The ADGP After Hours Primary Medical Care Program has now drawn to a close. The SBO Policy Officer positions ceased mid-December 2003, and the Principal Adviser at ADGP, Elke Purnell finished in early 2004. 

We are hoping to put into place some measures that will continue to support Divisions of General Practice in AHPMC through ADGP and SBOs. 

For additional support or queries about the Commonwealth's AHPMC program, please contact:

Ms Meredeth Taylor
Primary Care Division
Department of Health and Ageing
meredeth.taylor@health.gov.au

In addition, the Department has advised that their State Officers will be available for support and information.  

The SBO Policy Officer Network has covered a lot of ground over the course of the program.  Among a range of successes:

• a large increase in momentum in relation to AHPMC issues
• support for Divisions in development of proposals for funding through the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing's service development grants, with 75% of all grants going to Divisions
• development of strong relationships with key stakeholders at local, State/Territory and national levels
• development of a discussion paper on AHPMC which is in its final stages of completion and will be made available on the ADGP website once finalised.