Divisions of General Practice need to meet specific criteria under the Strengthening Medicare Aged Care GP Panels Initiative.  Criteria such as selection process and engagement (contracting) of GPs to the panel arrangements. 

Please find attached a sample GP Service Agreement for use under the Strengthening Medicare Aged Care GP Panels Initiative.  It is not mandatory to use this sample service agreement.  ADGP wishes to acknowledge and thank Southern Queensland Rural and Sutherland Divisions of General Practice for allowing ADGP to adapt their resources when developing this service agreement.

Please note that it is a requirement under Divisions contracts with the Department of Health and Ageing that a contract be established with participating GP Panel Members.  The contract must clearly outline the requirements / activities to be undertaken by the participating GP Panel Member including reporting requirements.  The contract must also establish the payment mechanism and method to be utilised by the Division.

For clarification of contract requirements refer to:

1. Aged Care General Practitioner Panels Initiative Handbook.
   Pages:  19 & 26 xiii
2. Division Contract with Department of Health and Ageing.

Selection of GPs to Panels
It is essential that Divisions appoint GPs to participate in panel arrangements in partnership with the aged care homes within their boundaries and for whom they are funded.  Please note that GP Panel members need not be members of the Division. 

Divisions have to decide the most appropriate means of notifying and engaging the GPs within their region regarding the GP Panels Initiative.  To date Divisions have used some or all of the following methods to notify GPs of the Strengthening Medicare Aged Care GP Panels Initiative and their intention to participate in the initiative.

1. Notification via regular Divisional Newsletters and Bulletins.
2. Information packs sent directly to GPs surgeries informing them not only of the GP Panels Initiative but also of the introduction of the Comprehensive Medical Assessment.
3. Invitations to attend information seminars on the Strengthening Medicare Aged Care Initiatives.
4. Dissemination of Information packs including an expression of interest form or application form for the GP to complete.
5. Advertising in the local newspaper.

The selection of GPs onto the panel arrangements is a collaborative process between Divisions and ACHs.  When considering applicants the following could be taken into account:

1. Previous commitment to providing services to ACHs.
2. Demonstrated interest in increasing service provision to ACHs.
3. Undertaken training in geriatrics or relevant specialities to ACHs.
4. Demonstrated skills in providing education / training in topics relevant to ACHs.
5. Demonstrated skills in liaising with other GPs, ACHs and other relevant stakeholders to improve processes and service delivery.

For additional information refer to the Aged Care GP Panels Initiative Handbook pages 18 to 20.

Also attached are alternative and less formal service agreements / contracts / terms of reference developed by Divisions and approved by the Department of Health and Ageing via acceptance of their implementation report.  Several Divisions have been gracious in providing the resources developed under this initiative for use and adaptation by other Divisions.
When utilising another Divisions resources please acknowledge original authorship.

Please do not hesitate to contact either ADGP or your SBO Aged Care Coordinator for more details or assistance.

Sample GP Service Agreement developed by ADGP with assistance from Southern Queensland Rural and Sutherland Divisions of General Practice

Sutherland Division GP Agreement Template

Southern Queensland Rural Division MAHS Agreement

Osborne Division Terms of Reference

Mackay Division of General Practice Package
Mackay GP Letter
Mackay EOI
Mackay GP Application Form
Mackay Position Description

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