Name Midwest GP Network Division Number 612 Classification Rural Number of Member GPs 58 State Western Australia Year Established 1995 Number of Member Practices 22 Postcodes Covered 6514, 6515, 6516, 6517, 6518, 6519, 6522, 6525, 6528, 6530, 6532, 6535, 6536, 3537, 6620, 6623, 6625, 6627, 6628, 6630, 6631, 6632, 6635, 6638, 6639, 6640, 6642, 6701, 6705, 6707, 6710 Population 61,694 (2001 Census) Area Covered The Division covers approximately 375 000 square kilometres. The Divisional boundaries cover from Onslow (northern boundary) to Jurien (southern boundary) then across to Meekatharra (eastern boundary). It is approximately 1200km between Onslow and Jurien. CEO Mr Martin Weatherston Chair Dr Ian Taylor Physical Address: Suite 8 Medical Centre Hermitage St Geraldton WA 6530 Australia Postal Address: PO Box 2638 Geraldton WA 6531 Australia Email: mail@midwestdgp.com.au Phone: 08 9964 2812 Fax: 08 9964 3487 Website: http://www.gpnetwork.org.au

The Midwest GP Network has a main office which is based in Geraldton and located within the St John of God Specialist Centre, as well as an adjacent Program Centre.

The southern portion of the Network is rural (wheatbelt) while the northern and eastern areas are remote/very remote areas. The distribution of population is concentrated mainly in towns and settlements along the coast.

Smaller towns and settlements are widely and sparsely scattered across the remainder of the area. The major centres are Geraldton/Greenough and Carnarvon.The economic base for the region is mining, agriculture, fishing and the service sector.

There are ten hospitals in the Divisional area, two regional hospitals situated in Geraldton and Carnarvon; a private hospital in Geraldton; and small hospitals located in Three Springs, Meekatharra, Exmouth, Morawa, Mullewa, and Northampton.

Other health services include: Aboriginal Medical Services based in Geraldton and Carnarvon; RFDS based at Meekatharra services entire Division; Midwest Public Health Unit; Gascoyne Public Health Unit; and multi-purpose Integrated Health Centre Units located in Kalbarri and Dongara. Remote area nursing posts are located in Yalgoo, Denham, Cue, Mt Magnet, Sandstone and Cervantes. Community Health Nurses are located in Exmouth, Dongara, Greenhead/Leeman, Kalbarri, Morawa, Northampton, Three Springs, Yalgoo, Cue, Meekatharra, Mt Magnet and Sandstone. The Silver Chain Nursing Association has nursing posts in Geraldton, Carnarvon, Denham, Mingenew, Eneabba, Dongara, Jurien and Leeman. There is a very wide range of services, support groups, and special interest groups that are mainly concentrated in Geraldton and, to a lesser extent, Carnarvon.

The Midwest GP Network has a vision to create an environment in which to:

• Provide support and education to GPs;
• Promote a strong network amongst GPs within the region;
• Encourage effective use of GP skills;
• Develop programs which address local and national health issues with local health needs taking priority;
• Facilitate recruitment and retention of the medical workforce within the region; and
• Provide an effective, efficient and accountable support organisation for GPs.

To achieve this, the Division has developed partnerships and collaboration with other health service providers and the community, and has strong links with academic institutions and other General Practice organisations including the Royal Australian College of General Practice, the Australian Medical Association, the Rural Doctors Association, and the Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

• Effective external engagement with partners such as the two Health Regions , Aboriginal Medical Services and the Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health, especially in the areas of mental health, diabetes management and secure communications for the region.
• Successful tendering for additional grants; especially the Community Broadband Brokers project (funded by DCITA) - which will build bridges into the wider community i.e beyond the health sector
• Continuing to provide high quality professional development for GPs and to a lesser extent, for practice staff and healthcare professionals in the region
•  Increasing the number of clinical services consultations – especially with indigenous people; provided by MAHS operatives by over 400%
•  Continuing to provide a Regional Locum service which complements the service run by the Rural Workforce Agency
•  Providing social and other support networks to internationally trained graduates, registrars and medical students
•  Raising the immunisation rate to the highest in WA; 92.7%
•  Producing a 46% increase in GP and Care services as a ration to FTEs compared with the preceding financial year
• Setting up a pilot to support patients with mental health problems by increasing GP access to suitably qualified Allied Health Professionals
• Maintaining relationships with pharmacists and providing training with a view to supporting the quality use of medicine.

CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE

The program areas of importance identified for 1999 - 2000 have been revised for the coming year in light of the achievements of the past year, and in view of the changing priorities within the community. National developments, such as the implementation of the new MBS items, have also influenced the program goals for the coming year. The Division remains committed to the following areas of clinical priority:

• Diabetes with an added Cardiovascular Disease component;
• Enhanced Primary Care;
• Immunisation; and
• Mental Health.

In addition, the strategic aims of the Division encompass a range of initiatives to directly support GPs within their practices. These initiatives include:

• Divisional management and advocacy;
• Information Management and Information Technology (IM/IT); and
• GP support and education.