Clinical Risk Management Strategy

Whilst it is feasible in larger institutions to have peer review with medical clinicians dedicated to a clinical risk program, small rural hospitals with only one or two doctors often find it difficult to sustain formal medical quality improvement programs. The Small Rural Hospital Clinical Risk Management Program aims to establish a medical peer review mechanism for the GP/VMOs associated with small hospitals within the Murray-Plains and Mallee Divisions of General Practice region. Recommendations stemming from this process are communicated to the rural hospitals to assist in the development of improvements associated with patient safety and quality. It is hoped that these recommendations will form a useful component of hospital quality improvement activities and provide a platform for the development of future initiatives and integration opportunities between rural GPs and hospitals.

Murray-Plains Locum Service

The Board of the Murray-Plains Division of General Practice considers the provision of Locums to be the major priority in the retention of rural GPs. Each member (in a solo or 2 GP practice) of the Division is eligible for two weeks locum at the workforce relief rate and each member from a group practice one week. The Division will, whenever possible, provide additional locum relief in excess of this entitlement at a members rate.

The Division currently has 6 part-time locums who provide both short-term and long-term placements.

Practice Support

Practice Support covers a number of programs each with separate objectives and aims. Towards the end of each month, the two Divisional Area Managers roll out practice visits providing practice with the latest information ans assistance.

National Prescribing Service

The Division has continued to offer its members the opportunity to be involved in the National Prescribing Service (NPS) through visitations and promotional articles in our weekly Tuesday Facts and bi-monthly newsletter.

Chronic Disease Management

Support has bee provided to General Practitioners and their Practice staff in the key area of information management, in particular through Medical Director sessions. Through ongoing Practice visits Information Management/Information Technology up skilling is provided to General Practitioners and staff in a variety of disciplines:

• Electronic script writing
• Requesting pathology & pathology downloads
• Tools- examination, history, shortcuts
• Recall/reminder systems
• Letter writing (referral letters & other templates)
• Patients Health Summaries

Immunisation

The Immunisation program within Murray-Plains Division of General Practice is being implemented to assist practice in providing optimal Immunisation coverage for eligible patients. Components of this program include Childhood immunisations, Government targeted Immunisation, travel vaccines and cold chain storage. The Division plays a large roll in assisting practices to increase their practice Immunisation rates as calculated by the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR).

More Allied Heath Services

As a federal Government initiative, the More Allied Health Services (MAHS) program has been introduced by the Division to improve the health outcomes for people living in rural areas. This objective is being addressed by providing opportunities for General Practitioners to link with allied health professionals to advance and increase the quality of health service delivery at the local level.

The aim of the program, '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 area' has been achieved through continual review and monitoring.

Mental Health

This successful joint pilot project between the Bendigo and District of General Practice and the Murray Plains Division began in November 2002.  The Bendigo and District Divisions of General Practice was identified as the lead agency and decided upon the employment of 8 mental health workers with the main profession being psychiatric nurses.  During the Pilot stage 2 mental health workers (psychiatric nurses (one left) and a social worker) where employed in the Murray Plains region. 

Domiciliary Medication Management Review

This program is designed to assist general practitioners and pharmacists to undertake home medication reviews. A pharmacist in the patient?s home generally conducts the medication reviews and the goal of the program is to maximise an individual patient's benefit from their medication regimen; and prevent medication related problems through a team approach, involving the patients GP and pharmacist.

Professional Development Program

Develop and implement a CPD Training Plan based on members needs and Divisional program action plans taking into account requirements of ACCRRM, RACGP and other key stakeholders.  Support Regional Training Network (Victoria Felix). Implement annual staff training plan.

Recruitment & Retention

Workforce Support for Rural General Practitioners

 Indigenous Health

The Division is currently working with Njernda Aboriginal Medical Service and assisting them with Practice Accreditation and recruitment of a permanent general practitioner.

 Previous Programs and Projects

• Pap Smear Recalls
• Health Needs Assessment
• Health & Community Liaison
• Weight Management Project
• Data Collection Trail
• Spot Check Clinics
• Farm Accident & Illness Program
• Kyabram Counselling Service
• Needs, Access, Choices, Healthy, Options (NACHOS)