What is the Wheatbelt GP Network (WGPN)?

The Central Wheatbelt area of WA was the last area in Australia to have a Division of General Practice established. The inaugural Annual General Meeting being held on 20th September 1998.

The WGPN (formerly CWDGP, prior to 2007), a registered Health Promotion Charity, is a non-government and not for profit organisation incorporated as an Association with a Constitution and Rules of Incorporation.

The Wheatbelt GP Network (formerly the Central Wheatbelt Division of General Practice, prior to 2007) is a network of GPs who work within a geographical area known as the Central Wheatbelt. The WGPN covers an area of approximately 85,000 sq km of mostly wheat / sheep production in agricultural areas, with some fishing and mining areas and a developing tourism industry. Its northern coastal boundary is between Jurien Bay and Cervantes, its most northerly point is at Buntine Rock near Wubin, the eastern point is Westonia near Merredin, the southern point is at Quarbading Hill near Corrigin, and then back to the coast halfway between Guilderton and Two Rocks.

The population of 50,000 (ABS 2001) is thinly spread, with numerous small towns throughout the area.

As at March 2005, the Network (formerly the Division, prior to 2007) had 41 GPs working in 22 Practices throughout the Network, 15 of these are sole Practitioner Practices. 100% of Practices are Accredited.

The Network consistently holds 100% voluntary membership.

The Central Wheatbelt area of WA is one of the most under resourced areas in Australia in regard to Health Services. As in much of rural Australia health problems in the area are very basic with chronic shortages of GPs and other health professionals.

The Network's Strategic Plan aims at addressing the most basic issues to improve the health outcomes of the GP and community.

These include:

• GP Workforce
   
• The chronic shortages in basic primary health services

The Network aims to provide a co-ordinated approach, working closely with key stakeholders, particularly GPs, to improve the level of primary health care services. This will form a foundation for a gradual improvement in health outcomes for the community.