Saturday, July 31, 2010

Health Promotion Program

The health promotion program aims to build the capacity of general practitioners and general practice staff to take a systematic approach to plan and implement health promotion, prevention and early intervention activities.

The health promotion team is involved in a range of projects and activities including:
- Supporting practicies with the uptake of new and existing initiatives such as: Lifescripts and  preventive health assessments.
- Providing educational visits on a variety of topics for GPs, nurses and practice staff.
- Implementing studies in general practice.
- Providing opportunities for general practice to participate in community forums.
- Collaborating with State and local health services to advocate on behalf of general practice.

What’s On Offer?
There are many opportunities for health promotion and prevention in general practice. Current activities of the health promotion team are:

Consumer Engagement Strategy
The GP Network has a Consumer Engagement Strategy. The Health Promotion Officer implements this strategy and facilitates collaboration between local GPs and the community.

The strategy consists of:
- Six-monthly focus groups for gathering consumer input into general practice, the programs and services of the GP Network and local health issues.
- Health education presentations by GPs to schools, community groups and organisations on requested topics.
- Recruitment of consumer representatives for program reference groups.
- Six-monthly review of all consumer input received by the GP

Youth Health
The health promotion team collaborates with service providers, young people, consumer and community organisations and other stakeholders to facilitate young people's access to general practice services.
Project Youth: GPs for Young People
(funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations)
 
Two resources have been developed including a list of GPs with an interest in youth health. All GPs included in the publication completed a youth friendly self assessment. The GPs listed are divided into the local government areas of Boroondara, Whitehorse, Maroondah and Manningham. Additional information includes nominated youth specific areas of interest, other languages spoken, and full contact details. This valuable resource for schools and youth related services is available by clicking here
 
The second resource, ‘Visiting a Doctor’ brochure has been specifically developed for youth aged 15-25 years of age. The brochure provides valuable information about privacy, Medicare, bulk billing, confidentiality, waiting times, obtaining test results and referrals. For hard copies of the brochure, or the list of GPs, contact the health promotion team on 8878 3755 or email mpurcell@megpn.com.au Alternatively, you can dowload a copy here   

Youth focused resources
For a list of youth focused support services click here
For a Tip Sheet about how you and your practice can be additionally youth friendly click here

Child Protection Health Assessment Pilot Project
A pilot project involving seven practices within the GP Network catchment is aiming to develop a system to make sure each child and young person in protective care (for the first time) has a comprehensive general practitioner health assessment and is linked in with a general practice.

The Health Promotion Team
For more information please contact the health promotion team on (03) 8878 3755 or:

Senior Health Promotion Officer

Myra Purcell
Graduate Health Promotion Officer
mpurcell@megpn.com.au