Media

For media enquiries contact:

Frith Rayner, Communications and Marketing Director
Phone: 02 6228 0819 (W) 0402 267 190 (M) or frayner@agpn.com.au

Benjamin Graham, Communications Officer
Phone: 02 6228 0828 (W) 0430 586 022 (M) or bgraham@agpn.com.au

MEDIA RELEASES

Time to step up the pace on health reform 26 February 2010
It is high time the Government delivered on two years of reviews into the health system by investing most where the majority of people recieve their health care - in general practice and community - based settings according to the Australian General Practice Network (AGPN).

The nations Practice Nurses come to Melbourne 16 February 2010
More than 130 Practice Nurse Network Officers from all over Australia will converge on Melbourne this Wednesday and Thursday for the fourth Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) National Nursing in General Practice Forum 2010.

Integrated Australian eHealth system takes first steps towards reality 10 February 2010
Australia has taken its first steps towards an integrated national eHealth system with the introduction today of the Healthcare Identifiers Bill 2010.

Community mental health key to supporting patients 8 February 2010
The myriad mental health programs should be better aligned so patients stop falling through system cracks that result in 65 percent of people who need care missing out, says AustralianGeneral Practice Network (AGPN) Dr Emil Djakic.

AGPN welcomes government campaign on swine flu vaccination 8 February 2010
The Government’s move to introduce a public education campaign on the importance of swine flu vaccinations is welcomed by the Australian General Practice Network (AGPN).

Mental health programs to aid suicide prevention 3 February 2010
Government needs to invest more in mental health programs rolled out in general practice so fewer patients fall through the cracks in the system, says Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) Chair Dr Emil Djakic.

Health spending reform key to keeping costs down 3 February 2010
Reducing the pressure on government health spending is best achieved through regional funding models and by smarter use of our health dollars, says Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) Chair Dr Emil Djakic.

Low immunisation figures putting everyone at risk of preventable disease 20 January 2010
Rapidly declining immunisation rates in Australia are putting communities at risk of pertussis, measeles, mumphs, rubella and swine flu, especially as the school year is about to get under war, says Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) Chair Dr Emil Djakic.

Medicare Benefits Schedule Review a down payment on reform - AGPN
Changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), which determines rebates for patients, will free doctors up to focus on preventing ill health and are a good down payment on reform, Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) Chair Dr Emil Djakic said today.

Australian Primary Health Care Organisations: Health care access, equity and wellness. A Network blueprint
About 240 leaders from all members of the Australian General Practice Network came together to discuss health reform in Sydney on 4 November in association with the AGPN National Forum.

Organised primary health care the road to access 06/11/09
Access to health services for all Australians will be a significant gain for the health system if the government moves to create Primary Health Care Organisations says Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) Chair Dr Emil Djakic. Dr Djakic today presented the Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon with the Network’s proposal for the form and function of the new organisations suggested as part of the national health reform agenda.

Patient enrolment the key to improved patient health - says expert 05/11/2009
Patient enrolment has mobilised general practice to improve patient health care in the United Kingdom and could be considered as a platform for similar improvements in Australia, according to an international health expert. Professor David Colin-Thome, OBE, National Director for Primary Care, United Kingdom Department of Health, said enrolment with General Practitioners (GPs) enabled GPs to follow patients’ progress properly and measure improvements.

Preventative Health Taskforce Report recommendations on track for better health 1/09/09
Preventive health is the key business of General Practitioners, but they need to be properly funded to deliver it, says Australian General Practice Netowrk (AGPN) Chair Dr Emil Djakic.

Community to benefit from Primary Health Care Strategy reform 31/08/09
Patients will have better access to more integrated, organied health care through proposed changes to payment models for general practice and establishment of Regional Primary Health Care Organisations under the draft Primary Health Care Strategy, says Australian General Practice network Chari Dr Emil Djakic.

Primary health care the key to unlocking Australian's chronic health conditions 21/08/09
Heath care reform will lower the chronic disease burden on our hospitals by providing more support to general practice to manage these illnesses in the community, says Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) Chair Dr Emil Djakic.

Primary Health Care Organisations the community version of hospitals 29/07/09
Regionally-based Primary Healthcare organisations, as recommended by the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission, will become the community-based alternative to hospitals, says Australian General Practice Network CEO Mr David Butt.  

Most ambitious health reforms since introduction of Medicare 27/07/09
The Rudd Government's proposed national health agenda lays out the most far-reaching reform of the Australian health system since the introduction of Medibank and Medicare, says Australian General Practice Chair Dr Emil Djakic.

Major redesign needed now for Australia's creaking health system 26/07/09
Australians will continue to be hospitalised unnecessarily and die prematurely unless the Rudd Government acts quickly on health system reform focused on patient and community best interests, says Australian General Practice Network Chair Dr Emil Djakic. 

More funding needed to support youth mental health 22/07/09
The recent spate of teenage suicides in Victoria highlight  the need for extra resources and funding into teenage mental health, says the Australian General Practice Network's Chair Dr Emil Djakic.

Save lives, save money and save the health system - invest in general practcie 22/07/09
Investing in general practice care will dramatically improve hospital care, save lives and save money, says Australian General Practice Network Chair Dr Emil Djakic.

Practice Nurses Play Pivitol Role: Report 8/07/09
Practice Nurses ease the strain on General Practitioners, but not enough doctors and policy makers recognise their pivotal role, a new report reveals.

Australian General Practice Network working to stop swine flu spreading 23/06/09
The dealth last Friday of an Indigenous man from swine flu related illness has highlighted the need to stop the spread of the virus through proper use of personal protective equipment and pandemic planning in general practice, says Australian General Practice Network Chair Dr Emil Djakic.

• AGPN Position Statements
  
• Strategic Plans
  
• Network Connect Magazine - Connecting the Network
  
• Memoranda of Understanding
  
• What Divisions Do
  
• Value of the Network Study
  
• Dynamic Divisions
  
• Annual Report

22-23 March, Sydney

Communicating with members, the public and government are key parts of our business as members of a national network representing general practice. It is a core element of our work and contributes to our success in selling our message, our products and the efforts of our staff.

For the first time communication members of the Network will come together in Sydney for the inaugural Communications Summit. The summit has been devised to cover communications issues specific to the Network and our business.

The Summit program will cover:
o Branding and marketing
o Newsletters
o Developing policy – communications strategies, advertising policy and spokespeople
o Media
o Public relations – including websites, lobbying local/state and national government
o The interwebs

The Summit will have a mix of invited speakers and workshops with a number of opportunities for Network Members to share successes, failures and learn from each other’s experience. It will also be an opportunity for communications staff who often work in isolation from each other to meet colleagues and share ideas.

A draft program for the Summit can be downloaded here.

Registration
Delegates can register online here. Registration is due by 19 February 2010. A hardcopy of the online registration can be found here.
Registration types and costs:
Registration Cost
Two day (includes registration and Summit dinner) $450
One day Monday only (does not include dinner) $250
One day Tuesday only (does not include dinner) $250
Dinner on Monday 22 March $60
Accommodation can also be booked through the registration process.

Venue
The Communications Summit 2010 will be held at The Sebel Surry Hills, Sydney. More information on the venue can be found by visiting www.mirvachotels.com. Accommodation at The Sebel Hotel can be booked through the registration link. Please do not contact the hotel direct. Rooms cost $187.00 per night which includess breakfast. There is also parking available for $16.00 per day, which can also be booked through registration.

Travel
Delegates are responsible for booking their own flights.

Contacts
For registration queries, please contact Trisha Wong, Events and Member Services Manager on 02 6228 0835 or twong@agpn.com.au.
For program queries, please contact Ben Graham, Communications Officer on 02 6228 0828 or bgraham@agpn.com.au.

Terms and Conditions
In registering for the Communications Summit, relevant details will be incorporated into a delegate list for the benefit of all delegates, and may be made available to parties directly related to the conference including, AGPN, Certain (host of the on-line registration facility), venues, and accommodation providers (for the purpose of room bookings and conference options), key sponsors (subject to strict conditions) and parties associated with related conferences. By completing this registration form, you acknowledge that the details supplied by you may be used for the above purposes. Should you not wish for your details to be used for these purposes, please contact Trisha Wong, 02 6228 0835 or twong@agpn.com.au as soon as possible. Any photos that include or feature you can be used to promote the Communications Summit.

Cancellations
Notifications of any alterations or cancellations must be sent in writing by post, facsimile or email to Emma Ryan, Events Support Officer on 02 6228 0846 or eryan@agpn.com.au. A full refund of all fees, less an administration fee of $50 will be paid to any delegate cancelling before Friday 26 February 2010.

After Friday 26 February refunds for registration cancellations are possible under exceptional circumstances.  No accommodation refunds will be granted after Friday 26 February 2010.

If a registered delegate is unable to attend, a substitute delegate is welcome to attend at no additional cost. Substitute registrations/delegates must be advised in writing to Emma Ryan, Events Support Officer on 02 6228 0846 or eryan@agpn.com.au by Friday 5 March 2010.