The Department of Health and Ageing has commissioned SBOs with a role to support the introduction of the new CDM Medicare Items. The CDM Medicare Items will replace the old EPC care planning items that have been available since 1999/2000. The change in the items is primarily a result of extensive consultation with GPs & stakeholders resulting from recommendations of the red tape task force. The red tape task force was set up in 2003 when the productivity commission found excessive costs for General Practice in providing care planning services for their patients. The six new CDM items provide more flexibility for GPs in the way they work with their patients to manage chronic disease.

GPDV has detailed their support strategy in the CDM Item Support Implementation Plan to DoHA.

Highlights of GPDV support strategy to Victorian divisions are:

1. Provision of a GP expert trainer from the GPDV 'CDM Team'. There will be a choice of two modules which are designed to incorporate into existing CPD calendars.
2. Training event for Practice Support Staff will be 'Population Health in General Practice' Refresher on the 16th of November 2005. This workshop will provide an overview of the on how the new CDM items (GPMP & TCA) relate to existing MBS items, SIPs & PIPs available in General Practice. 
    

ADGP has a national coordinating role in supporting divisions. Visit the ADGP website for information and GPMP & TCA templates. Chronic Disease Management.