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MEDIA RELEASES

AGPN Board Election Results
The results of the Australian General Practice Network 2010 Board Elections conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission have been finalised and released.

Government has been delivered, now let's deliver primary health care reform
The Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) has today welcomed the new minority government led by Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
AGPN CEO, David Butt says the impact and significance of the Independents Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor representing rural and regional Australia in this newly formed government can only benefit the primary health care-led reform that's needed for Australia sooner, rather than later.

Choice of Network members for eHealth – value for money
The Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) has welcomed the Federal Government’s
commitment to incrementally roll out its electronic health records initiative through three of
Australia’s progressive general practice Network Members.

Telehealth could finally achieve its potential
A major breakthrough in more equitable access to quality health care could be achieved with the
introduction of Medicare for telehealth consultations, the Australian General Practice Network
(AGPN) said today.

General practice networks identify core prerequisites for health reform
Australia’s General Practice Networks (GPNs) today called for the next Federal Government to
commit to an implementation plan with clear timeframes, adequate funding and appropriate
structural reforms to develop an effectively integrated primary health care-led health system.

Plenty of rebates in Coalition health policy but where is the reform?
Medicare rebate increases for general practice are not the answer to reforming the health system and dealing with
problems of access and inequity, Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) Chair, Dr Emil Djakic, said today.

More hospital beds means more sick people: not better health care
Australia will have the unenviable reputation of leading the world on needlessly putting people into
hospital unless there is real reform of the Australian health system, Australian General Practice
Network Chair, Dr Emil Djakic, said today.

Federal Government has come to the party on mental health
The Federal Government’s commitment to invest of $276.9m over four years into additional
mental health services and its focus on delivering those services through primary health care
organisations (PHCOs) indicates the Gillard Government has come to the party on mental health.
“It’s about time all political parties started focusing on primary health care and the benefits a
strong, integrated system can bring to the community, particularly in areas such as primary
mental health care,” Dr Emil Djakic said.

Major parties need to face up to their primary health care obligations
Australian General Practice Network Chair, Dr Emil Djakic has called on the major parties for this
2010 general election put their ‘money where their mouth is’ for the primary health care sector
and to pledge their commitment to this community-based care with achievable policies and
significant program implementation.

Diabetes Advisory Group measures up for health planning
The Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) has welcomed a new advisory group on diabetes,
announced today by the Federal Health Minister, Nicola Roxon, during Diabetes Week.
AGPN Chair, Dr Emil Djakic said the formation of the Advisory Group responded to a call from
AGPN for such a consultative mechanism to be established. He said the Advisory Group has the
broad mix of consumers, health professionals, nurses, allied health providers and patients who are
necessary to help plan and develop a model of care for patients with diabetes across the country.

Australia takes first step towards an integrated health system
With the passing of the Healthcare Identifier Bill last night, Australia has taken the first important
step in creating a more connected, patient centric health system, says Australian General Practice
Network (AGPN) chair Dr Emil Djakic.

We can lead the world on diabetes care
Australia has the opportunity to lead the world on providing the best possible care for people with
diabetes by maximising the benefits available through the Federal Government’s proposed
diabetes plan, Australian General Practice Network Chair, Dr Emil Djakic, said today.

AMA puts the case to productivity commission for better access to medical services in aged care
An AMA delegation of geriatricians, psychiatrists, general practitioners, and rehabilitation and palliative care specialists will today make a presentation to the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Caring for Older Australians in Canberra.


National Prevention Agency would support reforms towards a healthier health system
The Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) says that priority must be given to the benefits of
health promotion and illness prevention when the Senate considers the Bill to establish a National
Preventative Health Agency next Tuesday.

eHealth to reduce deaths and injuries due to clinical errors
The proposed personally controlled electronic health record for Australians by 2012 will reduce
clinical errors and thereby save lives and needless suffering, says Australian General Practice
Network (AGPN) Chair Dr Emil Djakic.

Healthcare Identifiers essential for an integrated Australian health system
The Australian General Practice Network says that the Healthcare Identifier Bill being discussed in the senate tomorrow is an essential building block of an integrated eHealth system and must pass in order to unlock the benefits of a connected, patient centric health system for all Australians.

National Prevention Agency would support reforms towards a healtheir health system
The Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) says that priority must be given to the benefits of health promotion and illness prevention when the Senate considers the Bill to establish a national Preventative Health Agency next Tuesday.

eHealth to reduce deaths and injuries due to clinical errors
The proposed personally controlled electronic health record for Australians by 2012 will reduce
clinical errors and thereby save lives and needless suffering, says Australian General Practice
Network (AGPN) Chair Dr Emil Djakic.

EHealth investment key to reform success
The Federal Budget commitment to eHealth of $467 million over two years will bring Australia’s
health system into the 21st century and begin the creation of a connected health care system, with
patients at the centre, according to Australian General Practice Network Chair, Dr Emil Djakic.

Budget delivers for Australia’s health care future
Patients can expect better access to General Practitioners (GPs), improved after hours services and
a connected health care system as a result of the cash injection into primary health care announced
in tonight’s Federal Budget, says Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) Chair Dr Emil Djakic.

Primary health care organisations – transforming Australia’s health care future
The Australian health system will be transformed to provide better, more responsive care in the
community with the introduction of Primary Health Care Organisations (PHCOs), says Australian
General Practice Network (AGPN) Chair, Dr Emil Djakic.

More Practice Nurses – better patient care
More than 2000 extra Practice Nurses are expected to be employed in general practice over the next
two years if the Government provides new incentive funding in the Federal Budget, says Australian
General Practice Network (AGPN) Chair Dr Emil Djakic.

EHealth essential to health reform
EHealth investment is essential if Australia is to achieve health reform that makes a real difference
to the health and wellbeing of every Australian and broad investment in eHealth should a key
element of the 2010 Federal Budget, says Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) Chair Dr
Emil Djakic.

Budget cuts increase likelihood of patient medication errors
Federal Government budget cuts will end the only program which supports General Practitioners
(GPs) and pharmacists to work together – at a time when the National Health Reform agenda is
promoting integration, says Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) Chair Dr Emil Djakic.

Tobacco tax increases will reduce smoking - AGPN
The Government’s move to increase tobacco tax and enforce plain packaging for cigarette packs
will reduce take up and encourage people to quit smoking and has the wholehearted support of the
Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) says the Chair, Dr Emil Djakic.

Rural Palliative Care Project program offers patients options
The quality of life of terminally ill rural patients will be enhanced by funding which enables them to
remain in their communities and with their families at the end of life says Australian General
Practice Network (AGPN) Chair Dr Emil Djakic.

Chief Medical Officer's statement on seasonal flu vaccine and young children
Due to a spike in the numbers of young children in Western Australia  experiencing fever and convulsions following seasonal flu vaccinations, Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jim Bishop, is advising all GPs and immunisation providers to stop giving seasonal flu vaccine to children five years and under until a cause is established.

Hospital focus could ruin the chance for genuine health improvements
Primary health care organisations need real teeth, real funding and real opportunity to change the
system to achieve improvements in health care delivery, access and services to patients said
Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) Chair Dr Emil Djakic.

Sensible move saves our health care future
The silent victory out of the COAG process is the bringing together of community health centres and primary
mental health with general practice and other primary health care, says Australian General Practice Network
Chair Dr Emil Djakic.

Brinksmanship may tip health system over the edge
The continued obstinacy of state and territory premiers may risk Australia’s best chance to address
the widening gap in health services access and outcomes facing the country, says Australian
General Practice Network (AGPN) Chair Dr Emil Djakic.

Indigenous health workforce aims to close the gap 14 April 2010
The first group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Project Officers, funded under the Council of Australian Government's Close the Gap program, will begin working with General Practitioners (GPs) in the coming weeks to address Indigenous disadvantage in the health system.

COAG must support primary health care organisations 13 April 2010
The Council of Australian Government's meeting next week must support the creation of primary health care organisations, or Australia could lose an opportunity to make real and effective change to millions of Australians lives, according to Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) Chair Dr Emil Djakic.

Primary health care organisations the smart way to improve our health system 12 April 2010
A bias in the Australian health system which disadvantages patients will be overcome by the establishment of primary health care organisations (PHCOs), Australian General Practice Network Chair Dr Emil Djakic said today.

PM announcement mean more money for diabetes care 1 April 2010
Funding for patients with diabetes will increase by 60 percent on average and enable significantly better treatment under the diabetes package announced by the Prime Minister yesterday.

Diabetes patients will get better care and better health under proposed changes 31 March 2010
Fewer Australians will be hospitalised or suffer the debilitating consequences of severe diabetes as a result of the Prime Minister’s plan to fight the illness through investment in general practice care, says Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) Chair Dr Emil Djakic.

Practice Nurse numbers up - barriers to access remain 28 March 2010
The Australian Practice Nurse workforce is increasing, but patients still face barriers to accessing their care, according to a new survey released today by the Australian General Practice Network (AGPN).

Community care the key to suicide prevention 25 March 2010
Investment in community-based mental health care will reduce suicides, improve access to care and ensure patients are not loat in the system, says Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) Chair Dr Emil Djakic.

Smaller rural hospitals should be part o a strengthened GP and primary health care system 24 March 2010
The best way forward for Australia's smaller rural hospitals is to make them a part of a more coordinated, integrated primary health care system, Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) chair Dr Emil Djakic said today.

Investment in primary health care welcome - AGPN 16 March 2010
A solid investment in primary health care workforce is an essential foundation for the successful roll out of the Government’s health reform agenda, said Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) Chair Dr Emil Djakic.

A step in the right direction to getting back to basics 3 March 2010
Today's national health reform announcements provide the opportunity for better health for all Australians but only if the Commonwealth acts quickly to strengthen the primary health care sector, says Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) Chair Dr Emil Djakic.

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).

Orientation manuel for Practice Nurses now available online 18 February 2010
An Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) orientation manual for Practice Nurses new to general practice is now available online so rural nurses can also access the training.

Practice Nurses essential to foghting chronic disease 17 February 2010
If the government is serious about promoting comprehensive primary health care through general practice, extending incentives to employ Practice Nurses is the best first step, says Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) Chair, Dr Emil Djakic.

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.

Ehealth and infrastructure funding key to reform: AGPN budget submission 28 January 2010
Investing in eHealth and general practice infrastructure are key elements to successful implementation of the Australian Government's health reform agenda, according to the Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) Budget submission, released today.

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.