Ann-Louise Hordacre, PHC RIS
When they first began, Divisions of General Practice focused almost exclusively on representing and supporting GPs. Today GPs remain central to Division activities, however, the ageing population, changes to GP working patterns, and government initiatives focusing on allied health professionals and practices nurses have led to significant changes in the primary health care landscape.
Many Divisions have responded to the new environment with increased numbers of non-GP members. In 2003-04, Divisions reported a total of 961 non-GP members, this figure doubled to 1 850 in 2004-05. In the 2005-06 Annual Survey of Divisions report, Making a difference , Division non-GP members had increased to 5 227, 21% of an estimated total membership of 25 470. Practice staff and practice nurses have joined the Divisions Network in unprecedented numbers, while allied health professional numbers have increased by 50% (as demonstrated in Figure 1).
Although non-GP Division members have increased five-fold since 2003-04, 55 Divisions still report exclusive GP membership.
 Interestingly, although rural Divisions engage with allied health professionals through administration of the More Allied Health Services (MAHS) program, this does not impact on the level of allied membership in these areas.
To receive a free copy of Making a difference. The Report of the 2005-2006 Annual Survey of Divisions of General Practice, please contact
PHC RIS Assist
Ph: 1800 025 882
E: phcris.assist@flinders.edu.au
Requests can also be made for additional analyses of the data.
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