All sorts of networks
Western Australian General Practice (WAGP) Network and State Forum
2-3 August, Perth
Attended by Libby Kalucy, PHC RIS
IT networks, GP networks, Division networks and health networks featured on the program of the WAGP Network and State Forum on 2-3 August in Perth. In the interests of brevity, I've focused on health networks.
Health networks are an important component of the WA Health operational plan 07/08 which aims to provide right care for right person at right time in right place with right team. Mark Slattery from the WA Department of Health described the fifteen networks as a way for many people to have a say in how health care is delivered. Each network will develop a model of care which describes the best practice care and services that should be available for a person or population group as they progress through the stages of a condition, injury or event. Network issues include making time for people to come together; managing diverse expectations; communication; finding best buys and best practice; and the biggest challenge – the transition from policy to implementation. Even networks need to network – with interaction between some of the Health Networks in WA to ensure they are not disease oriented silos.
GP and Division involvement in the networks includes Chris Carter, CEO of WAGP Network, who sits on the ‘clinical leads' forum, and Dr Paul Babich a Fremantle GP who is part of the Falls network. GPs contribute to solving problems, providing a powerful viewpoint at the table with their specialist colleagues.
A PHC network, like those in Victoria and Queensland, may help to improve the major disconnect within primary care between community health, population health, general practice and public health, according to Kylie Mayo of the Department of Health.
Presentations are accessible at Resources on www.wagpnetwork.com.au. Further information on health networks is available on www.healthnetworks.health.wa.gov.au.
 Are you remotely interested?
Mount Isa Remote Health Conference
23-25 August 2007, Mt Isa
Ellen McIntyre, PHC RIS &
Stephanie De La Rue, Research Manager, MICRRH
A key focus throughout this fully subscribed conference (there were over 100 delegates) was the primary health care workforce in rural and particularly remote Australia – how to have the right workers with the right skills in the right places doing the right things.
Keynote speaker Associate Professor Ruth Ballweg, University of Washington presented the Physician Assistant (PA) program, a two year course for health workers to enable them to operate (under the supervision of doctors) in areas of unmet needs. This is of particular interest to paramedics who are often under utilised in remote areas, military medics when they re-enter civilian life and wish to continue using their skills, and other health workers who wish to enhance their skills. Most Australian States are investigating the potential for PAs to add to our health workforce with discussion underway regarding a pilot of this role in Queensland.
Other initiatives addressing health workforce shortages were the nurse practitioner and the expanded health care roles for the Isolated Paramedic Practice. It was enlightening to hear from people in these roles – what it meant to their communities and also to themselves.
Many useful innovations were also presented including the traumatic response card and fax back developed by social worker Penelope Parker from Dalby Health Service. This partnership between police, health and the community provides a quick and efficient process that enables the social worker to follow up on consenting community members after a traumatic experience.
Research featured in many areas throughout the conference. Pim Kuipers outlined the principles of sustainable primary health care systems in rural and remote communities. Enablers that are critical are supportive policy, commonwealth/state relations and community readiness. It was most interesting to then hear Kelly McTaggart, CEO of the North and West Queensland Primary Health Care, describe his successful primary health care system.
Presentations are available on the MICRRH website:
Web: www.micrrh.jcu.edu.au/
Nursing in General Practice
28-29 August 2007, Coffs Harbour
Attended by Libby Kalucy, PHC RIS
AGPN ran a very successful Nursing in General Practice Forum in Coffs Harbour on 28-29 August 2007. Beautiful surroundings, the lunar eclipse, and a dinner where we were moved by the story of Bali bombing survivor Peter Hughes, made a memorable evening. The program illustrated the diversity and energy of the nursing in general practice program which has developed greatly since 2000.
Workforce recruitment and retention are being monitored through surveys, research and evaluation. In Fremantle the student nurse placements in general practice which have taken place for some years are being thoroughly evaluated by a consortium which includes PHCRED, the Nurses Board, Divisions network and three university schools of nursing. In Victoria the lowest practice nurse numbers are in areas which did not attract the Practice Nurse Practice Incentive Payment. The nursing in general practice program is developing strategies to address barriers to recruitment such as lack of physical space in practices, low salaries and workforce shortages. Division and SBO program managers are working with AGPN on retention of nurses, by conducting exit interviews to determine reasons for nurses leaving rural and urban practices.
Career paths and skill development were featured. The Australian Practice Nurse Association is administering Education and Training Scholarships which include post graduate study for the first time. One of the highlights of the current program is the national mentoring pilot for nurses in general practice. The AGPN Nursing News of August 2007 states that training workshops for mentors and mentees have taken place in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth, to very positive feedback. As well as 1:1 mentoring, there will be mentoring groups and mentoring circles. It's not too late to register for this program via the website.
For more information, see www.agpn.com.au, including the informative newsletter Nursing News.
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