APAC/GP Shared Care

APAC/GP SHARED CARE

APAC/GP Shared Care program is a component of the Acute Post Acute Care (APAC) Service. The program refers to an arrangement between a General Practitioner and the APAC Service to "share'' the care of a patient with an acute/post acute condition in the patients usual place of residence.
 
The program enhances patient care options and opens new avenues for which General Practice can access patient care through the APAC service. 
 

How it Operates

GPs who have enlisted to the Program can refer patients (with certain conditions) directly to APAC and prevent unnecessary hospital presentation. Referrals are made through a single point of contact number between the hours of 7am - 11pm.
 

How the Program benefits GPs and their patients

 *   APAC model focused on GPs, Patient & Carers
 *   Community response as well as hospital response
 *   Collaboration with GPs, hospital clinicians and clinical champions
 *   Prevents unnecessary hospital presentations
 *   Enables GPs to work in a multidisciplinary team
 *   Clinical Evidence Based Guidelines
 *   Reduction in variation of practice
 

Key elements of the Program include:

 *   GPs can refer directly to the APAC service
 *   GPs enlisted with Program have access to evidence based clinical guidelines and consumables
 *   Increases GPs knowledge and understanding about the APAC services
 *   Clinical support for GPs by the APAC service
 *   Solid Clinical Governance
 

Current level of Program Participation / Utilisation

There is over 100 GPs enlisted on the program in the Northern Beaches with over with 300 patients referred. The most prominent diagnosis referred has been cellulitis, followed by pneumonia and infective exacerbation of COPD.
 

Awards

2008 NSW Health Award Winner for "Strengthening Primary Health and Continuing Care in the Community"
2008 NSW Premiers Commendation Award
 
For further information please contact APAC:
Phone: (02) 9926 7292
Fax: (02) 9926 5997
 
 
The APAC Service Northern Sydney Central Coast Health Service (NSCCH).
 
APAC is a highly skilled & experience multi-disciplinary service that is underpinned by the primary care principles. It is a 7-day a week service that has treated over 20,000 patients.
NEWS!!
Up to the end of September 2009, 322 patients have been directly referred to the service by GPs since its inception in 2007 comprising of 34 different diagnoses. Of these, cellulitis has been the most referred diagnosis followed by pneumonia, DVT and COPD. As the service has progressed and through GP feedback, APAC has simplified the referral processes to make it easier for GPs to refer. One strategy that has been the implementation of a “GP Hotline: ph: 9926 6197” seven days a week to facilitate referrals. 
If you would like to refer a patient please call the Hotline, or contact 9926 7292 if you would like any further information about the APAC service. 

APAC/GP Shared Care Workshop 25/3/2010:
Presentations from the workshop are available below.