A program has been designed to retain the existing GP workforce and recruit new GPs into the Division area. In the past 5 years the Division has lost 32 GP's from a base of 40. The recruitment program has resulted in the recruitment of 37 GP's starting within the Division area. The Division provides an entire recruitment procedure.

The aim of this program is to increase Information Management/Information Technology (IM/IT) usage in the Division by providing first class training and support. The Division also aims to increase the use of medical software by GPs by: upskilling GPs to use medical software fully, increasing GP understanding of IM/IT, internet and email.

This program is furthered by training practice staff on practice management software, developing a Division website, training Division staff on relevant software, developing an IT strategy with neighbouring Divisions and the Greater Murray Area Health Service starting with electronic admission/discharge information. The division employs an IM/IT manager responsible for:

The Division aims to provide Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for GP's and Practice staff/Practice Nurse education. RACGP and ACCRM point are sought for all activities while topics are selected based on an annual GP CPD audit.

The main objectives are to provide quality education and training to increase GP and staff attendance at events and provide sufficient education activity to cover GP VR requirements. The Division also provides accreditation information and support to Practice Managers.

The Division coordinates, on average, two CPD events per month as well as regular practice staff and Nurse training. The education sessions are held throughout the Division area including Finley, Griffith and Leeton to enable the best opportunity for GP's and staff to attend with minimal travel.

The Division holds an AGM/CPD family weekend with up to 60% of all GP's and their family attending. This year the Division will hold a GP spouses meet and greet lunch to encourage the development of support networks

The Advocacy program is designed to provide good exposure on local GP related health issues. The aim of the Division is to provide local consumer groups, councils, and hospitals with Area Health Service information on local health issues from a GP perspective. Eight presentations have been made to local groups so far. Services provided by the Division include provision of information, presentations and meetings attended by Divisional representatives.

The program has helped consumer groups in making decisions about how to tackle local issues. It has also helped the Division and local GPs in getting their perspectives across.

A program has been developed to promote a proficient administration to manage the Division finances and programs. The aim of the program is for the Division to be administered in accordance with conditions of grant.

Efficient management of the Division facilitates the best use of funds. The program also aims for improved GP participation within the Division, and for Legal and funding accountability requirements to be met. As a result of the program, all legal and financial requirements have been met.

The service is built on the collaboration of local General Practitioners, nursing services including Griffith District nurses, pastoral care and an accredited volunteer network to deliver coordinated approaches to people requiring palliative care services.The Palliative care services also provide the needed support to families and carers of the terminally ill patient.

The service includes after hours on-call rosters 7 days per week, promotion of the 24 hour number for patients and carers, evidence-based clinical protocols, patient centred records, weekly case review meetings, an ongoing professional education program and an accredited volunteer support network.

By developing formal networks with the existing Griffith Area Palliative Care Services team, local General Practitioners and Community Nurses in Griffith and Coleambally have access to established operational systems and support to help deal with the complexities of providing high standard palliative care.

MDGP has a childhood immunisation rate of over 91%. Practices have received information and advise on cold chain monitoring, ACIR data management, schedule updates and annual nurse immuniser training is promoted.

The Murrumbidgee Division of General Practice is committed to developing and implementing programs associated with women's health and cervical screening by providing educational opportunities for General Practitioners within the Division while encouraging women to have regular pap tests.

Funded by the Greater Murray Area Health Service, the Division has recently coordinated a GP upskilling in cervical screening workshop provided by the Family Planning Association, Sydney. In addition, the Division has also established a cervical screening referral network located in the Southern part of the Division.

The Division supports a Registered Nurse who assists in the implementation of the More Allied Health Services (MAHS), working with GPs and practice staff encouraging integration of EPC & PIP items into General Practice. Additionally support, resources and formal training for all practice nurses within the division is provided. Mentoring E/Ns at Hay practice & conducting diabetes education clinics at Hay is also a major role.

Liaison with Area Health Services such as the Aboriginal Health worker assists in managing & improving chronic disease within the Koori population. The Diabetes Educator assists in the implementation of best practice for practices nurses for Diabetes Education.

A program designed to improve the provision of aged care within the Division area. The Division objectives are to see GP links to other aged care services formalised and coordination between providers increase. Additionally, the Division aims to see GP MBS item payments for aged care activities increase, and the improved provision of care for chronic conditions and palliative care services within the Division area. This program has only recently begun.

The MDGP together with the local Area Health Service, provide a shared care service which is equitable and accessible by all community members. Employed through the Division, three Psychologists provide free face-to-face psychological intervention on a rotational basis in GP surgeries. Referral to the service is by GPs only. The psychologists use evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, as recommended by the BOiMHC initiative. The service is not designed to deal with crisis management, but rather clients who would respond to short-term intervention.

Adding to our collaborative care model are three MSOAP psychiatrists, who are contracted by the Division to provide psychiatric consulting services in GP surgeries. Two of the MSOAP psychiatrists provide services to adults and there is one Child and Adolescent psychiatrist. The psychologists attend supervision/peer support with the MSOAP psychiatrists on a fortnightly basis. The MSOAP psychiatrists also provide education to GPs through seminars and case discussion.

The Division also contracts the local Area Mental Health Psychiatrist (Nthn area of Division) to videoconference to our Sthn located GPs who have no access to our MSOAP psychiatrists. The aim of the videoconference is for case review and the Sthn located psychologist also attends the videoconferencing.