MEDIACOM-RELEASE-IPAC

BETTER CARE, BETTER HEALTH - NOT BAD FOR A ONE YEAR OLD

Better patient care, better health outcomes, and better focus on community health programmes, are the results of the first year of operation of the Independent Practitioners Association Council.

"IPAs (Independent Practitioner Associations) from around the country are delivering quality primary health care on behalf of the people of New Zealand," said Dr Allan Moffitt, Council Deputy Chairman.

The Council, which was established a year ago this month is the voice of 15 of the nation's IPAs. Collectively this covers 739 general practices, and represents a new wave of community health care.

"The rapid growth of IPAs is good news for Government. They told us they wanted better health programmes delivered at a community level and this is exactly what we're doing with great success.

"For example, our Wellington IPA (WIPA) provides a range of innovative medical services, filling significant health care gaps. WIPA's mental health programme ensures support systems and assistance are available to former mental health patients who are now community-based. "Similarly, their sexual health programme provides better access to sexual health care and advice, and better targeted programmes for high risk groups.

"Other IPAs provide free mammograms, effective smoking cessation programmes and free stop-smoking patches."

Dr Moffitt said that the IPA structure works well for both the community and the General Practitioners.

"Our role is to bring together IPAs, and to demonstrate to Government and to patients how we can provide better services based on a sharing of technology, ideas, and successful projects.

"The structure has provided a vehicle for GPs to band together for the good of community health. The Council is committed to doing all we can to support them and ensure the IPA model continues to be a success," said Dr Moffitt. The Independent Practitioners Association Council represents the following IPAs:

Whangarei Health Care

Comprehensive Health Services

Integrated Primary Care Services

Procare - Central, North West, South

East Health Services

SouthMed

Rotorua General Practice Group

Pinnacle IPA

Manawatu IPA

Hutt Valley IPA

Wellington IPA

Pegasus

Southlink Health

Manawatu IPA

ENDS....

MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE INDEPENDENT PRACTITIONERS ASSOCIATION

COUNCIL

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