WA General Practice Network is uniquely positioned at the interface of the Federal and State health systems and works to inform and influence primary health care reform in WA.

WA General Practice Network convenes one Forum per year providing sponsorship opportunities to interested stakeholders.

The 2009 Forum theme is aimed at providing opportunities to explore innovative ideas and stimulate creative thinking.  The objective is to provide a diverse program with presenters that will challenge our traditional thinking and look 'Outside the Square'.

The Forum will bring together leaders from across the primary health care sector including representatives from the 13 WA Divisions of General practice, General practitioners, Divisional CEO's, Program Staff, Board Members and representatives from the Australian General Practice Network, Federal and State Governments and community and consumer groups.

Why Sponsor?

Forum sponsorship affords opportunities for your organisation to become involved in this dynamic event which will maximise your exposure to leaders within the primary health care sector.

Becoming a sponsor will provide you with the following:

• Exposure and association with WAGPN and WA Divisions/Network of General Practice.
• Association with our event that has a reputation of addressing cutting edge issues in primary health care.
• Access to the decision-makers within general practice, key health organisations, government and other national stakeholders.

Program Information

This year’s Forum theme is Outside the Square and will an provide an opportunity for delegates to share information and learn from each other, as well as provide a chance to think about how we may do things differently into the future.

The Forum program will offer a mix of plenary and concurrent sessions as well as opportunities for delegates to socialise with other key primary healthcare sector stakeholders, public and private health sector contributors.

The current program includes presentations from:

Honourable Dr Kim Hames MB BS JP MLA , Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Indigenous Affairs

Indigenous Health
Kenneth Wyatt, Executive Director, Office of Aboriginal Health “COAG -Closing the Gap: The Role of the Divisions of General Practice Network”
Dr Christine Jeffries-Stokes, Medical Coordinator and Chief Investigator, Western Desert Kidney Health Project.
Mr Tim Muirhead and Mr Kim Bridge, CSD Network, “Towards Partnership with Aboriginal People”

Mental Health
Mr Wynne James, WA Mental Health Division “Primary Care and the Mental Health Strategic Plan”
Lisa Tomney, Project Officer, Osborne GP Network “Art Yo' Art Therapy in Mental Health”

Chronic Disease
Dr Charelle Fitzclarence,  Kimberley Division of General Practice, “New Directions in Medical Education”
Dr James Flexman, “Telesupport Immunology Project”
Health Networks “Chronic Disease Models of Care: Improving Health Sector Implementation”.
Carl Graham, Clinical Psychiatrist and Luke Parkitny, Physiotherapist, Pain Management Unit, Fremantle Hospital.

Primary Care Innovation and Reform
Mr Glen Capelli, True Learning Centre, “Thinking Revolution!”
Jason Clarke, Minds at Work- “Innovation”
Dr Simon Towler and Dr Scott Blackwell, Primary Care Health Network “The Role of the Primary Care Health Network”
Mr David Butt, CEO AGPN -“Claiming the Space: National Health Reform and the Role of the Network”
Prof. Alistair Vickery, Leads the Panel Discussion- “Reform and Change in Primary Care is Evitable”
Ms Belinda Bailey, Rural Health West “Rural Health West -Present and Future Directions”

Forum Networking Sundowner Wednesday 19th August 5.00pm - 7.00pm
The Forum Sundowner will follow the end of the first day’s plenary and concurrent sessions. The Forum Sundowner will provide an opportunity for delegates to network with Divisions of General Practice Network staff, key primary healthcare sector stakeholders, public and private health sector contributors, as well as offering a chance to meet our sponsors and visit the exhibition stands to see and hear about the innovation happening across the primary care sector.