Stream 3 – MyMedicare QI

April Update

NINCo Stream 3 remains actively engaged, holding their most recent meeting on April 3, 2024. During this session, Bev Korn, the stream lead, shared updates on various key items.

GPiACI Guidelines: Discussion and updates were given on the outcomes of a recent meeting with staff members from the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) Primary Care Division – MyMedicare section. They confirmed that more information on the General Practice Improvement Activities Collaborative Initiative (GPiACI) would soon be communicated to PHNs, including comprehensive guidelines. Prestantia Health has been engaged by DoHAC to support design, development and dissemination of guidance, tools, and resources to support the GPiACI. Prestantia Health are conducting four workshops in April to acquire relevant feedback with Identified PHN staff, Peak bodies, Consumers and carers and GPs and GP staff.

MyMedicare QI Toolkit and Clinical Audit: A significant development highlighted was the completion of the MyMedicare Voluntary Patient Registration Quality Improvement (QI) Toolkit, QI action plan template, and Clinical Audit. The Primary Sense pilot is now completed and GCPHN is working through the feedback and making minor adjustments to resources prior to releasing it for use by PHNs with Primary Sense. Each PHN will then be required to work with their RACGP CPD representative to have the clinical audit accredited for CPD hours.

The toolkit and clinical audit are currently being edited for PHNs who use PenCS Clinical Audit Tool or POLAR.

Following the PHN CEO working group project proposal submitted in December 2023, that included the importance of change management support for MyMedicare, The DoHAC will be making available funding for MyMedicare Change Management. Brisbane North PHN will act as PHN change management consortia lead.

Looking ahead, the sub-working group is reviewing resources available to support GPs and general practice staff assess and review how patients are assigned to GPs following commencement of voluntary patient registration and in preparation for the commencement of the GP in Aged Care Incentive.

Stay tuned for more updates as NINCo Stream 3 continues its mission to enhance quality improvement practices in primary healthcare settings.