Workforce
The Workforce Program aims to support GPs and practices with recruitment and retention strategies to sustain an adequate general practice workforce. Direct services include: information and resources regarding all relevant rural workforce strategies, support and advice in relation to "Area of Need" applications, liaison with the AHS and maintenance of a local workforce database. This program also provides advocacy for General Practice at a national state and local level.
GP Education and Training Program
The GP Education and Training Program aims to address the professional development needs of GPs which are highlighted in their annual education and training needs analysis. The Division offers a minimum of monthly social and education evenings, providing a high standard of education and training presented by specialists in their field. All events have Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points allocated where appropriate. Regional GPs are provided the option of either attending in person or of having the education event provided to them in hard copy, together with DVD copy of the presentation, evaluation forms and CPD point allocation.
Clinical and Practice Support
The aim of this program is to provide some infrastructure to support practices, nurses and practice staff that in turn provide appropriate support to GPs. Within this program the Division provides GPs and practice staff with education, information and resources to support the provision of effective and efficient chronic disease management, population health opportunities and methods to enhance practice capacity to improve health outcomes.
This program provides GPs and practices with access to a nurse with proficiency in clinical applications for nurses working in general practice, including compliance with accreditation standards, risk management and occupational health and safety issues.
Group education sessions are provided that include triage, phone answering techniques, infection control, wound management, dealing with aggressive patients, Enhanced Primary Care and the Practice Incentive Program MBS Items.
The Division also produces a newsletter aimed at practice staff providing them with timely and accurate information to enhance their roles within the general practice setting.
Immunisation
The Immunisation program provides GPs and practice staff with relevant, current information and resources in relation to immunisations. Close liaison with the Area Health Service is maintained in order to streamline and maintain existing services.
This program provides training in practice data cleaning and utilisation of the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) on line. Advice and support in relation to "cold chain" monitoring and accessing the GP Incentive Program (GPII) is also provided through this program.
More Allied Health Services
The aim of the More Allied Health Services program is to improve health outcomes for people living in rural areas by providing opportunities for General Practitioners to link with allied health professionals to upgrade the quality of health service delivery at the local level. Under this program the Division appoints and sustains allied health professionals to provide services in regional towns where needs have been identified. This allows the Division to further support GPs to develop multi disciplinary partnerships with allied health professionals. This also leads to improved links with the Greater Western Area Health Service and improved uptake of Commonwealth initiatives by GPs. Allied health services provided under this program include Counselling, Dietetics/Nutrition, Palliative Care, Asthma Education and Podiatry.
Aged Care
This new program has been introduced in the 2004-2005 financial year. It aims to establish effective primary health care relationships to address aged care issues.
Initially the Division will be meeting with local aged care hostels and units to develop systems for engaging with general practice. Local aged care stakeholders will be contacted to ascertain immediate aged care issues in relation to general practice and a local working party will also be established to address issues within the Division area.
Information Management
This program provides training, support and advice to GPs and practice staff on various clinical desktop, billing and appointment software. The program aims to assist practices to maximise the effectiveness and efficiency of their information and routine data collection so that the practice as well as the patients benefit. Training is provided on-site so as to provide relevant solutions to address individual practice and GP needs. Division staff can also assist practices in the development of patient registers, reminder and recall systems. The Division is also committed to improving local IT/IM networks and further developing local solutions to ensure secure messaging, timely and relevant feedback to GPs and also to reduce the amount of paper currently feeding into general practice. Liaison with many stakeholders is maintained for this purpose. The Division actively advocates for general practice computerisation as a strategy for effective and efficient clinical practice.
Medical Specialist Outreach Assistance Program (MSOAP)
The aim of the MSOAP program is to improve access to medical specialist services in regional, rural and remote locations by funding new outreach services or extending existing outreach services. This program is an iniatitive under the Commonwealth Government's Regional Health Strategy and has funding until June 2008. The Division MSOAP program offers the following visiting specialist services to the region: Cardiology, Rheumatology, Respiratory, Neurology, Dermatology, Neurosurgery.
Mental Health Access Project
This program is an extension to the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Iniative and is funded by the Department of Health and Ageing. The Division subcontracts four psychologists and one social worker experienced in mental health, currently in private practice in Dubbo and Mudgee. On GP referral, they provide Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) for patients in this region at a minimal cost to the patient.
GPs eligible to access the new MBS Items for the 3-Step Mental Health Process can refer patients to this service which provides for up to six time-limited sessions with the subcontracted allied health professional, providing the opportunity to improve mental health outcomes for individuals.
This program faciltiates access to psychologists by GP referral. GPs must have completed Level One Mental Health Training and be registered for the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Initiative to have access to this service.
Pharmacist GP Liaison NPS/DMMR Facilitator
This program offers visits to GPs in their practices by a local pharmacist offering education and training as directed by the PBS program and GP feedback. This program also coordinates the accreditation of local pharmacists for participation in Domiciliary Medication Management Reviews as well as providing GPs and practices with clinically relevant information in relation to DMMR's and all associated activity.
