|
Mission Statement Better Outcomes through General Practice Executive Summary SQRDGP enters the 2004-07 transitional funding agreement in a strong position based on demonstrated ability to deliver quality services and add value to General Practice, while maintaining strong governance. As an organization we are now well placed to reach our vision of having “Influence through Excellence”, and the mission of achieving “Better Outcomes through General Practice”.
The Agreement Plan for 2004-2007 is a reinforcement of the strategic direction pursued in 2002-03. The previous three programs of Business, Professional and Rural Lifestyle have been combined under a single strategy, within the Workforce & Practice Capacity Program. This program focuses on individual level support to General Practice, and is designed to encourage best practice, increase skill levels, and improve retention of the workforce. The Annual Plan for 2004-05 includes continuation of service delivery through the Chapters model, and activities funded by WSRGP and other agencies such as QRMSA.
The Partnerships & Population Health Program from previous years has been broken into two separate Programs, in recognition that these issues are both independent and significant parts of Division core business.
The Partnerships and Integration Program is designed to promote better outcomes on a professional level, through strategic partnerships that strengthen the pivotal role of General Practice in primary health care. The 2004-05 Annual Plan continues development of integration opportunities through local level Memoranda of Understanding, and support for GP representation at local, state and National levels. This Program incorporates the important role of auspicing the South West Healthy Communities (RHS) and Rural Palliative Care Programs, and will also include the Aged Care initiative.
The Population Health Program encompasses the expanding role of Divisions in delivery of services that add value to General Practice. Key areas are MAHS, Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care, and promotion of childhood immunization. SQRDGP will continue to focus on meeting identified needs, and providing equitable and cost-effective services across the Division.
SQRDGP's commitment to good governance and continuous improvement is demonstrated in the Leadership & Organisational Capacity Program. After several years of implementing 'best practice' policies and procedures, and strengthening the board and workforce, the Division can now focus towards the future. Ongoing activities will include improving the capacity of the organization to respond to new initiatives, and developing opportunities for future funding streams. Background Southern Queensland Rural Division of General Practice is a not-for-profit member-based service organisation, providing support, education and information for GPs and practice staff to improve health outcomes in rural and remote areas.
To assist service delivery to members, local networks of GPs (Chapters) have been set up in Beaudesert, Chinchilla, Charleville, Dalby, Goondiwindi, Kingaroy, Murgon, Roma, Stanthorpe, St George and Warwick. Chapters, led by a designated GP Coordinator, are directly supported by Liaison Officers located in regional offices in Kingaroy, Roma and Warwick. Infrastructure support is maintained through the Toowoomba office.
Quality CPD and education activities are delivered through collaboration with accredited providers. In addition, the Division provides practice support across a broad range of program activity including Information Technology and Management in General Practice, Workforce and Doctor's Health.
Communication across a vast and often very isolated geographic area is recognised as a challenge for service delivery. SQRDGP utilises a variety of tools such as printed newsletters, faxstream, email, online resources and practice visits to engage its membership. Postcodes 4280, 4285, 4287, 4357, 4360, 4361, 4362, 4370, 4371, 4372, 4373, 4374, 4375, 4376, 4377, 4378, 4380, 4381, 4382, 4383, 4384, 4385, 4387, 4388, 4390, 4402, 4404, 4405, 4406, 4407, 4408, 4409, 4410, 4411, 4412, 4413, 4415, 4416, 4417, 4418, 4419, 4420, 4421, 4422, 4423, 4424, 4425, 4426, 4427, 4428, 4454, 4455, 4461, 4462, 4465, 4467, 4468, 4470, 4471, 4474, 4475, 4477, 4479, 4480, 4486, 4487, 4488, 4489, 4490, 4491, 4492, 4493, 4494, 4496, 4497, 4498, 4515, 4600, 4601, 4605, 4606, 4607, 4608, 4610, 4611, 4612, 4613, 4614, 4615, 4659, 4662.
Geographic Spread SQRDGP covers and area of 420 325 sq km, with a population of 168 389 (Census 2001). The Division includes 6 Health Service Districts, 33 Public Hospitals and 2 Private Hospitals, and has 4 Aboriginal Medical Services within its boundaries. Demography Amended from ABS 1996 (due to change in postcodes)
Number - 168 389
Age distribution (% total pop.) - 0-14yrs: 40889 (24.28%); 15-24yrs: 19907 (11.82%); 25-34yrs: 22778 (13.52%); 35-44yrs: 24846 (14.75%); 45-54yrs: 21128 (12.54%); 55-74yrs: 27438 (16.29%); 75+yrs: 7670 (4.55%); remainder unstated.
ATSI population - 6056 (3.6% of total population) Membership 132 Total number of GPs in Division area
114 Ordinary members (GPs)
66 general practices, 35 (53%) of which are solo GPs
35 Associate Members (Specialists, Allied Health, Community representatives)
Characteristics of workforce (supplied by QRMSA - Nov 03)
48 Overseas Trained Doctors (31.6%)
49 Female GPs (32.2%)
18 Medical Superintendents with the Right to Private Practice (MSRPP)
Average age Male GPs - 43.84 yrs
Average age Female GPs - 42.33 yrs Issues Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with QHealth Health Service Districts
The positive impact of the MoUs on local service integration has led SQRDGP to continue this activity to assist the ongoing delivery of core business. With two MoUs signed in 02-03 (Southern Downs and South Burnett), and another two signed in 03-04 (Northern Downs and Charleville), a commitment to negotiate and sign MoUs in the Roma and Logan-Beaudesert Health Service Districts has commenced for the 04-05 period.
Rural Palliative Care Program (South Burnett)
The Rural Palliative Care Program (South Burnett) was launched in April in Kingaroy. The launch saw the successful formation of a Program Steering Committee; comprising South Burnett health community representatives from QHealth, South Burnett Community Private Hospital, Blue Care, St Luke's Nursing Service, the Indigenous community, General Practice and consumers.
The formation of a Steering Committee and the appointment of a Program Coordinator signals the establishment of the phased activity implementation for the program. Other activities to be phased in are a 24-hour 1800 phone line with triage by an RN, a patient held record with a central database, education and training, including videoconference phones and coordination of equipment usage, and a structured approach to case conferencing and coordination of care.
A meeting of local stakeholders was held in July 03 to identify the needs of the South Burnett region, which assisted with the development of the activities for this program.
SQRDGP was successful in receiving 3 year funding to participate in a Rural Palliative Care Program as part of the Commonwealth's National Palliative Care Strategy. The Division is one of eight (8) Divisions across Australia selected by a National Reference Group.
South West Healthy Communities Program
It is evident from the stakeholders in the South West Healthy Communities Program that the activities of the past three years have maintained vital community alliances to benefit the well being of residents of the Bulloo, Paroo, Murweh and Quilpie Shires.
Local GP involvement through SQRDGP has been integral to maintaining the local focus for communities accessing the Program. This involvement has been in the form of regular reading of retinopathy results returned from Brisbane specialists following eye screening in the Blue Bus, and ongoing input and advice to ensure that activities remain focussed on the needs of local communities.
SQRDGP is responsible for program level and financial reporting requirements and liaison with DoHA for the SWHCP under the terms of the Funding Agreement. A Program Manager is employed directly by SQRDGP to coordinate all day-to-day activities of the program, to liaise with CHSD and BSC in regards to staff performance and to supervise all reporting requirements. Needs GP Needs - gauged via regular consultation through Chapter meetings, Liaison Officer and IM Officer visits, various OBF activity evaluations. SQRDGP Management Committee members and Chapter Coordinators participated in a Planning Workshop, Feb 04 to map ideas and consider local issues for the new Agreement and Annual Plans.
Community needs - regular contact through Liaison Officers and Chapter meetings in regions throughout the year.
Local health authority - liaison through MoU development, allowing issues to be explored and ideas developed in consultation with local general practice
Division needs - staff participation in a planning workshop Dec 03 to provide a SWOT analysis of the previous plan, and discuss ideas for new directions.
MAHS Needs Assessment
Completed a formal needs assessment Feb 03, externally designed and analysed by University of Southern Queensland.
GP needs - Chapter - based consultation between Jan 04 and Apr 04 re maintenance of recurrent services, and identification of outstanding local needs
Community needs - regular consultation with/input from local schools, Maranoa Health Enhancement & South West Healthy Communities Programs; BlueCare; Aged Care facilities; Allied Health Professional associations (Shire Councils and private Allied Health professionals were approached as part of the formal evaluation Feb 03).
Local health authority - consultation with Allied Health Professionals and Coordinators, and Medical Superintendents in QHealth Health Service Districts
Division needs - contracted Allied Health Service Providers satisfaction levels surveyed annually around service requirements; networking workshops offered annually; professional development and equipment support provided. Report Summary Over the twelve months ended June 2005 SQRDGP has continued to support General Practice in the delivery quality primary health care. The shortage of GPs in the bush and overworked state of the existing workforce remain serious concerns, influencing the development and delivery of SQRDGP programs at all levels.
As discussed in previous reports, SQRDGP has optimised service delivery across a vast area by utilising place management concepts. The Chapter network remains integral to communication and feedback from the membership, as well as local level training and collaboration with other health care providers. Three regionally based Liaison Officers provide the organisational interface, and are invaluable for the collection of workforce data.
Stakeholder involvement has remained a priority, including the progression of Memoranda of Understanding with health service providers in each of the Health Service Districts within SQRDGP boundaries. Collaboration with Health Workforce Queensland and the University of Southern Queensland around strategies to expand data management capabilities will ensure accurate assessment of workforce needs into the future. Other collaborative programs such as the Medical Specialist Outreach Assistance Program with QDGP and Quality Use of Medicines (NPS) with Health Workforce Qld have continued to build momentum over the year.
SQRDGP experience with health service delivery has been broadened with the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care program. A strong track record for More Allied Health Services enabled this program to be implemented to full capacity within the financial year, and service delivery for both programs is only limited by the volume of funding available. Other key programs have been continued and expanded, such as the South West Healthy Communities Program based in Charleville servicing four rural and remote Shires, and the Rural Palliative and Advanced Care Program based in Kingaroy servicing the South Burnett region. In addition, the National Primary Care Collaboratives, in conjunction with CQRDGP, and the Residential Aged Care GP Panel initiatives were successfully adopted in 2004-05.
The Toowoomba office was relocated in July 2004 to accommodation near the CBD, offering more scope for future expansion than was available at the previous location. High staff retention, a culture of continuous improvement, and the development of a quality management system manual have provided a strong knowledge base for the organisation to keep moving forward. Stability in organisational structure and processes is replicated in the governance training and succession planning at Board level. It should be noted, however, that uncertainty around the future charitable status for Divisions is seen as a significant threat to the ability to hire and retain an adequate number of skilled employees.
It is anticipated that Accreditation will be achieved in early 2005-06, and SQRDGP is well placed to adopt the National Planning Framework from July 2005. The Division recognises that better data will allow better national policy planning and supports the progress; while also upholding the privacy, integrity and information ownership rights of general practice. It is envisaged that the National Performance Indicators at levels three and four (patient data) will present challenges requiring continuous involvement of general practice in the development of appropriate data collection tools.
Overall SQRDGP welcomes the increased professionalism and consistency that will be required of Divisions of General Practice, and looks forward to partnering with the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing to improve health outcomes for rural and remote Southern Queensland.
|
|
print version
email this page
