overview
The Divisions Network is required under the National Quality and Performance System to uptake any National Programs and Initiatives introduced by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. Brief descriptions and key PHC RIS Resources on some of these programs/initiatives can be found by following the relevant link listed below.
Please be mindful that this is not an exhaustive list. For more information on these programs and many others please see the Department of Health and Ageing website.
Further information
The Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) is responsible for managing various national programs for the Divisions of General Practice Network. To view a list of current programs managed by them, please visit their National Programs page on their website.
The Annual Survey of Divisions (ASD) is a comprehensive longitudinal survey completed by all Divisions of General Practice in Australia to collect information on their membership, activities and infrastructure. Data from the ASD is presented in a variety of formats to provide valuable information regarding Divisions' activities.
If you would like more information on what Divisions are doing please visit the Divisions Network Reporting page on the PHC RIS website.
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NATIONAL PROGRAMS/INITIATIVES
Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS)
"ATAPS enables GPs under the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care (BOiMHC) program to refer consumers to allied health professionals who deliver focused psychological strategies…Divisions of General Practice act as fundholders in this component of the BOiMHC program."
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) (accessed 27/08/09)
- Key Sites:
- Key PHC RIS Resources:
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Aged Care Access Initiative
"The Aged Care Access Initiative aims to improve access to primary care services for residents of Commonwealth-funded residential aged care facilities (RACFs) and Mulit-purpose Services (MPSs). The Aged Care Access Initiative, announced in the 2008-09 Federal Budget, will support primary care provision for aged care residents through:
- A GP incentive payment to encourage GPs to provide increased and continuing services in RACFs and MPSs; and;
- A payment for Allied Health Professionals for clinical care services to low-care residents of Commonwealth funded RACFs or MPSs, where these services are not covered by Medicare or other government funding arrangements."
Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing, Aged Care Access Initiative (accessed 19/08/11)
- Key Sites:
- Key PHC RIS Resources:
The Aged Care Access Initiative formally replaced the Aged Care GP Panels Initiative in 2008. The following information relates to the former program.
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Australian Better Health Initiative (ABHI)
The Australian Better Health Initiative (ABHI) is a joint Australian, State and Territory initiative launched in July 2006. ABHI is designed to shift the focus from providing services for patients with chronic disease to preventing the development of these diseases. The five priority areas for action are; Promoting healthy lifestyles, Supporting early detection of risk factors and chronic disease, Supporting lifestyle and risk modification, Encouraging active patient self management of chronic conditions, Improving the communication and coordination between care services.
- Key Sites:
- Key PHC RIS Resources:
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Australian Primary Care Collaboratives (APCC) Program
"The aims of the Australian Primary Care Collaboratives Program are to improve clinical health outcomes, reduce lifestyle risk factors, maintain health for chronic and complex conditions and improve access to Australian general practice."
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, Australian Primary Care Collaboratives (APCC) Program (accessed 27/08/09)
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General Practice After Hours (GPAH) Program
"Announced in the 2008-09 Budget, the (GPAH) Program was formed by merging the Round the Clock Medicare: Investing in After Hours GP Services and the After Hours Primary Medical Care Programs. Under the General Practice After Hours Program, $76.3 million in grants are available over the next four years to support the viability of after hours GP services. The General Practice After Hours (GPAH) Program aims to ensure that as many people as possible have access to quality GP services when they need them."
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, General Practice After Hours Program (accessed 19/08/11)
- Key sites:
- Key PHC RIS Resources:
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General Practice Immunisation Incentives (GPII) scheme
"GPII scheme provides financial incentives to GPs that monitor, promote and provide immunisation services to children under the age of seven years. The overall aim of the GPII scheme is to encourage at least 90 per cent of practices to achieve 90 per cent proportions of full immunisation."
Medicare Australia, General Practice Immunisation Incentives (GPII) scheme (updated 19/08/11)
- Key Sites:
- Key PHC RIS Resources:
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Lifescripts
"Lifescripts is a national initiative, being implemented through local divisions of general practice, promoting risk factor management in general practice and primary health care services. The Lifescripts Resources aim to make it easier for GPs and their practices to manage lifestyle-related risk factors by providing a framework for: raising and discussing lifestyle risk factors with patients; advice in the form of a written script and associated patient education; and referral to other providers to support healthy lifestyle."
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, Lifescripts (accessed 27/08/09)
- Key Sites:
- Key PHC RIS Resources:
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More Allied Health Services (MAHS) Program
The More Allied Health Services (MAHS) Program was announced in the May 2000 Federal Budget and aimed to improve the health of people living in rural areas through increased access to allied health care through Divisions of General Practice.
- Key Sites:
- Key PHC RIS Resources:
The MAHS program concluded at the end of 2009, where this and three other rural programs were transitioned into the Rural Primary Health Services (RPHS) program
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Nursing in General Practice program (NiGP)
"The Nursing in General Practice (NiGP) program encourages general practice to employ more practice nurses to improve patient access to integrated primary health care, to improve prevention and management of chronic disease and to reduce workforce pressure in general practice.
The NiGP program, administered by the Australian General Practice Network (AGPN), provides training and professional support for practice nurses."
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, Nursing in General Practice (updated 22/08/11)
- Key Sites:
- Key PHC RIS Resources:
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Rural Primary Health Services (RPHS) program
"On 1 July 2008, the Government created the Office of Rural Health to drive rural health reform. As part of this the Government consolidated four previously separate primary and allied health programs into the Rural Primary Health Services (RPHS) program.
The RPHS program brings together the:
The RPHS program aim to improve access to a range of primary and allied health care services and activities for rural and remote communities. The RPHS program gives community-based primary health care services greater flexibility in the range of services they can offer, including health promotion and preventative health activities." Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing. Rural Primary Health Services (RPHS) program (accessed 22/08/11)
- Key Sites:
- Key PHC RIS Resources:
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Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Program
"Recognising the disease burden of Type 2 diabetes in Australia, in April 2007 the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) announced a Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Program as a part of the COAG National Reform Agenda."
Australian General Practice Network, Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes Program (accessed 27/08/09)
- Key Sites:
- Key PHC RIS Resources:
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Workforce Support for Rural General Practitioners program (WSRGP)
"The Workforce Support for Rural General Practitioners program (WSRGP) is used to support the newly arrived and existing general practice workforce in rural areas. This includes support for training and professional development, and locum support. Funding for the program is managed by eligible rural Divisions of General Practice (those with at least 5% of their population living in rural and remote (RRMA 4-7)."
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, Workforce Support for Rural General Practitioners program (WSRGP) (accessed 27/08/09)
- Key Sites:
- Key PHC RIS Resources:
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