This program material was archived in September 2005 - some links may not work. The material is provided for reference purposes only

General Practice/Hospital Interface Working Party

In Victoria approximately 85% of the population see a GP at least once a year. This makes GPs the most frequent point of first contact with the health care system. GPs have a crucial role with respect to continuity of care for people and as gatekeeper to other services within the health care system. GPs are particularly well placed to take a key role in the treatment, care and maintenance of people in the community, thereby preventing the need for people to use hospital services.

Whilst there are a range of system issues that hinder collaboration between GPs and the acute sector, there are a number of incentives, models of care, interventions and structural arrangements that can be put in place to promote integration.

A number of projects that promote preventive models of care have been resourced through the two HARP funding rounds that have been held to date. Subsequent funding rounds will provide an opportunity to further promote best practice examples, to leverage off the incentives that do exist for undertaking preventive initiatives and to drive innovation and change that will enhance the interface between GPs and hospitals.

The General Practice/Hospital Working Party will consider how to further develop the collaboration between hospitals and GPs to ensure integration of services for consumers. This Working Party will report on what is effective practice across the interface, look at opportunities for development and consider the organisational and system arrangements that support collaboration and integration of services.

GP-hospital interface working party report ( PDF file 414KB)

Membership:

Dr John McEncroe (Chair) - President General Practice Divisions - Victoria
Dr Terry Ahern - General Practitioner
Mr Phillip Bain - Executive Officer, Northern Division of General Practice
Dr John Balla - Chief Medical Officer, Western Health
Dr Mary Buchanan - Deputy Director, Dandenong Hospital Emergency Department, Southern Health
Mr Ian Coverdale - Department of Human Services
Ms Jenny Evans - Practice Nurse, Monash and Caulfield Health Service
Dr David Kelly - Executive Director Goulburn Valley Division of General Practice
Ms Karen Large - Department of Health and Aged Care
Dr Peter Waxman - GP Advisor, DHS

Key contact

Paul Williamson
Tel: 03 9616 1334