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Northern Rivers GPs lead the way |
 GPs Michael Pelmore, Mullumbimby, Chris McKenzie, Ballina, and Kingsley Pearson, Lismore, relax after their on stage performance, which saw them singing songs composed by lyricist and musician Dr Pelmore (with help from the team of course), describing what they have done to improve their general practice.
The crowd could not get enough of a group of local GPs and practice staff, whose stage performance of “Our Journey” won them the most innovative and creative story award at the National Primary Care Collaboratives workshop in Melbourne last week.
The eight Northern Rivers general practices are part of a national program that aims to improve general practice and ultimately patient outcomes. The program has been adapted from a successful British model that continues to produce significant results.
“We are implementing some innovative programs to improve our patient’s health here on the Northern Rivers,” said Dr Tony Lembke, chair of the division and a GP in one of the participating practices.
“The Collaboratives program gives us a mechanism to share our achievements with other practices so that we don’t keep reinventing the wheel. And of course we get to find out about the great ideas that other practices have already tested and refined.”
Six of the eight local practices attending the national workshop gave presentations on specific quality improvements made to their practices. Innovations by the Nimbin Medical Centre and Family Medical Ballina were awarded two of the top three awards.
“Nimbin Medical Centre has come up with ways to manage patients with heart disease proactively and Family Medical Ballina has improved patient access by re-assigning clinical work,” Dr Lembke said.
“These are small, simple innovations but they have a big impact on how we practice and that has positive effects on the health of our patients and the service we can give them.”
Eight more general practices are about to join the second phase of the program, with another eight to come on board early next year. Almost half the practices in the Northern Rivers area will have been involved in the program by its conclusion in 2008.
“The opportunity to work with our local colleagues has broadened our approach to achieving the best possible health in this region. It is an exciting program,” Dr Lembke said.
~ENDS
Date issued: 14/09/05
Media Contact: Katherine Breen Kurucsev, NRDGP, 6622 4453. Mobile 0438 026 165.
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