Online urology symposium

Saturday 14 November 2020.

The Department of Urology and University of Melbourne Department of Surgery and the Austin Hospital will host a virtual symposium on Saturday 14 November 2020 from 8am to 2.45pm. The symposium is titled: Urology issues for GPs and practice nurses.

The registration page is here: https://bit.ly/38bXPnL Registration is free.

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AGPA storms RACGP awards

Australian GP Alliance members are well presented in the 2020 RACGP Awards with three of the current Board winning their state categories and now contesting the national title, demonstrating the value of Principal Led General Practice.

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Hunt says Covid outcomes show CDC not necessary

The Federal Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, has ruled out setting up an Australian Centre for Disease Control, despite widespread support for it among medical professionals and scientists.

The Federal Opposition is also in favour.

Health organisations supporting a CDC include: the Australian Medical Association; Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, and the Public Health Association. It is also supported by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

KEY POINTS: Govt rejects CDC; reasons for doing so; ALP medical professions support it; case for CDC; how politics is getting in the way of a CDC.

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Australian PPE Suppliers

We are aware that many practices have had to source PPE during the COVID-19 Pandemic and that there is an ongoing shortage of supply.

We have had a number of organisations offer to supply PPE during the COVID-19 Pandemic. We have listed some of them here and whether they claim to manufacture in Australia.

This list is published for to assist members to source PPE . The Australian GP Alliance cannot vouch for any of these organisations – either for the quality of their products to perform or for the reliability of supply. Practices must make their own assessments of quality and reliability.

Supplier & ContactProduct OriginMasksFace/Eye Protection GownsGloves
Ford Millinery
www. fordmillinery.com.au
Australia PET Face Shields  
Official Uniforms
www.official.com.au
AustraliaL2  Scrubs Gowns 
BMS Advisory
abrydon@bmsadvisory.com.au
ChinaL2 PET Face Shields  
Key Signatures
https://keysignatures.com.au/
AustraliaL3   
Key SignaturesChinaKN95
L2/L1
 DisposableLatex & Nitrile

Meet the Candidates

On 6 August the Australian GP Alliance conducted a webinar to allow the candidates for the Presidency of the RACGP to address issues of interest to Practice Principals.

The candidates:
Dr John Buckley
Dr Charlotte Hespe
Dr Chris Irwin
Dr Karen Price
Dr Ayman Shenouda
Dr Magdalena Simonis

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General Practice Loses a Leader

“It is with great sadness that we note the death of Dr Harry Nespolon”, Dr John Deery, Chair Australian GP Alliance, said today.

The Australian GP Alliance Board, on behalf of all members extends its deepest condolences to his partner and children, friends and colleagues.


“Harry lead the RACGP and represented the interests of General Practice with energy and commitment, and was particularly inspirational during the last six months where, despite a terminal diagnosis, he provided leadership for both the nation and the profession at a time of crisis”.

 
“General practice is the cornerstone of primary health care in Australia, and Dr Harry Nespolon understood the critical importance for General Practice to be both vibrant and viable to deliver the high quality of primary healthcare that Australians expect”, Dr Deery said.


“He worked hard to maintain funding at a critical time and to try to make sure that the small businesses that are GP Practices are viable business entities. Harry was well aware that unless these small business are viable the platform to deliver high quality primary healthcare will not exist, and the health of Australians will suffer accordingly.


“He also stood against attempts to reduce the quality of primary healthcare by opposing the use of paramedical personnel to diagnose and prescribe, despite determined lobbying from industry organisations representing the paramedical interests”, Dr Deery said.

General Practice has lost a committed leader, and while the profession will continue to deliver the healthcare that Australians need, for this moment we pause in reflection of a life well lived in support of Australia and the profession of General Practice.  

Meet the Candidates – AGPA Webinar – 6 August

Meet the Candidates

Thursday 6 August, 8:30pm AEST via Zoom

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 August 2020. The majority of RACGP members are not Practice owners.
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 candidates for President of the RACGP have agreed to address an AGPA forum so that Practice Principals can hear their views on matters which impact on GP Principals.
The forum will ask each candidate to answer three set questions relevant to GP Principals, followed by a short general policy position.

The candidates:
Dr Charlotte Hespe
Dr Chris Irwin
Dr Karen Price
Dr Ayman Shenouda
Dr Magdalena Simonis

Surviving Telehealth’s Impending Tectonic Structural Shift

Tom Skotnicki- Medical Republic 2 April

GENERAL PRACTICES ARE FRANTIC DEALING WITH THE MASSIVE CHANGES OF THE PAST MONTH. BUT AS A CONSUMER, I URGE THEM TO NOT LOSE THEIR FOCUS ON PATIENTS.

Most of us are disoriented by the rapid changes at a time when so many are living in isolation and often dread.  Unless patient relationships are adroitly managed, the changes could prove to be an existential threat. And I suspect those in greatest danger will be those that fail to focus on the patient experience.

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