Home Medicines Review is a structured and collaborative service which aims to achieve safe, effective, judicious and appropriate use of medicines by solving or avoiding medication-related problems that interfere with desired patient outcomes.  HMR, also referred to as Domicilliary Medication Management Review (DMMR), involves the patient, their GP, pharmacist, carer and other relevant members of the health care team, such as community nurses.  HMR is a service to patients living at home in the community and it is focused around a home visit by a pharmacist.  HMR is a voluntary service requiring the patient’s consent.

What is the MBS fee for HMR?

The MBS fee for a GP completing a HMR is $134.10 with a rebate of 100%. Item number 900.

MBS fee for a GP completing a RMMR is $91.85 with a rebate of 100%. Item number 903.

For further information contact Marise Storm, Project Support Officer on 02 63326646

MSOAP was developed by and is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing. 

The aims and objectives of the MSOAP are to improve the access of regional, rural and remote communities to specialist services by:

• increasing specialist services in areas of identified need;
• facilitating visiting specialist and local health professional relationships and communication about patient care; and
• increasing and maintaining skills of regional, rural and remote general practitioners and specialists.

The NSW Central West Division of General Practice, in conjunction with the NSW Rural Doctors Network, currently provides a Physician in Forbes one day bi-monthly, a Psychiatrist in Cowra two days per month and in Blayney one day per month through MSOAP. 

The Commonwealth-fundedBetter Outcomes in Mental Health Care (BOiMHC) Access to Allied Psychological Services Project (ATAPS) commenced in the central west in 2003 and aims to provide psychology services within selected general practices, as part of the 3-step mental health process. Under this program, psychologists and GPs work collaboratively to provide quality primary mental health care to their patients. Wherever possible, psychologists see patients in the GP rooms and are able to provide up to 12 x 50-minute sessions of evidence-based psychological intervention per patient per year, at no cost to the patient.

In order to refer patients to psychologists operating under this model and receive the service incentive payment (SIP), general practitioners must be registered as either a Level One or Level Two GP with Medicare Australia.  To become Level One registered, GPs must have undertaken theBOiMHC Familiarisation Training andeither have completed skills-based training in mental health (Level One Mental Health Skills Training)or have recognition of prior learning in mental health.

The aim of the MAHS program is to provide local solutions to local problems and improve the health care of key groups within rural communities, through the provision of efficient and effective allied health services which have been selected on the basis of the identified need.

The NSW CWDGP undertook a mapping and needs analysis of towns within the region in 2000 and this was subsequently reviewed in 2003 in order to ensure that the distribution of services under MAHS are based on the prioritisation of needs and sustainability. The services are provided where possible in GP Practices and require a GP referral. While the services are free, some fees will be incurred for soft goods and appliances.

Currently the services being provided are Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Psychology services and Clinical Nurse Specialists.

The Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing funds this project to support the newly arrived and the existing general practice workforce in rural areas.  The objectives of the Program are:

• to contribute to sustaining and increasing the general practice workforce in rural and remote areas; and
• to provide opportunities to link with and co-ordinate other workforce, education and training activities at the Division level.

The WSRGP program provides health assessments for GPs, support for medical students and GP registrars, a network for overseas trained doctors, family and peer support, assistance with retention strategies, assistance with recruitment such as Area of Need applications, and assessing and matching prospective GPs for placement. 

The National Prescribing Service (NPS) is a non-profit organisation independent of government and the pharmaceutical industry.  NPS provide access to independent, balanced, critically appraised information on medicines to prescribers and consumers.

In recognition of the increasing legislative and administrative demands of running a modern general practice, the Central West Division of General Practice is now offering assistance with a range of practice management issues such as:

• business systems assessment
• storage planning and stock control
• development of policies and procedures that meet the legislative requirements of OH&S, Privacy and Human Resources Management.
• creation of job descriptions and employment contracts
• recruitment of administrative staff
• registration for government budget initiatives such as GPMP, PIP and SIP
• improvement of appointment systems
• effective triage procedures
• inefficiencies such as double handling
• improvement to internal communication systems(notice boards, day book, email)
• practice marketing
• development of contracts with external services such as cleaners.

Call on 6332 6646 to request assistance or for further information on how the division’s business support services can benefit your practice.