinal cannabis and telehealth continue to be an area of concern raised by members, and I recently had the opportunity to discuss these with the TGA. There will be more information to share in the coming months as we strive to address concerns around quality prescribing and patient safety.
Plans are underway for visits to the Murrumbidgee region and the ACT at the end of June. I value the opportunity to meet members in different locations and to understand their practice and their communities. I am planning a member event in Wagga on Wednesday 25 June, and I am looking forward to connecting with local members then. You can register here.
I would also really love to connect with ACT members at a planned member event on Friday 27 June. You can find further details and a registration link here.
Until next month.
Dr Rebekah Hoffman
RACGP NSW&ACT Chair