The future comes one day at a time
GP Management Committee: David Guest, Chair: 6625 0000 Rita Vinten: 6622 5030 Vahid Saberi: 6620 2462 Professor Lesley Barclay: 6620 7570 Nathan Kesteven: 6689 5485
Chris Mitchell: 66877444 Gillian Smith: 6620 2980 Adam Wilson: 66621555 Brian Witt: 6621 2502 Tony Lembke: 6628 0505
Staff: Angela Andrews: Mental Health Social Worker, Tarmons Tricia Atkin: Mental Health Social Worker, Tarmons James Bennett Levy: Psychologist Andrew Binns: Medical Editor, GPSpeak Chris Clark: Chief Executive Officer Marilyn Copeland: Receptionist Rachel Crowley: Project Manager Rachelle Deaker: Project Officer, Immunisation Jessica Dennis: CTG Project Officer Dan Ewald: GP Executive Advisor Donna Griffiths: Project Officer, Practice Support Janet Grist: Media & Communications Manager John Gable: Project Officer IM/IT Sally Herbert: Project Officer NPS Sandi Hill: Project Officer Collaboratives Robyn Hill: Gurgun receptionist Deborah Hogan: Accounts & Payroll Officer Marika Ilic: Receptionist Cherie Leon: Care Coordinator, CTG Phil Manieri: Financial Controller Clare Mason-Binns: Gurgun PN Catriona McCormish: Clinical Psychologist, Tarmons Anne McLean: Project Officer, Aged Care, Rural Workforce Support Martin Morgan: Project Officer IM/IT Linda Muscat: Administrative Officer and CPD PO Teri Richardson: Gurgun receptionist Georgina Robinson, Receptionist, Family Care Centre Catriona Smith: Project Officer Closing the Gap Leanne Tully: Administrative Assistant & RVCS PO Roshanak Vahdani, Psychologist, Tarmons Viv Walkington: Project Officer Practice Support Vickie Williams: Tarmons Practice Manager Jamie Wimbus: Indigenous Health Outreach Worker PO
GPSpeak Contacts: Editor: Janet Grist Phone: (02) 6622 4453, Fax: (02) 6622 3185, Email: media@nrgpn.org.au Medical editor: Andrew Binns Email: abinns@gmc.net.au Display and classified advertising at attractive rates. Subscription rates (non-members): 1 year $44.00, 2 years $80.00 (incl GST) GPSpeak is published six times a year by the Northern Rivers General Practice Network (NSW) Ltd. Articles appearing in GPSpeak do not necessarily reflect the views of the NRGPN. The NRGPN accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of any information, advertisements, or opinions contained in this magazine. Readers should rely on their own enquiries and independent professional opinions when making any decisions in relation to their own interests, rights and obligations. © Copyright 2012 Northern Rivers General Practice Network (NSW) Ltd Magazine designed by Graphiti Design Studio Printed by Quality Plus Printers of Ballina
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GPSpeak
apr i l 2012
Janet Grist
while we have been talking about the vision and our mission for some time, the reality is that it will take a little time for NCML to really take flight and for the community to experience the changes we hope to make. As part of the change, this is also the final GPSpeak magazine. It’s been a privilege to edit this publication which really came to full life under the editorship of Katherine Breen Kuruczev. Her talent, drive and sheer hard work created a vibrant and relevant magazine for general practice. The good news is that a brand new publication to be called HealthSpeak will take its place. It will be an important mouthpiece for NCML and I look forward to presenting you with the first issue. Until then...
Past work creates new horizons It is with a mixture of pride and sorrow that I write the last CEO report for GPSpeak on the activities of the Northern Rivers General Practice Network (NRGPN). Primary health care reform has been central to NRGPN activities over the past 18 years, culminating in taking the lead in transitioning to the North Coast NSW Medicare Local (NCML). Over the years, the NRGPN has ensured general practice is well placed to deliver value to the community and to take a central role in the NCML. The NCML will build upon well established programs and relationships with other organisations due to our: Combined successful delivery on over 200 programs and projects Success in change management / quality improvement Rural location and using IT systems to overcome distance Successful culture of innovation for local solutions Ability to create and deliver important training infrastructure Ability to partner with research organi-
Chris Clark
PO Box 519, 20 Dalley Street Lismore, NSW 2480 Phone (02) 6622 4453 Fax (02) 6622 3185 Email: manager@nrgpn.org.au www.nrgpn.org.au
Just after I started at NRGPN a couple of years back was the first time I heard about the impending federal government changes to primary health care organisations. At the time it seemed something off in the future, and now it’s arrived. The NRGPN as we know it has ceased to be. On Monday April 2, NRGPN staff and the staff of three other former Divisions of General Practice merged to form the new North Coast Medicare Local (NCML). It’s exciting to be part of a bigger challenge in improving health care in our region. But
sations such as universities Ability to partner with state public health services Capacity to augment the established general practice infrastructure to improve the scope and quality of services Ability to adapt and expand successful initiatives beyond general practice to the wider health community Past success in engaging with a wide range of stakeholders and a clear strategy for strengthening and sustaining engagement of non-general practice primary care stakeholders While the NCML commenced in early April, the NRGPN now has an important role as an organisational member of the NCML and will continue to provide support and advocacy for both GPs and general practice. I take this opportunity to thank those who have made the NRGPN the success that it has been. The inclusive approach of this organisation together with the collaborative involvement of GPs, practice staff and divisional staff in implementing effective, useful initiatives have been the foundation for its success and will form the building blocks for a successful NCML. Thank you all and I look forward to achieving great things in the future.
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