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AGPN acknowledges the financial support of the
Australian Government.
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Pilbara Division of General Practice
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Pilbara Division of General Practice
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Name Pilbara Division of General Practice
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| Division Number |
614 |
| Classification |
Rural |
| Number of Member GPs |
43 |
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| State |
Western Australia |
| Year Established |
1998 |
| Number of Member Practices |
10 |
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| Postcodes Covered |
6713, 6714, 6716, 6718, 6720, 3721, 6722, 6723, 6751, 6752, 6753, 6754, 6758, 6760, 6762
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| Population |
39,108 (2001 Census)
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| Area Covered |
The Division covers 505 375 square kilometres, and encompasses the towns of Dampier, Karratha, Pannawonica, Roebourne, Wickham, Port Hedland, South Hedland, Tom Price, Newman, Jigalong, Paraburdoo, Nullagine, Telfer, and Marble Bar.
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| CEO |
Mr Chris Pickett |
| Chair |
Dr Rob Whitehead |
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| Physical Address: |
| Tenancy 36, Karratha Village Shopping Centre, Sharpe Avenue |
| KARRATHA WA 6714 |
| Australia |
| Postal Address: |
| PO Box 839 |
| KARRATHA WA 6714 |
| Australia |
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Division Overview:
The Pilbara Division of General Practice (PDGP) was established August 1998 and became operational mid-1999. The Division has a total of four core office staff; an Executive Officer, GP Programs Officer, Finance / Immunisation Officer and a Divisional Support Officer. Other staff include; HMR and NPS project officer, Healthy Lifestyle and Physical Activity officer, Palliative care coordinators (3), Health network and MAHS coordinator.
The PDGP has formed links with the Pilbara Gascoyne Health Region - Pilbara District, the three Aboriginal Medical Services, the Pilbara Population Health Unit, the Northwest Mental Health Services, the Rural Clinical School and the Royal Flying Doctor Service, along with many other Pilbara services and other Divisions throughout WA. These, along with links to the DOHA, HDWA, Cancer Foundation of WA, WACRRM, WAGPET, CUCRH, RACGP and the AMA are enabling consultation and collaboration in planning activities for better health outcomes within the Division.
Major Achievements:
- Increased availability of and access to local CPD in 4 Pilbara towns.
- Immunisation levels of 0-5 year olds increasing to 90.1%, with a high uptake of General Practices using ACIR. (May 1999 level ~75%)
- Inclusion of General Practice nurses and support staff in CPD.
- Closer liaison between Northwest Mental Health Unit and Pilbara GPs.
- Successful, recurring annual WACRRM CPD weekend event in the Pilbara.
- Delivery of a budgeted chronic disease operational plan for the Pilbara.
- Establishment of Dietetic services in the Pilbara for patients of General Practice.
- Establishment of Diabetes allied health teams in Karratha, Newman, Tom Price and Pt Hedland - Educator, Podiatrist and Dietitian, providing care over 19 different primary care sites.
- Establishment of a 3-year funded Palliative Care Resource program for the Pilbara.
- Continuation of Audiology service provision in East and South Pilbara, moving West Pilbara Audiology to the state heath service.
- Establishment of a healthy lifestyle program in Pilbara schools, funded by Telstra community grant thru until end 2005.
- Secured funding for local youth to provide input into development of resources that provide SNAP messages in a youth-friendly format.
Challenges for the Future:
- To increase Cultural security for all groups who use mainstream health services.
- To consistently provide indigenous cultural training to new GPs, Practice staff and MAHS allied health providers.
- To conduct relevant CPD to all members, including the more remote GPs, without compromising medical services.
- To realise the appointment of a Regional Audiologist resident in the Pilbara providing a coordinated program of ear health to all Pilbara sites.
- To realise the funding of positions to the Pilbara Chronic Disease Operational Plan.
- To work with CUCRH to develop GP research in the Pilbara.
- To work towards de-fragmentation of health service delivery in the Pilbara.
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