CURRENT PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS

Infrastructure

It goes without saying that effective Division management and staff are central to maintaining the Division in general. As an organisation, it is imperative that the Division is regarded as a reliable and valued resource to its GP membership. It is crucial that the Division incorporates GP representation and involvement in the management structure, is able to maintain and employ sound financial and employment practices and is capable of responding to the requirements of GPs and its communities by way of forward planning and implementation.

To maintain and operate an effective and efficient Division which is responsive to the needs of our membership and the general community in the Flinders and Far North Division of General Practice, this the Division will:

• Develop and implement a program which involves and informs member GPs of all relevant Divisional activity.
• Develop, implement and maintain a program whereby ongoing evaluation is in place to oversee financial and employment practices.
• Maintain resources, human, physical and intellectual which will aid the development of prospective program areas and strategic planning.

Workforce Agency

In order to retain rural GPs, appropriate support structures must be both available and accessible. Many factors contribute to this - primarily the difficulty in obtaining locums when you want them. The aim of this program is to support the recruitment and retention of General Practitioners in the Flinders and Far North Division of General Practice.

Continuing Medical Education

Providing good quality Continuing Medical Education (CME) is central to the ongoing function of this Division. It is a visible activity which addresses an ongoing requirement of local GP members. With a focus on Information Technology, this Division hopes to assist with better communication between GPs in the Division, thereby reducing isolation, both from a geographical and information access perspective.

Perinatal Support

This program aims to assist GPs in their service delivery (including breastfeeding support) to pregnant and new mothers in the Division Region, particularly disadvantaged (e.g. Aboriginal, teenage and remote women).

• Documenting current medical and support services in the region.
• Undertaking need analyses of GPs, other service providers and consumers.
• Supporting GPs to increase their skill in caring for the disadvantaged women and in using local support services.
• Collaboration with relevant agencies to ensure a coordinated approach to maternity care.
• Offering a lactation consultant service to GPs, Midwives and the community.
• Working with other agencies and support groups to promote breastfeeding.
• Maintaining a resource library at the division office which contains up to date information on perinatal issues, cultural issues and consumer information.
• Compiling a regular newsletter Maternity Matters for GPs.
• Developing local consumer information as required.
• Facilitating relevant CME activities.

Mental Health

Mental Health has long been identified as an area of concern for GPs in this region. The Mental Health Program came about due to Dr Allens dedication to ensuring better access for GP patients to mental health services.

GP Liaison

This program has been in existence since 1995, albeit previously called the Community Liaison Project. Back in the days when the Division had Project funding, this project was funded from the Divisions Infrastructure Grant. To improve collaboration between general practitioners and other relevant health services and community groups within the Division.

Aboriginal Health

This program is part of the GP Liaison program and funds this particular health issue. To date, the Division has been involved in: the ear disease program; initial discussions with GPs regarding Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) problems with Aboriginal patients; issues in mental health, aged care, immunisation, womens health, renal disease and mens health, and workforce agency issues for GPs. Some of these issues have been dealt with via our other program areas. However, this list gives an indication to the commitment that this Division has to the serious nature of Aboriginal Health matters in our Community.

Information Technology

Information Technology (IT) is becoming as important to the medical profession as it has to other areas of modern business and professional endeavour. The use of computers in Administration has become the norm in many practices. Electronic prescribing, claim lodgement, pathology reports, statistical reporting etc. are not uncommon.

Access to information, due to the communication revolution including the development of the Internet and Email, is at a level never known before. While presenting many opportunities to the GP, there are problems associated with the implementation of this technology; not least is learning the skills to use it.

Cardiovascular Disease/Diabetes

This Program came about as a direct result of the GP Liaison Program in which our Division was invited by the Regional Health Board to be involved in a Working Party to discuss better local strategies and guidelines for health professionals in Diabetes Patient Management. Dr Yeung has accepted the position of GP Program Manager and is currently working on this developmental program. Dr Yeung has also met with the GPs of the Pika Wiya Aboriginal Health Service looking at Aboriginal health issues involving Diabetes.

Immunisation

The Immunisation Program undertaken by the Flinders and Far North Division of General Practice is aimed at improving the coordination, communication and understanding of immunisation information service delivery within the local region. This is achieved by:

• Coordinating immunisation services across the Division and linking the local service providers to the state and national immunisation programs through SAICU.
• Supporting immunisation providers to deliver high quality immunisation services within the local area.
•  Collaborating with all providers to ensure that immunisation services meet the state (DHS, as expressed in Policy and Procedures and SBOs) and national standards (NHMRC) and are delivered as consistently as possible.
• Working with all providers, Division of General Practice, local Government and SAICU to ensure that the specific needs of the local population are met.
• Participating in professional and community education/promotional strategies, which are linked to the State and national immunisation program.
• Following established reporting processes in each Division.
• Participating in ongoing professional development.
• Working with all providers and other stakeholder organisations to implement, monitor and improve all aspects of immunisation service delivery.
• Undertaking additional public health activities as suggested by the Communicable Diseases Control Branch (DHS).

Our Children, Our Region, Our Future

The Our Children, Our Region, Our Future project is a Primary Health Care Initiatives project established in the Northern and Far Western Region. The project is a partnership between the Northern and Far Western Health Service, the Flinders and Far North Division of General Practice, Eyre Peninsula Division of General Practice and Family and Youth Services. It aims to improve the health and wellbeing of young women and their newborn babies. In particular, it addresses coordination across health sectors and knowledge of, and accessibility to, support services by young women. The project aims to strengthen and improve collaborative partnerships between health and other sectors.

PREVIOUS PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS

• Regional Child Development Project
• Regional Aboriginal Birthing Project
• Breastfeeding Support Project
• Statewide Major Trauma Project
• Statewide Mental Health Case Conferencing Project