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4 November 2019

Message from the Chair

 

Hello from the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration (GPMHSC) and welcome to the spring edition of the GPMHSC newsletter.

Education and accreditation at conferences

In the last few months, the GPMHSC has been busy promoting mental health education and accreditation at various general practice conferences. These have included the General Practice Training and Education Conference in Melbourne, GP19 in Adelaide and Rural Medicine Australia (RMA19) on the Gold Coast. The GPMHSC will also exhibit at the General Practice Conference Exhibition (GPCE) in Melbourne on Friday to Sunday 15–17 November 2019.

New mental health training standards 2020–22

We recently launched the new Mental health training standards for 2020–22 at GP19 and RMA19. The information sessions were well attended with delegates contributing to the discussion around the summary of changes and revision of the GP mental health training framework.

Mental health training standards for 2020–22: A guide for GPs
The new standards will provide GPs with the knowledge around the specific requirements on accredited mental health training and CPD in mental health.

Mental health training standards for 2020–22: A guide for training providers.
The new standards will provide training providers with knowledge around the specific requirements of accredited mental health training and CPD in mental health.


Assoc Prof Morton Rawlin
Chair, GPMHSC

For GPs

Maintaining your FPS eligibility – An important reminder

Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) providers are reminded to schedule an FPS continuing professional development (CPD) activity before Monday 31 December 2019.

Read

Support for GPs ahead of new Medicare item number for severe and complex eating disorders

Commencing on Friday 1 November 2019, a new MBS item number will be introduced for the treatment of eating disorders in Australia.

Read

Mental health continues to be the most common reason patients visit their GP

Last September, the RACGP released the third edition of General Practice: Health of the Nation 2019. The report reveals facts and trends in Australian general practice, shining a light on its strengths and focus areas, as well as on aspects that require further policy action.

Read

New suicide and self-harm guidelines

The Menzies School of Health Research, commissioned by the Centre for Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention, has developed evidenced-based Guidelines for best practice psychosocial assessment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people presenting to hospital with self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

Read

Practitioner eligibility update for telehealth item numbers

The GPMHSC has updated an important factsheet regarding patient and practitioner eligibility for GP providers of FPS wishing to claim rebates for video consultations through the Better Access initiative.

Read

Participate in local practitioner networks

Mental Health Professionals’ Network (MHPN) is a national initiative that aims to improve interdisciplinary and collaborative mental health care practices between psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and GPs.

Read

For Training Providers

Medicare notification requirements

Provider numbers must be provided to the GPMHSC. This will enable reporting to Medicare on completions of Mental Health Skills Training (MHST).

Read

Re-accreditation of skill training activities for the 2020–22 triennium

Accredited training providers now have the opportunity to re-accredit their skills training activities for the 2020–22 CPD triennium.

Read

Sourcing carer and consumer representatives in mental health

Mental Health Australia (MHA) may be able to assist training providers with finding consumer and carer representatives in mental health.

Read

New guide available for download

The National Mental Health Commission has recently published the Consumer and carer engagement: A practical guide. The new guide is intended to provide a clear framework and outlines a set of best practice principles in consumer and carer engagement and participation.

Read

New accreditation logos for skills training and CPD activities

The GPMHSC has designed new accreditation logos for training providers to include on advertising material for the 2020–22 CPD triennium. The new logos will help GPs identify the type of accreditation when seeking mental health training and education courses to complete.

Read

GPMHSC update

Announcing the launch of the new GPMHSC website

The GPMHSC is excited to announce the launch of its newly designed website. Visit www.gpmhsc.org.au to see the new look!

The goal of the new website is to help create a more interactive, user-friendly browsing experience for GPs and training providers who seek information on accredited activities on primary mental healthcare.

Among the new features, the site contains:

  • a dedicated section on the representation of consumers and carers
  • frequently asked questions for GPs and training providers, and
  • an easy-to-access resource list of common guides and factsheets.

We hope all users find the new GPMHSC website design is an effective learning tool and will help increase awareness on the important work of the GPMHSC as a collaboration.

Conferences

What's coming up?


Innovations in the psychological management of bipolar disorders
Tuesday 12 November 2019
Isaac Schweitzer Room – The Melbourne Clinic
130 Church Street, Richmond VIC 3141
More information
 
National Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy Conference
Wednesday 27 November 2019
Australian National Maritime Museum
2 Murray Street, Sydney NSW 2000
More information
 
Emotions and mental health: Interdisciplinary perspectives
Friday 29 November 2019
The University of Adelaide
Stretton Room, Napier Building 259 North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000
More information
 
Sydney Mental Health Conference
Thursday to Friday 12–13 December 2019
Rydges Sydney Central
28 Albion Street, Sydney NSW 2010
More information

Accredited mental health education and training

 

MHST

For available dates and course details, visit the GPMHSC website.
 
Mental health CPD
 
For available dates and course details, visit the GPMHSC website.
 
FPS ST
 
For available dates and course details, visit the GPMHSC website.
 
FPS CPD
 
For available dates and course details, visit the GPMHSC website.