The ACT Division (ACTDGP) supports the membership through a range of programs and provides a collective voice on General Practice and broader health issues within the local community. The ACTDGP seeks to provide members with support in areas that are identified as current issues with a high priority such as Information Technology (IT), Mental Health and Enhanced Primary Care (EPC).
The ACTDGP deals with a variety of stakeholders that include government, health care providers and nongovernment organisations on a broad range of health issues. This provides an opportunity for General Practice to be central to health debate and to seek improved outcomes for General Practitioners and their patients. The Division's mission is to improve health outcomes of the local community through General Practice.
The Division aims to:
- Develop a community of General Practitioners who are supported in their professional role.
- Support and advance General Practice so that it will be able to better respond to community needs.
- Extend and support the role of the General Practitioner in the provision of health care.
- Communicate with the Division's major stakeholders to develop and provide more effective health care systems for the region.
- Coordinate and foster continuing education and quality improvement activities for GPs and practice staff.
- Engage GPs in research relevant to general practice and to encourage an evidence-based approach to service delivery and planning.
- Market the benefits of general practice to the ACT community.
- Provide an effective corporate service that achieves the agreed goals of the Division.
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS
- Completion of a three year coordinated Care Trial.
- Participation in the development and implementation of an Integrated Diabetes Service in the ACT.
- Improved collaboration with a range of stakeholders on aged care issues through the Healthy Ageing Program.
- A comprehensive approach to support for General Practitioners in the area of mental health care.
- A HIV/AIDS program that successfully provides comprehensive care to a client group with complex chronic care needs.
- Completion of a medication management trial focussing on collaboration between general practitioners and pharmacists.
- A broad IT initiative that involves a comprehensive program of practice visits and a range of education opportunities in IT for General Practitioners and practice staff.
- An innovative trial in the management of benzodiazepine dependency.
CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE
- Corporatisation of General Practice.
- Supporting General Practitioners in a manner that makes General Practice a rewarding, desirable career.
- Health system reform at the grassroots and local level in partnership with consumers and other health providers.
- The integration of IT into General Practice.
- Effective integration of allied health services into a General Practice/ primary car paradigm.
- A review of the governance structure of the ACTDGP.
- A restructuring of the governance structure of the ACTDGP.
