Message from Chair

Hello from the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration (GPMHSC), and welcome to 2024 and the summer edition of our newsletter.

Summer in Australia has seen some interesting changes in the mental health space, including new social media regulations passed in November setting a minimum age of 16 for social media use, and discussion being raised again around the number of psychology sessions provided via the Better Access Initiative. We’ve also seen continuing work by the Department of Veteran’s affairs in suicide prevention.

The Federal Government also announced effective 1 November 2025, access to Better Access services will be linked to MyMedicare. Under this change, referrals for mental health treatment plans must be made by a GP at a person's MyMedicare-registered practice or, if not registered, by their usual GP. This move aims to streamline patient care but has raised concerns about potential barriers to timely mental health support.

New GPMHSC FPS CPD subsidy for GPs

The GPMHSC has received funding to assist GPs in maintaining their FPS registration. We are very excited to be able to support GPs in doing this work and will be offering a new $200 subsidy. More information about how to apply for the subsidy will be available shortly.

Meet the GPMHSC team

The GPMHSC will be attending a number of conferences this year, including GPCE, RMA and GP25. More details about the GPMHSC’s exhibition at these conferences will be announced throughout the year.
 

Assoc Prof Morton Rawlin

Chair, GPMHSC