Name Central Australian Division of Primary Health Care Division Number 802 Classification Rural Number of Member GPs 57 State Northern Territory Year Established 1995 Number of Member Practices 21 Postcodes Covered 0852, 0860, 0861, 0862, 0870, 0871, 0872 Population 47,933 (2001 Census) Area Covered The geographic boundaries for the Division are Elliott to the north, Ngaanyatjarra Lands in Western Australia, Pitjantjatjara Lands in the south and the NT/QLD border to the east. CEO Ms Sue Korner Chair Dr Patrick Mutundwa Physical Address: Health Precinct 5 Skinner Street ALICE SPRINGS NT 0870 Australia Postal Address: PO Box 1195 ALICE SPRINGS NT 0871 Australia Email: cadphc@cadphc.org.au Phone: 08 8950 4800 Fax: 08 8952 3536 Website: http://www.cadphc.org.au

Medical practitioner services are provided in Central Australia in various ways. Territory Health Services (THS) provide visiting District Medical Officers to remote communities, and a number of GPs are located in clinics operated and funded by THS. Members of the Central Australian Division of General Practice (CADGP) represent a diverse range of practices including four town practices in Alice Springs, one in Tennant Creek. As well as one GP as a private practitioner in a Territory Health Services clinic, two GPs in the Yulara Royal Flying Doctor Service, and GPs in the three nursing homes and in family planning. Two private contractors work with the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap (JDFPG) and the Alice Springs Prison. A large number of the members are employed in Aboriginal medical services.

There is a substantial Aboriginal population in the region. In Alice Springs, almost 20 per cent of the local population are Aboriginal and in remote communities the Aboriginal population constitutes 66 per cent of the population. The region also has a high tourist population (10 692 at the 1996 census, one-fifth being international tourists).

The CADGP has GP representation on a number of sub-committees covering areas including population health, after-hours care, Information management/information technology, immunisation and continuing medical education. Other GPs are advisers on CNE and palliative care.

CADGP's Mission is to improve the health status and well-being of people in Central Australia through better primary health care services. Stakeholders in CADGP include Territory Health Services, Aboriginal Medical Services, the community of Central Australia, Council of Remote Area Nurses Association, Central Australian and Barkly Aboriginal Health Workers Association, pharmacists, and allied health professionals.

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS

• The establishment of a Consumer Reference Group that has voting rights on the Division's Governing Committee.
• The inclusion of the Central Australian and Barkly Aboriginal Health Worker Association.
• Implementation of a diabetes audit in town and remote clinics.
• The implementation of a needs based Education and training program for GPs in Central Australia.
• A comprehensive palliative care program in Central Australia that supports a volunteer group.
• A comprehensive directory of services available for GP referral.
• Regular communication with primary health care professional sin Central Australia.
• Specific conference for Central Australia Rural Practitioners in mental health and palliative care.
• Resources for the Division to expand to include a broad range of primary health care providers in Central Australia.
• The development and implementation of an alcohol policy.
• Ongoing commitment to improved linkages with key stakeholders in Central Australia.
• Computerisation of practices in Central Australia and comprehensive training to GPs and Practice staff.

CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE

A major priority is reviewing the membership base for the Division and initiating a debate on developing the Division's membership profile so that it consists of a broad range of primary health care professionals, combined with a strategy of developing a multi-disciplinary professional development program for primary health care professionals. The Division also is specifically looking at ways to improve the integration of primary health care in Central Australia, building on the Commonwealth program delivered through Divisions to increase the uptake of the new Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) Medicare items.

The Division's population health strategy will be reviewed and refined so that priorities and appropriate strategies for population health in Central Australia can be put in place. The strategy will build on current population health activity in diabetes, family needs, youth health and Aboriginal health.

The Division will also be focusing on improved communication networks and seeking to raise its profile both regionally and locally.