Name St George Division of General Practice Division Number 209 Classification Urban Number of Member GPs 255 State New South Wales Year Established 1993 Number of Member Practices 135 Postcodes Covered 2205, 5507, 2208, 2209, 2210, 2216, 2217, 2218, 2219, 2220, 2221, 2222, 2223. Population 222,869 (2001 Census) Area Covered The St George Division covers the same area as the St George District which is located on the edge of Botany Bay, and is bordered by the Cooks River in the north, George's River in the south and Salt Pan Creek in the west. The St George District covers almost 74 square kilometres, and 36 suburbs. CEO Dr Klaus Stelter Chair Dr Phillip Taplin Physical Address: 41 Dora Street HURSTVILLE NSW 2220 Australia Postal Address: 41 Dora Street HURSTVILLE NSW 2220 Australia Email: stgeorge@stgeorgedgp.asn.au Phone: 02 9585 2044 Fax: 02 9585 2144 Website: http://www.stgeorgedgp.asn.au

The St George Division is confined by the edge of Botany Bay along the east and is situated within the perimeters of the Cooks River in the north, Georges River in the south and Salt Pan Creek in the west. The district is comprised of 3 local governments (LGA), which include Hurstville, Kogarah and Rockdale.  Two Public Hospitals are located within the St George District, which include St George Hospital & Community Health Service and Calvary Hospital.  There are also two Private Hospitals located in the district which include the St George Private Hospital and Calvary Hurstville Private Hospital.  The St George District is an ageing population (65+ years represents 15.6%) and has a large non-English speaking background with the 36.5% of the population born overseas.

The St George District has 255 practicing GPs in 135 practices, with 60% of these practices  being solo GPs.

The St George Division of General Practice was established when federal funding was granted in 1993. The Division is made up of financial GP (85%) and non-financial members in the St George area. Out of area GPs can join the Division as an Associate member.

The Division has a part-time Executive Director who is a practicing GP, a Program Coordinator and ten Program Staff. A committee of nine local GPs who are elected by members oversee the Division. The management and sub committees also include representatives from health consumer groups and the St George Hospital.

Mission Statement:  The St George Division of General Practice aims to promote General Practice and support General Practitioners in their own right and enhance their ability to provide quality primary healthcare to the community. It also aims to promote and foster strong and productive alliances with local hospitals, health and community services, both public and private, in pursuit of the best possible health outcomes.

Major Achievements:

• High level of committed GP members with 85% members of the Division
• Development of Practice Staff and Practice Nurses Network
• Ongoing success of the  Antenatal Shared Care program
• Expansion of GP Education with development of 8 Small Group Learning cells
• Effective direct support to practices covering accreditation, cold chain, Information
• Management, immunisation,  EPC and HMR
• Implementation of Access to Allied Mental Health initiative
• Strengthening of consumer input into Division programs
• Ongoing success of the Dietetic Service
• Dedication of the staff to achieve core business objectives

Challenges for the Future:

• Development of the Aged Care GP Panels and Roster
• Implementation of an encrypted Electronic Messaging System between GPs and Specialists
• To reach 90% immunisation rate
• Increase uptake of the EPC items
• Embracing any challenges presented by the new Area Health Service
• Introduction of the Teams of Two program