Welcome to the December issue.

Merry Christmas and a VERY Happy 2013 from NCGPT

The NCGPT Office will close from 5pm Friday 21st December and will re-open on Wednesday 2nd January 2013.

Wishing you all a happy and safe festive season and a wonderful new year ahead.

We look forward to working with you in 2013.

NCGPT Staff

CEO Update

Hang on a minute….it can’t be Christmas already, can it?

I’m sure I am not alone in thinking that it isn’t possible that the end of the year is here already.  Didn’t we just say “hello” to all of our new registrars just a few weeks ago?  No doubt about it, 2012 has been another busy and successful year for NCGPT and, looking back, there were plenty of milestones along the way. 

I started to write about each one of them , but quickly realised I would take up all the space available in this newsletter.  So, here are the highlights: more registrars (120 in total this year!), more new training practices, more new supervisors, a growing and vibrant Prevocational GP Placements Program, a combined GPET/NCGPT board meeting, NSW HETI accreditation for PGPPP, GPET accreditation for AGPT, a brand new registrar practice allocation approach and policy, we consulted on and developed NCGPT’s Aboriginal Health Training Strategy, hosted the Anaesthetics 2012 Conference at Byron Bay (over 70 delegates from around the country came!), filled all 45 of our AGPT training places for next year, won research grants from the RACGP and Health Workforce Australia, completed two GPET funded research projects and published two papers (so far!), recruited 7 fantastic new staff and moved to a new and bigger premises….phew....and I’m sure I’ve missed a few things!

So, as you can see, it has been a huge year for the organisation and the team.  As we head into the Christmas break we have much to be thankful for including a wonderful cohort of registrars who are making an enormous contribution to the GP workforce in our region, over 55 training practices and over 100 dedicated GP supervisors delivering well supported training opportunities to all of those registrars, a Prevocational GP Placements Program that gives junior doctors a great opportunity to experience general practice in their hospital years, new funding from GPET to support overseas trained doctors in our region starting next year, 36 fantastic staff, a new home and I could go on, but I think you get the picture.  Things look pretty good for NCGPT as we round out 2012.

With Christmas almost upon us, on behalf of the entire team and the board at NCGPT we wish everyone in the NCGPT family and all of our many friends a very merry, safe and relaxing Christmas and New Year.  We hope that you all enjoy some well-deserved time off and come back refreshed and ready for another great year in 2013.

John Langill CEO

End of year RLO update

RLO's Nina Robinson and David Chessor

Another training year almost complete, and hopefully we're all wiser and more confident as a result...

There have been some pretty big changes to the National Minimum Terms and Conditions for 2013.  Please make sure you familiarise yourselves with the document. You can access the NMTC 2013 here. On the plus side, some of the inconsistencies have been ironed out, simplifying calculation of leave for example. GPRA has made a significant compromise on the issue of superannuation increases, which in effect means that practices will not be out of pocket when the increases take effect. While David and I both had reservations about this change, this concession has increased the good will between GPRA and the Supervisors association (NGPSA). I hope that in the coming year we can continue this collaboration and negotiate a National Agreement on Terms and Conditions for GPT3 and 4.

The biggest highlight of the year was the recruitment of Dr David Chessor as RLO.  David is a dedicated and passionate advocate for his fellow registrars.  We farewelled with regret Dr Kirsten Patterson, who retired from her RLO position this year. We will therefore be inviting applications for our 3rd RLO position early next year. Ideally this would be someone now in GPT1 or about to start GPT1 next year. It's a great job with a good mix of politics and pleasure...for more juicy details contact David or me.

My personal highlight for the year was passing the FRACGP exams.  I know some of you are sitting these early next year, and you have my very best wishes...It's going to be a long summer for you!  And, if you do get sent to Darwin for the OSCE - don't worry - it was really well organised and a very small group so just try to enjoy the tropics. Personally I spent the day before the OSCE swimming in waterfalls and that seemed to help me pass???!

Thanks to all Registrars for raising your concerns with us and sharing the good times too. Last, but not least to all the dedicated staff at NCGPT, thanks for your responsiveness and hard work this year. I know we've thrown some challenges to you and you take them on without hesitation.  We look forward to ongoing positive collaboration as we grow as an organisation.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Dr Nina Robinson and Dr David Chessor, RLO's

SLO Update

Seasons  greetings to all our hard working supervisors on the north coast. This has indeed been a a busy year in general practice with many changes in the landscape. Not the least of these has been the advent of the Medicare Local which has taken over the roles of 4 divisions of general practice. No doubt this will see many changes in the delivery of aspects of health care , particularly after hours care, mental health care (hopefully this can be improved!) and palliative care for our communities.

There is no doubt that none of these endeavours will succeed without the cooperation and input of the general practitioners at the coal face of primary health care delivery.

The best news recently has been the negotiated settlement of the minimal terms and conditions between the NGPSA representing you the supervisors and GPRA. This has proved a win-win with the impending increase in compulsory super potentially pricing registrars out of the majority of training practices. Fortunately common sense has prevailed and by now you should have all received the emails from the NGPSA leadership about the resultant compromise.

Our supervisors and their practices continue to deliver an exceptionally high standard of education to our registrars as witnessed by the excellent results in the fellowship exams this year. We are seeing more and more registrars staying on after completing training and working alongside us in our practices which is a great result for the community, for primary care delivery and for the other general practitioners in our region.

The commencement of a regular teleconference between supervisors working in AMS locations is another great development. It will allow support and cross fertilisation of ideas amongst the supervisors in this unique environment which will no doubt deliver a better educational experience for registrars working with them.

I wish every one of the supervisors in NCGPT a safe and restful Christmas break and if you have the misfortune to be working then take care ( of yourself as well as your patients).

John Vaughan  SLO

Acting healthy: a cathartic course in GP self care

Scenes from 'Physician Heal Thyself'

Kempsey and Port Macquarie were treated to a unique educational evening recently, run by Medical Educator, Dr Genevieve Yates. Participants were taken on a journey through the eyes of Emma, a rural GP as they acted out a day in her life at her practice.

The play reading and facilitated discussion gives an opportunity for participants to reflect upon their lives in General Practice, as either doctors, supervisors, practice or support staff, and is intended to reveal the importance of self-care in the workplace.

Both evenings were a great success with attendees calling the event "though provoking", "eye-opening" and "entertaining". A member of practice support staff who attended stated:

"[I] have a much better understanding of why GPs act the way they do and the challenges of being a GP trainee." "I've always assumed that as doctors they will always look after themselves but now I realise that this is not true, they need help just like everyone else. So thank you. This session has had a big impact on the way I think and what I'm going to do in my work life." 

Research wrap up

NCGPT has had an exciting year in terms of research in 2012. We successfully completed two GPET-funded projects on vertical integration of training in general practice and wish to thank all supervisors, registrars, prevocational trainees, practice managers, practice nurses and medical students who participated in our projects.

We have had two papers accepted for publication from those projects. We will keep you posted on publication dates (no pun intended!) and will be contacting our participants to give them a summary of our research findings.

We have also been awarded several new grants for 2013, one from the RACGP to examine Balint groups in general practice and the other to conduct a national survey to follow-up on the results of our vertical integration study.

In addition we have two registrars taking up academic posts in 2013 to conduct research into community palliative care, and registrars’ antibiotic prescribing practices, respectively. We look forward to working with you in 2013!

Wealth of knowledge

Indigenous Education Resource Library

NCGPT is building an impressive resource library with hundreds of books, DVDs and learning resources for registrars, supervisors, medical educators, PGPPP and OTD's to borrow.

The latest resources which just arrived add to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health resources and include a series of films and documentaries which give insight into the health, well being, culture, traditions and history of Aboriginal Australia.

Among them is the multi award winning film, 'Contact' which follows the life of a young 17 year old girl, Yuwali, from her first contact with European settlers in 1964, to 2008 at age 64.

'Crossing the line' follows the journey of two medical students to a remote Indigenous community on Mornington Island. It captures their experiences offering western medical services, making personal connections, and have their perceptions and personal ideas deeply challenged. 

Some of the book resources include 'The Original Australians' by Josephine Flood, which tells the story of Aboriginal Australia from the Dreamtime to the Modern Day; 'Social Determinents of Indigenous Health' by Carson, Dunbar, Chenhall and Bailie which examines the relationship between social and political environments and health.

To borrow a book, DVD or learning resource, please contact NCGPT on 66815711 or email info@ncgpt.org.au

PITCH perfect

The five shortlisted PITCH'ers with winner, Dr Tom Rolley (far right)

A panel of four judges has awarded first place in the North Coast NSW Medicare Local PITCH (short for Practical Idea To Change Healthcare) to NCGPT Registrar, Tom Rolley from Mullumbimby Medical Centre and his Manager, Chiron Weber.
 

One of 27 impressive PITCH’s, Dr Rolley’s Website Portal concept was chosen due to the myriad of ways in which it could be used to better connect healthcare, clinicians and the wider community.
 

Tom and Chiron envisaged a portal which would support regular webinar presentations by GP’s and Specialists for patient information and education. The scope and range of topics which could be presented is virtually limitless - a feature which has won these PITCHER's the chance to make their idea a reality. Stay tuned in the new year for updates on their progress!

You can access the North Coast Medicare Local Health Speak Magazine here

NCGPT Supervisor and Medical Educator among those honoured

NCGPT Medical Educator Dr Nicola Foster

The NSW Rural Doctors Network has paid tribute to 16 general practitioner doctors across New South Wales for their long standing contribution to the medical profession.  The annual Rural Medical Service Awards recognise service of 35 years or more to the people of rural, regional and remote NSW. The sixteen doctors who received the prestigious award have cumulatively provided more than 500 years of service to their rural communities.

NCGPT extends its congratulations to all those honoured, with special mention to NCGPT Supervisor, Dr Michael Pelmore from Mullumbimby who has practised in regional Australia for 36 years; and NCGPT Medical Educator, Dr Nicola Foster, who has been recognised for 35 years of medical service to rural and regional communities and who is also a valued member of NCGPT staff.

Click here to read the NSW Rural Doctors Network article.

A week of workshops

NCGPT Supervisor Peter Silberberg with Registrars Matthew Hansen, Leila Omera and Hannah Visser at the Angourie Workshop

NCGPT hosted a workshop marathon in November with the GPT1, GPT2, PGPPP and the ME and Supervisors Workshops all taking place at the Angourie Rainforest Retreat in Yamba.

The various sessions included presentations on: contraception, infertility, prenatal and antenatal conditions, end of life, fracture management, ENT, osteoporosis, prevention and early detection, consulting skills, working with children, motivational interviewing and more. Implanon training was also delivered along with a presentation by Eye Specialist, Dr Ray Van Eijden on eyes.

This year we held a talent quest in the evening and were treated to a diverse array of talents, from violin, to flamenco guitar, comedy skits, aikido lessons and the ancient art of origami... GP registrars sure are a multi talented lot!

Welcome new registrars to The North Coast!

Welcome new registrars to the beautiful North Coast! Your orientation days have been scheduled for 21st January 2013 (Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie) and 22nd January 2013 (Ballina).

Did you know that removal allowances of up to $2,000 are available to assist you in the cost of relocating? You will find the Registrar Removalist Claim Form on our website or click here to download.

The 2013 Registrar Handbook will be available online and in hardcopy at the Orientation Days. You can also view our 2012 Registrar Handbook here, or if you have any questions you can contact our Registrar Support Officer, Angelique by email: angeliqueg@ncgpt.org.au or by calling 02 6681 5711.

New CEO for GPET

General Practice Education Training (GPET) will welcome a new CEO in 2013 with the Minister for Health, Tanya Plibersek, announcing the appointment of Ms Megan Cahill. 

“Ms Cahill comes to GPET with over 20 years’ experience in the health sector most recently in ACT Health. I congratulate her on her appointment,” said Ms Plibersek.

GPET’s Chair, Associate Professor Richard Matthews also welcomed the appointment. “Ms Cahill brings a wealth of experience in primary care and broader health policy. “Her experience at ACT Health and her involvement in health reform as the ACT representative will be invaluable. She is aware of the challenges facing the general practice sector nationally will be well placed to work with stakeholders in helping grow Australia’s GP workforce.”

Ms Cahill replaces previous CEO, Mr Erich Jannsen, and will commence in the position in February 2013.  

Creative registrars could WIN $4,000!

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has officially launched its Registrar Study Bursary competition to assist general practice registrars meet the financial commitment of completing their RACGP Fellowship exams.

GP registrars will be rewarded for tapping into their creative side with two $4,000 bursaries to be awarded for the most creative acting, karaoke or poetic pieces describing the benefits of General Practice.

The bursaries, provided by RACGP and American Express must be used toward costs association with the winner’s final RACGP Fellowship examination.

To enter the competition, registrars need to submit a video, visual or written piece that answers all of the following questions:

• Why should medical students consider general practice as a career?
• What does being a good general practitioner (GP) mean to you?
• How would your study bursary help you realise your potential as a GP?

Entries must be received by 31st January 2013 with further details available here

Indigenous Fellowship Excellence Program

The RACGP National Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health has established the Indigenous Fellowship Excellence Program, due to commence nationally in 2013. The program aims to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander registrars perform to their full potential in the Fellowship exams, whilst at the same time developing a network of peer support across the country.

Involvement in this program is free to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander registrars through the generous donations from Dr Nathan and Susan Pinskier, The Mary MacKillop Foundation and the National Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health. To register your interest as a registrar or mentor, provide an offer of help, or to simply find out more, email aboriginalhealth@racgp.org.au or call 1800 000 251.

First waves on the coast

“The first time I saw my supervising doctor for my clinical placement was strolling into the office with a surfboard under one arm. It was a great start to the week.” – so begins a thank you letter to NCGPT from Claudia, one of five recipients of the GPRA First Wave Scholarship Program.

The First Wave program aims to highlight a career in General Practice to first and second year medical students by providing them with a taste of what life would be like as a GP. Feedback received this week from our First Wave students indicates the program is hitting the mark.

“My First Wave experience was definitely one of the highlights of my 2nd year studying Medicine." "I spent two days at my assigned practice, and I learned so much in those two days, more than I would’ve learnt from reading a textbook or listening to lectures. I was lucky enough to be shadowing an incredible doctor, Dr Walsh, who was very friendly and encouraging. He would allow me to interact with the patients in terms of conducting histories, while also teaching me various techniques.” “After each patient, he’d allocate some time to discuss the case with me, answer any questions I may have, and also quiz me on the underlying anatomy and physiology. This really helped me learn” says Anirudh.

Emma says, “we were paired with a GP registrar each and having someone who was, in some ways, still learning really helped bridge the knowledge gap. I spent two full days with my registrar and the insights I gained are invaluable. It allowed me to see the real side of General Practice for myself and I gained an awareness of the complexities of interdisciplinary and long term care” says Emma.

“Overall the First Wave scholarship was a fantastic opportunity to expand my skills and experience the real world of the often understated GP. It gave me the opportunity to connect the mountains of theory that we’re busy memorising in medical school with real world applications. I saw for myself the complexity of the task facing the modern GP; being a diagnostician, a problem solver, a counsellor and for some a long term comrade. I received all of this and then was able to retreat to the beach… It was an amazing opportunity all round. I’m still quite a while off graduating but when I do, General Practice is certainly my favourite option thanks to the First Wave scholarship” says Emma.

NCGPT wishes to thank Rob Walsh, Bianca Sheridan, Felicity Booy, Matt Cardone and Victoria Hunt for supervising the First Wave students, and looks forward to supporting more students to experience the realities of daily life as a working GP in 2013.

NCGPT has moved

Moving day at the new office - 106-108 Tamar Street Ballina

NCGPT staff recently celebrated moving to a new office - just a few doors up from our old one. NCGPT has been steadily growing and now has a staff of 30 employees.

The new premises are located, rather conveniently, next door to the Grant Street Medical Centre (and for Bruce, just moments away from a very good pie shop) on Tamar Street in Ballina.

The days of squeezing past each other in the corridors have gone and we are now getting much fitter as we walk seemingly miles to see each other in our new offices.

Feel free to drop in and have a look through our new premises - we brought our fabulous coffee machine with us! It's number 106-108 Tamar Street, Ballina.