ACRRM calls for Medicare recognition of Rural Generalist advanced skills
ACRRM is calling on the Australian Government to use the 2026–27 Federal Budget to ensure Medicare properly recognises the advanced skills Rural Generalists provide in rural, remote and First Nations communities.
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says Rural Generalists have the training, skills and confidence to deliver essential services beyond standard primary care, including hospital care, emergency medicine, and advanced specialist services.
“It is what sets Rural Generalists apart,” Dr Martin says.
Rural Generalists on the frontline of family and domestic violence care
In rural and remote communities, familiarity is part of daily life. For a Rural Generalist practising in these regions, that closeness can support care - but it can also add complexity, particularly when a patient discloses family or domestic violence.
The person seeking help may be someone they see regularly outside the clinic. The person responsible for harm may also be known to them. These overlapping relationships create a level of complexity rarely experienced in urban healthcare settings.
National Council of Primary Care Doctors pre-Budget joint statement
The National Council of Primary Care Doctors (NCPCD), representing primary care leaders across Australia, has released its 2026 pre-Budget joint statement, calling for targeted investment in longer consultations, workforce sustainability and culturally safe care.
The Council warns that rising demand, increasing clinical complexity and ongoing workforce pressure are placing strain on patients, practices, emergency departments and doctors — particularly in rural and remote communities.
Join us at an ACRRM member networking event in May
Don't forget to register for one of our upcoming networking breakfasts.
All events are aligned with upcoming major rural health conferences and are an opportunity to connect with ACRRM board and council members in a relaxed setting.
The FAQ outlines program objectives, eligibility, payment arrangements, and how the WIP – Doctor Stream supports access to quality medical services and workforce retention in regional, rural and remote locations.
Celebrating a decade (and more) of dedication at ACRRM
ACRRM is proud to recognise a remarkable group of staff who have each contributed more than 10 years of service to the College, with several reaching milestones of 20 and even 25 years.
These long-serving team members were formally recognised at a dinner hosted by the ACRRM Board, Council and Executive Leadership Team — an opportunity to reflect on their collective contribution to ACRRM’s growth and impact in Rural Generalist Medicine
Their dedication spans a wide range of roles from finance, IT, education development, registrar, Fellow, and member support.
Supervisor Summit 2026: Save the date and stay tuned for registrations
After a successful inaugural event in 2025, Supervisor Summit 2026 is heading to Melbourne on 12 - 14 August 2026.
Save the date for the must-attend supervision event of the year. Join experienced supervisors from across the country to share insights, explore practical ways to support your registrars, and connect with peers who understand the realities of rural general practice.
Registrations will open soon, with program updates, support information and social events to follow - so keep an eye on the event page.
Australians are being urged to prioritise hand hygiene ahead of World Hand Hygiene Day, with a simple message: clean hands save lives.
Marking the global awareness day on Tuesday 5 May, ACRRM is reminding the public that good hand hygiene remains one of the most effective ways to prevent infection and stop the spread of illness.
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says hand hygiene is a simple action everyone can take every day to protect themselves and others.
Updated priorities for high-quality digitally enabled Care
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care have updated their high-quality digitally enabled care priorities, which aim to set better care that is safe, integrated and trusted.
Rural Generalists are increasingly central to the assessment and ongoing care of patients with ADHD. As the clinical landscape evolves across Australia, there is a growing need for confident, capable clinicians who can engage with ADHD presentations in real-world practice.
To support you in this space, we invite you to join our upcoming webinar: Navigating ADHD: Presentation to Practice.
Presented by College President Dr Rod Martin, alongside Dr James Best and Dr Matt Ruhl, this session will explore the current ADHD landscape, how ADHD presents in everyday rural general practice, and how Rural Generalists can respond confidently.
Sponsored: Individualising menopause care: practical case studies
Free case-based webinar (CPD 1 hour)
Led by an expert panel from the Australasian Menopause Society, this case-based session explores three common peri- and postmenopausal presentations seen in primary care.
Discover how to:
take a structured approach to menopause consultations and investigations
apply evidence-based management, including non-hormonal options and MHT
assess and communicate individual risk to support shared decision-making
manage menopause in patients with comorbidities and complex risk profiles
Hosted by Medcast | 13 May 2026 | 7:30 PM AEST | Funded by the Australian Government Department of Disability Health and Ageing
ACRRM in action
SA clinical skills session
Team SA recently delivered a Clinical Skills session for future RGs at Flinders Medical Centre, bringing together 24 interns for a focused, hands-on learning experience.
Led by Medical Educators Jacob, Rory, and Tyson under the guidance of RDoT Lisa White, the session covered key procedural skills including point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), airway management, and lumbar puncture techniques. Interns were allowed to practice and refine these essential competencies in a supportive environment.
The session received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with attendees highlighting its practical value and the confidence it provided as they continue their clinical training.
Digital Health
Webinar: IgE-Mediated Food Allergy in Children
Thursday 19 May 2026 | Time 7:00 pm AEST
Join Dr Chaitanya Bodapati (Paediatric Allergy/Immunology Specialist, NAC) for a practical session on recognising and managing food allergies in children, including diagnosis, risk assessment, and family advice.
Apply now: Study Group Lead - Core Generalist Training
The Core Generalist Training (CGT) Study Group program aligns closely to assessment objectives and focuses on higher order clinical reasoning, exam structure, communication and application of knowledge in a rural clinical context.
The Study Group Lead (CGT) plays a critical role in ensuring consistency, quality and alignment of assessment preparation activities. Working closely with the National Lead Medical Educator – Assessment, this role supports facilitators to deliver high quality, standardised and well supported study groups.
The National Rural Health Alliance is partnering with the Monash University (lead researchers) to research factors influencing telehealth use for rural psychology care through the Better Access program.
Monash is looking for rural GPs to take part in 30 minute interviews to assist in this research.
Participants will be compensated with a $150 dollar gift card.
ACRRM acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the custodians of the lands and waters where our members and staff work and live across Australia. We pay respect to their elders, lores, customs and Dreaming. We recognise these lands and waters have always been a place of teaching, learning, and healing.
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