Our General Practice Advisory Group (GPEAG) includes representation from general practitioners, practice nurses and practice managers from across the North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) region.
GPEAG consists of one of each of these three core general practice occupations from each of the central, northern and western parts of our region – 9 people in total. The group provides guidance to ensure that our work reflects the needs and preferences of primary care professionals working in our region.
Key functions of the group include:
- providing specialist advice on general practice and NWMPHN priorities
- ensuring NWMPHN program design and implementation is relevant and realistic for primary care
- advising on priorities for primary care workforce development, education and training.
Current GPEAG members
| Name | Area | Occupation | Associated with |
| Dr Raymond Wen | Central | General practitioner | East Brunswick Medical Centre |
| Natalie Simpson-Stewart | Central | Nurse | Summit Medical Group |
| Sally Cordina | Central | Practice manager | North Richmond Community Health |
| Dr Gursel Alpay | North | General practitioner | Somerton Road Medical Centre |
| Matt Stewart | North | Nurse | Hillcrest Health Centre |
| Karen Hoffman | North | Practice manager | North Coburg Medical Centre |
| Dr Simon Benson | West | General practitioner | Sunshine City Medical Centre |
| Danielle Siler | West | Nurse | IPC Health (Deer Park) |
| Laura Paton | West | Practice manager | Hopper Lane General Practice |
Current activities
GPEAG had their first meeting of the 2021–22 financial year in September 2021. The meeting included discussions about:
- the COVID-19 vaccine roll out
- NWMPHN’s vision for high performing primary care
- GPEAG strategic planning
- NWMPHN’s approach to stepped mental health care
Future activities
GPEAG’s key priorities for 2021–22 are:
- guiding the local general practice response to the first annual report on Quality Improvement Measures in Australian general practices
- the workforce development needs of primary care including
- recruitment and retention of staff
- avoiding burn out
- patient abuse and complaints (supporting the general practice team)
- advocacy for GPs and practice staff to be recognised in legislation
- responding to the COVID-19 pandemic including:
- improving the care pathways for COVID-19 patients
- the COVID-19 vaccination rollout
- the evolving role of general practice in the testing and vaccination systems
- the mental health of primary care providers
- chronic disease management of patients
- supporting practices who have had accreditation delayed
- CPD requirement changes for GPs (from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency)
- telephone MBS items.
More information
Please contact education@nwmphn.org.au for more information about GPEAG.
