Central Coast Division of General Practice (NSW)
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Name Central Coast Division of General Practice (NSW)
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| Division Number |
219 |
| Classification |
Urban |
| Number of Member GPs |
267Goldfields Esperance GP Network |
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| State
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New South Wales
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| Year Established
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1993
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Return to AGPN
| Number of Member Practices
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Goldfields Esperance GP Network
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Programs and Projects
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As at 30th June 2003, the FTE GP to population ratio was 1495, which was well above the national average. During the 2003 - 2004 financial year the FTE GP to population ratio increased to 1523. In order to maintain current service provision, an additional 18 FTE GPs are required as currently 9.7% of services are provided by GPs working over-time. This shortage does not account for unmet service demand for approximately 88, 400 people within the Central Coast community.Year Established
DIVISION OVERVIEW/ INTRODUCTION1994
The Central Coast Division of General Practice was constituted on 12th March 1994. Since then it has demonstrated an unswerving commitment to the provision of quality health care to the community of the Central Coast through General Practice. In a region known for its broad geographic spread, its diversity of population density and high growth, its ageing population and its poor socioeconomic status, the Division has always emphasised supporting patient care.
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS
The Central Coast Division of General Practice has continually strived to work with General Practice to improve the health of the people of the Central Coast. Over the last five years there have been many projects and services conducted by CCDGP, however the following is a list of some of the highlights. This list is in no order of success or priority and it must be emphasized that it is certainly not exclusive.Number of Member Practices
The Central Coast Diabetes Program (Chronic Disease Management): This is a joint program run by CCDGP and Central Coast Health (CCH). The aim of the program is to implement best practice guidelines for the management of Diabetes in General Practice. This entails the running of Diabetes mini clinics, these are conducted by Diabetes Nurse Educators employed by both the CCDGP and CCH. There are over 3500 patients registered with the program and 84 GPs participating in the program. Initial evaluation confirms that participating GPs have a high compliance rate with best practice guidelines.21
The GP Collaboration Unit (GP Hospital Integration): This again is a jointly funded program between CCDGP and CCH and entails the employment of a full time program manager and part time GP consultant. The aim of the program is to improve the communication and collaboration between CCH, General Practice and CCDGP. Some success to emerge from this program includes the GP Youth Outreach Clinics, the GP Mental Health Hotline and the Mental Health Shared Care Program. The Unit began in 2000 and a new MoU was again signed in 2004.
The Bridges After Hours GP Service (Access to Services): The CCDGP Board identified in 2000 that after hours service was a major issue on the Central Coast and therefore allocated resources to develop a business case via extensive consultation. What resulted was a need to develop a service in the Gosford / Erina Area. CCDGP was successful in gaining a service development grant under the Commonwealth's After Hours Primary Medical Care Program. The service opened in September 2002 in Gosford and is now located in Erina. The service currently has 47 GP participating on the roster, it is open 37.5 hours per week and is currently seeing, on average, over 3 patients per hour.
The Cervical Screening Outreach Clinic (Population Health / Access to Services): The Cervical Screening Steering Committee, which consists of representatives from General Practice, CCDGP and CCH, identified that the screening rates in the Wyong LGA, particularly the northern part, were significantly lower that the rest of the area and the State. With some funding from NSW Cervical Screening, CCH and CCDGP, the outreach service was established in March 2004. There are currently 21 GP participating on the roster and services are provided once a week at Wyong Central Community Health Centre. CCDGP runs the administration component of the service. The service is 100% bulk billing.
CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE
The challenges that lay ahead are those that face many Divisions and that is to maintain and expand services and programs in a tight fiscal environment. The implementation of the National Quality Framework for Divisions is both exciting and challenging, however CCDGP has already implemented many quality processes. Another major challenge is to continue to support GPs and their practices in maintaining community access to quality primary health care in a shrinking workforce environment.
The opportunity to drive future policy direction for primary health care in Australia is a huge opportunity for Divisions and one that CCDGP, like many other Divisions is excited about.
