From the Chair - Dr Mike Beckoff

From a national perspective, there are two significant policies being formulated:

Firstly, Towards a National Primary Health Care Strategy. GPSA has formulated a response for AGPN and the task group, so I would commend member Divisions to ensure their practices, and particularly each GP in their Division, has the opportunity to read this response and further comments or suggestions would be welcome. For GPSA response, click here.

Secondly, National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission Interim Report. GPSA is again responding to this collectively on behalf of its members and AGPN has already released a paper looking at the 'implications for the Divisions of General Practice Network.' Again, I would commend to you the importance of responding in a timely and appropriate way, as there are some 'controversial'suggestions to the way healthcare in this country is delivered. For AGPN response, click here.

From the CEO - Gretchen Scinta

The past few weeks have had us busy with all the activity at State and National levels. We have just completed the scheduled quarterly meetings with Country Health SA, SA Health and the Department of Health and Ageing. Communiqués from these meetings will be issued next week. It was encouraging to find that we were very well informed going into these meetings, largely due to the timely updates and improved communications that have been coming through from AGPN. Back at home, one of our key areas of focus has been on establishing Member Service Plans with our Division members. The aim of the Service Plans is to formalise the work that GPSA needs to do to support each of our members toward achieving their individual goals. We are targeting the end of April to have plans completed for all of the Network members, so we’ll be looking forward to spending some time visiting Divisions these next two months.

Alerts

AGPN Board Communiqués for September 2008 and December 2008 in response to issues raised in the Jurisdictional Reports submitted by SBOs in September and November 2008. An AGPN Board Communiqué in response to the issues raised in the Jurisdictional Reports submitted by SBOs in January 2009 will be forthcoming.

Problem Gambling Resource Kit – Attention Network CEOs and EOs. Nominate your Division to participate in an official Ministerial joint launch of Responsible Gambling Awareness Week and the GPSA Problem Gambling Resource Kit for use by general practice. We are looking for one local and one regional Division to host the no-cost launch on 18 May 2009. For further details and benefits to your Division click here.

ATAPS Discussion Paper. The Department of Health and Aging is conducting a review of the Access to Allied Psychological Services Program (ATAPS) which is deliver by local Divisions of General Practice. For GPSA’s response to a discussion paper circulated by the Department, click here.

Program Updates

Chronic Disease Self Management – SA Health Trial of Internet CDSM Program. A free online self-management program for people with chronic conditions. For more information click here.

Chronic Disease Self Management – A new Active Learning Module to help health professionals tackle behavioural and/or lifestyle risk factors. For more information and links click here.

Chronic Condition Self Management Training Program 2009. Health providers can access up-to-date information about chronic disease risk factors and self-management through a series of free training workshops to be held over the coming months. A broad range of topics are offered. For more information and the full 2009 training program click here.

GPSA Scheduled Activities and Forums

Health Provider Registry User Group meeting – 18 March 2009

GP Forum – 20 March 2009

Division Executive Network SA – 26-27 March 2009

GPSA Board meeting – 7 May 2009

Rural Divisions Group – 8 May 2009

Communiques

General Practice Network Leadership Group (GPNLG) meeting, 5-6 February 2009, click here.

Items of Interest

Launch of Australian Stem Cell Health Care in South Australia – for training in cord blood collection and information and on the latest developments in stem cell therapeutic applications, clinical trials and research and development activities, contact Kathy Elliot on 0408 888 541.

Wine Sale offer – available to all Division staff, closing 13 March 2009, click here for details and order form.

Launch of Patient Health Diary – GPSA celebrated with the Limestone Coast Division of General Practice the official launch of their patient Health Diary in Mount Gambier on 3 March 2009. The Health Diary is a hand held record which patients keep with them as they transition between different health service settings and health professionals. It aims to promote communication and improve health outcomes for patients, and will be particularly valuable for older patients and patients with co-morbidities. The Health Diary will be introduced initially across the Limestone Coast Region with a view to deploying it state-wide and nationally. For further information contact Noelynn Mason at LCDGP on (08) 8733 0160 or email mailto:nmason@limestonecoastgp.com.au

Health Diary launch: L to R Noelynn Mason (PCIP Coordinator, LCDGP), Mrs Pam Phillips (retired RN), Dr David Senior (GP, LCDGP)

Community Events

Palliative Care Forum, Adelaide Pavilion Veale Gardens, Adelaide, 6 April 2009 – The Australian and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine invites medical practitioners to a palliative care forum presented by Prof Jane Ingham. For information, click here or contact Karen Cooper karen@anzspm.org.au

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy Training Retreat, The Monastery Retreat and Conference Centre, Adelaide, 17-22 May 2009 – Prof Mark Williams, University of Oxford, and Dr Maura Kenny, Centre for Treatment of Anxiety and Depression, Adelaide. For information contact clementine.sicolo@health.sa.gov.au