Overview
The Nursing in General Practice (NiGP) Program is the key program under the Australian Government’s Nursing in General Practice Training and Support Initiative.
The aim of the Nursing in General Practice program is for the Australian Divisions of General Practice and State Based Organisations (General Practice Tasmania) to motivate and coordinate practice nursing support activity, involving the Tasmanian divisions of general practice. Studies have indicated that the increased capacity provided by the organisation of nursing services in general practice, improves the quality and accessibility of primary care for patients, particularly those with chronic disease and/ or complex conditions, and as such the focus of this program’s activity is on building the robustness of the divisions’ nursing support programs, to monitor, evaluate and affect the uptake of the Practice Nurse Incentive under the Practice Incentives Programs, and on smaller or more remote practices. This aim is achieved through a strategic approach to evaluating and building the capacity of divisions to deliver support services for NiGP, and in particular to recruit and retain nurses in general practice. Additionally the program aims to assist in the retainment of nurses in general practice by brokering, coordinating and funding education and professional development opportunities for nurses in collaboration with the Tasmanian Divisions.
Program Objectives
The aims of the Nursing in General Practice initiative are, through the effective employment of practice nurses to:
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relieve workforce pressure in general practice
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improve the prevention and management of chronic disease
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improve access to, and the quality and integration of, patient care.
The key strategy to achieve these aims is to support the recruitment, retention and effectively use practice nurses to organise their contribution to the quality and safe patient care.
The programs key objectives are:
Partners
Partners in the Nursing in General Practice Initiative include:
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The Australian General Practice Network (AGPN)
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The State Based Division Organisations (SBOs)
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Divisions of General Practice (DGPs) across Australia
Achievements
The General Practice Tasmania Nursing in General Practice Coordinator role is to administer and progress the various activities that constitute the Nursing in General Practice Training and Support Initiative. These activities include:
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facilitate a national vision and consistent approaches to emerging issues and initiatives related to NiGP
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provide state level direction and decision-making and also build state level strategic links and partnerships
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promote, support and represent the NiGP program at a state and national level including showcasing innovative, successful and transferable models and initiatives
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assess, broker, coordinate and fund education and professional development activities at a state and regional level
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support and assist divisions and division program officers, particularly those new to working on nursing programs, to build and sustain robust integrated nursing support programs.
Contact Officer(s)
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Name:
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Ange Patras
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Position:
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Program Officer
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Email:
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Phone:
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(03) 6224 1114
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Mobile:
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0400 073 508
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Fax:
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(03) 6224 3384
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Name:
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Tessa Saunders
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Position:
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Health Programs Coordinator
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Email:
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Phone:
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(03) 6224 1114
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Mobile:
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0400 054 852
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Fax:
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(03) 6224 3384
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