National Primary Health Care Policy

The development approach outlined by ADGP in late 2004 sought to:

1. Identify any policies/papers already developed by SBOs and divisions; 
2. Identify additional components that needed to be scoped and developed;
3. Assign the work of drafting the identified elements of a position statement to network members via a reference group; and
4. Consult widely with divisions, SBOs and divisions network stakeholders.

As part of the initial phase, divisions and SBOs were asked to provide any documents or policies they had developed on aspects of primary health care, in areas such as:

• Multidisciplinary primary health care teams
• The role of general practice nurses      
• Integration with state and NGO primary health care structures and systems Program of Events
• Population health approaches, including prevention and health promotion
• Chronic disease management through general practice
• Consumer and community participation
• Primary health care funding models.

Documents received from the network and other Resources & Links  are available here as background reading and information for all interested parties.

An online D iscussion Forum has been established to provide opportunities for ongoing feedback. We welcome comment from across the network and from stakeholders on any aspect of primary health care.

National Policy Group

The development of the position statement will be guided by the ADGP-SBO Coalition and a reference group. Over 20 nominations to the reference group were received from interested GPs and relevant staff across the network. The group will act as a reference point and means of consultation with the wider network.   

Smaller working groups may be formed to undertake development of key elements of the position statement, and these will be circulated to the wider network for comment. The intent is to consolidate these elements into a national position on primary health care focusing on the role of divisions and general practice.

The final position statement will be launched at the National Divisions Forum in November 2005 and used as a basis for ADGP's 2006-07 federal budget submission. 

ADGP staff members are also available to attend divisional and SBO meetings to enable face to face consultation on the statement. 

We encourage divisions to contact the reference group member closest to them, or send feedback to ADGP at lwells@adgp.com.au .

Subscribe to Page