The Workforce Incentives Program (WIP) “ Rural Advanced Skills Stream, which commenced on 1 January 2024, provides payments to rural generalists and GPs offering advanced skills in rural and remote communities. This initiative offers vital financial support to doctors with advanced skills, recognising their critical role in delivering healthcare in these areas.

For a limited time, the Department of Health and Aged Care is allowing practices who were registered for GPACI to backdate their MyMedicare-registered patients’ GPACI registration. This will allow re-assessment of eligible services delivered from July to December 2024.

In fantastic news for the community of Balranald, especially in the lead up to Christmas and the new year, General Practitioner Dr Vitalis Ihuarulam has opened his books, six months after the community’s long serving General Practitioner, Dr Zotov retired.  

Dr Ihuarulam’s commencement is the result of a tremendous collaborative effort between Rural Doctors Network (RDN) and Balranald Shire Council, the Far West Local Health District (FWLHD) and the Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN

Last week, more than 70 Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) staff and stakeholders celebrated the launch of the organisation’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) on unceded Wiradjuri land. The RAP Launch is a big milestone for WNSW PHN, highlighting its ongoing commitment to creating a more inclusive, respectful, and equitable future.

Dr Vijay Pandya, a long-serving general practitioner at Dubbo Medical and Allied Health Group (DMAHG), was recently honoured with the prestigious Jean Emile Serisier Roll of Honour at the Dubbo Business Chamber Rhino Awards. The award, presented in October, celebrates individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the business community, demonstrating entrepreneurial spirit, strategic vision, and innovation while inspiring future generations of leaders.

HealthPathways is a valuable source of best-practice, online guidance for clinicians and contributes to CPD (Continuing Professional Development).

CPD activity reporting just got easier with the new CPD Reporting feature in HealthPathways. If you have a HealthPathways account, you now have access to CPD Reporting.

Services Australia has advised there will be a system release for the Organisation Register on 9 December 2024, which will introduce some changes.

MyMedicare registrations continue to increase, particularly general practice-led registrations. As of 6 November 2024, 2,126,435 patients, 6,329 general practices and ~47,000 provider numbers are registered with MyMedicare. MyMedicare voluntary patient registration is a foundation for person-centred primary care.

From 21 January 2025, a regular podiatry service will be available at Thrive Medical in Broken Hill.

Wellington Antenatal Clinic was one of 20 clinics recognised as ˜Medicare Champions’ last week by the Prime Minister and Health Minister.