> Resources and Publications > PHC RIS infonet > June 2009 > The latest from the 2007-08 Annuual Survey of Divisions Report

The latest from the 2007-08 Annual Survey of Divisions report

In 2007-08, the number of Divisions consolidated down to 115, from 119 in 2006-07; two amalgamated with other Divisions (GP Coastal merged into Perth Primary Care Network; and Canterbury merged into Central Sydney GP Network) and two dissolved (Liverpool Division and Sydney South-West GP Network). One hundred and fifteen Divisions completed the Annual Survey although the Fairfield Liverpool Interim General Practice Support was able to provide some data for the two dissolved NSW Divisions. In addition to these changes, survey content was reduced by approximately two-thirds in size for the 2007-08 period. While in some cases entire sections were removed, several new questions were also introduced, reflecting the changing needs of policy makers and stakeholders over time.

New questions

These focused on Indigenous health and IM/IT. Information collected included:

• Nearly all Divisions (94%) provided assistance to GPs to accurately record the Indigenous status of all patients, mainly by incorporating this issue into other information sessions (75%).
• Overall, electronic data transfer and use of disease registers or recall and reminder systemswere the most common types of IM/IT training and support programs (around 80%) both requested by practices and provided by Divisions.

Continuing trends

• GP and practice nurse numbers continued their steady increase reaching 22 965 and 8 575, respectively.
• Psychologists remained the most prevalent allied health professional in terms of service delivery accounting for 187.2 FTE of a total 662.8 FTE.
• The number of general practices further declined to 7 261, emphasising a shift away from solo practices towards team-based care.
• Membership of Division Boards continued its gradual decline to 919 members, even though numbers of non-GP members rose to their highest levels of 133 members, or 14%.
• GP contribution to Division staffing continued to decline, both in numbers (10.4% of total) and FTE (1.8% of total).

For more information, keep an eye on the PHC RIS website <www.phcris.org.au> for a full copy of the 2007-08 Summary Data Report. Note that a number of other on-line resources are currently available that utilise 2007-08 data, including Division Key Characteristics and Fast Facts.