David Guest
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Ask Dr Dave - October 98
Last Modified 31/10/98
Dear Dr Dave
I find it difficult to keep up with the plethora of acronyms emanating from the health departments and our divisional leaders. GPPAC, GPSR, ADGP, SBOs, GPCG, PIP, RVS, GPA, GPRG, GPFG. What does it all mean?
GPOBA (General Practitioner Overwhelmed by Acronyms)
Dear GPOBA
There have been a number of organisational changes to divisions in the last 18 months. These changes have occurred in recognition of the limitations of the previous divisional structure and the need for individual divisions to have more autonomy at a local level and better representation at State and national levels.
The GP Strategy Review (GPSR) was published earlier this year and has received wide endorsement from both the profession and the government. It clearly delineates the development of general practice over the next five years. It recommended the establishment of a General Practice Partnership Advisory Council (GPPAC) between general practice, consumers and the government. General practice is represented on the council by the General Practice Representative Group (GPRG) which takes its membership from the AMA, RACGP, the RDAA and divisions.
Nearly all divisions in Australia have been set up as independent companies. When they first started in 1993, their overriding need was support for their day to day functioning. In the last few years it has become obvious that representation at State and national level was the dominant concern. Now divisions of general practice co-ordinate their activities through various state based organisations (SBOs). The SBO in NSW is known as the Alliance of NSW Divisions. In recognition of the different problems facing rural general practice each SBO has rural and urban chapters. The rural chapters work closely with the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) and the government funded Rural Workforce Agencies (RWA).
Australian Divisions of General Practice (ADGP) represents divisions at the national level. Input to the ADGP comes either from SBOs or from divisions directly. The ADGP in turn has representation on the following committees.
General Practice Partnership Advisory Council (GPPAC)
General Practice Representative Group (GPRG)
National General Practice Training Council (NGPTC)
National Prescribing Service (NPS)
National Public Health Partnership (NPHP)
General Practice Computing Group (GPCG)
Outcomes Based Funding (OBF) (Advisory)
General Practice Business Advantage (GPBA)
Quality Use of Pathology Committee (QUPC)
General Practice Finance Group (GPFG)
Australian General Practice Accreditation Ltd (AGPAL)
If you feel intimidated by this alphabet of representation, you are not alone. Do not despair. The GPs sitting on these committees have worked very hard on behalf of Australian GPs and are attuned to the profession's needs and concerns. They are open to input and debate. Like the rest of us, however, they occasionally have to go to see patients and their time is very limited. The internet has made this communication possible and those interested may care to investigate the following resources. DD
Australian Divisions of General Practice: http://www.gpnetwork.net.au/adgp/
General policy discussion, open to all Australian GPs: policy@gpnetwork.net.au.
General Practice Strategy
The Review of General Practice Training and the Review of the General Practice Strategy as well as the government's responses: http://www.health.gov.au/gpstrat/gpbranch.htm
NSW Rural Doctors Network
The Rural Doctors Network (RDN) is the NSW Rural Workforce Agency: http://www.nswrdn.aust.com/
David Guest
http://www.MedicineAu.net.au/Cards/DavidGuest/HomePage.html
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