Learn more about the endorsement 

Doctors for the Environment (DEA) have sought the RACP’s endorsement of a document (see attached). This will be used to advocate on the health risks of using gas appliances in homes. 
The DEA calls for:

1.  a cessation of gas connections to all new residential buildings and developments
2.  mandatory health warnings on all new gas appliances at point of sale.  

The document states "We recommend carbon monoxide monitors should be used in all rooms in which gas heaters are used."

Purpose of consultation and what member input will achieve: This request is being considered because the RACP promotes public health prevention strategies and is concerned about the health risks of poor indoor air quality.  

If member feedback supports endorsing the document, the RACP's name and logo will be added which will then be used by the DEA to advocate for the specified reforms regarding residential gas appliance.

All member feedback is required by 12noon AEST, Friday 2 May 2025. 

If you have any queries, please contact Kathryn Powell, RACP Senior Policy & Advocacy Officer via RACPconsult@racp.edu.au.  

Learn more about the endorsement 

The JAFA consensus statement on the Diagnosis of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis is supported by peak bodies such as the Australian Rheumatology Association and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). It states:

We, the undersigned, support the goal of the Juvenile Arthritis Foundation Australia (JAFA) and Australian Paediatric Rheumatology Group (APRG) to reduce current delays in the diagnosis of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis from 10 months to 10 weeks by 2030 in order to facilitate early intervention and access to treatment to reduce associated pain, disability, dependence, financial disadvantage, and mental ill health and optimise opportunities for children and young people with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis to live their best possible lives.

Your feedback will inform the College's response. Note that all feedback received will be deidentified.

Learn more

The Subacute Care Working Group (SCWG) was established to develop a work program on approaches to the classification and costing of subacute and non-acute care activities undertaken within public hospitals. The group will focus on providing advice on:

• The development and refinement of the national classification system to be used to classify subacute and non-acute care activity in public hospitals for activity-based funding (ABF) purposes
• The determination of the data requirements, collection and coding standards for subacute and non-acute care services required from states and territories for ABF purposes
• The pricing of subacute and non-acute care in engagement with IHPA’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)

Learn more about the endorsement

The letter to the NSW Premier, the Hon. Chris Minns MP, addresses concerns about the health impacts of gas appliances in NSW homes.

The letter to Premier Minns:

• describes health risks from domestic gas use and the impact of burning gas on the climate change
• urgently requests the NSW government to replace household gas with renewable-powered electricity
• asks the NSW Government to provide public health education on minimising exposure to toxic air pollution in homes still using gas
• asks the NSW Government to commit to replacing gas with electricity in all public and government buildings, including all public housing and public hospitals.

Your feedback will inform the College’s response and whether we add the College as a signatory to the open letter. Please note that all feedback received will be deidentified.  

If you have any queries, contact Kathryn Powell, RACP Senior Policy & Advocacy Officer via RACPconsult@racp.edu.au. 

Learn more about the framework consultation

• Read the public consultation pack for the Review of the National Prescribing Competencies Framework 
• View the current National Prescribing Competencies Framework

Ahpra is aiming this high impact review by December, 2025 with likely implications for the review of educational programs, CPD programs, the exercise of national board regulatory functions and expected regulatory behaviours for prescribers concerning information gathering, clinical decision making, communication, monitoring and review for appropriate prescribing. Importantly, the framework incorporates a focus on telehealth and expected prescriber attributes.

Note: the framework review document is extensive and many of the changes proposed are terminological. Please review pages 9-22, reflecting on significant additions/variations to the framework, key omissions, related practice, compliance, patient safety or administrative implications to make best use of your feedback.

Learn more about the document

The purpose of this work is to articulate ANZCA's commitment to realising human rights to health including pain management and to clarify clinician responsibilities in relation to pain management that flow from these rights.

If you have any queries, please contact Claire Celia, RACP Senior Policy & Advocacy Officer via RACPConsult@racp.edu.au.