| Issue 3 20 March 2009 |  |
IN THIS ISSUE: Alerts | Program Updates | Activities and Forums | Communiques | Items of Interest | Community Events
From the Chair - Dr Mike Beckoff
It’s vitally important that our network develop its own “position” on such topical areas as enrolment, capitation and “pay for performance”. Unless we consult, listen and formulate in order to develop such a position statement on all of these issues, then we will be powerless to provide opposition, support or advice to relevant bodies. I would encourage each Division to start seeking the opinions of their members so that we can then aggregate and debate the final network perspective and position. It is vital that “grass roots” GPs are engaged and their opinions and thoughts sought, otherwise many of these initiatives will be “thrust upon us” without our strategic input.
Allow me to draw your attention once again to the two key policies currently being formulated:
Also you might find this article in The Australian (18 Mar) of interest: Patient’s health a new test for GPs.
From the CEO - Gretchen Scinta
Earlier this week, we made our submission in response to the National Health and Hospital Reform Commission's Interim Report. Following this, we will be focusing on specific elements of the reform recommendations over the next few months to develop a Network position on key aspects impacting on Divisions and their members.
Back in South Australia, this week has included a significant focus on mental health, including meetings with SA Health and the Minister Lomax-Smith (look for the Communique in the next GPSA e-news issue). We are encouraged by SA Health’s interest to engage with Divisions in the early part of planning their new model for Adult Community Mental Health Services. Senior officials from SA Health have requested to meet with the Network in the next few months to present their initial plans and discuss opportunities for collaboration, leveraging the early success with the Mental Health Shared Care model. More details will be provided on this in the next few weeks.
I’d like to take a moment to officially welcome our new members to the SA Network: the Yorke Peninsula Division’s new CEO, Steven Glover and Limestone Coast Division’s new CEO, Colin Burden. We are looking forward to meeting you at the upcoming Division Executives Network (SA) meeting. Unfortunately, it is the same time we will have to be saying farewell to Doc Holman. All the best to Doc in his upcoming adventures.
Alerts
ATTENTION NETWORK CEOS AND EOS
Nominate your regional Division to participate in an official Ministerial joint launch of Responsible Gambling Awareness Week and the Problem Gambling Resource Kit for use by general practice. We are looking for one regional Division on 18 May, 2009 to nominate themselves to host the no-cost launch. See Problem Gambling News for further details and benefits to your Division.
eHealth: The new eHealth PIP replaces the current IM/IT PIP in August.
Primary Care Integration: Review of Lifescripts resources and Physical Activity 'A (UK) Plan for Getting the Nation Moving’
GPSA Scheduled Activities and Forums
Division Executive Network SA – 26-27 March 2009
GP Alliance Adelaide (formerly Urban Divisions Alliance) - 27 March 2009
AGPN General Practice Network Leadership Group Face-to-Face meeting in Canberra - 30 April - May 1 2009
GPSA Board meeting – 7 May 2009
Rural Divisions Group – 8 May 2009
GPSA Board Communique 13 March 2009
GPSA Quarterly Meeting with DoHA
GPSA Quarterly Meeting with CHSA
GPSA Quarterly Meeting with SA Health
Items of Interest
Great Wall of China Charity Challenge ’09
Amanda Allport-Haller, GPSAs Senior Program Coordinator for CDSM and QUM, has joined the McGuinness McDermott Foundation (MFF) Great Wall of China Charity Challenge ’09. She will raise funds for South Australian children with cancer as a way of saying thanks to the children with relapsed leukaemia and their families who generously gave their time as research participants throughout the undertaking of her PhD. In this instance, the funds will enable the WCH to provide a single point of care – inpatient, outpatient and day patient service for children with cancer.
The first part of Amanda’s challenge is to raise funds. Over the next few months she will host a range of events to meet her fundraising target. Movie nights, a cabaret or two... tax deductable donations (credit cards welcome).
The first event takes place on 28th March in the Clarence Park Community Centre. The Jesse Deane-Freeman Trio are providing music for a night of fun and frivolity. Gather a few friends and come and shake your tail feather! Tickets: $20pp – individual or table bookings (4-6 people).
The second part of the MMF challenge is to trek unrestored sections of the Great Wall in hot, wet and steamy conditions. She has survived the first two training walks in the Mt Lofty environs with fellow trekkers and will take part in many more before the Challenge departure date in mid June.
For event flyer or donation information, please contact Amanda on 8179 1722 or email her at amanda.allport-haller@gpsa.org.au.
What does the McGuinness McDermott Foundation do? Visit the MMF webpage: http://www.mcfoundation.com.au/default.asp?id=33
Alzheimer's Australia SA (AASA) - short courses on dementia to be held at Alzheimer's Australia SA (AASA) in 2009. These courses are free of charge to participants, and are recommended for health professionals and personal carers of people with dementia. Registration is essential. Click here for details.
Australian Refugee Association - Cultural Competency Skills
We are delighted to advise you of an opportunity to attend some exciting and informative workshops about developing Cultural Competency Skills. Feedback from previous workshops has been extremely positive with participants eager to put the information into practice in their workplaces. Click the following links to open the workshop flyer and registration form.
Community Events
Pedal Against Poverty 2009 - take every opportunity to be active
