July 1st marked the first day of the next organisation to support the delivery of primary health care on the NSW North Coast. The PHN, the organisation whose name may not be spoken, (due to potential legal disputes with the long established medical corporate, Primary Health Care) has replaced Labor's Medicare Local.
The continuing restructuring of these support organisations has long been contentious and seemingly occurs with each change in government. These reorganisations are accompanied by a new name that reflects the new government's views and philosophies.
The previous general practice networks, of which the Northern Rivers General Practice Network (NRGPN) is one of the few remaining examples, were known as Divisions of General Practice.An initial suggestion during the formation of Divisions by the Keating Labor government of 1992 was that the new organisations be called Unions of General Practice. This was soon abandoned due to concerns about possible antipathy to the name from the medical profession.
Rising above the cacophony of abbreviations, acronyms and marketing is Healthy North Coast. Their tag line, "It's all about health", resonates with those dedicated to improving medical services. North Coast PHN is a trading name of Healthy North Coast.
The NRGPN continues as a foundation member of the new organisation along with two other GP representative organisations, Mid North Coast Division of General Practice and Hastings Macleay General Practice Network.
Healthy North Coast takes advice from its Clinical and Community Councils. Due to the size of the organisation the PHN is divided into northern and southern halves. Each half shares the same boundaries as the associated NSW Local Health Districts allowing for better co-ordination of activities between the primary and secondary sectors.
NRGPN's views are made know to Healthy North Coast through the Chairman (Dr David Guest) and Clinical Editor (Dr Andrew Binns), as members of the Northern Clinical Council. However, there is no formal relationship between the two organisations at this level.
NRGPN members wishing to have input into local medical matters have several options. They can contact the Northern Clinical Council GP members. Alternatively, they may direct their concerns through the NRGPN Board via email
NRGPN members wishing to canvas views on any issue can email the members only list
Membership of the NRGPN is open to all GPs (practising and non-practising) residing in the geographic borders of the NRGPN. These extend from Ocean Shores in the north, to Maclean in the south and west to Tabulam. Membership forms and the Constitution can be downloaded from the website.
The NRGPN AGM is held in November each year. A planning day for the NRGPN is scheduled for late September. It will be open to all members. It has been proposed that the NRGPN Constitution be altered to broaden the membership of the Network as well as streamlining some administrative matters. Details of the planning day will be released in late August / early September.
Members wishing to contact me about these or any other matters can reach me @zeeclor or
David Guest
NRGPN Chairman
