Libby Kalucy, PHC RIS
The role of Divisions and general practice is of keen interest in the current health care reform initiatives. At the 10th Australian General Practice Network Forum in Darwin the Minister for Health, Nicola Roxon, described GPs as a central and vital part of primary care, who would be able to use their training and skills to much greater effect and satisfaction if better supported and relieved of their excessive workload. While the Minister acknowledged the achievements of the Divisions Network, both she and Philip Davies, the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Ageing, identified that performance is not always consistent between Divisions, and good ideas and innovations are not always shared.
Philip Davies expanded on the choices ahead for Divisions, individually and as a network. He presented four types of roles, based on different combinations of advocacy or service delivery, on behalf of general practice or the local community. Each role is legitimate, but not necessarily ‘up for grabs’ by Divisions without contest from other organisations and groupings. Each role needs specific skills sets and expertise, so sitting in the middle and attempting to do a bit of each role is not likely to be an effective way forward. Given the diversity of Divisions and their local environments, is it possible or appropriate for each organisation in the network to adopt uniform roles? Could some Divisions adopt advocacy roles and others a service delivery role without weakening the Network and leading to further confusion about its role?
Ideas, data and supporting evidence are needed about many aspects of our primary health care system (or lack of it). We have until the end of February to submit responses to the Discussion Paper on the National Primary Health Care Strategy which the Health Minister Nicola Roxon released when opening the Forum.
Philip Davies’ presentation at the AGPN Forum, The Present Role of the Divisions of General Practice Network as a Key Delivery Mechanism of Primary Health Care is available at <http://www.gpnetworkforum.com.au/client_images/250640.pdf>
Towards a National Primary Health Care Strategy: A Discussion Paper from the Australian Government is available at<
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/PHS-DiscussionPaper>
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