Overview
Initiative type
Service Improvement
Status
Deliver
Published
June 2026
Summary
The Central West General Practice (GP) network has achieved significant change and transformational outcomes over the last four years. Objective data insights and key organisational learnings will be shared.
Dates: Jan 2022 - Mar 2026
Implementation sites: Central West HHS
Aim
By delivering full scope GP services, in line with Royal Australasian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) standards and CWHHS values and policies, the development of the Central West General Practice model strengthens our communities and sustainably contributes to an effective local health system.
Outcomes
This project has delivered:
- A new organisational unit comprising of five accredited general practice services which support an additional five outreach locations.
- Re-accreditation of all sites against the RACGP fifth Edition Standards.
- Implementation of a single primary health care database operating with a new practice management software.
- Improving model sustainability measures including increasing gross revenue, earnings per patient event, and data analytical capabilities.
- Improving accessibility measures including significantly reduced FTA rates, new SMS capabilities, and the launch of new targeted clinics.
Background
The sustainable provision of accredited general practice services throughout communities across the Central West has faced enduring challenges. Central West have benefited from the operation of an innovative single employer model for more than a decade. Yet, as private general practice providers have ceased operations in Central West communities, CWHHS has responded as a 'provider of last resort' to deliver medical services, secure patient medical records, support community services, and enhance health system effectiveness through the operation of general practice services. This project has transitioned this contextual need to act, to an organisational and service strength with ongoing opportunity to deliver sustainable patient-focused value.
Methods
The establishment of the CWGP model consisted of a number of phases and connected project activities. These phases included an initial stabilisation, systems improvement, structural change, and service performance and integrated value phases.
Specific project activities included fees and changes standardisation, ICT infrastructure upgrades, connected care service model development, business case for significant organisational structure change, ICT database combination and re-platform, ICT functionality upgrades, system risk mitigation projects, and establishment of new governance mechanisms.
Discussion
This project was prompted by a required response to local needs, however the resulting actions are highly relevant to the challenges being faced in other remote, rural and regional HHSs, and at a system level of the policy challenges relating to patient care across traditionally separated health system areas.
Success in this program of work was supported by clarity of local vision and alignment with HHS values and strategic intent. The project's strengths have related to the continued delivery of high-quality general practice services and the successful establishment of supporting systems and processes.
There are significant ongoing opportunities with prioritised action underway. These are addressing Practice Nurse workforce sustainability and delivery opportunities, data quality improvement actions, Medical workforce allocation management and measurement improvements, onboarding and education challenges, collaborative models with Primary Health Care teams, and the measurement of integrated system and impact metrics.
Key contact
Timothy Effeney
Project Director Connected Care
Central West Hospital and Health Service