5 August 2019

Message from Chair

As we head towards the end of the triennium, I would like remind all GP providers of Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) of their requirement to complete one FPS Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activity before Tuesday 31 December 2019. This will ensure that you remain compliant and registered with Medicare Australia into the next triennium. You can find a number of FPS CPD activities available and accredited by the GPMHSC by visiting our website.

During the past three months, the GPMHSC has contributed to policy by responding to the recommendations of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Review Mental Health Reference Group and submissions to the Productivity Commission Inquiry on Mental Health and the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

The response to the MBS review identified the continued need for contemporary clinical evidence and practice in the provision of primary mental health services in Australia. This also includes the support and development of a mental health workforce that is better equipped to respond to patient need.

Submissions to the Productivity Commission Inquiry on Mental Health and the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System highlighted key challenges in the prevention, support, delivery and improvement of services to those effected by mental illness, their families and communities. Issues around social determinants of health, mental health workforce distribution and remuneration were included in the final submissions to help ensure better accessibility and quality of mental health services across the state.

Lastly, look for the GPMHSC Secretariat exhibits at the following conferences:

General Practice Training & Education Conference (GPTEC) 2019 in Melbourne on Tuesday and Wednesday 3–5 September 2019.
GP19 – the RACGP conference in Adelaide from Thursday to Saturday 23–26 October 2019.
Rural Medicine Australia (RMA19) on the Gold Coast, Thursday to Saturday 23–26 October 2019.

We will be launching the new Mental Health Training Standards for 2020–22 at GP19 and RMA19, so make sure to come along and participate in the discussion.

Assoc Prof Morton Rawlin

Chair, GPMHSC

For GPs

Support for GPs ahead of new Medicare item number for severe and complex eating disorders

As a GP, you are likely to be one of the first health professionals that a person with an eating disorder will engage.

Read

Are you a registered GP provider of focused psychological strategies with an interest in education?

RACGP Rural is currently seeking expressions of interests from suitably qualified GPs to facilitate small group case-based discussion sessions as part of their online focused psychological strategies skills training (FPS ST).

Read

New services and support for carers

Developed specifically for carers, the Carer Gateway helps carers access practical information and online support services for people who care for someone with mental illness, disability or other chronic illness.

Read

GP resource in supporting mental health

Comcare has recently published a new GP resource on assessing capacity for patients with a psychological condition.

Read

Burnout recognised as an occupational phenomenon

In May 2019, the World Health Organisation (WHO) included burnout in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD–11) as an occupational phenomenon.

Read

Reviewing a mental health care plan – What GPs should know

GPs who complete GPMHSC-accredited Mental Health Skills Training are eligible to claim higher rebates under the MBS Better Access initiative.

Read

For Training Providers

Medicare notification requirements

Provider numbers must be provided to the GPMHSC. This will enable reporting to Medicare on completions of Mental Health Skills Training (MHST).

Read

The importance of the consumer and carer perspective

A key requirement of GPMHSC-accredited MHST and FPS ST activities is the engagement of both a consumer and carer representative in all stages of the planning, development, delivery and review of education for the opportunity to share their journeys through the health system and in recovery.

Read

Multiculturalism and mental health

Embrace Multicultural Mental Health (the Embrace Project) officially launched its new website and framework this month following many months of collaboration and consultation with various consumer and carer groups.

Read

GPMHSC introductory video

As part of the introduction section of all GPMHSC accredited face-to-face activities, the GPMHSC Secretariat suggests you include this short two-minute video.

Read