31 OCTOBER 2025

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John Murtagh— a doyen, a scholar and a gentleman.

Dr Justin Coleman I REMEMBER the very first time I met Emeritus Professor John Murtagh. But then again, so do most people.

Following news this month of his death at the age of 89, social media has been awash with the memories of hundreds of GPs whose professional and personal lives he touched.

At the RACGP conference he attended back in 2023, he barely made it past the exhibition marquees.

To track him down, you just followed the ever-replenishing flock of a half-dozen groupies waiting in line for a conversation while his wife, Jill, patiently looked on, too polite to interrupt.

What is important to note here is that among them were the international autograph hunters, the large number of doctors from overseas, whose presence reflected the fact that the Murtagh legacy and his impact on general practice has spanned the globe.

My first meeting with him was also during a conference, but just PAGE 3

NEWSPIX

Antony Scholefield GP clinics will be forced to brand themselves as‘ Medicare bulk-billing practices’ if they claim the Federal Government’ s 12.5 % loading payment for universal bulk-billing.

The loading payment— which will apply to most GP consultation and care plan items— is a key ingredient in the Federal Government’ s plan to triple

Signage must be seen from 10m away.

the number of universally bulk-billing practices.

Once it begins on 1 November, the payment will be made quarterly and split 50 – 50 between GPs and practice owners.

But the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing says it is sending participating practices up to four signs as part of the mandatory advertising requirements, ranging from a metre-wide decal to an A3 poster— on 170gsm satin paper PAGE 7

MAMMOGRAM GUT HEALTH

ANNUAL SKIN HEART

SHINGLES

For Australian Healthcare Professionals

Every annual check-up is an opportunity to discuss shingles

Safety 1: In pivotal trials, very common( ≥10 %) solicited local adverse reactions and solicited general adverse events were pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site; and myalgia, fatigue, headache, shivering, fever, and gastrointestinal symptoms, respectively.

Indication 1: SHINGRIX is indicated for the prevention of herpes zoster( HZ) and post-herpetic neuralgia in: adults 50 years of age or older, and in adults 18 years of age or older at increased risk of HZ.

Contraindication 1: Hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any component of the vaccine.

PBS Information: SHINGRIX is listed on the National Immunisation Program( NIP) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged ≥50 years, for all individuals aged ≥65 years and for adults aged ≥18 years with some immunocompromising medical risk conditions. Refer to NIP schedule or your State or Territory Health department.

Please review Product Information before prescribing. Product Information can be accessed at www. gsk. com. au / shingrix or by scanning the QR code.

This medicinal product is subject to additional monitoring in Australia. This will allow quick identification of new safety information. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse events at www. tga. gov. au / reporting-problems.

References: 1. SHINGRIX Approved Product Information.

For information on GSK products or to report an adverse event involving a GSK product, please contact GSK Medical Information on 1800 033 109 GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd. ABN 47 100 162 481. Melbourne, VIC. Trade marks are owned PAGE by 3 or licensed to the GSK group of companies. © 2025 GSK group of companies or its licensor. PM-AU-SGX-BNNR-250004. Date of approval: September 2025.

Recombinant Varicella Zoster Virus glycoprotein E antigen( AS01B adjuvanted vaccine)