Physician chronic care model on RACP Budget wish list

The RACP is calling on government to provide more funding for telehealth, digital health record uptake incentives and a physician chronic disease care model in its Pre-Budget Submission for 2021-2022.

In its submission entitled: Reimagining Health Post COVID-19: Reform for preventive, sustainable and equitable health, the RACP makes 48 recommendations that include:

• Funding a model of care for the management of patients with comorbid chronic health conditions that formalises and supports the integration of consultant physician care (the RACP Model of Chronic Care Management or a variation).
• Additional funding for videoconferencing technology packages for priority populations to promote equitable access to telehealth.
• Maintain funding for Specialist Training Program (STP) positions while allowing for some flexibility for medical specialty variations to the recently introduced rural training requirements.
• Provide a Practice Incentive Payment for consultant physicians to support better digital infrastructure to promote access to telehealth and the delivery of integrated multidisciplinary care.
• Introduce specialist health items to the MBS to facilitate secondary consultations with GPs and other types of specialists, and allied health providers, with or without the patient present.

HFA conference goes virtual in 2021

The Haemophilia Foundation Australia (HFA) conference on haemophilia, VWD and rare bleeding disorders, now in its 20th year, will be virtual for 2021 running from 8-9 October.

Organisers say the online format will attract more delegates and create innovative new learning opportunities.

Read more here.