CURRENT PROGRAM AND PROJECTS

Adolescent Health

40 000 students travel into the Division's boundaries each day for secondary or tertiary studies. As many of these students live in other parts of Melbourne, the Division participates in the Boroondara Youth Providers Network and works with allied health providers to address generic adolescent health issues. The Division's Adolescent Health Committee uses an extensive case study approach to address local adolescent health issues such as depression, youth suicide, sexuality, drug and addictive behaviours. The Division seeks improved liaison with Youth Providers networks and is examining ways to develop Fact Sheets to improve adolescents access, understanding and use of GPs.

Aged Care

The Division has developed a number of resources of benefit to GPs - falls prevention in the elderly, nutritional screening, and nursing home assessment as well as an extensive program on psycho-geriatric upskilling for GPs. In addition, the Division's Aged Care portfolio team has developed a number of pro-formas for the new Enhanced Primary Care items and will actively participate in the City of Boroondara's Primary Care Partnerships as well as an inter-divisional Residential Care Medical Advisory Committee. Another key priority is improving the use of medicines by older persons.

Cardiovascular Disease

The Division developed and trialled a screening tool for GPs to detect patients at high risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and to assist GPs to implement primary prevention strategies for these patients. Additionally, the CVD portfolio coordinates CPR Training for GPs and practice staff. The Division has a Shared Care Angioplasty Program with Epworth Hospital. This program has demonstrable population health benefits as it provides secondary prevention of CVD for patients who have already undergone an angioplasty. Most recently, in collaboration with Boroondara Community Health Centre, Royal District Nursing Service and local health professionals, the Division launched a badly needed Diabetes Community Education program for newly diagnosed diabetics in the area.

Mental Health

In recent years, the Divisions' GPs have expressed a strong interest in improving their skills in the treatment of depression, anxiety, crisis management and personality disorders. The Division will soon be offering a highly regarded Mental Health CME short course 'Integration of counselling into management of depression and anxiety'. In addition, GPs in the Division have the opportunity to undertake Psychogeriatric upskilling in association with Professor Edmond Chiu AM, University of Melbourne's Academic Unit for

Psychiatry of Old Age and will also be participating in a Shared Care program with Hawthorn Community Mental Health Centre.

Services to Members

The Division has established a peer support service for Division members in times of stress and anxiety. GPs may contact the team via phone or in person. In addition the Division provides assistance with accreditation and practice amalgamation, and is developing a practice support network. A monthly newsletter and other member communiquCs keep members informed of CME and other Divisional activities.

Substance Abuse and Addictive Disorders

The Division has an active Substance Abuse and Addictive Disorders Committee which provides mentoring for 11 newly trained methadone prescribers and collaborates extensively with other D& A service providers to ensure best practice in the support and treatment for the addicted population. The Committee responds to government inquiries in this area and helps to organise special events to improve collaboration and networking in this area.

Other Programs and Projects

• Development of hospital admission and discharge protocols.
• Immunisation education activities for GPs and practice staff.
• Co-ordinated Care Trial - Phase 2 Nth West Health.
• City of Boroondara Primary Care Partnership.
• Inner Melbourne Post Acute Care Program.
• The Division is also part of a consortium which has lodged an
• Expression of Interest for a Chronic Disease Self Management Program.
• Practice Support, particularly with accreditation and Information Technology.

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