CURRENT PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS

Locum Program

The Division implemented a Locum Service in late 1999 which has been funded until December 2000. The Division employed an Overseas Trained Doctor (OTD) for this period and the locum service has been used widely by smaller practices and is used by larger practices to fill short-term unexpected vacancies. When reviewing the use of the program, most practices considered that it was much easier to obtain a locum now that the service was in place compared to twelve months earlier. The availability of the locum subsidy was seen as important to practices, however, the service was so highly valued practices indicated in the review that they would continue to use the service without a subsidy. Overall, the factors rated most highly by practices were the certainty that the locum was available, that the locum was available when required and the skill/experience of the locum. The program has also encouraged a trial period whereby a registrar/locum will be used across the three Gippsland Divisions.

Continuing Medical Education

The Division offers an extensive Continuing Medical Education (CME Program, which is well received by GPs. Since the loss of the VMPF program the Division has been able to format CME more closely to the Strategic Plan Outcomes which has proven to draw greater numbers of GPs to CME sessions, with greater satisfaction shown through evaluations. The ESD Committee has worked successfully to link the Eastern and Western sectors of the Division, which in the past had been lacking. This has also assisted greater attendance at CME events. The Division seeks to hold at least one large event a year, which is linked with the release of registrars from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Training Program. These events have proven to be very successful, drawing registrars from within and outside of, the Division. These events have also strengthened the relationships with the Training Program and they are now involved in the planning process of future events.

Doctors For Farm Health

The Doctors for Farm Health project was established by the East Gippsland Division of General Practice in recognition of the neglect of personal health by the farming community. The average age of farmers in the Gippsland region is 58, and it is well accepted that the farming community are lower users of medical services than other sections of the community. This collaborative project - involving the East Gippsland Division, Central West Gippsland and South Gippsland Divisions - followed the success of a pilot program covering a twelve month period.

The program has been highly successful during the 97-98 and 98-99 seasons, having accessed 1 011 farmers. Most of these people would not have chosen to visit their GP of their own accord. However, 30% of them were identified as having a potential health problem. The Doctors for Farm Health project was submitted to the 2000 Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Primary Healthcare in the Rural Health section and received an honourable mention.

Immunisation

The Division is currently updating Doctors and Immunisation Nurses on changes to the schedule, and the introduction of Hepatitis B into the schedule. The Committee comprises of three GPs, practice nurse and community representative. Peer GP visits are being undertaken at Doctor request. This program is maintained through ongoing liaisons with Aboriginal Health Nurses and the local government immunisation provider.

Enhanced Primary Care

• Education and training sessions for GPs and practice staff.
• Information and briefing sessions for other health providers.
• Integrating these activities with Division Mental Health, Koori Health Programs.
• Provision of Division advice and resource service for practices.
• Establishing a GP reference group to review proformas and assessment tools and develop communication protocols with other providers.
• Producing a regular newsletter.

Koori Health Liaison Program

• Developing relationships and partnerships with local and Statewide Aboriginal Health Services.
• Facilitating meetings between GPs and Aboriginal Health Workers.
• Planning cross cultural education programs for Division GPs and staff.
• Provision of Division Practice Support programs to local Aboriginal Health Services, for example, Immunisation, Accreditation and Information Technology.

Cardiovascular Disease Program

Primary Prevention focus in a General Practice setting, current activities include: Physical Activity Script Program and promoting the National Heart Foundations Clinical Management Guidelines.

PREVIOUS PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS

• Mallacoota Health Care Coordination
• Lakes Entrance Home Based Care - Palliative Care Manual
• Health Status and Needs Identification
• Dr Tony Radio Talk Back
• Early Detection of Post Natal Depression
• Adolescents and Diabetes
• Farm Safety
• Forensic Medicine Conference