Program commenced in 1996 and is an example of very successful integration between GPs and an acute setting. The program involves the routine care of low-moderate risk pregnant women by a GP in collaboration with hospital-based services. The collaborative approach forms the basis for maintaining best practice protocols for the shared care program.

Whilst it is not a condition that the doctor holds the DRANZCOG, he/she should have some knowledge and interest in antenatal care and be familiar with the obstetric shared care protocols. For interested doctors, it is possible for them to spend some time in the antenatal clinic. GPs need to be credentialed by the LGH prior to an attachment at the QVMU and are able to obtain CPD and Women's Health points for the attachment. GPs are also able to be paid for 20 hours of clinical attachment as part of GP North's Primary Care Consultancy Program.

Main Activities

• Facilitate regular key stakeholder meetings for identification and advancement of issues
• Support GPs with information and resources to participate in the program
• Continual reviews of the current shared care strategy
• Continuing upgrading of the shared care hand-held booklet and arrange for reprinting
• Continuing reviews and upgrading of the GP Resource Manual
• Develop collaborative educational and information events for GPs and other health professionals as determined.

Services to Members

• Best practice antenatal shared care protocols in collaboration with the QVMU
• CPD events

Resources

• Obstetric hand-held patient record (pictured). To order email GP North
• Obstetric Shared Care Resource Manual for GPs – To order email GP North
• Referral form for QV O&G Clinics. For an electronic template for your medical records program (e.g. Medical Director) Contact IT Support at GP North.

Web Links

• The Family, Child and Youth Health Service provides a range of health services for families with children under the age of five years, children in primary school and young people 12-25 years of age.
• Beyond Blue - national, independent, not-for-profit organisation working to address issues associated with depression, anxiety and related substance misuse disorders in Australia .
• SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

This program commenced in May 2001. The program aims to improve communication between the hospital and GPs, aims to break down cultural barriers between the two groups, improve relationships between the hospital and GPs and promote a commitment to the provision of well integrated health care for our patients. This program is now enthusiastically supported with funding providing by the Launceston General Hospital (LGH).

Main Activities

Through the GP Liaison Officer Program, the following has been undertaken:-

• Standarised referrral processes from GPs to the LGH
• Improved information transfer from the hospital to GPs e.g. GPlinkED
• Improved knowledge of the hospital departments and clinics
• Regular updates of GP contact details to all hospital departments
• Shared educational opportunities
• Represented general practice on various hospital committees and working groups

Benefits to Members

• Improved communication processes
• Improved information and knowledge about the hospital for GPs
• Maintaining a general practice perspective and an awareness of the importance of the continuum of care within the hospital setting
• An opportunity to resolve GP concerns about specific issues or problems in relation to patient management

The program is continuing to work on the process of timely notification of admission, discharge and death, as a matter of top priority.

Resources

• Electronic templates for MedTech and Medical Director - Contact IT Support for more information.
• "Doc for Docs" - a contact list for hospital based doctors obtaining their own GPs. Contact GP North for more information.

Web Links

• Australian Resource Centre for Hospital Innovation (ARCHI)
• The Centre for General Practice Integration Studies (CGPIS) - conducts research, evaluation and development programs on integration of care in primary care
• GP Liaison Network
• Mater University of Queensland (UQ) Centre for General Practice and Primary Health Care Integration

During the last twenty years, natural disasters have killed at least 3 million people. It was not that long ago that Australians and Tasmanians in particular considered themselves to be relatively safe. However, tragic events such as Port Arthur, the bombings in Bali, the Canberra bushfires and SARS outbreaks serve as a harsh reminder that we too live in uncertain times and we need to be better prepared for such events.

Program Outline

Disasters, emergencies or complex humanitarian crises are public health affairs and practitioners often see the resulting costs in human suffering. Preparedness makes a difference even in the most complex situations therefore, GP North is currently in the process of :-

• Conducting a GP skills audit.
• Defining the potential role of the GP.
• Defining the role of the Division (if any).
• Seeking commitment from key stakeholders to consult, inform and engage GPs or their representative in planning processes (and document accordingly).
• Developing a response plan that involves GPs.
• Ensuring that GPs know that a plan exists and that they are familiar with both the overall contents and their role.
• Conducting related CPD.

Services to Members

• Maximisation of limited resources
• Improved coordination and collaboration
• Improved preparedness
• Provision of CPD

Training Options / Courses Available

Resources

• Tasmanian Divisions of General Practice - Emergency Management Plan

Web Links

• DHHS Pandemic Extranet - Password protected health emergency website for GPs. Part A - pandemic planning purposes. Part B - pandemic response phases.
• Emergency Management Australia
• Tasmania Police
• Tasmanian State Emergency Service

The content for this program is currently being updated.