GPs Look to Deliver Value

Media release
19 May 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GPs LOOK TO DELIVER VALUE

More than 400 delegates, including a 30-strong contingent from Australia, are attending the second annual Independent Practitioners Association Council (IPAC) conference in Christchurch (May 20 –22).

The conference theme is Delivering Value – Getting Results in the PHO Environment.

Primary Health Care in New Zealand is enjoying its most significant progress in decades, says IPAC Conference Committee chairman Harry Pert.

“Two particular developments stand out. One led by the general practice sector, is the development of Organised General Practice through IPAs. The other, led by government, is the continuing implementation of the Primary Health Care Strategy, with significant new funding for primary care and the widespread and rapid introduction of PHOs throughout New Zealand.”

Dr Pert says the IPAC conference will explore how IPAs will bring together the best of both of these initiatives.

He asks, “How do we preserve the clinical gains that OGP demonstrates, while enhancing community participation through PHOs? What must change or endure if we are to realise the benefits of enormous investment of financial and intellectual capital in recent years? How do we refine the models of care that have emerged to ensure they can deliver better health outcomes and yet remain sustainable?”

Dr Pert says the IPAC conference will examine in detail some of the best of both worlds, and consider how to capitalise on this, moving into the next phase of PHO implementation.

Among highlights of the conference will be presentations by a range of keynote speakers including:

Professor John Dwyer – a champion of the resurgence of clinician governance in Australia and who is much involved in efforts to create structural reform within the Australian health care delivery system.
Dr Peter Ellyard – a futurist and strategist analyst who works with organisations and communities to help plan for success in the 21st century.
Robin Gauld – Senior Lecturer in Health Policy in the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine at the university of Otago.
Ron Paterson – Health and Disability Commissioner who has played a leading role in health care law, ethics and policy in New Zealand for the past decade.

The conference will examine many topical issues, Dr Pert says.

“We’ll be looking at how GPs can preserve the clinical gains that OGP demonstrates while enhancing community participation through PHOs. What must change or endure if we are to realise the benefits of enormous investment of financial and intellectual capital in recent years? How do we refine the models of care that have emerged to ensure they can deliver better health outcomes yet remain sustainable?”

ends/

© Scoop Media