From the CEO - Gretchen Scinta

GPSA’s new team is now complete. Please join me in welcoming Kelly Ryan (Contract Manager), Sue Billett (Education, Training and Resource Coordinator), Marcus Windle (Business and Information Analyst), and Donna Mackereth (Administration Support Officer). Brenton Chappell takes the helm of the Network Services Team next week and Peter Drake is charging ahead with the new Information Services Team. Many of you are already having visits from your Member Services Managers, Cathy Zesers and Sasha Padgham. They will become a familiar face around the Divisions over this coming year. We look forward to your feedback as we move through implementation of our re-focus and commitment to your Member Services program.

Across the SA Health sector, you will be aware of a number of strategic planning exercises currently underway to develop various ‘Models of Care’. During July, GPSA provided feedback on the Country Health SA Model of Care which included comment from Rural Divisions, for details click here.

In the past few weeks we have also provided feedback on the Adult and Community Mental Health Services Model of Care discussion document, click here. As part of that process, GPSA has been invited to sit on the Implementation Reference Group to the Steering Committee (TOR available by request) and we have established regular meetings with the Executive Director of the Mental Health Unit. We will be linking with Divisions impacted by the changes being proposed to ensure that you have a voice in this planning.

GPSA has taken the opportunity presented by the upcoming AGPN meeting of the Division Chairs and CEOs to invite the SA Network Chairs and CEOs to a dinner on 6 August 2009, as invited guests of the GPSA Board of Directors. The evening is a networking opportunity and chance to briefly discuss the SA Divisions’ perspectives on the future for our state Network.

Alerts

Available Funding – There is currently funding available from Commonwealth and State Government and private sectors due for submission in August 2009. If you would like additional information, advice or support in the application process, please contact Kelly Quinlan at GPSA. To view Government of South Australia: Department for Families and Communities – Community Benefits SA (Submissions Monday 27 July 2009) click here and Australian Rotary Health – Mental Health Research Grants (Birth to 17 years) click here

2009 Australian General Practice Network Forum Shaping the future of primary health care, 4-7 November 2009, Sydney Convention Centre. Please note: Early bird prices end on Friday, 31 July 2009.

Program Updates

Immunisation: The Basics – To register interest in attending a free workshop in August or November 2009, click here

CDSM and Prevention. Adelaide Hills Community Health Service is hosting a Moving Towards Wellness course for people with chronic health conditions. The course begins on Thursday, 30 July 2009. For more information click here

Upcoming GPSA Supported Events

Divisions Executive Network SA meeting – 30 July 2009

General Practice Alliance Adelaide meeting – 31 July 2009

SA Divisions Network (Chairs/CEOs) Dinner – 6 August 2009

AGPN Network Chair and CEO Meeting, Adelaide – 7 August 2009

GPSA Quarterly Meetings, SA Health, Country Health SA, DoHA – 20 August 2009

Rural Divisions Group – 21 August 2009

GPSA Board Meeting – 3 September 2009

GPSA Quarterly Meeting, Minister Lomax-Smith – 8 September 2009

Communiques

General Practice SA Board Meeting, 2 July 2009 click here

Items of Interest

General Practice SA Team – Tour Down Under Challenge Tour, 22 January 2010. The Challenge Tour is ideal for those who are looking for a challenge with a difference. The distances are: Norwood to Goolwa (165.5 km), Woodside to Goolwa (111 km) and Milang to Goolwa (35 km). Early bird entries close Friday, 31 July 2009. If you are interested in joining the General Practice SA Team and promoting good health and an active lifestyle, please contact Dr Alison Edwards as soon as possible.

Nurses Board of South Australia – 2009 Annual Renewal of Registration or Enrolment now in progress. For information click here

Community Events

Free Seminar Series, Alcohol and Other Drug Issues, DASSA Research and Project Update: Research, Clinical Services and Drugs of Dependence – Tuesday, 28 July 2009. To register for your monthly update on the Seminar Series contact Jill Grove to be added to the subscriber database.

Health in Men Toolbox Meeting, Nuts and Bolts of the Prostate – Friday, 14 August 2009, RAH. Speaker: Professor Villis Marshall, Clinical Director Surgical Specialties, Royal Adelaide Hospital.

2009 DisAbility & Ageing Expo – Friday, 14 August 2009, Wayville Showgrounds. This Expo is about the health and wellbeing of people of all ages. For information, click here

Quality Healthcare Conversation – 20 August 2009, 11.00am to 3.00pm, Ayers House, North Terrace, Adelaide. The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has developed a proposed National Safety and Quality Framework for Australia in consultation with consumer organisations and other healthcare stakeholders. For information click here and registration click here

The Australasian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology – 20th Annual Scientific Meeting, 16-18 September 2009, Adelaide Convention Centre. ASCIA 2009 will include an outstanding range of national and international speakers with topics ranging from food allergy, asthma, insect allergy, immunotherapy and the management of sinus disease to mast cell disorders and primary immunodeficiency. A range of social functions showcasing South Australia are also planned. For more information, including details of the scientific program and registration, click here

Family Medicine Conference – 30 September-4 October 2009, Sea World Resort, Gold Coast. The conference will provide an update on cutting edge principles of assessment and management of family medicine. Topics include emergency and resuscitation, polypharmacology, legal issues, managing the practice, osteoporosis, rheumatology, joint disease, viral pandemic, the aging population, screening for cancer, IT for the GP, unexpected emergencies, clinical genetics for the GP. These subjects awill be debated and discussed with the experts during the academic sessions, workshops and discussion groups. For more details click here or go to conference website

GP’09 The Conference for General Practice – 1-4 October 2009, Burswood Entertainment Complex, Perth. The conference will provide you with an opportunity to view the latest technical innovation, network with colleagues and form new friendships. For further information click here