General Practice
The PHN’s Primary Care Improvement Team partner with practices to build a better Australian primary health system.
Primary Care Improvement Team
The PHN understands that General Practices are the cornerstone of primary health care and are an invaluable part of the communities in which we live.
Many factors, such as workforce shortage, digital innovations, and industry changes can be challenging for General Practice to navigate whilst trying to provide optimal patient care.
There is momentum to redesign the healthcare system; to provide better patient outcomes, lower costs, improved patient experience, and improved clinical experience and the PHN is invested in providing ongoing support for practices wanting to successfully navigate and thrive in a changing primary care environment.
With more than 400 practices across the PHN, our team contribute to the design and delivery of a wide range of initiatives and programs that support early detection and intervention and help optimise high quality co-ordinated care for patients.
General Practice Sustainability and Viability Initiative (SAVI)
The General Practice Sustainability and Viability Initiative (SAVI) has been launched by the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC PHN), leading a fundamental shift towards a sustainable and thriving primary healthcare sector.
Through SAVI, every general practice across the HNECC region will have the opportunity to gain key insights into their business, unveiling their strengths and areas for improvement. General practices will be able to access relevant support and resources to boost performance across finance, workforce, and operational areas.
Focus Areas and Initiatves
Bolstering leadership, systems, and processes are at the core of supporting improving capacity in primary care and you will find an abundance of resources and support from our team.
The Primary Care Improvement team supports general practice in the following ways;
- Providing a broad range of opportunities to enhance local primary health care, including face to face support, resources and continuing professional development events.
- Work collaboratively with general practice and other stakeholders to design and deliver innovative, locally relevant solutions and our support is inclusive of the whole practice team.
Accreditation
The PHN is dedicated to supporting General Practices across the region to achieve and maintain the standards required for Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) accreditation.
Capacity Tracker
Capacity Tracker is a free online tool that enables General Practice (GP) and Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF) to quickly and easily alert the PHN to current or potential issues that impact operations, and activate PHN support.
Cancer Screening
Screening programs provide an opportunity for General Practices to play a key role in the early detection and management of a range of cancers.
Chronic Kidney Disease
The PHN is dedicated to helping the communities in the Hunter New England and Central Coast region in the prevention and management of Chronic Kidney Disease.
Diabetes
The PHN has a strong commitment in delivering innovative and collaborative solutions in the prevention and management of Diabetes.
Digital Health in General Practice
The PHN is dedicated to helping general practices across the region with optimising digital health initiatives and programs.
Heart Health
The PHN is dedicated to helping the communities in the Hunter New England and Central Coast region deliver solutions in the prevention and management of Cardiovascular Disease.
Immunisation
Immunisation of the population is key to ensuring that vaccine preventable diseases are effectively controlled.
Lifestyle Risk Factors
Lifestyle risk screening provides an opportunity for General Practices to better understand their patient populations and deliver targeted preventative care and management.
LUMOS Data Linkage Project
Lumos is a partnership initiative between the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network and the NSW Ministry of Health.
Mental Health
The PHN recognises the importance of a system-wide approach to enhancing mental health outcomes for individuals and communities.
Practice Management and MBS
Practice managers are key agents of change who are uniquely positioned to lead practice teams towards a proactive approach to care provision.
Sustainability and Viability Initiative (SAVI)
The PHN is leading the fundamental shift towards a sustainable and thriving primary healthcare care sector with the General Practice Sustainability and Viability Initiative (SAVI).
Quality Improvement
A well-defined continuous quality improvement system adopted in general practice will increase productivity and quality, with benefits often seen in:
- Patient experience: improving patients’ access to care; the quality and safety of care; with subsequent improvement in health outcomes
- Care team wellbeing: improving staff satisfaction, morale, teamwork, and workforce sustainability
- Population health: reducing the burden of disease and health inequalities across your region
- Business efficiency: improved business outcomes through increased efficiency and effectiveness.
Communities of Practice
The PHN is keen for opportunities to share ideas and resources that support primary health.
The purpose of our Communities of Practice is to provide a platform for people to connect, share knowledge, and experiences, discuss best practice approaches, and contribute to activities that will help improve models of care and health outcomes for patients, on a specific health concern.
The cancer, immunisation and mental health communities of practice, can be found on our Peoplebank page. Please reach out to your PCIO for access to other focus area communities of practice.
Resources
Primary care improvement
Collaboration with stakeholders is crucial to help us understand emerging issues impacting the community, focus on the right topics at the right time and develop resources that are fit-for purpose. We seek to work with general practitioners, practice nurses, practice mangers and administration and value your contributions to our planning. Please contact the primary care improvement manager in your area or phone on the number below to connect with us.