Friday 6 February 2004

1. David Kelly's resignation
The board accepted David's resignation effective from the 31 March.

2. Rural Birthing Services Discussion Paper
The board resolved to nominate Nola as the GPDV representative on the expert reference group to assess the recommendations received and to continue the development of the planning framework.

3. DHS Access to Elective Surgery Advisory Committee
The board received a letter from DHS in relation to the Access to Elective Surgery Advisory Committee. Terry Ahern was the GPDV representative, but has resigned. DHS decided not to replace the GPDV representative, but to have a GPLO representative. DHS has sent a list of names of GPLOs to GPDV and asked the board to select a representative. The board noted that again this is the incorrect process, the selection should be made by the GPLO group and that representative should report to both the GPLO group and GPDV. Lenora would also provide support to the representative.

The board also noted that the HARP Chronic Disease Management Committee has tapped Julie on the shoulder. As this is the incorrect process GPDV will comment to DHS.

4. Requests by lawyers for copies of GPs' patient records
The board received the issue raised about the requests from law firms for copies of patient files to be used in court, without a report on the patient by the GP. The requests do not recognise the professional expertise of the GP in creating the record and simply offer a copying fee as remuneration. The board resolved to take the issue to the meeting with RACGP, RDAV and AMA on 2 March.

5. Changes to forms for Disability subsidies and disabled parking permits
The board received the issue raised by the Northern Division about major changes to forms concerning eligibility for disability subsidies for taxis. GPs are concerned about the size of these forms, the amount of detail required and judgements they are required to make about eligibility, even though they are uncertain of the criteria. They are especially concerned about the amount of time involved in providing this information and the fact that they were not provided with any information about or a copy of the forms for comment before they were implemented. The board noted the broader issue of paying for paperwork and decided to take this issue to the RACGP, RDAV and AMA meeting on the 2 March.

6. Pharmacy and immunisation
The board noted the Pharmacy Guild's project to investigate the potential role and impact of community pharmacy providing immunisations. The board resolved to refer this issue to the RACGP, RDAV and AMA meeting on the 2 March.

7. Strategy Planning for 2004-07
The main part of the meeting was a strategy planning session facilitated by Kris Honey. The board's decisions on the broad outcomes for the next three years will be used by staff to develop strategies for presentation to the board meeting on 29 March. These will then be translated into activities to be included in the annual business plan to be lodged with DoHA by 15 April.