April 2025

The last few weeks have been filled with many wonderful opportunities to connect with members. In late March, I visited the New England region and met with a number of GPs and practices in the region. I would like to extend a thank you to the Tablelands Clinical School, Health on Rusden, Faulkner Street Medical, Walcha Medical Practice, Tallowwood Health, East Tamworth Medical Centre, Peel Health Care, and Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service for welcoming me, and for sharing your invaluable insights. I also enjoyed catching up with many of you at dinners in Armidale and Tamworth. 

Last week, I had the pleasure of joining my colleague and RACGP President, Dr Michael Wright as we hosted a member meet up in Sydney. It was fantastic to see so many of you there as we caught up on our upcoming advocacy plans and the latest achievements of the NSW&ACT Faculty Council. 

I’m pleased to share some significant progress from my recent meetings with the NSW Minister for Health, Ryan Park, and the ACT Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith. In NSW, Minister Park agreed to raise several key issues with his Federal and State Health Minister colleagues, including GP prescribing of isotretinoin for cystic acne, GP prescribing of psychostimulant medication for ADHD, and access to meningococcal B vaccination.  He was also interested in exploring GP scope of practice and potential opportunities for expansion. I am working to secure a meeting with him to continue this discussion.  

In the ACT, Minister Stephen-Smith expressed support for GP prescribing of isotretinoin and psychostimulant medication for ADHD. She was also interested in how the GP wellbeing fund, announced as a state election promise, could be rolled out.  

Later this month, I will be taking some time off with my family over the Easter weekend and public holidays. I hope you’re also able to take a moment to rest and recharge. The year seems be flying past and managing our own wellbeing is an important part of our lives. 

Dr Rebekah Hoffman
RACGP NSW&ACT Chair

Event	Date	CPD hours
Introduction to point-of-care ultrasound Newcastle workshop	3 May 8.30 am – 4.30pm Venue: Mercure Newcastle | 12 Steel Street, Newcastle West NSW 2302	5 RP & 5 EA
Understanding the NSW Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act and Regulation – Key changes and implications for doctors	7 May 7.30–8.30pm Venue: Online	1 EA
Peer Group Learning Sessions – Project ECHO: NSW Opioid Treatment Program	8 May and 12 June Early prescribers 7.30–8.30am Advanced prescribers 5.30–6.30pm Venue: Online	Completion of 2 early prescriber sessions = 1.5 RP hours & 0.5 EA hours Completion of 2 advanced prescriber sessions = 1.5 RP hours & 0.5 EA hours
Hepatitis B in General Practice	12 May 7.30–8.30pm Venue: Online	1 EA
Reducing smoking and vaping in pregnancy	28 May 7.30–8.30pm Venue: Online	1 EA
The National Lung Cancer Screening Program: What GPs need to know	3 June 7.30–8.30pm Venue: Online	1 EA
Liver Health in General Practice	24 June 7.30– 8.30pm Venue: Online	1 EA
Culturally safe gambling harm minimisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples	25 June 7.30–8.30pm Venue: Online	1 EA
Addressing gambling risks in young people and supporting concerned parents in general practice	7 July 7.30–8.30pm Venue: Online	1 EA

As Chair of the Women in Leadership group, I’ve worked closely with our faculty and listened to what you, our members, have asked for: tailored upskilling opportunities that support both current and aspiring women leaders in our profession.

We’re excited to kick off 2025 with a session focused on media skills and the power of storytelling.

Led by our expert media team, this educational session is designed to build your confidence in navigating media and will explore:

• what makes a compelling story
• how stories are selected and why some stand out
• the role of spokespeople and how they’re prepared
• how to structure a story with purpose and pitch it effectively
• developing a sharper lens for the content you read or watch.

Even if you’re not planning to appear on TV or radio, many of you contribute to publications, reports, and communications, and this session will offer insights relevant to all those spaces.

We can’t wait to see you there and grow together as a network of impactful women leaders.
Date: Tuesday 27 May  
Time: 6.00 – 7.00 pm 
Venue: Online
Cost: Free

Register now

Join your RACGP Rural and NSW teams for an evening of connection, conversations and updates in Newcastle. 

We’ll share some of the RACGP's key achievements and provide an update for NSW members and stakeholders. 

You are welcome to bring a guest along with you and this event is open to RACGP members, practice staff, medical students, and rural health stakeholders. 

Date: Friday 2 May  
Time: 6.00–8.00pm 
Venue: Mercure Newcastle, 12 Steel Street, Newcastle West NSW 
Cost: Free 

Register now - https://www1.racgp.org.au/events/booking/registration?eventid=NRF2425_39

Non-members, medical students and stakeholders, please email [email protected], with attendee names and dietary requirements. 

Please register by Friday 25 April. 

Following the success of our first webinar for 2025, Accounting aspects for New Fellows, I am delighted to introduce myself as the 2025 Chair of the NSW&ACT New Fellows Committee.  

The New Fellows Committee is dedicated to representing and supporting Fellows in their first 5 years of Fellowship. We host regular educational events and promote peer support through networking and collaboration opportunities. Our committee meets regularly throughout the year to connect, share stories, and learn together.   

As a New Fellow myself, I understand the challenges we face in our first few years as GPs. In 2025, our activities will focus on addressing key challenges and making sure you’re set up for success. 

Still to come this year, we have: 

• Wednesday 9 July – How to make the most of MBS items 

• Wednesday 10 September – Leveraging your software 

Mark your diaries and stay tuned; further information and registration for these sessions will be shared in upcoming editions of the RACGP NSW&ACT Faculty Newsletter. I hope to see you there! 

Are you a New Fellow seeking guidance, or an experienced GP interested in mentoring?  

The RACGP Mentoring Program connects early-career Fellows with experienced GPs for career support and professional development.

For mentees, the program helps build communication skills, strengthen professional relationships and boost job satisfaction.  

For mentors, it’s a chance to support the next generation of GPs, share your experiences and make a meaningful impact.  

The eight-month program includes tailored matching and training. Apply now.    

The RACGP NSW&ACT Faculty congratulates the following New Fellows on achieving Fellowship of the RACGP. 

This milestone represents years of dedication, resilience and growth. We recognise the personal and professional commitment that brought you here, and we’re proud to welcome you as Fellows. Your work is making a meaningful difference in the lives of your patients and communities, and we’re honoured to stand alongside you as your career continues to evolve. 
 

Dr Deepak Raja	Dr Wendy Zhang
Dr Yangmin Bu	Dr Monica Doss
Dr Bronwyn Thompson	Dr Claire Feather
Dr Moumita Chakraborty	Dr Natalie Ho
Dr Julia Tran	Dr Thomas Hoang
Dr Hong Jie Soh	Dr Samantha Graham
Dr Haneen Abdullah	Dr Alexandra Macdonald
Dr Erum Khan	Dr Grace Pellen
Dr Rajeev Roy	Dr Keersten Cordelia Fitzgerald
Dr Kathryn Wardell	Dr Thomas Falvey
Dr Marivi Allaga	Dr Thomas Kropp
Dr Scott Wilsmore	Dr Shelley Pearson
Dr Ravi Sharma	Dr Owen Huang
Dr Angela Wu	Dr Louise Cribbin
Dr Bijan Darabi	Dr Grace Kim
Dr Ryan Horn	Dr Sandie Wang
Dr Amy Yip	Dr Morgan Jacob
Dr Sumanth Dakshina Murthy	Dr Jenny Lam
Dr Ahmed Eltaib	Dr Saif Noori
Dr Jonathan Larach	Dr Ashley Bennett
Dr Chris Saroukos	Dr Rebecca Burridge
Dr Giovanni Soesanto	Dr Brendan Xu
Dr Anjali Gamage	Dr Rosemary Gayed
Dr Shahriar Amjadi	Dr Yu-Chen Thi
Dr H Mun Awn	Dr Kenny Luu
Dr Georgia Harvey	Dr Ariel Yam
Dr Hanne Friis-O'Toole	Dr Joshua Farrell
Dr Anamika Chowdhury	Dr Benjamin Van
Dr Alison Jung	Dr Ha Bao Tran Le
Dr Georgina Hayworth	Dr Sarah Park
Dr Bradley Verma	Dr Qian Li
Dr Augusta Ho	Dr Farah Hawila
Dr Yin Man Chan	Dr Rebecca Skidmore
Dr Anna Li	Dr Dhanalakshmi Bhaskar
Dr Kevin Jiang	Dr Nisha Shrestha
Dr Thomas Burns	Dr Linda Thuy Hong Vu
Dr Mey Ly Lay	Dr Sasha Mathias
Dr Ariel Arthur	Dr Calvin Mok
Dr Claudia Brown	Dr Ibrahim Sameh Ibrahim Elashri
Dr Davood Abbasi Moghadam	Dr Nnaemeka Odike
Dr Tazia Zafar	Dr Randeep Hoonjan
Dr Lize Harrison	Dr Callum Walker
Dr Austin Ko	Dr Laurie Thompson
Dr Fouad Khoury	Dr Peggy Pui Kei Lam
Dr Carrie Stanney	Dr Justin Armellin
Dr Janaki Patel	Dr Henry Thai

Our annual nationwide Health of the Nation survey is now open! Your response directly influences what we call for from politicians and the health department, so don’t miss your chance to tell us what needs to change. With the 2025 Federal Election, there’s never been a more important time to inform our advocacy for you, your patients and your profession. 

Complete the survey now

The survey closes at 11.59 pm AEST on 4 May and all responses are anonymous.  

Plus, you can WIN a 12-month RACGP membership for 2025–2026 and access a new reflective CPD activity after completing the survey. 

Register now and secure early bird rates for this year’s Practice Owners Conference, taking place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 24–25 May. 

Learn from industry experts, explore new ideas for business growth and receive practical tips to help your practice thrive. Plus, the popular pre-conference masterclasses will be returning this year, with tailored sessions for current, aspiring or retiring practice owners. Places are limited so remember to book your spot early – our full-day workshop has already sold out due to popular demand!

Visit our website to explore the full 2025 program.

Reducing patient harm through shared decision making.

The First do no harm initiative helps GPs minimise patient harm and support safe, informed care. It provides resources to guide constructive conversations and support shared decision making

Access the resources

The Practitioner’s Toolkit provides an accessible desktop tool for healthcare practitioners to assist in the care for women at midlife.

Designed for quick access at the desktop, this toolkit helps practitioners deliver informed, evidence-based menopause care. It’s endorsed by leading organisations including the Australasian and British Menopause Societies, Endocrine Society of Australia and Jean Hailes for Women’s Health.
 

Learn more

Launching a landmark cultural and health training framework

In recognition of this significant day, we spotlight the launch of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural and Health Training Framework. This initiative, the first of its kind in Australian medical training, has been developed and led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experts in health, clinical education, and cultural education.

Dr. Olivia O'Donoghue, National Clinical Head of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Training, shares how this framework is set to drive transformational change in GP education and improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Watch the webinar

Expressions of interest now open.

The RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Education Committee, a sub-committee of the RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Council and provides advice to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health training and education. Expressions of interest are also invited for the positions of Chair and Deputy Chair.

Applications close Monday 5 May.
 

Learn more and apply

Supporting care for endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain.

Researchers from the SPHERE Centre of Research Excellence have developed a new Endometriosis Management Plan (EMP) to support primary care teams. Co-designed with clinicians, patients and stakeholders, the EMP aligns with national clinical guidelines.

Pilot sites are now being recruited ahead of a May 2025 rollout.

Register your interest or contact the Endo-MP team at [email protected] to learn more about becoming a pilot site.

Go4Fun Online is a free, evidence-based 10-week healthy lifestyle program for NSW primary school–aged children, delivered by NSW Health. 
Families complete the program together and can start at any time, from any location. The program helps create lifelong healthy habits by encouraging: 

• regular physical activity 
• healthier food choices 
• increased water intake 
• improved wellbeing 
• reduced screen time 

Health coaches are trained in cultural competency, take a trauma-informed approach, and are based across metropolitan and regional areas.    
You can refer families via: 

• Go4Fun Online’s website 

using the referral form on your practice software 

BreastScreen NSW will commence reporting breast density to clients and their nominated GP by the end of April 2025.  

Clients will be encouraged to speak with their GP about early detection of breast cancer, considering their personal risk factors, circumstances and preferences. For more information about breast density, visit the BreastScreen NSW website. 

Women are more likely to attend mammogram appointments when recommended by their GP. Ongoing support from primary care providers is appreciated and remains vital to the early detection of breast cancer. 

For more information, contact BreastScreen NSW, [email protected] or call 13 20 50. 

NSW Health has reported a recent rise in prescription forgeries, which contribute to medicine misuse and pose a significant risk to public health and safety. These forgeries include altered legitimate prescriptions, use of stolen prescription stationery and impersonation of prescribers. 
You can help reduce this risk by: 

• Preventing public access to prescription stationery 
• Supporting pharmacists in verifying prescription legitimacy 
• Storing passwords securely and updating them regularly for electronic prescribing systems 

All lost, stolen or forged prescriptions and prescription stationery must be reported. 

To submit a report or view recent notifications, visit Pharmaceutical Services.