The Alfred GP – ED project Josie Samers and Judith Bushell GP Liaison team, The Alfred

Consultation ED directorED director NUMNUM ED Nurse practitionersED Nurse practitioners South City GP ServicesSouth City GP Services Members of hospital executiveMembers of hospital executive

Audit Data collection by clerical staff at triage desk at The Alfred Emergency and Trauma CentreData collection by clerical staff at triage desk at The Alfred Emergency and Trauma Centre One week periodOne week period PostcodePostcode Does the patient have a GP?Does the patient have a GP? Why no GP?Why no GP? Why did they present to the ED rather than a GP?Why did they present to the ED rather than a GP?

Audit results Data received from 503 patients presenting to the EDData received from 503 patients presenting to the ED 22% reported they did not have a GP22% reported they did not have a GP Recently moved (n=31, 6.2%)Recently moved (n=31, 6.2%) Unable to get an appointment (n=20, 4%)Unable to get an appointment (n=20, 4%) Didn’t know how to find a GP (n=13, 2.6%)Didn’t know how to find a GP (n=13, 2.6%)

Feedback Majority lived in close proximity to The AlfredMajority lived in close proximity to The Alfred International and interstate visitorsInternational and interstate visitors “ED is a cheap pharmacy”“ED is a cheap pharmacy” “I’m healthy, so I don’t need a GP”“I’m healthy, so I don’t need a GP” Overseas students unaware of student health servicesOverseas students unaware of student health services

Linking patients to GPs Map of practices in the area – division consultation, GP notificationMap of practices in the area – division consultation, GP notification Poster/list/TV – how best to present informationPoster/list/TV – how best to present information Brochures – importance of GPBrochures – importance of GP Information capture – taking new patients, opening hours, billing practices, languages and special interests, on-site pathology and radiologyInformation capture – taking new patients, opening hours, billing practices, languages and special interests, on-site pathology and radiology

Difficulties How best to present the informationHow best to present the information How to keep it up to dateHow to keep it up to date Cultural changeCultural change Wide geographic area – ED-GP relationshipWide geographic area – ED-GP relationship Closed booksClosed books Billing issuesBilling issues

Lessons learned Applicable to other hospital departmentsApplicable to other hospital departments Staff education is keyStaff education is key Cultural change – importance of GPCultural change – importance of GP ‘Can of worms’‘Can of worms’

Future plans Re-audit and reviewRe-audit and review Feedback – ED staff, hospital executive, GP Division and GPsFeedback – ED staff, hospital executive, GP Division and GPs HSD implementationHSD implementation Ongoing staff educationOngoing staff education Maintaining up to date detailsMaintaining up to date details