The Division is located just outside Mt Barker on the Old Mt Barker to Hahndorf  Road.  The western part of the Division (Stirling, Aldgate, Crafers, Uraidla, Norton Summit) is mainly dormitory  suburbs for Adelaide, with residents commuting to Adelaide on a daily basis.  The eastern parts (Balhannah,  Hahndorf, Woodside) are almost entirely rural, with a mixture of both in the central areas (Mt Barker, Littlehampton,  Nairne).

Three public hospitals are located in the Division; Mt Barker, Gumeracha/Mt Pleasant and Strathalbyn. One private  hospital is located at Stirling with other Units and Health Services under the regime of the Hills Mallee Southern  Regional Health Service. One of the first activities of the Adelaide Hills Division was to collaborate with the three neighbouring Divisions in the region and the Hills Mallee Southern Fleurieu Regional Health Service, to undertake  an extensive needs assessment of GP and population needs. The medical services provided by the GPs within the Adelaide Hills Division are predominantly rural in nature with most GPs caring for patients in their local hospitals and providing a 24 hour a day, seven day a week service. There are a large number of specialists who live in the area, but practice in Adelaide.  Most of these also offer a consultancy service to the area and may consult for one session a week. Hence the specialist services are considerably better than most rural areas.

Stakeholders include Hills Mallee Southern Regional Health Service, the local area health service, community groups with interests in health, emergency services, local government and the community at large.

MAJOR  ACHIEVEMENTS

• Regional Needs Assessment: Diversity Makes a Difference, published in December 1997.
• Diabetes: HMS regional Health Service has sustained the regional Diabetes Nurse Educator Service initiated by the Divisional Diabetes project.
• Immunisation: 9.5% increase in overall immunisation rate Feb 1999  Feb 2000, and 58.2% response rate to a Community Survey undertaken to identify barriers to immunisation.
• Palliative Care Pilot Project.
• GP toolkit to assist assessment of drivers.
• Mental Health Conference Presentation 2005

CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE

Key areas facing the Adelaide Hills Division are closer roles with other health providers (which is already underway), partnerships with the State Government on matters of population health and continuing to expand its support for those community groups whose operation supports the Adelaide Hills Divisions mission and vision.

The Division is currently undertaking accreditation against ISO 9001 standards.

Finally, the process of governance and due diligence commenced in the 1999-2000 year will continue to expand in order that all stakeholders in the Adelaide Hills Division can enjoy an effective and enjoyable existence.

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