AMD eBulletin – 4 March 2025
A message from your President and President-elect
G’day and kia ora
Welcome to the first Adult Medicine Division eBulletin for 2025! We trust you had a well-deserved break and that the new year is off to a great start. This year, we will see a changeover in the AMD Council membership.
In May, Professor Graeme Maguire will be coming to the end of his term as AMD President and will be handing over to Professor Brian Wood. We’ve both worked closely together over the past three years. During Graeme’s term as President, he has worked alongside AMD Council and AMD Executive Committee (AMDEX) members to advance several key initiatives for our Fellows and trainees. We have established an annual Physician Leadership Workshop, advocated for better workforce data, collaborated with the Member Health and Wellbeing Committee to improve support for our members, and continued to finalise Model of Collaboration agreements with our affiliated specialty societies. We are also continuing to advocate for and promote better representation within the College for First Nations representatives, in close collaboration with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Committee and the Māori Health Committee.
The AMDEX held its first meeting of the year on 12 February, and the full AMD Council will be meeting on 2 April. We continue to progress with our work plan initiatives on seeking First Nations representation, support for trainees, and member wellbeing. As always, we encourage you to share any updates or concerns with the Division secretariat via adult.med@racp.edu.au.
Following the success of the last two AMD Physician Leadership Workshops, we are excited to announce that plans are underway to hold the 2025 leadership workshop in Aotearoa New Zealand later this year. Keep an eye out for further details in the coming months. This is a small-group event, with prominent speakers and the opportunity to connect with current and emerging leaders amongst your peers.
We want to extend our appreciation to the following AMD Council members whose terms have recently concluded: Associate Professor Sze Ting Lee, Dr Katie Flanagan, Professor Tim Walker, Associate Professor Janak de Zoysa and Associate Professor Douglas Johnson. Their contributions to AMD Council meetings and activities have been greatly appreciated over the years, and we hope they continue to be involved in College activities. We also warmly welcome our new AMD Council members and are encouraged to see we have such passionate representatives.
Professor Graeme Maguire Professor Brian Wood
President, Adult Medicine Division President-elect, Adult Medicine Division
AChSHM President’s Post
Hello and kia ora,
Chapter updates
As we commence a new year, the AChSHM Committee will continue our important initiatives from 2024, and we will review our work plan to see where we can take on additional initiatives. I’m also very excited to remind you about our upcoming AChSHM Annual Scientific Meeting, and I am looking forward to seeing many of you in person – further details below!
Activity continues on the development of a new HIV policy document that highlights the role of the sexual health medicine physician, provides a suite of recommendations, and discusses prevention measures, testing, treatment and other associated issues. The AChSHM Committee aims to have this new work published later in the year, following College consultation.
As part of our commitment to advocate for rural and remote area services, we are keeping a close eye on some proposed changes to service delivery and we are working closely with local physicians to support their conversations with relevant government stakeholders. Given the importance of sexual health medicine in the community, we will continue to advocate where possible for patient access to appropriate services.
South Australia is currently considering some proposed legislative changes to the South Australian Public Health (Notifiable and Controlled Notifiable Conditions) Regulations 2012 and we will be keeping an eye on developments in this area and any changes that may be relevant for other States and Territories.
As I approach the end of my term as your AChSHM President, I would like to extend my thanks to all my Committee colleagues past and present over the last nine years and say that I am extremely proud of the work we have done in this time. I trust the Committee will be in safe hands with our incoming President, Clinical Professor Louise Owens who will be taking on the mantle from the end of May 2025.
You may be aware that the National Cervical Screening Program Guidelines have now been updated to support best clinical practice. The Guidelines are for the management of screen-detected abnormalities, screening in specific populations and investigation of abnormal vaginal bleeding. Resources to support the changes include a two-page quick reference guide, a summary guide for healthcare providers and a management pathway guide for healthcare providers. The Guidelines will come into effect from April 2025. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact NCSPcommittees@health.gov.au
2025 AChSHM ASM and ATM
A reminder that the 2025 AChSHM Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) is taking place on Saturday, 15 March and I hope to see many of you there in person. The 2025 Annual Trainee Meeting (ATM) is also happening on Friday, 14 March. Both events will be held in person at the RACP Sydney offices, and they are shaping up to be a great success. The ASM program this year will cover topics that are relevant to all sexual health medicine practitioners such as what’s new in HIV, equity and health, menopause, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Māori health and prevention. Further program details are available on the 2025 ASM website – register now!
The next AChSHM Committee meeting is planned to be held in person on Thursday, 13 March. If there are any items you would like to raise with the Committee, or if you have any feedback for us, please feel free to contact us through our secretariat at shmed@racp.edu.au.
Ka kite anō au i a koutou!
Dr Massimo Giola
Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine President
AChPM President’s Post
Hello and kia ora. Welcome to the new year! I hope you all had a restful break with family and friends.
Sadly, as many of you may already know, Clinical Professor Douglas Bridge passed away on 15 December 2024. Doug was a past President of our Chapter and played a pivotal role in establishing palliative medicine as a recognised specialty within the College. He also sat on the Adult Medicine Division Council, the College Policy and Advocacy Committee, and was a member of our education committees.
Among his many contributions to our Chapter was his pioneering work in developing spirituality training. He served as an Emeritus Consultant at Royal Perth Hospital, where he previously led Palliative Care Services for 20 years, and held the position of Clinical Professor at the University of Western Australia.
In recognition of his many achievements Doug was honoured with the inaugural RACP College Medal in 2020 for his exceptional contributions to medicine and healthcare. In 2018, he also received the Australian Medical Association’s highest recognition, the Hippocrates Award, for his outstanding commitment to medicine and the field of palliative care.
Throughout his career Doug dedicated himself to improving end-of-life care both locally and abroad. He set up the first palliative care consultative team in Western Australia, which he ran from 1989 to 1993. In Bangladesh, he helped improve the access to morphine, integrate palliative care into medical curricula and provide palliative care training and mentorship. Similarly, with a mission to improve palliative care he frequented Taiwan and mainland China
I had the privilege of serving alongside him on Chapter committees and I will always remember his gentle demeanour, expertise, perceptive insights and dedication. Even whilst in hospice care, he attended our spirituality training working group meetings via Zoom. Doug will be deeply missed.
I would like to let you know that I will be stepping down as your President at the end of May as my term comes to an end. It has been a privilege to work with my esteemed colleagues on the Committee for the past several years and I wish Dr Gauri Gogna the very best with her incoming Presidency. I have no doubt she will provide exceptional leadership.
For the time being, the AChPM committee and I will continue to progress our key workplan initiatives and advocate on behalf of our members. The Committee’s priorities for 2025 will include the ongoing work on a youth appropriate healthcare statement, advocacy on telehealth items, building a strong relationship with the TGA to address issues such as ongoing medication shortages, ongoing development of the spirituality training workshops, and review of the Clinical Foundation curriculum, with the scoping process to start once development of wave 3 curricula is complete across the College. Wherever possible the workplan will be reviewed in light of new initiatives.
The Committee remains committed to prioritising service provision in remote and rural areas and will explore how best to support our Chapter members in these settings. Additionally, the Committee will review the College’s current initiatives to identify opportunities for further development and collaboration within the palliative medicine community.
We will continue to promote Chapter prizes this year – the Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Discipline of Palliative Medicine and the Best Trainee Research Project Award. Keep an eye out for further information on application dates once they are confirmed.
The next AChPM Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 19 March 2025, to be held virtually. If you have any feedback, questions, or concerns for the Committee, please feel free to reach out through the Chapter secretariat at PallMed@racp.edu.au
Associate Professor Peter Poon
Australasian Chapter of Palliative Medicine President
Hello and kia ora,
We are off to a busy start in 2025 as lead conveners for the International Medicine in Addition (IMiA) conference, which will take place from 29 to 31 August 2025 at the International Convention Centre in Sydney. Early bird registration is now open, as is the call for abstracts. Please visit the conference website for more information. I encourage you all to register for your place now at what will be an excellent two-and-a-half-day event featuring international keynote speakers Dr Lorenzo Leggio and Dr Kathleen Page. The IMiA 2025 conference will also feature a presentation delivered by this year’s RACP Caughey Lectureship recipient. This prize is supported by a donation made by the late J E Caughey in 1988, and we hope that the continued delivery of the lecture series will honour the Caughey family's legacy.
On other fronts, the AChAM Committee’s first meeting of the year took place on 7 February. We discussed the key priorities for the coming year, which will include continued advocacy for metro, rural, and remote area service provision. We know there are significant challenges in how many addiction medicine specialists we have in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand and has a direct impact on patient services.
In addition, the Committee has developed a short draft statement on vapourised nicotine products which is now out for consultation with relevant College bodies, specialty societies and the broader membership. To access the draft statement and provide your feedback, please visit the Member Consultation webpage. The deadline for feedback is Monday, 7 April 2025.
In 2024, we made significant progress on a number of important policy and advocacy initiatives including releasing a joint position statement on the prevention and treatment of gambling harm with The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) and launching the RACP Position Statement, achieving a health-focused approach to drug policy in Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand. We plan to continue building on this momentum into 2025.
I would like to thank all of my Committee colleagues for their support and hard work over my time as President. I am proud of what we have achieved and I wish the Chapter’s incoming President, Professor John Saunders, the very best as he takes on the role at the end of May.
Lastly, please be aware that the College has a "Medical Positions Vacant" webpage where you can find available opportunities to share within your networks.
The next Committee meeting is planned to be held on Friday, 9 May 2025.
If you have any feedback, questions, or comments for me or the Committee, please feel free to reach out via our secretariat at AddictionMed@racp.edu.au
Professor Adrian Dunlop
Australasian Chapter of Addiction Medicine President
Expressions of Interest (EOIs)
All Expressions of Interest
RACP Fellows honoured for outstanding contributions to medicine
Congratulations to the 15 RACP Fellows recognised in the 2025 Australia Day and Aotearoa New Zealand New Year honour lists. These awards highlight the outstanding work RACP members do and the importance of that work in local, national and international communities.
Find out more
National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) training modules
Links to the NCSP healthcare provider education and training modules and RACGP educational webinars are now available:
Thursday, 13 March 2025 - RACGP - 2025 cervical screening update: what you need to know about the latest clinical guidelines
2025 Influenza vaccine ordering: Key updates
Prepare for the upcoming influenza season by taking action now:
Vaccine supply and ordering:
- 2024 influenza vaccines are no longer available.
- Supply updates expected late February 2025.
- Orders will open via Onelink Online with weekly limits in place.
- Report all vaccinations to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).
Ordering Reminders:
- Keep your Onelink account number handy.
- Assess storage space and patient needs before ordering.
- Do not book vaccinations until stock is received.
Further details on the Healthcare Worker Influenza Program will be provided in March 2025. For ATAGI recommendations and eligibility criteria, visit the Department of Health Seasonal Influenza Vaccine webpage.
Co-claiming MBS items 132 and 133 with initial, subsequent and minor physician attendance telehealth items
The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) has advised that as of 1 July 2025, co-claiming rules for MBS items 132 and 133 will change for consultant physicians. These items are:
- 132: Initial assessment, patient with at least comorbidities, prepare treatment and management plan, at least 45 mins, and subsequent assessment, patient with at least two morbidities, review a treatment and management plan, at least 20 minutes.
- 133: Subsequent assessment, patient with at least two morbidities, review a treatment and management plan, at least 20 minutes.
The change will mean that where items 132 and 133 are claimed, telehealth items claim 91824 (initial attendance), 91825 (subsequent attendance), 91826 and 91836 (minor attendance) cannot be co-claimed. The current legislation for these items includes they cannot be co-claimed with general attendance items at the same time.
A further reminder will be issued closer to the change. For any queries, please contact policy@racp.edu.au.
Access to Intravenous Immunoglobulin or Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin products
To prescribe Intravenous Immunoglobulin or Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin (IvIg/SCGIg) for a patient in Australia you need to register with BLOODPortal and request access to the BloodSTAR system overseen by the National Blood Authority.
The National Blood Authority also recommends that all Australian-based Trainees register for access to BloodSTAR ahead of starting in a rotation in any speciality where they are likely to treat patients who require immunoglobulin.
This flowchart provides an introduction on how to access government-funded IvIg/SCGIg. The portal also has tipsheets and eLearning modules to help understand the process.
To register with BLOODportal please ensure your details match those on your Ahpra registration.
The Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) seeks your input
You are invited to provide input on an application to the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC), which appraises new medical services/technologies and advises the government on whether they should be publicly funded. The closing date is Friday, 14 March 2025.
Find out more
New Ahpra operating system and online application and concern forms are coming soon
What's changing?
- a new Ahpra portal for practitioners
- digital smart forms for all new applicants and registration renewals, making it easier, faster and more secure to apply for registration
- this includes using online biometric identity verification for applicants, which will replace the current intensive, paper-based process
- an improved and easier-to-use online 'Raise a Concern' form
- two-step verification for enhanced security
- a new model for a better and more targeted data collection system
What's not changing?
Access to the Register of Practitioners and Practice Information Exchange (PIE)
- the way you use and access the PIE won't change
- there may be some temporary downtime when Ahpra switches to the new system, but they will let you know in advance of the key dates and timeframe so you are prepared for any impacts
Preparing a safe transition
A transition from one system to another is complex and not without risk. Ahpra is preparing for a safe transition with minimal impact to their performance, staff and stakeholders. This includes:
- anticipating delays and downtime when their team won't have access to a system and while they are getting used to operating a new system
- in the interest of patient safety, prioritising high risk and immediate action matters
- to mitigate any impact on workforce, Ahpra will work to minimise the impact on domestic (graduates) and international applications
The launch date of the new system is yet to be confirmed. Once we receive confirmation of the launch, we will share with members on this webpage.
Have your say: Draft statement on vapourised nicotine products
The Australasian Chapter of Addiction Medicine Committee has developed a draft statement on vapourised nicotine products. It aims to provide a balanced perspective on the complexities surrounding vaping in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. All input will be de-identified and must be submitted by Monday, 7 April 2025.
The statement explores key issues, including:
- regulatory approaches in both countries
- the role of vapourised nicotine in tobacco cessation
- concerns around nicotine dependence
- public health implications of vaping availability
Submit your feedback
International Women's Day 2025
In celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, the RACP has partnered with the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) to host an online webinar for all members. Join us for this collective initiative, themed ‘March Forward - Together’ on Friday, 7 March to commemorate this important day.
Register now
2024 Medical Training Survey interactive dashboard now available
The Medical Training Survey (MTS) 2024 Interactive Dashboard is now live. The survey was completed by 41 per cent of RACP trainees, including Overseas Trained Physicians who are currently undertaking supervised practice in Australia (n=3,069). The reporting dashboard enables users to apply filters and create tailored reports based on their results of interest.
The RACP uses the results of the MTS to:
- strengthen RACP training programs and activities
- drive improvements in training settings by identifying settings with results that indicate potential concerns, and work with local leaders to explore and leverage the data to advocate for support with training
- acknowledge high performing training settings by identifying those with results that point towards excellence in areas such as quality of clinical supervision, overall satisfaction, or support for trainee wellbeing
- inform systemic change by using the results in the development of strategic approaches to improve physician training, our service offerings and the overall culture of medicine.
Find out more
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listings
New and amended Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listings are available here. This information relates to the administration of these listings by Services Australia.
For further information on broader PBS changes, please visit the PBS website
A temporary Continued Dispensing Emergency Measure is in place until 31 March 2025 to help those affected by flooding in Far North Queensland access PBS-subsidised medicines. It covers a broader range of PBS medicines than standard Continued Dispensing arrangements.
Internal Medicine Journal
The latest issue of the Internal Medicine Journal (IMJ) is now live on the Wiley Online Library and the RACP website (log in using your RACP login credentials). Access articles tweeted on IMJ's Twitter account for free, for a limited time. The easiest way to access the IMJ is via the Wiley Online Library App, find out how you can access it.
Key highlights from the issue are:
- Has medicinal cannabis found a role in oncology/palliative care?
- Update on chronic pain management
- Clinical utility of 18F-fluorodopa positron emission tomography in the movement disorder clinic: an Australian experience
- Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer: a retrospective pathway assessment in a regional cancer centre
- Current state of the non-pharmacological management of irritable bowel syndrome: an up-to-date review of the literature
Read the journal
This case report describes a 42-year-old male from Arizona with a complex course characterised by fever following an orthotopic liver transplant. A general approach to fever in the post-transplant patient is discussed, along with specific considerations regarding travel in post-transplant patients or those on immunosuppressants for other indications. Associate Professor Camille Kotton and Dr Simran Gupta from the Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital take listeners through the case and related issues in a step-by-step manner at a level targeted for trainees and generalists.
Guests
Associate Professor Camille Kotton (Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University)
Dr Simran Gupta (Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard University)
Hosts
Associate Professor Stephen Bacchi FRACP (Fulbright Fellow, Mass General Brigham; University of Adelaide)
Christina Gao (University of Adelaide)
Please visit the Pomegranate Health web page for a transcript and supporting references. Login to MyCPD to record listening and reading as a prefilled learning activity. Subscribe to new episode email alerts or search for ‘Pomegranate Health’ in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Castbox or any podcasting app.
https://www.racp.edu.au/pomegranate/view/case-report-42yo-male-with-fever-following-liver-transplant
Introducing our new Member Support Centre
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new Member Support Centre (MSC), which will replace our current contact centre. The MSC aims to deliver more responsive, efficient, and timely support, acting as your central point of contact for all your enquiries.
In addition to general support, the MSC will broaden its services to manage all RACP-related questions, including your training enquiries, complaints, booking call-backs, Training Management Platform (TMP), and other technical support, plus more.
By submitting your enquiry through the MSC, you’ll receive regular updates on the status of your case, as well as a streamlined follow-up process. We are committed to these improvements and will keep enhancing our service to better serve your needs.
Contact us
Update your details with the College
Did you know that you can update your address details online? Simply Login to MyRACP and go to “Edit my details”.
RACP Benefits: Exclusive savings on your lifestyle needs
Did you know that RACP Benefits gives you access to a range of discounts and offers from Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading brands and retailers? Simply log in to the portal to start shopping and saving today. These special deals are exclusive to the College and made possible by our benefits partner, Member Benefits Australia.
Log in or find out more.
Pomegranate Health podcast: Your contributions welcome
The RACP podcast, Pomegranate Health, has published over 100 episodes since starting out eight years ago.
To provide more frequent and focused content we’re seeking contributions from our speciality societies, committees and affiliated professional organisations.
To hear what this would sound like, listen to the episodes tagged [IMJ On-Air]
These episodes feature authors published in the Internal Medicine Journal being interviewed by the relevant section editor.
They have covered themes as varied as asthma management, hospital-acquired complications, causes of readmission and the JEV outbreak.
You already spend considerable time preparing lectures and webinars for your colleagues. Audio podcasts provide an easy way to reach thousands more around the world. Each episode gets downloaded around 6500 times over the first 12 months from publication, with 21 per cent of listeners located outside of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
All you need to do is to organise one or more presenters and an interviewer familiar with the material. The podcast producer will coordinate an online recording lasting about one hour and then edit it down before publication. The intention would be to ‘brand’ regular episodes from your specialty society or organisation in the same way that we’ve done with [IMJ On-Air].
Please send any questions or ideas to podcast@racp.edu.au
View career opportunities on the RACP website.