Name Fremantle Regional GP Network Division Number 605 Classification Urban Number of Member GPs 205 State Western Australia Year Established 1994 Number of Member Practices 75 Postcodes Covered 6148, 6149, 6150, 6153, 6154, 6155, 6156, 6157, 6158, 6159, 6160, 6162, 6163, 6164,6166, 6161, 6798, 6799 Population 234,316 (2001 Census) Area Covered The total Division area is 241 square kilometres. The boundaries cover the Local Government Areas of the City of Fremantle and the towns of Melville, East Fremantle and Cockburn. CEO Mr Robert Reid Chair Dr Hilary Fine Physical Address: 10 Silas Street EAST FREMANTLE WA 6158 Australia Postal Address: PO Box 4186 MYAREE BC WA 6960 Australia Email: reception@frdgp.com.au Phone: 08 9319 0555 Fax: 08 9339 8355 Website: http://www.frdgp.com.au

The Fremantle Regional Division of General Practice Ltd. (FRDGP) was established in the South West Metropolitan region of Perth, Western Australia. As a non-government not for profit organisation the FRDGP is a company limited by guarantee with articles of association governing the actions of the Board of Directors and management.

The FRDGP has a history of successfully designing and implementing a wide range of projects formerly funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care (DHAC) Divisions and Practice Grants Program. Early in 1997 the FRDGP, along with 21 other lead Divisions, commenced the transition process to Outcomes Based Funding (OBF) in partnership with the Commonwealth Divisions of General Practice Program (DPGP). The first block grant funding agreement between the Department Health and Aged Care (DHAC) commenced in January 1998.

The FRDGP boundaries contain a metropolitan mix of people and places with the port city of Fremantle a focal point in the South West Metropolitan area of Perth. The area is well known for its diversity of people from different cultural, religious and racial backgrounds. The major industries and employers in the area are tourism, shipping and light industry. The region has significant areas of commercial activity with the majority of the area comprising suburbs that are across the range of socioeconomic status.

The Consumer Reference Group (CRG) is made up of community members who have an interest in health issues. The aim of the CRG is to provide a two-way communication for discussion on issues concerning general practice and consumers in the region. The CRG is involved in the development and management of programs undertaken through the Division including the Divisions Strategic and Business Plan. Other roles of the CRG include raising the awareness within the community of the programs and activities of the FRDGP, and assisting in the development of initiatives to enhance general practice. The CRG aims to have members who are representative of the diverse range of consumers in the greater Fremantle region.

In addition to community stakeholders mentioned above, key stakeholders in the provision of health services in the region are consulted regularly regarding the role of the Division. Many offer resources and support to the FRDGP in an outcome approach to managing health services: Health Department of WA Strategic Planning and Development, Health Information Centre, Health Enhancement and Chronic Diseases and National Health Priorities Areas; Local Public and Private hospitals; RACGP, QA&CME and research units; Peak Health bodies such as the National Heart Foundation, Asthma Foundation, Cancer Foundation and Diabetes Association; and Pharmaceutical companies and Pathology Services.

Current areas of infrastructure development for the FRDGP include the networking and representation of general practice in the community and at various levels of health policy making. At a National level the FRDGP has made significant contribution to a variety of academic committees, the pharmaceutical industry, national education committees, hospital liaison and innovation reference groups, and Australian Divisions of General Practice (ADGP) Innovation Assessment Panels.

At a State level the FRDGP has continued to provide significant resources and advice to the operation of General Practice Divisions of Western Australia (GPDWA). Areas of collaboration at a State level included submissions on new models of shared and integrated care with general practitioners, acting in a support role for other WA Divisions in making the transition to Outcomes Based Funding (OBF), and continued networking with other OBF Divisions.

At a local level the FRDGP collaborated in the establishment of two local GP-run after hours clinics structured on a cooperative model and involving over 30 GPs situated at St John of God, Murdoch and Kaleeya Hospital, Fremantle. The Division also facilitated a metropolitan-wide network of similar after-hours clinics.

CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE

• Expanding Women's Cancer Screening to encompass Women's Health for women over 50 years;
• Healthy Hearts (cardiac rehabilitation) will be transformed to include a sustainable privately funded component and also provide a service for less advantaged groups;
• The FRDGP's collaborative Quality Use of Medicine (QUM) Program;
• Hospital GP Liaison Program;
• Continuation of the IM/IT Program;
• Immunisation Program;
• Consumer Reference Group;
• Community Liaison Officer;
• GP Education Program;
• GP Support and Communication;
• Aged Care;
• QUM;
• Internal Structure ~ Restructuring of Organisational & Management Roles.
• In addition the Fremantle Regional Division of General Practice always aims to take up new initiatives as they arise.

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