Local general practices are outperforming other areas according to national performance indicators on making sure we are kept in the best health we can be.

A recent report from the Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing (AIHW) shows that general practices across the North Coast have exceeded national averages in nine out of ten Quality Improvement Measures. 

The Practice Incentives Program Quality Improvement (PIP QI) is a national program from AIHW to support quality improvement for patients and the delivery of best-practice care, used by a range of medical practitioners and their support teams.

General practices enrolled in the PIPQI program commit to continuous quality improvement activities that support them in managing patients’ health. There are 145 general practices enrolled in the PIPQI program across Northern Rivers NSW. 

Monika Wheeler, CEO of Healthy North Coast, was thrilled with the results showing local general practices were delivering quality patient care.

“Our region is facing unique health challenges with higher rates of chronic and complex disease and disability, an ageing population, and higher rates of socio-economic disadvantage. It is so important that we perform strongly when it comes to the quality of health care. 

“Congratulations to our general practice teams on these excellent results. It is encouraging to see these outstanding results as our primary health care system undergoes significant reform.”

The Goonellabah Medical Centre takes part in the PIP QI program. Diane Kerr, the practise manager, has seen first-hand the advantages their patients have benefited from PIP QI measures.

“The business targets different areas with specialised teams from doctors, diabetes education and dietitians. We can provide that all under the one roof here at the practice. So, looking at our high-risk patients becoming unwell it's definitely improved the care that we can provide them. 

“An example is part of a program, which was a winter strategy a few years prior to COVID, that was run under HNC, and that was identifying those patients of ours that were high risk of frequent hospitalisation if they become unwell with flu. We were set up so they could call our practice, and we knew that they needed an appointment on the day.”

Di has seen the difference it has made to their patients.

“We are able to keep them as healthy as we can. We are also much more aware and diagnosing those patients that may be at risk of chronic disease conditions in the future and being able to prevent that from happening or prolong it from happening the best that we can.

“We now have what we call chronic disease management meetings that bring the clinical staff, nursing staff, myself, and also administration staff together. Then we work out for the next quarter what area we're going to target for our chronic disease patients.”

“I would definitely recommend this program for any practitioner. Doctors are busy. Staff are busy, but it's making the time for better results.”  

The Quality Improvement Measures that have been recently measured are following:

QIM1: Proportion of regular clients with diabetes by types, with an HbA1c result recorded in their GP record within the previous 12 months 

National average = 69.6%

HNC figures = 76.2% 

QIM2a: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over whose smoking status has been recorded in their GP record.

National average = 68.7% 

HNC figures = 73.8% 

QIM3a: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over whose height and weight have been recorded in their GP record 

National average = 24.4% 

HNC figures = 30.2% 

QIM4: Proportion of regular clients aged 65 years and over with an influenza immunisation status recorded in their GP record within the previous 15 months 

National average = 55.9% 

HNC figures = 55.4% 

QIM5: Proportion of regular clients with diabetes with an influenza immunisation status recorded in their GP record within the previous 15 months 

National average = 48.4%

HNC figures = 55.5% 

QIM6: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years and over with COPD with an influenza immunisation status recorded in their GP record within the previous 15 months 

National average = 58.4% 

HNC figures = 58.9% 

QIM7: Proportion of regular clients aged 15 years age and over with an alcohol consumption status recorded in their GP record 

National average = 68.3%

HNC figures = 68.6% 

QIM8: Proportion of eligible regular clients aged 45-74 years with a record of the necessary risk factors in their GP record for CVD risk assessment 

National average = 58.8% 

HNC figures = 66.6%

QIM9: Proportion of regular female clients aged 25-74 years with an up-to-date cervical screening test record in their GP record within the previous 5 years 

National average = 40.0% 

HNC figures = 45.9% 

QIM10: Proportion of regular clients with diabetes with blood pressure recorded in their GP record within the previous 6 months 

National average = 57.8% 

HNC figures = 64.2% 

Based on data submitted for the quarter ending 31 July 2024 

Regular reports are published by the AIHW to provide nationally consistent, comparable data against specified measures that contribute to the assessment of needs and to the improvement of regional and national health outcomes.