Department of Health – Primary Health Care COVID-19 Response Teleconference 18 August 2021 – Meeting notes from Dr Maria Boulton
The Primary Care Implementation Group (PCIG) is an online meeting that includes most primary healthcare peak bodies. It is convened weekly by the Department of Health as part of the COVID-19 response. Dr Maria Boulton attends on behalf of the AGPA.
Department of Health – Primary Health Care COVID-19 Response Teleconference 11 August 2021 – Meeting notes from Dr Maria Boulton
The Primary Care Implementation Group (PCIG) is an online meeting that includes most primary healthcare peak bodies. It is convened weekly by the Department of Health as part of the COVID-19 response. Dr Maria Boulton attends on behalf of the AGPA.
Thursday 12 August: the ACT went into lock down with its first case of COVID-19 in over 12 months.
On Tuesday a Canberra respiratory clinic Principal commented:
A lot of hours and tired staff.
Friday 20 August: there are 94 active cases in the ACT, and more than 20,000 people are in quarantine.
The DoH has released updated advice on in-reach COVID-19 vaccination services for aged care workers , advice on co-administration of vaccines, updated AstraZeneca vaccine Easy Read, and updated links.
The AGPA is surveying General Practice about the COVAX program. Our aim is mainly to see how much capacity there is to increase vaccination programs using GP. While there is a lot of anecdotal information we think it is important to try to quantify the amount of capacity. There are 10 questions and it should take less than 2 minutes to complete.
The survey link is here
The last two months have been a busy time for the AGPA directors with media commentary regarding the COVAX rollout covering issues from assistance with consumables and vaccine supply (or lack thereof) to medical indemnity associated with the provision of Astra Zeneca vaccine to patients under 50.
Primary Health Care COVID-19 Response Teleconference 16 March 2021
The Primary Care Implementation Group (PCIG) is an online meeting that includes most primary healthcare peak bodies. It is convened weekly by the Department of Health as part of the COVID-19 response. Dr Maria Boulton attends on behalf of the AGPA.
The AGPA welcomes the decision of the Australian Government to extend MBS (Medical Benefits Schedule) Telehealth item numbers to cover all members of the community and all GPs regardless of the circumstances. This will help to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission and support the maintenance of necessary patient care.
AGPA also applauds the recognition of General Practice and primary health care in leading the fight against the Pandemic.
However, AGPA urges the removal of requirements for the bulk billing only of Telehealth items as quickly as possible.
Many General Practices in Australia are structured in a way […]
16 March 2020
The Australian GP Alliance (AGPA) congratulates the Government on its decision to introduce Telehealth consultations for Australians who are classified as “at risk of COVID19”.
Supporting all high risk groups to reduce their exposure to COVID-19 by reducing time in waiting rooms, and public areas is welcomed.
AGPA notes that the ability to consult via Telehealth is limited to a Doctor who has held a consultation with the person in the last 12 months. This is too restrictive and unhelpful.
Tom Skotnicki *
David and Trina Gregory first met in 1987 as young ED registrars. David took the lead in setting up their first practice in Port Macquarie the following year while Trina had six children over the next few years. Both are still working as GPs, albeit in Canberra. But when Practice Matters asked them if they would do it again if they were starting out today there was a cautious reaction. They both agreed that the 1980s was a far simpler time for General Practice.