GPDV Board summary
Teleconference Monday 27 June 2005
1. August Forum
The August Forum will focus on primary health care policy and the ADGP draft paper
2. Division Board Visits
Board members have visited 10 divisions since the last meeting:
Bendigo, Goulburn Valley, Greater South Eastern, Westgate, North West Melbourne, East Gippsland, Mornington, Melbourne, Dandenong, Otway
3. New Funding Agreement
The Board agreed that GPDV will sign the funding agreement with DoHA for 2005-08.
4. Nursing in General Practice Program
The Board received an update from Bill on the progress of the Program. He also reported that he will approach the University of Melbourne regarding education courses and the plan for the broad use of the funds was submitted on 20 June 2005.
5. Orientation to the Divisions Program
The Board was informed that the Orientation Program for 60 DoHA staff in Canberra was being conducted 27 June by GPDV program staff.
6. Star Boards
The Board received an update from Bill on the national roll out plans for the Star Boards program. This will consist of 5 workshops in state capitals for three board members and CEO of each division, covering Levels 1 & 2 of the Victorian program. The lead facilitators will be John Mero from Vision Method Outcome and Elizabeth Jamieson from Board Matters.
7. Divisions Review Implementation Committee
The Board received an update from Bill on RIC. Bill also advised of the establishment of the Funding Formula Working Group with Lisa McGlynn as the Chair, and Rosemary Calder the consultant and suggested that GPDV hold a forum for all divisions on the issues raised by the Structural Efficiency Working Group and their close relationship with the proposed new funding formula, which will determine the direction in which divisions develop.
8. ADGP/SBO (ASBO) quarterly meeting
A report was received from John Meaney on the recent meeting in Canberra. Issues discussed were:
* Funding models and processes
* Subsidiary companies
* Issues management
* Feedback on DoHA performance
* IMIT
* Funding Formula
9. Western Australian SBO
The report by ACIL Tasman on options for the provision of SBO services in WA canvassed six options and recommended the re-establishment of an independent SBO, with the second choice being to continue the present arrangement as a branch office of ADGP.
DoHA has extended the present arrangement for two months to enable consultation and the development of a proposal by the WA office, ADGP and the WA divisions.
10. Review of Rural Workforce Agencies (RWAV)
The meeting noted that Client Solutions (lead consultant - Dr David Brand) has been selected as the preferred supplier to undertake the Review, and received an update and comments from Rob and Wendy on the views of RWAV board.
RWAV and rural divisions are concerned about the increasing shortages of GPs in rural divisions, which are now competing with the outer metro divisions for GPs.
The board agreed that it is vital to be able to present a Victorian consensus view to David Brand as the issues in the review of RWAs and the review of RRMA have the potential to split the divisions on urban/rural lines. The board agreed to the suggestion to organise a Victorian Divisions Forum to establish a Victorian view on the issues.
11. Palliative Care Program
The Board received a report on the discussion at the teleconferences and comment on the proposed process, when opinions on the options differed between rural and metro divisions. DHS wishes to spread participation in the program evenly across all divisions. The board agreed that it is important to offer flexible arrangements to meet the different needs of divisions and GPs.
12. Review of the Coroner's Act 1985
The Board received a report from the teleconferences and suggested content for GPDV's response. The board agreed that there is a need for reform but foresaw a number of serious problems of implementation in the proposed options. GPDV will write to point out the practical difficulties for GPs and that will check with the RACGP and AMA to see what position they have taken.
13. Working with 'impaired doctors'
The Board considered comments by Joanna Flynn, President of the Medical Practitioners' Board, about the investigation and reporting of a doctor who might be thought to be 'impaired'. Although the issue was raised by the Chairs of the divisions' Clinical Risk Management panels, the board noted that dealing with impairment is not within their terms of reference as CRM panels, although the individual members of the panels have the same ethical responsibilities as any others if they become aware of impairment or incompetence. The Board will consider a draft for circulation to divisions.