No images? Click here President's messageWelcome to the latest edition of our quarterly newsletter. Firstly, I’d welcome our new Medical Director, Dr Penelope Elix. We are delighted to have Dr Elix and the benefit of her expertise, including over a decade's experience as a general practitioner and service as both a hearing member and adviser with the Medical Council. Whatever our medical speciality, telehealth is now very much part of our day-to-day medical practice. In this edition we take a closer look the Medical Board of Australia’s new telehealth guidelines and what they mean for doctors. Secondly, we are thrilled to share our latest podcast episode, Mental Health: beyond the referral. Also, as part of our regular spotlight series, we explain the role of our monitoring team in working with doctors who have conditions placed on the registration. I hope you find this edition useful and encourage you to provide your feedback about our newsletter via our survey. Your feedback will help us provide you content that informs your practice and supports high standards of patient care and safety. Dr Jennifer Kendrick AM Telehealth changes are here New telehealth guidelines have come into effect on 1 September 2023, formalising the use of technology-based virtual consultations in medical practice. With the growing number of online healthcare options providing an alternative to in-person consultations, The Medial Board of Australia's guidelines help promote safe telehealth practice and protect patients. We review the key changes and outline tips on conducting best practice telehealth consultations. Our latest podcast has landedListen to our latest podcast for practical insights on conversations with patients about mental health, working with other health professionals and effective referral in Mental Health: beyond the referral with Prof Sam Harvey from the Black Dog Institute in conversation with our new Medical Director, Dr Penelope Elix. This episode is a useful resource for all doctors but is of particular interest to GPs. Subscribe to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast platform so you don't miss out on our upcoming podcast on telehealth. Spotlight on: monitoringAs part of our spotlight series sharing how the Council does its work in responding to concerns about doctors, we look at role of the monitoring team. This team ensures NSW doctors who have had conditions placed on their registration are meeting those conditions and the public is protected. Meet our new Medical DirectorDr Penelope Elix is a former Medical Council hearing member and medical advisor. Dr Elix has worked in general practice for over 13 years, is an RACGP fellow and holds a Master of Health Policy as well as diplomas in child health, and obstetrics and gynaecology. Her areas of interest include mental health, women’s health, and working with doctor patients. Dr Elix is excited to be joining the Council and leading the Council’s medical advisory team. She is looking forward to working collaboratively with the NSW medical profession and other stakeholders on behalf of the Council. Did you know?The Medical Council has an excellent library good practice articles and information to support NSW doctors on subjects such as prescribing, regulation of doctors, clinical care and doctor health and well-being. News bitesAhpra annual training surveyAhpra’s Medical Training Survey is open for trainee doctors, including IMGs, to have their say and improve medical training. Visit Ahpra’s MTS page for more information about the survey or access the survey directly via the link below. You can send us an email if you have a particular comment or suggestion about this edition. |