Policy Development and Consultation Process

The consultation process for Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) policy development is guided by AGPN's policy on policy development. The consultation policy is currently being reviewed in response to feedback from network member organisations.

For major proactive policy development works, AGPN circulates a consultation draft to all general practice networks for them to consult on and discuss with their members. Network Members have six weeks to consult with their members and provide a consolidated response to their respective SBO. Alternatively, general practice networks can provide feedback directly to AGPN.

The SBO collates all State network member organisations responses and sends feedback to AGPN who analyse and consider the key messages and revise the policy accordingly.

This process enables consultation with GPs on major policy development work through Network Boards and through other processes that network members select to engage with GPs and other members.

In addition, general practice views on major policy works are also garnered by:

  1. The AGPN Board (which currently includes eight GP directors and 1 non-GP director) who must sign off on all major policy work;
  2. The General Practice Network Leadership Group meetings, which are attended by the CEOs and chairs of each State based organisation (more on this below);
  3. The Network Primary Health Care Policy Consultative Group
  4. Policy reference and advisory groups which are often assembled to inform the development of major policy work and usually include a mix of GPs, non-GP Network Member staff and practice nurses;
  5. Presentation of draft policy papers on major pieces of work at State CEO and Chairs Forums and/or at other events; and
  6. Consultation and liaison with Network Members.

Other avenues for Network Members to raise concerns or make comment include direct contact with the Chair, Board Directors and CEO, use of the Executive Officers' listserv, participation on AGPN committees, and during consultation regarding major AGPN policy developments.

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