GPSpeak Autumn 2015
As the saying goes, a week is a long time in politics, while three months is an eternity. Since the last edition of GPSpeak the Coalition's second proposal for changes to GP Medicare funding has come and gone. We also have a new Minister for Health, Sussan Ley, whom we wish well in this challenging portfolio.
The proposal to increase the minimum length for a standard consultation from 5 to 10 minutes took the profession by surprise. While the average "Level B" GP consultation is 14 minutes, 25 per cent are less than 10 minutes. The government’s aim was to eliminate so-called "6-minute medicine" but the proposal contained several potentially adverse effects for general practice.
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- Written by: David Guest
Keep Healthy Minds in Mind
Since its inception eight years ago, the Better Access to Mental Health Care program has significantly improved the management of mental health problems. While the program allows for the treatment of a broad range of mental health disorders, the great majority of issues managed by general practitioners under the scheme relate to depression and/or anxiety.
The Better Access program is open to all GPs and replaced the previous Better Outcomes program that was available only to GPs who had undergone specific psychological training.
BEACH data analysis has shown that compared to Better Outcomes, the new program significantly increased the rates of depression management in primary care, with a halving of the referral rate to psychiatrists, a six-fold increase in referrals to psychologists, and no change in medication rates.
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- Written by: David Guest
Rainforest gardens thrive on ‘rubbish’ land
Long known as the Lismore tip, or even less attractively, the town dump, the facility that manages the city’s wastes is now called the Lismore Recycling and Recovery Centre.
The change is not just in the branding, but in reality, with the well managed facility becoming the envy of many a local Council.
An equally dramatic transformation has taken place at the adjacent Rainforest Botanic Gardens. Here, on a sizeable patch of once unappealing scrub, characterised by weeds, fallen trees, and illegally dumped rubbish, knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteers are creating a network of walking paths through regenerated sub-tropical forest.
Such a project was long the dream of Friends of Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens, a group formed well before a site had even been identified. A founder member was plant enthusiast and long-serving retired local GP, the late Calder Chaffey (see separate story).
Today, the gardens are a protected space where representatives of all the unique plant species of our sub-tropical area can be grown in an ecosystem where they will thrive.
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- Written by: Robin Osborne
Byron’s new hospital shapes up
The chosen 6 hectare site at Ewingsdale, on the approach road to Byron Bay, is being rapidly transformed into the new Byron Central Hospital (BCH), scheduled to be opened by mid-2016.
The enabling and early works stage has included the completion of internal road base preparation, site in-ground drainage, bulk excavation and cut/fill, and installation of temporary site sheds.
More than 15,000 cubic metres of earthworks have been completed, and over 1,500m of stormwater pipe installed to date.
Taking shape is a new facility to replace the smaller hospitals in Byron Bay and Mullumbimby, estimated to cost $80M. Its aesthetic design incorporates a range of enviro-friendly features.
Services to be offered will include 24-hour emergency attention, with 14 ED acute treatment spaces; 43 overnight inpatient beds; low-risk maternity services, 20-bed, non-acute mental health unit; X-ray, ultrasound, CT, and OPG (dental imaging); 4-chair dental service, 4-chair chemotherapy unit, and ambulatory care services.
There will be expanded ambulatory clinic space for visiting medical services, allied health and community health clinics, plus co-location of community and allied health.
BCH will have over 2,400 power points and 700 data points, and some 102,000m of communications cabling and 95,000m of power cabling.
The construction contractor, Brookfield Multiplex, has a strong commitment to Aboriginal participation in its workforce, and using local contractors wherever possible.
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- Written by: Robin Osborne
High-flyers heading to Hobart conference
Rapidly establishing a reputation as a focus of creativity – think David Walsh’s MONA gallery, Richard Flanagan’s Booker Prize win, and global awards for its single-malt whiskies – Tasmania is hosting a major conference on health system innovation.
The focus of the ‘Sustainable Healthcare Transformation’ conference in Hobart from 18-20 March is the improvement of hospital performance in Tasmania, nationally and globally.
Amongst the high-flying presenters are Sir Robert Naylor, Chief Executive of University College London Hospitals, knighted for services to UK health care, Professor Chris Baggoley AO, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Anthony Moorhouse, CEO of emergency management firm operating Dynamiq, and well-known spokesperson on youth matters, Holly Ransom.
An ‘on-the-couch’ panel session with key speakers will be hosted by former ABC North Coast station manager, and popular breakfast host, Martin Corben.
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- Written by: Robin Osborne
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