GPDV Board Summary
Monday 20 March 2006 at 8.00pm

1. Register of Interest

No board members declared any interest that had not already been listed that might affect items on this meeting's agenda.

2. Division Board visits

The Board accepted in principle the recommendations of the review of the visiting program and agreed to survey divisions' Chairs to gather their views.

3. Issues from the board self-assessment

The Board agreed to discuss the findings and the issues raised, with emphasis on those related to our forward planning, at the face-to-face meeting in May.

4. Health Workforce

The Board endorsed the recommendation in Wendy's report from the RWAV board meeting that GPDV agree

* to work with RWAV with the emphasis on strategic issues at state and national levels
* to support local action by divisions, rather than by GPDV and RWAV, in areas where divisions have shown that local action, with central support, is effective
* to work with ADGP and SBOs, as well as with other RWAs and RRWAG, on national issues.

5. Representative's report

The Board discussed the issues raised in the report from Dr Lorraine Baker regarding the DHS Victorian Maternity Record Committee.
John Mc asked that GPDV formally acknowledge Dr Baker's comprehensive report. 
John Mc suggested the MoU with the Women’s & Children's hospital MoU be re activated.

6. May Forum

The topic for the May forum will be the establishment by State and Commonwealth Governments of Health Call Centres and the implications for divisions.

7. National Star Boards Program

The Board received comments from board members who had attended the Victorian workshop and a report from John McEncroe on the substantial differences between the states in both attitude and accomplishment. Bill will present a report to RIC on 31 March; our report to DoHA on the series of state workshops is due in June, after the Darwin workshop.

8. Micro-management

The Board agreed to raise divisions' concerns about continuing micro-management with the Victorian state office and, with other SBOs and ADGP, with Canberra.

9. Promotion of the Network

The Board noted with appreciation that Kate Carnell has continued her effective promotion of the Divisions Network at the national level with a presentation to the Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council (AHMAC) and a speech to the National Press Club. These promotions will serve as a basis from which GPDV and other SBOs can continue to promote the Network in the states.

10. Health Assist Line (HAL)

The May Forum will provide an opportunity to discuss issues arising and to influence HAL's operations.

11. Regional Data Quality Officers (RDQOs)

The Board agreed that, if we confirm that DHS plans to discontinue the funding, GPDV make strong representations to have it continued.

12. Victorian General Practice Alliance (VGPA)

The board agreed that the VGPA could be an effective and valuable vehicle for general practice provided that GPDV and divisions can continue to contribute to its direction

13. Emergency planning

The Board received an update from Bill about the DHS emergency planning process and progress towards a GP sub-plan that will include the roles of GPs and divisions in Victoria's State Health Emergency Response Plan (SHERP).  Bill will circulate the paper to the Board and Divisions.

14. Peer Professional Support Group (PPSG)

The PPSG has produced The Doctors Self Help Kit which will be distributed to every doctor in Australia and will be included in medical undergraduate curricula.