General Topics
Following the precedents set in Victoria and NSW it is now appears that the Queensland State Revenue office has commenced levying retrospective payroll taxes on GP Practices and that medicare and professional fees paid to independent GPs are considered to be be payments to “employees” for the purpose of determining payroll tax liability.
There are three key components to a high quality primary healthcare system
Most GPs work in Principal led (GP Owned) Practices, small businesses that are the backbone of Australia’s primary health care system. These General Practice businesses are under extreme pressure. The Australian GP Alliance (AGPA ) is the representative body for GP owned practices which account for over 2/3 of General Practices (ref HON 2022).
We call on the Federal Health Minister to act in this time of crisis to for Primary Health Care in Australia.
Presented by: AGPA
Speakers:
Dr Trish Baker, Dr Bernard Shiu, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, and Dr Richard Barker
Tuesday 9 August 2022
Since 2010 health costs have increased at about 5% per year. MBS funding has increased by about 0.5%. This has put significant pressure on Practice viability.
Many Practices that were traditionally bulk billing or mixed billing Practices have started or are considering moving away from their previous billing model. We asked four Practice owners to participate in a panel discussion to discuss how they approached the key components of the transition.
The webinar was recorded, with a link available here
The candidates:
Dr Julian Fidge
Dr Charlotte Hespe
Dr Nicole Higgins
Dr Chris Irwin
Professor Brad Murphy
Dr Chris Ogonowski
Dr Kate Wylie
Primary health care in Australia is led by Practice Principals who work in the Practices they own, providing clinical leadership and facilities to deliver a high quality, community based, primary healthcare system.
The RACGP council elections will take place in September 2022.
The College has significant influence on government policy regarding General Practice and therefore its policies impact on General Practice Principals as the owners of the practices.
The 2022 candidates for President of the RACGP were invited to address an AGPA forum so that GPs and Practice Principals can hear their views on matters which impact on General Practice.
View webinar recording here
On 28 July 2022 the Australian Government Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly declared Monkeypox (MPX) to be a Communicable Disease of National Significance . The Chief Medical Officer’s statement is here
Monkeypox, also known as MPX, is a disease caused by the Monkeypox virus or MPXV. It is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus which causes smallpox. MPX symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder and rarely fatal. Most people will recover in 2-4 weeks.
More severe cases, while rare, can occur among children and people with compromised immunity.
A DoH fact sheet is here
The Department of Health and Aging have developed a resources page here
ATAGI clinical guidance on vaccination is available here
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee has expanded the eligibility criteria for COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments, Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) and molnupiravir (Lagevrio) effective from 11 July 2022.
It is important that primary care providers familiarise themselves with the updated criteria and pre-identify potential patients before they test positive for COVID-19 so medication options can be explored and included in their care plan to expediate treatment within that critical 5-day window from symptom onset (noting those over 70 years may commence treatment while asymptomatic following a positive test).
This decision is in response to the latest evidence on the effectiveness and safety of the medicines, the rate of uptake since they were made available on the PBS and the changing epidemiology of the virus.
Eligibility has been broadened to include people who have chronic respiratory issues due to conditions such as COPD, moderate or severe asthma and there is also greater access for adults living with disability who have multiple medical conditions.
Not being vaccinated has been removed as a risk factor from the criteria for prescription under the PBS.
The new eligibility includes updated age limits and risk factors summarised below.
Following the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) approval of the Spikvax (Moderna) vaccine for children aged 6mths to 5 years, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has provided recommendations in on the use of Moderna in children aged 6mths to under 5 years in certain at risk populations groups.
3 August DoH Provider Bulletin is here
ATAGI Recommendations are here
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has updated its recommendations for an additional
booster dose (also known as a fourth dose) for selected population groups (below) who are at greatest risk of severe illness
from COVID-19 and who have received their primary vaccination course and first booster dose.
Prevention of severe illness from COVID-19 is now the primary goal of the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination program, with the
secondary aim of the COVID-19 vaccination program being the prevention of infection and transmission of the virus.
The ATAGI Fourth Dose Eligibility bulletin is here
The 2022 Flu Season data to 24 May (Influenza report) indicates that since 1 March approximately 6.4 M flu doses have been administered (reported to AIR).
Approximately 4.3 M (67%) have been administered by GP
The data is available here.
ATAGI have expanded recommendations on winter COVID-19 booster doses to include people aged 16-64 years who have complex, chronic or severe conditions that are considered to increase their risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Today’s announcement from the Health Minister Senator Katy Gallagher estimates that this will include an additional 1.5 M Australians
The 25 May provider bulletin is here
The additional groups are included in the attachment table here
The ATAGI Q&A regarding the revised winter dose is here