CURRENT PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS

Management of the Division

The Division aims to effectively and efficiently manage resources to ensure the Division is in a position to coordinate primary health care in the region.

Quality Improvement

Accreditation

The aim of the program is to assist and support GP practices with the accreditation process. As a result of the program 50% of practices have become accredited and another 38% are registered and working towards being accredited by the end of the year. The accrediation program is aimed at helping General Practitioners and their staff to ensure the facilities and systems within their practices meet the RACGP standards for quality care. The Division has found that the only barriers to implementing the program have been that rural practices with man power shortages find it very difficult to put aside extra time to implement Accreditation.

Community Liaison

The aim of the program is to improve communication between GPs, health care providers and consumers within local areas and facilitate consumer reference groups. Achievements of the program include the publication of Health Services Directories and ongoing liaison with health service providers, consumers and the Division. Barriers to the effectiveness of the program have come with distances and some well established cultural barriers that increase the time frames in which improvements can be achieved.

Continuing Medical Education

The Continuing Medical Education (CME) program is designed to maximise educational opportunities for GPs within the region. Achievements include regular CME events in Mandurah and Busselton and annual Post Graduate educational weekends. The Barriers have been that GP shortages limit opportunities for some to leave their Practices, despite this, attendance at CME events is strong.

Enhanced Primary Care

The Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) program is designed to support GPs and practice staff toward effectively utilising the new Medicare Australia Enhanced Primary Care item numbers to maximise health outcomes for people in the region.

The Division has researched best methods to achieve outcomes and plans to educate GPs and staff. This has resulted in better health care outcomes for patients due to planned health assessments and more collaborative approaches to health care. The Division has found that rural practitioners have difficulty utilising case conferencing and care plans due to lack of other appropriate, easily accessible allied health workers.

Information Technology

The Information Technology (IT) program aims to educate and support GPs becoming computerised. As a result of the program 93% of GPs are now computerised. At present two modules of computer training, of a total of 14, have been presented. Also 93% of surgeries are now contactable by email. The major concern has been that some GPs have an aversion to technology, however despite this attendance at training workshops has been very strong.

Diabetes Coordinated Care

The Division aim in having a diabetes program is to improve the management and health of people with diabetes or 'at risk' for developing diabetes. This program has resulted in Diabetes educators being placed in three GP

Practices and educating two Aboriginal families in the Peel area. The Division has found that by placing Diabetes Educators into General Practices it reduces barriers for diabetics to easily access self management education and support. Also working directly with Aboriginal families reduces access and education barriers.

Aboriginal Health

The program aim is to improve the health of Aboriginal people in the region. The program is lead by an Aboriginal committee and includes the establishment of a cross cultural training program and enhanced health orientated education for Aboriginal people. The Division has found that top level involvement by Aboriginal people is the key to reducing barriers and identifying needs for this target group.

Immunisation

The Immunisation program is working towards achieving a 95% complete immunisation for eligible children within the Division according to the Childhood Immunisation Schedule. Also to educate GP's and their staff in all aspects of vaccine storage and delivery, and building collaborative networks with other immunisation service providers across the Division.

The Division has seen the childhood Immunisation rate has rise from 54.1% at the commencement of this program to 77.6% in August of 1999. However the Division has found it difficult collaborating with 13 different Health Services.

Mental Health

The Mental Health program aims to improve the management and health of people with or 'at risk of developing' mental health problems. This includes alcohol and other drugs, suicide and domestic violence. Achievements include a Memorandum of Understanding between the Division and Peel Mental Health. The Division has found difficulties in integrating service provision has been challenging but substantial gains have been made, setting solid foundations for future advances.

Youth for Life

The Division aims to provide a holistic, preventative and early intervention youth suicide program. This is achieved through counselling, camps, education and support for youth service providers in the Peel region. However the program hasn't secured ongoing funding at this stage.

PREVIOUS PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS

• Aboriginal Health Project
• Alternate Birthing Shared Care Project
• Diabetes II
• Domestic Violence
• GP Re-Skilling Project
• Peel Region Community Psychiatric Project