DIVISION PROGRAMS:
The Central Queensland Rural Division of General Practice has established the vision of excellence and sustainability in rural health, and works across and with all sectors to achieve this vision.  Divisional activity is divided into three core business areas, infrastructure, services to general practice and services to the community. This Division covers a vast area with all it�s members involved in busy rural practices. There is a scarcity of  additional or secondary health care options available to communities within the Division area. The GP members in consultation with the communities in which they practice have chosen to target a number of specific areas which will have a follow on benefit in the overall improvement of health outcomes.

INFRASTRUCTURE / MANAGEMENT:
This program area is essential to the effective management and growth of the organisation. Strategies ensure the representation of all GP members, the smooth operation of the Division and it�s ongoing accountability and viability. Within this program area is the continued development of the close working relationships established between GPs, other health service providers and consumers within local communities.

GP SUPPORT:
Rural Practitioners are at a disadvantage because of their isolation and lack of access to support services taken for granted by their urban contemporaries. This program area attempts to provide some of those supports. Access to Continuing Medical Education and Professional Development is difficult for all Rural Practitioners. The Division has played a major role in the delivery of this service to the GPs, Registrars and Medical Students.

Practice support is also an important role for the Division. Education is provided regularly for Practice Staff at all levels. Practice visits are conducted by Division staff to each Practice.Recruitment and Retention issues for GPs are a high priority in Rural Areas and one, which is important to the members of the Division. Family Support is also an integral part of rural retention. GPs families and their priorities will remain an important focus for the Divisions future planning and activities. 

Chronic disease is a major user of Australian Health Systems and resources and general practice systems need to expand to accommodate the growing burden of chronic disease.  The Division, through the National Primary Care Collaboratives Program, aims to develop general practice systems that deliver optimal patient outcomes.

HEALTH PROMOTION:

The options for health promotion activities in rural areas is extremely limited. Rural GPs are often the only primary health care provider in rural communities. Health Promotion is therefore an area in which the rural GP plays a vital role. Preventative Health initiatives and the provision of Community Health Education are areas of high priority for the GP members of this Division. Health Promotion Activities in rural areas are often disjointed and infrequently delivered. The Division currently delivers health promotion activities to all its communities in the areas of:-.

1. Adolescent Health,
2. Early Detection,
3. Farm Safety,
4. Aboriginal Health,
5. Men�s Health

CHRONIC ILLNESS:
Chronic illness is of national concern with the National priority areas of Diabetes, Mental Health and Cancer. Chronic illness is also an area of need for rural GPs and communities. The provision of GP Education on the latest developments in early diagnosis and treatment for chronic illness is the primary focus for this program area.

The other focus for the program will be to lobby for government to recognise and respond to the current inequities in service provision to the chronically ill in rural communities.

ALLIED HEALTH SERVICES:
The Allied Health Services Program is one that aims to find innovative ways of providing allied health services to rural areas that have previously lacked these services.

The Division offers services in the following disciplines:  Diabetes Education, Dietician, Counselling, Psychologist, Social Worker, Occupational Therapy.

The Division is developing a broad provision of allied health services to rural communities.  There are many types of funding available for allied health services, which means that most people can access the services of an Allied Health Professional for a reduced fee.

The Allied Health Professionals provide services in all communities within the Division in conjunction with the local GPs.  These services can be provided through the practice or at an alternative venue at the discretion of the participating GP. 

MEDICAL SPECIALIST OUTREACH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:
Many Australians living in rural, regional and remote areas have limited access to specialist medical services in their local area compared to their urban counterparts. This means they often have to travel long distances to see a specialist, which can cause disruption and delays in receiving treatment, and additional cost to families.

To address this problem, the Commonwealth Government allocated $48.4 million over four years to fund the Medical Specialist Outreach Assistance Program (MSOAP) to help bring specialist services closer to home for people living outside major metropolitan centres.

This program provides assistance to encourage more medical specialists to visit rural areas, providing much-needed specialist services for rural patients closer to home. Specialists will also be able to provide training and support for local medical practitioners keen to improve their skills.

ACCESS TO ALLIED PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES:
The aim of this Project is to expand Mental Health Service Provision through General Practice.  Target groups are consumers who:

1. Attend a GP registered with the initiative, practising within the Division�s postcode region and have an ongoing relationship with the referring GP;
2. Present with problems that meet the definition of mental illness for the initiative, and;
3. Would benefit from receiving short term individual counselling provided by allied health professionals (AHPs) in a general practice setting.

IMMUNISATION:
The Division has worked with Practices providing support and assistance with the General Practice Immunisation Incentive Program, to increase Divisional immunisation percentages. We provide support to areas identified as having initiatives tailored to individual practices� needs. The Division acts as an immunisation resource providing up to date information and trends to General Practice.

AGED CARE:
Older people living in Residential Aged Care Facilities should have access to quality medical care at the same standard that applies to the community generally , and the meets t heir specific medical needs. Divisions play a key role in improving access to appropriate general practice services for older people living in Residential Aged Care Facilities.

The Division supports general practices in the provision of optimal care, to contribute to the achievement of the best possible health outcomes for the aged.

INTEGRATION:
General Practice and Hospitals are major lo9cal sources of health care. Their role in the care of individuals is closely linked and some health problems require a coordinated response form the two sectors. The Division works with relevant Hospitals to improve local service planning, timely and appropriate exchange of patient health information, and integration of care for patients, families are communities. The Division aims to improve collaboration between General Practice and Hospitals by assisting in the development of better working relationships between the two parties and improving transitions of care.

The Division is also working to facilitate and implement an efficient and effective collaborative process to optimise consumer understanding and use of medicines.

Page last updated: July 2006

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