GP North

Information Technology is possibly the fastest moving and growing area in the health sector. E-health is an area of active General Practice North involvement attested to be the degree of activity that the Division has had in this areas over the past ten years.

General Practice North is committed to assisting its members with a focus on new advances, innovative solutions, improved use of data and the greater use of IM across general practice and the wider health sector in general.

General Practice North is continually exploring opportunities, presenting, developing and becoming involved in new initiatives to assist GPs and practices with data management, electronic communications and more efficient control of their electronic resources. This program also deals with the Division's internal infrastructure, networking and data needs.

Projects

• TAS eHealth Directory (TeHD) - the comprehensive online address book for clinical communications
• TAS eHealth Messaging (TeHM) - General Practice Tasmania, through its member divisions, is delivering a secure electronic clinical messaging environment across the whole of Tasmania. TAS eHealth Messaging (TeHM) delivers secure two-way messaging between Tasmanian GPs and specialists. This project was previously referred to as SECCI (Secure Electronic Clinical Communications Initiative).
• PKI: The application, setup and training in the use of PKI for secure data transmission
• GPlinkED - Linking LGH Department of Emergency and GPs with discharge summaries
• GPConnect - Email server project set up to provide all members and practices with secure free email addresses and services that are transportable from practice to practice

Resources

• Suite of electronic Medical Director templates developed by GP North. Contact GP North IT Support for more information.
• GPConnect – email server providing GPs and practices with free secure email addresses. Contact GP North IT Support if you wish to apply for a free email for yourself or your practice. Each email address will be @gpconnect.org.au
• One-on-one and group training in clinical and management software, including training for specific projects eg, TeHD, TeHM, PKI.
• TasPrac Services – GP North subsidiary company supplying IT sales, support and advice for GPs. Technicians available for repairs, fault finding, installations and training.

Services to Members

• GP North delivers IM/IT services in the following areas to GPs :
• The facility to preview and trial software and hardware to aid in information management.
• Training in clinical and practice management software useage for GPs and their staff.
• Active involvement with Government agencies on statewide and national IT/IM initiatives within the health care community.
• Involvement in statewide and national projects to provide secure private and timely electronic messaging and information systems for GPs.
• Medical Director training for GPs, Practice Nurses and staff.
• Develop and provide electronic templates for clinical software.
• Encourage email use.
• Assistance with the progression towards paperless systems.

Web Links

• TASeHealth - TAS eHealth is the new approach to health communication in Tasmania.
• Medicare Online - for information on Medicare Online (formerly HIC Online)
• General Practice Computing Group - National GP Computing group site
• RACGP - site for Practice resources including a 'Handbook for the Management of Health Information in Private Medical Practice
• Medicare - PKI information
• Certificates Australia for the downloading of certificates for email encryption
• GP Atlas - Tasmanian site for GPs

Contact