RACGP

28/01/2026

A lack of visibility from telehealth platforms is creating ‘information silos’, says the RACGP President, as he welcomes new Government reforms to ensure all prescribers are held accountable to the same standards as a patient’s usual GP.

The major prescribing overhaul will see all prescribers made to record all medicines-related information to My Health Record, including drugs...

27/01/2026

Offering free haircuts, coffees, and Pilates – one rural town is getting creative to attract a new GP, leaving its only doctor confident his ‘community’s 100% behind me’.

Offering free haircuts, coffees, and Pilates – one rural town is getting creative to attract a new GP, leaving its only doctor confident his...

26/01/2026

A recruitment drive is underway for GPs to carry out remote telehealth work for 1800MEDICARE, with health officials anticipating an increase in demand.

Referrals to the new nationwide Government-funded virtual GP service are expected to increase as public awareness grows.

26/01/2026

We’re delighted to celebrate a host of RACGP members recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours list.

The 2026 group is led by RACGP Life Member Dr Fiona Stewart AM, honoured for her remarkable service to anatomy as a surgical clinician, researcher and educator, and for her generous contribution to the community.

We also warmly congratulate the RACGP members awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM):

• Dr James Berryman (Tas) – service to medicine as a GP
• Dr Victor Buccheri (Vic) – service to Melbourne’s Italian community
• Dr Roberto Celada (Vic) – service to medicine as a GP
• Dr William Gransbury (SA) – service to the Angaston community
• Dr Andrew Yiu-Man Kwong (NSW) – service to general practice
• Dr Ravin Sadhai (Vic) – service to medicine and the Bacchus Marsh community
• Dr John Geoffrey Taylor (WA) – service to conservation and the environment
• Dr Mark Waters (Qld) – service to medical administration

Finally, we’d like to acknowledge the late Dr Nicholas Medland AM, recognised for his significant service to sexual health medicine as a physician, clinical epidemiologist and general practitioner.

These honours reflect the extraordinary care, leadership and service specialist GPs bring to their communities every day. We thank each recipient for the difference they’ve made and congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition.

23/01/2026

Medicinal cannabis, vapes, weight-loss drugs, and cosmetic procedures are among the TGA's 2026 priority areas, as it announces its new compliance and enforcement principles and focus areas.

Cannabis, vapes, weight-loss drugs, and melatonin are among the TGA’s 2026–27 priority areas, as it announces a new compliance and enforcement agenda.

22/01/2026

Patients can now use ChatGPT to connect medical records, understand test results, and prepare for appointments – an initiative which has GPs divided. It’s raised concerns among some, but others say it can be ‘another tool’ to support patient care.

Patients can now use ChatGPT to connect medical records, understand test results, and prepare for appointments – an initiative which has GPs divided.

21/01/2026

Dr Rob Hosking breaks down new My Health Record mandatory uploads, saying that while benefits are real – better continuity of care, fewer duplications and more informed patients – so are the risks.

The benefits are real: continuity of care, fewer duplications and more informed patients, but so are the risks, says Dr Rob Hosking.

20/01/2026

The death knell may have sounded for Medicare rebate cheques under Federal Government plans to phase them out completely by mid-2028.

There are new plans to phase out antiquated payments, with proposed changes also likely to curb ‘gap-only’ billing.

19/01/2026

A global survey found 32% of Australian GPs feel burned out, which, if unaddressed, will ‘undermine the performance of our health systems’.

A global survey found 32% of Australian GPs feel burned out, which, if unaddressed, will ‘undermine the performance of our health systems’.

16/01/2026

Concerns around ineffective iron supplements reflect a broader problem with over-the-counter products, and a growing issue for GPs, experts say.

Labelled ‘a big waste of time’ by some, low-dose iron supplements are making headlines – a further symptom of mounting concerns about...

15/01/2026

A Parliamentary committee examining the incoming Thriving Kids program has recommended an MBS item number for child development checks be made available for GPs to ensure all children have equal access to healthcare.

RACGP calls for a new MBS item could soon be answered after a Parliamentary committee recommended its rollout.

14/01/2026

A major review of antibiotic guidelines continues with the release of a third update by Therapeutic Guidelines, with changes to perinatal infections, surgical prophylaxis, skin and soft tissue infections, and traumatic wounds.

The latest update from Therapeutic Guidelines includes changes to perinatal infections, surgical prophylaxis, skin infections, and traumatic wounds.