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The History of the Establishment of Divisions of General Practice
In the early 1990’s two main issues were identified as problems for general practitioners (GPs). These issues were an increasing sense of isolation felt by GPs and an increasing exclusion of general practice from the overall health care system.
In 1991 the Australian Medical Association, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Commonwealth Government entered into discussions on ways that the overall status and quality of general practice could be improved.
In 1992 the General Practice Working Group released a strategy document entitled "The Future of General Practice: a strategy for the nineties and beyond". One of the recommendations of this document was the establishment of Divisions of General Practice.
In the 1992/93 Federal budget the Divisions and Projects Grants Program was announced. It was established to provide the infrastructure and project funding to enable GPs to develop local networks, or Divisions; to engage in cooperative activities and projects to improve integration with other elements of the health system and help meet local needs.
As at March 2005, in total there are 14 Divisions of General Practice in Western Australia which are part of a network of 120 General Practice Divisions across Australia. Divisions are generally viewed as an integral part of general practice offering professional unity, strength and status.
The Purpose of Divisions of General Practice;
The original goal of the Divisions and Project Grants program was to:
"Improve health outcomes for patients by encouraging GPs to work together and form links with other health professionals to upgrade the quality of health service delivery at the local level."
In summary, Divisions of General Practice were established to:
- Enable GPs to network and communicate with each other
- Enable individuals and groups to contact local GPs
- Enable GPs to work more closely with other health professionals, health care providers, community groups and community members in the local area
- Enable GPs to be more responsive to local health needs in the community
- Enhance GPs involvement in health promotion
- Address the professional development and education needs of GPs
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