Industrial Relations-
Fair Work Act 2009:
The Fair Work Act 2009 commenced its first stage in July 2009 and as from the 1st January 2010 there are several important changes in Australia’s workplace laws that affect all employers and employees in the national workplace relations system. The changes include the introduction of new National Employment Standards (NES) and the commencement of modern awards.The Fair Work Act provides a safety net of enforceable minimum employment terms and conditions through the National Employment Standards (NES).The NES sets out 10 minimum workplace entitlements which apply to all employers and employees in the national workplace relations system from 1st January 2010 (however only certain entitlements apply to casual employees).The NES replaces the non-pay rate provisions of the Australian Fair Pay and Conditions Standard (the Standard), which applies up to and including 31 December 2009. From the 1st of January 2010 the Fair Work Information Statement > Fair Work Information Statement must be provided to all new employees by their employer as soon as possible after commencement of employment. The statement provides basic information on matters that will affect the employees.If further information is required you can contact the Fair Work Infoline on 131394 or visit FairWork website. Awards 2010 listed below
Medical Practitioners Award 2010
Nurses Award 2010
Health Professionals & Support Services Award 2010
Example of a contract of employment.
Template
Changes To Medicare Primary Care Items:
The Federal Government have announced changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) to simplify the schedule, remove red tape and encourage preventative care. The changes will be introduced in May 2010. A factsheet outlining the changes to Medicare attendance items for vocationally-recognised GPs can be found at:
GPMBSFactSheet or for more information Changes to Medicare Primary Care Items
Attached is a quick reference sheet with a list of the MBS Item numbers, brief description, requirements and the frequency of when the Item number can be claimed.
MBS Quick Reference Sheet
PM Lunch n Learn Presentation
PM Lunch n Learn Presentation
MBS Update 2010
A District of Workforce Shortage (DWS) is an area in which the general population's need for healthcare has not been met. DWS are determined by Department of Health and Ageing and are linked to Medicare provider numbers. For the purpose of the DWS evaluation, geographic divisions used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics are used. A location is deemed a DWS if it falls below the National average for the provision of medical services. DWS only applies to medical jobs that need to provide services that attract medicare rebates.To identify if your practice is considered for workforce shortage click on the link below and enter your practice address in the box. This website has dropdown boxes providing you with advice on employing an OTD, Medicare provider numbers and restrictions and much more.
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Practice Accreditation:
Standards for General Practice (4th Ed) Review
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is currently reviewing the RACGP Standards for General Practices (Revised 3rd edition). The new evidence-based 4th edition of the Standards will be available in 2010. Accreditation is a set of formal standards based on standards devised by health care professionals for health care services. The aim is to guarantee a minimum standard of safety and care relevant to the health care industry.Accreditation is a certified process which ackknowledges that an organisation has met the standards which they are assessed against> RACGP 3rd Edition Standards which define a minimum standard for that organisation. These include:
- practice services
- rights and needs of patients
- quality assurance and education
- practice administration
- physical factors
Accreditation Organisations
GPA Plus
QIP/AGPAL
If your practice is not accredited but would like more information on how you can achieve this contact Jackie Bange at PGPN by email j.bange@pgpn.org.au or phone 9708 8019 to discuss how the network can assist you to become accredited.
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Lunch and Learn:
Lunch and Learn' with specialised speakers. flyers are disseminated through your Practice Communication Leader (PCL) regularly so please join us for a great lunch. An opportunity to network and learn something valueable at the same time.
Outsourcing Home Health Assessments:
According to General Practice Divisions Victoria (www.gpdv.com.au), on average each full time GP has 80 patients over the age of 75 years on his/hers patient list.
Chronic disease management, including home health assessments, can identify clinical problems by assessing physical health and safety, hearing, cognitive ability, nutrition and social well being in the patients home. If your practice does not have the space or resources and the number of patients is above the capacity of the practice nurse or the practice does not employ a nurse to undertake chronic disease management, why not consider the option of outsourcing these important assessments. Primary Care Management (PCM) is a company specifically established to help you with annual Health Assessments on your patients aged 75 years and over. For more information on the benefits to your patients and your practice log onto>Primary Care Management
E-news:
The E-news is produced specifically for practice managers. It features news and issues that relate to the business running of a general practice.
The Royal Australian College Of General Practitioners have released a booklet which is designed to be used as a tool to encourage discussion within general practice teams about appropriate responses to manage the risk of occupational violence. Practical strategies to assist general practices to appropriately minimise risks of violence, including means to:
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create a safe physical environment
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flag the files of patients with a history of violent behaviour within a practice
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assertively clinically manage patients at risk of violent behaviour
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work with other services to reduce the future risk of violence, and
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support the general practice team after experiences of violence.
To read more about the General Practice a safe place log onto>RACGP General Practice a safe place
Safety and Security Kit:
The Dandenong Casey General Practitice Association have produced an excellent resource for general practices about safety and security. It can be downloaded from here.>
RACGP Guidelines to Assist GP's:
The RACGP endorses a wide range of guidelines to assist general practitioners in their work. Access to RACGP Guidelines. Follow the link below to access a wide range of the latest RACGP guidelines >RACGP Guidelines
Infection Control Guidelines for Office Based Practice:
PGPN provides up to date information on Infection Control Guidelines for Office Based Practice - to check if your resource is the latest version contact: Jackie Bange on 9708 8019 or j.bange@pgpn.org.au and I can advise you on how to obtain the latest version. If you feel you need advice from an Infection Control Specialist we can also arrange that.
A visit from an AGPAL surveyor can be arranged who can help you to get started and make sure you don't reinvent the wheel and make the most of the raft of resources that can be provided such as up to date and comprehensive Policy and Procedure Manual (which can simply be download).
Practice Health Atlas/ Clinical Audit Tool:
Are key tools to assist your practice to interrogate data held within your clinical and administrative software. Helen Milne from PGPN can provide you with key tools and information to assist your staff to use the Clinical Audit Tool and Practice Health Atlas successfully to enable your practice to reflect on its activities and develop systems for more effective health care outcomes. For more information on the above packages Telephone: PGPN on 9708 8019 or email Helen at h.milne@pgpn.org.au and Helen can inform you of how the Practice Health Atlas and Clinical Audit Tool can assist your practice.
How do I join the PM Network?
Contact Jackie Bange on 9708 8019
or j.bange@pgpn.org.au
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Practice Managers