Name Riverina Division of General Practice and Primary Health Division Number 228 Classification Rural Number of Member GPs 80 State New South Wales Year Established 1993 Number of Member Practices 34 Postcodes Covered 2587, 2588, 2590, 2594, 2642, 2649, 2650, 2651, 2652, 2653, 2654, 2655, 2656, 2658, 2661, 2663, 2666, 2671, 2701, 2702, 2720, 2722, 2725, 2729, 2730. Population 115,074 (2001 Census) Area Covered This Division covers a geographically large area (approximately 28 510 square kilometres) in the rural south of New South Wales. The Division is made up of 25 postal code boundaries and comprises eleven major local government areas (LGAs). CEO Ms Nancye Piercy Chair Dr Ken Mackey Physical Address: 80 Murray Street WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2650 Australia Postal Address: PO Box 5663 WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2650 Australia Email: division@rdgp.com.au Phone: 02 6923 3100 Fax: 02 6931 7822 Website: http://www.rdgp.com.au

The expertise of the Wagga Wagga and District Division of General Practice staff in a number of health disciplines, coupled with their extensive experience in the broader health system, has given the Division the confidence and flexibility needed to address a number of health areas.

The recruitment and retention of GPs remains high on the Division's agenda, with high priority given to programs which provide for continuing medical education and professional and personal support for GPs. The Service Integration, Information Technology, Quality Improvement and Population Health focused programs are aimed at facilitating GP participation in the numerous developments, opportunities and changes occurring in the health system.

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS

• Conducted operations within allocated budget.
• Attracted additional funding to expand activities.
• Filled nine rural GP vacancies.
• Developed a well-balanced CME Program which addresses the needs of our members.
• Established an Information Technology 'Helpdesk' which has been very well received by all GPs, particularly those in the smaller communities.
• Developed a GP Oriented Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.
• Undertaken a research project in respect to Quality Use of Medicines.
• Conducted annual conference with internationally renowned speakers on Dementia and Mental Health.
• Advanced from 36 to 12 on the national ratings for immunisation coverage.

CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE

The Division has progressively matured since its inception in 1993, and is now well equipped to meet future changes and challenges in a proactive and positive manner.

Currently, the major challenge for the Division is to ensure all members are well equipped to utilise the tools and associated incentives, offered under the Enhanced Primary Health Program to improve the coordination of care received by the frail elderly and chronically ill patient.

The recent announcement that Rural Divisions will be funded to employ allied health professionals and nurses to meet locally identified community needs and to complement the skills of local GPs, will also pose a real challenge. Because there is already a major shortage of allied health professionals and nurses in rural areas, the Division will have to develop new and innovative ways of attracting and retaining these staff. The ongoing challenge to the Division is to achieve the goals and outcomes of the existing programs within the allocated budget.

Page last updated: October 2000

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