From the CEO - Gretchen Scinta

The health reform agenda continues to dominate much of our current focus. Following the meeting of the General Practice Network Leadership Group on 10 and 11 September, I went back to Canberra this week for the inaugural meeting of the Network Primary Health Care Policy Consultation Group. The forum consisted of participants from Divisions around Australia and provided a very interesting perspective on matters pertaining to the future of the Divisions Network and opportunities and risks presented by the concept of Primary Health Care Organisations.

This week, Mike Beckoff and I participated in one of the many National Consultation Forums on health reform being convened by the Commonwealth around the country. Observations from the forum will be provided to the SA Network early next week. While there are concerns about many of the reform recommendations, there is also a positive outlook on the potential for improving the Australian health system.

With announcements this week about resource allocation, it looks like the Closing the Gap initiative is finally underway (click here for media release). GPSA will be consulting with Divisions over the next few months to identify how to apply the SBO resources to effectively support Divisions in their local programs. A state-wide approach to this initiative has the potential to ensure that Divisions that missed out on resources can still take part in the program.

Alerts

National Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza Vaccination Program – The National Pandemic (H1N1) Influenza Vaccination Program will commence on 30 September 2009. For details click here

Feedback Deadlines – Details and closing dates below:

NeHTA eReferrals – Closing date for feedback on the NeHTA draft eReferrals package (as circulated by email from Peter Drake) is close of business on Wednesday 7 October 2009. For information contact Greg Holden at GPSA.

Final Draft Model of Care for Country Mental Health. CHSA has released the final draft of the ‘Country Health SA Mental Health Services – a consumer focused, world class Country mental health system’ for consultation, click here. Closing date for submissions is Friday, 9 October 2009 (a 3 week feedback cycle). GPSA will be sending Divisions a summary document for comment and feedback. For information contact Kelly Quinlan at GPSA.

Draft SA Mental health and Wellbeing Policy 2009-2014. SA Health has released the draft ‘South Australia’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy 2009-2014’ for consultation, click here. Closing date for submissions is Friday, 23 October 2009. GPSA will be sending Divisions a summary document for comment and feedback. For information contact Kelly Quinlan at GPSA.

Program Updates

HPRy version 3.3 released – Service Directory Updated. Building upon the initial release of the Service Directory capacity earlier this year the HPRy has updated the registry to better cater for community and public health medical services as well as an improved free text search, what we call the Hoogle. For information click here

Health Provider Registry – 2009 Survey Results Summary. The results of the 2009 HPRy Survey are now available. We had an excellent response of 531 participants. The survey covered areas such as referral habits, usage of the HPRy and satisfaction of hospital communications. For information click here

General Practice Liaison Officer Project – General Practice SA in collaboration with AGPN is involved in establishing a matrix of General Practice Liaison Officer roles in the State. Feedback from Divisions or people currently in these roles would be appreciated. Please contact Donna Mackereth at GPSA.

Upcoming GPSA Supported Events

Rural Doctors Workforce Agency AGM – 25 September 2009

General Practice Network Leadership Group (special meeting) – 8 October 2009

Aboriginal Health Checks ~ Collaborative Journey. 13-14 October 2009 at The Shores Function Complex, West Beach. Registrations close 2 October 2009. For booking form click here

AGPN National Forum – 4-7 November 2009. Australia’s premier primary health care forum click here

GPSA Board Meeting – 12 November 2009

Rural Divisions Group – 13 November 2009

GP Forum – 20 November 2009

Quarterly meetings General Practice SA and Country Health SA, SA Health, Dept of Health and Ageing – 19 November 2009

General Practice Network Leadership Group (regular meeting) – 26-27 October 2009

GP Week 2009, QEH, 27-28 November 2009. For details click here

Tour Down Under Challenge Tour – 22 January 2010. To join the General Practice SA Team please contact Dr Alison Edwards.
Registrations close 30 November 2009. For details click here

Communiqués

GPSA Board Meeting, 3 September 2009 click here

General Practice Network Leadership Group Meeting, 10-11 September 2009 click here

Items of Interest

GPSA Annual Report 2008-09. To access click here

RCNA Events – The Royal College of Nursing, Australia, presents 2009 workshop events in Adelaide and nationally. For SA workshop details click here or access RCNA website for further information.

Scholarship and Support Scheme for Practice Nurses – Closing date for applications extended for the 2009 Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme for Practice Nurses. For details click here

Community Events

An Introduction to Primary Care Research – 26 and 27 October 2009. Most healthcare in Australia is delivered in the general practice setting. Yet how much of this healthcare is underpinned by good research evidence? PCRU at The University of Melbourne is offering a 2-day intensive course which aims to introduce participants to various aspects of primary healthcare research. For information contact Dr Meredith Temple-Smith, for further details click here.

Obesity in Pregnancy: A Sizeable Problem – 27 October 2009, Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Contact Robyn Kennare, Pregnancy Outcome Unit, SA Health, ph 08 8226 6371. For details click here

Promoting Health Services – 23 to 27 November, 2009. Flinders University 5-day short course. For details click here