4 February 2019
Message from the Chair
As we move into the final year of the 2017–19 triennium, I would like to remind all current GP providers of Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) of their mandatory requirement to complete at least one FPS continuing professional development (CPD) activity before 31 December 2019. This will ensure that you remain compliant and registered with Medicare Australia into the next triennium. You can find a number of FPS CPD activities accredited by the GPMHSC in this e-newsletter.
I am pleased to announce that as of 1 November 2018, appropriately trained GPs and non-specialist medical practitioners are now able to provide FPS via telehealth under Medicare in rural and remote areas. The GPMHSC has worked hard to advocate for changes to the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS) Better Access Initiative in the past few years by actively contributing to a number of key submissions. This means that Medicare-registered GP providers of FPS can now claim specific MBS items for the provision of mental health services in regional, rural and remote Australia. More information on the new telehealth items is available on the Department of Health website.
A reminder to all training providers that the 2019 GPMHSC Committee meeting dates are now available online. This is a great opportunity to develop new mental health training activities – programs that receive GPMHSC accreditation can be rolled out until the end of the year. An integral component of GPMHSC-accredited training is the inclusion of lived experience from both the mental health consumer and carers. Additional resources on how to incorporate consumer and carer representatives into mental health training is available in this e-newsletter.
Assoc Prof Morton Rawlin
Chair, GPMHSC