welcome to the October 2010 edition, in this issue:

Welcome new OTDs

North Coast GP Training is pleased to welcome four new Overseas Trained Doctors to the Fellowship Support Program.  This is a great opportunity for us to remind everyone about the assistance and support we provide to our OTDs.

The Rural Doctors Network funding is allocated to the individual Doctor to enable an Individual Learning Plan to be developed. This plan is aimed at identifying any gaps  in the Doctor's medical knowledge and clinical experience and outline any learning, training and/or educational needs required to assist the Doctor prepare for the Fellowship examinations.  The program  funding also supports the Doctor's  attendance at preparation workshops as well as assisting in funding valuable examinaton preparation resources.

North Coast GP Training organises and facilitates regular workshops in such areas as examination skills and communication and consultation skills. It is important to keep monitoring our website and reading our newsletters to find out about upcoming courses and workshops,

Comunication and Consultation Skills Workshop Feedback

On 25th September we held a Comunication and Consultation Skills workshop at our NCGPT Ballina Office. The participants provided positive feedback on all aspects of the program and saw it as  a valuable activity to repeat on a regular basis.

We had previously tried to hold the workshop over 2 days in Coffs Harbour but had not received sufficient applications to enable the workshop to go ahead. This was disappointing and it would be valuable feedback  to know the preferred format for future workshops. Getting enough attendees for a weekend workshop is seeming to be more problematic. I will be sending out a very short survey in the coming weeks to determine the preferred duration and locations for future workshops.

Please take the time to complete the survey as it will inform our planning for 2011.

Congratulations to the 2010 GPET Award Winners

Congratulations to the 2010 GPET Award winners!

The 2010 GPET Award winners were announced on Thursday 9 September at the GPET Convention in Alice Springs. This year’s awards had a record 75 nominations for 62 individuals and organisations across 13 RTPs. The Awards recognise outstanding contributions made by individuals and organisations to the AGPT program. We are especially proud of one of this year's winners: GPET/Medical Observer GP Supervisor of the Year - Dr Debbie Kors, NCGPT;.

Debbie has provided outstanding education and support for our OTDs and is a particularly popular presenter at our workshops. Congratulation to Debbie for a well deserved recognition of your work!

College of GPs launches 4th edition of RACGP Standards for general practices

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has launched the 4th edition of the Standards for general practices at GP10 – the conference for general practice – in Cairns.

The 4th edition was written following a review of the 3rd edition and was developed by GPs, practice nurses, practice managers and consumer representatives with significant input from the general practice profession and other vital stakeholders. During consultation on the draft 4th edition, feedback was received from almost 700 people though online surveys, focus groups, written submissions and field trials.

Key changes in the 4th edition include fewer criteria and indicators and new criteria, including areas such as clinical handover, clinical leadership, patient identification and safe and quality use of medicines. In the new edition, practices have more choice in demonstrating to surveyors how they implement the Standards in their practice. In addition, height adjustable beds have been added to the list of essential equipment.

The new edition layout is more user-friendly and contains an updated and expanded index. There are additional tools that support implementation of the Standards, with the development of a guide on using patient feedback and guidelines for managing computer security.

RACGP President Professor Claire Jackson said that the 4th edition of the Standards represents a template for quality and risk management in contemporary general practice.

AMA Anti- Violence Kit

With recent media about violence against health professionals GP members are reminded that the AMA has an anti-violence kit available to help make practices safer for GPs, staff and patients. The kit offers practical information about identifying, assessing and controlling risks and what to do after an incident. GP members were provided with a kit on its release in June 2008. New GP members who wish to obtain a copy can do so by emailing  generalpractice@ama.com.au.
 

Local Health Networks

Transition to Local Health Networks

Boundaries for 18 new Local Health Networks (LHNs) in NSW have been announced.
The establishment of LHNs is central to the National Health Reform agreement to which NSW was a signatory in April this year. The establishment of the LHNs will build on the role that clinicians and the community play in local decision-making and aims to move NSW towards a more sustainable public health system.

LHNs will be formally established across NSW on 1 January 2011 and will mean that from this time on, Area Health Services (AHSs) will cease to exist.
The new structure will include the establishment of Governing Councils responsible for the delivery of services within their LHN.
The new LHNs and regular updates can be found at  www.health.nsw.gov.au .
 

Medical Registraton Late Fee

The Medical Board of Australia has advised that the late fee of $325 for practitioners who had not renewed their registration by 30 September 2010 has been dropped. If you are unsure when your registration is due, check your registration details on the medical register at  www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registers-of-Practitioners.aspx. For more information or to renew your registration online, visit www.medicalboard.gov.au.

NSW Rural GPs Conference

The NSW RDN/RDA (NSW) 2010 Rural GPs Conference registration form is now available to download.
This conference is currently approved for a one day Emergency Training Grant. Conditions apply and applicable space may be limited.
What: NSW RDN/RDA (NSW) 2010 Rural GPs Conference
When: 26 to 28 November 2010
Where: Hyatt Hotel Canberra
Cost: GPs $300 / Partners $100
Contact: GPs info: Ph 02 8337 8100 or email conferences@nswrdn.com.au. 
 

Lectures and workshop topics include Respiratory Medicine, Aboriginal Health, Orthopaedics, Cardiology, Dermatology, Geriatric Emergencies, Paediatric Emergencies, Psychiatric Emergencies and Radiology.
NSW RDN and RDA (NSW) will hold Annual General Meetings at the conference.
 

Examination Resources

 Medical Observer:

9 October edition:

The Clinical Review topics covered in this editition are :

Outwitting Alzheimer's

Malaria

17 September edition:

Clinical Review topics covered are:

NSAIDS; controversies of the heart

Developmental Progress in young children.

These are very useful learning tools.

Remember that you can earn CPD points on line at MO learning www.medicalobserver.com.au

Australian Doctor

8 October edition:

How To Treat topic is Valvular heart disease.

Also try the CPD QUIZ UPDATE  on www.australiandoctor.com.au