Bulletin - July, 2021
Farewell, Fé!
We sadly said 'farewell' to Dr Félicité Ross late last month after a career that spans over 40 years in General Practice. Perhaps the saddest aspect of the occasion was the that due to the increasing risk of community transmission of COVID, the affair was somewhat smaller than we would have hoped!
Nevertheless, we have been blessed with Fé's expertise, warmth and commitment to general practice over the years, especially since the merging of both Edgeware Road and Church Street practices in 2009. As the COVID rollout continues, Fé will be assisting in the administration of vaccines in our clinics, thus allowing both her (and us) to continue to serve the community of which she has been such an important part!
July - A Month of Changes...
1st July brings with it a number of changes from Medicare and Department of Health:
- Rebates for standard consultation items (3, 23, 36 and 44) have all increased.
- Large changes to Medicare funding for Telehealth items (including both care plan and general consultation items)
- Indemnity for the delivery of Astra Zeneca vaccines to persons under 60.
In particular for Telehealth has been the shift towards video over telephone as a means of service delivery. Two new items for telephone consultations (91890 and 91891) replace the four telephone A-D equivalents. Both items are for simple telephone consults only, with the primary distinction being whether the consult lasts more or less than SIX (6) minutes, with the 91890 being a level A equivalent, and 91891 a level B. Included as well in the update as the removal of phone-based care plans, emphasising video instead, and the inclusion of Telehealth items to assess STI and blood-born infection.
New 'cheat sheets' have been distributed to each of the consulting rooms at the Practice, but can also be viewed by clicking HERE. We have also updated our online booking platforms accordingly based on the item changes.
At the same time, the Federal Government has updated its advice regarding the administering of AstraZeneca vaccines to persons under 60 (with caution from ATAGI). For patients aged 50 and over, the MBS item 10660 can be billed when counselling patients on the cost/benefit of proceeding with the AZ vaccine (provided the consult is of minimum length 10 mins, and that a 93624 or 93644 is ALSO billed).
Editor's Note: from 29th June, 10660 can be billed for patients 20 years and OLDER, provided it is billed with either item 93624 OR 93644
The indemnity has now been clarified, would should provide some small relief in the current circumstances, although this may still be of small comfort.
Video Consults...
To help improve our video consulting, I've put together two short videos for moving a phone consult to video, and optimising your screen size for a video consultation. Of course, if you are already aware of how to do this, then please continue on as normal!
COVID 2 - The Unwanted sequel...
In response to the 'sparkling metropolitan confinement', CSMP has adopted (see: returned) the following practices:
- masks are to be worn by staff at all times while in public areas.
- patients are required to have had a negative COVID test within THREE (3) days of attending the practice if experiencing respiratory symptoms (regardless of age). If a patient is experiencing respiratory symptoms and has NOT been tested for COVID, they will be moved to a Telehealth consult (video preferenced). Patients can also choose to 'swap' their consult for either a phone or video Telehealth at the time of their screening (please note that there is an implication that during the public health order, the '12 month rule' is currently suspended).
- the practice waiting areas have been rearranged to elicit a PTSD response from any patient for whom high school examinations are a source of trauma.
- we have stockpiled tuffy and isowipes, as well as hand sanitiser. We encourage doctors to wipe down the chairs in their consult rooms between patients as an added precaution.
- and yes - we should have enough toilet paper...for now.
Should the lockdown continue beyond 9th July, then I would encourage further discussion amongst the clinical staff within the WhatsApp CSMP - Clinical chat for what steps and changes we should adopt.
Results and Appointments...
In order to improve patient access and follow-up, CSMP has used a 'results' portal from the website (for some time) where patients can follow-up on their results. Please encourage your patients to avail themselves of this system, rather than asking them to 'call' to follow up - particularly given the poverty of appointment space we are currently experiencing, and the new changes to Telehealth for follow-up results calls (particularly for 'normal' results).
Likewise, please do not encourage patients to call the practice 'first thing' for 'on the day' appointments - these are released at midnight in the system, and are generally taken by either tech-savvy or sleep-deprived patients before the phones go active at 8am!
Coming Events...
- I will NOT be contactable from 12th - 15th July. Please do not burn the building down. Due to the Mater's restrictions on visitors, I'll be unable to leave until post discharge. I'll be working remotely from then until mid-August, although I expect I'll come in from time to time.
- We are also sadly saying farewell to Teresa Thaung on Friday, 2nd July. Teresa has been with us for almost 3 years, and will be taking up a full-time position a little closer to home. We wish her all the best as this next chapter unfolds!
