Department of Health – Primary Health Care COVID-19 Response Teleconference 20 October  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.

General Notes from the Meeting

Booster doses are not yet licensed by the TGA other than the third doses already recommended by ATAGI for eligible patients.

Commonwealth is working on support for General Practice– to assist in triaging and co-ordination of care. Details will be shared when finalised.    

Questions raised by AGPA

We have been gathering feedback from GPs working in NSW and Victoria, feedback that is important as the country starts opening.

• We need Medicare rebates for GP nurses so that patients who are COVID positive can be triaged and monitored.
• We need patients with COVID who are admitted under the hospital via hospital in the home to be able to access Medicare rebates when they have consultations with their GPs.
  • At the moment patients who are admitted into hospital are not able to access these.
  • Many are still contacting their GPs for medical care.

Response: the Commonwealth acknowledges the difficulties and are working to develop some supports for General Practice.