Name Sydney South-West GP Network Ltd Division Number 211 Classification Urban Number of Member GPs 261 State New South Wales Year Established 1992 Number of Member Practices 181 Postcodes Covered 2160 (shared with Western Sydney), Abbotsbury 2176, Bonnyrigg 2177, Bonnyrigg Heights 2177, Bossley Park 2176, Cabramatta 2166, Cabramatta West 2166, Canley Heights 2166, Canley Vale 2166, Carramar 2163, Cecil Park 2171, Edensor Park 2176, Fairfield (suburb) 2165, Fairfield East 2165, Fairfield Heights 2165, Fairfield West 2165, Greenfield Park 2176, Horsley Park 2164, Lansvale 2166, Mt Pritchard 2170, Old Guildford 2161, Prairiewood 2176, St Johns Park 2176, Smithfield 2164, Villawood 2163, Wakeley 2176, Wetherill Park 2164 & Yennora 2161. Population 220,741 (2001 Census) Area Covered The Sydney South-West GP Network is located forty kilometres south west of Sydney's Central Business District and it incorporates 27 suburbs. The population of Fairfield LGA is 181,936 people (ABS Census, 2001) making it the third most populated Local Government Area in the Sydney Statistical Division after Blacktown and Sutherland LGAs. In 2001, more than half (52.5%) of Fairfield?s residents were born overseas in a non-English speaking country. In that year, Fairfield and Auburn LGAs had the highest proportion of overseas born residents of any LGA in Australia. Fairfield is the LGA with the highest number and proportion (66%) of language-other-than-English speakers. Also, the proportion of Fairfield residents born in non-English speaking countries with incomes in the lowest three income groups (i.e.: less than $200 per week in 2001) was three times higher than for Sydney (ABS Census, 2001). CEO Dr Ken Cho Chair Dr Robert Yeoh Physical Address: Chase Commercial Tower Suite 7b, Level 2, 25 Smart Street FAIRFIELD NSW 2165 Australia Postal Address: PO Box 84 FAIRFIELD NSW 1860 Australia Email: admin@sswgpn.com.au Phone: 02 9726 1663 Fax: 02 9726 1698 Website: http://www.sswgpn.com.au

Fairfield Division is one of the pilot Divisions and has provided continuous service its members and the community since 1992. They are addressing challenging issues arising from a heavy influx of migrants and refugee’s. This multicultural community has higher than average unemployment within a community characterised by a low socio-economic status and the highest degree of ethnic diversity in Australia - amongst both the community and its GP profile.

The Fairfield Division works closely with the Sydney South West Area Health Service with whom it has an MOU and shares resources with Fairfield Hospital.  It encourages consumer representation and input to its programs through its Advisory Group structure and active community participation.  Stakeholders involved with the Division's programs include Fairfield Health Service, Family Planning Association, the Smith Family, the Area Health Service and the GP Unit of the University of NSW.

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS

• The frequency and progressive workshop calendar of activities.
• Significant investment in a contemporary website resource and GP information portal
• Advanced computer laboratory for in-house PC training for GPs and their staff.
• Participation in Registrar training.
• Pro-active Practice Accreditation support and mock visit program.
• Informing and supporting GPs through a series of newsletters.
• An MOU and Planning Group alliances with the Area Health Service.
• Upskilling of GPs in Asthma/Respiratory Disease Management.
• Successful partnerships with Allied Mental Health providers and the community.

CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE

• Assisting solo GP’s through the integration of an innovative business model.
• Regular review of governance and strategic direction.
• Developing local health initiatives not provided for by the Commonwealth.
• Managing an increasing external demand for services.
• Seeking to share programs with surrounding Divisions and the wider network.
• Practice Capacity Building and practice nurse support.
• Meeting the Diabetes and metabolic management challenges for this disadvantaged community.