Media Releases

The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) strongly recommends that individuals continue to visit their GP to vaccinate children in accordance with the National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule in Australia and the National Immunisation Schedule in New Zealand. This year, for the first time, all children aged six months to five years of age are eligible to receive a free influenza vaccine under the NIP Schedule.

The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) supports the use of self-collection for COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests, when performed under the direction of a medical professional. During a recent trial, self-collected specimens were shown to be an acceptable alternative to specimens collected by healthcare workers and will therefore help to meet demand for COVID-19 testing in the community.

The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) is pleased to announce that genetic testing for heritable mutations associated with Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is now listed on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). This addition to the MBS follows an application by the RCPA to the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC).

People who need regular pathology tests to monitor and treat health conditions should keep up with their tests and medical appointments to avoid unnecessary illness or complications.

Due to a limited supply, the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) is calling for all clinicians, GPs and healthcare providers to conserve the utilisation of all swabs, by limiting any unnecessary or non-urgent testing, such as for chronic leg ulcers.

Dr Michael Dray – President of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia said, “It is essential that the use of all swabs is conserved to critical testing only. Currently, swabs should only be utilised for the testing of COVID-19 where they meet testing criteria, and for other urgent conditions.