Nicola Roxon (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

The most recent information provided was current at end September 2011.

As at end September 2011 there were 15 operational clinics.

The Department of Health and Ageing provides workforce data from GP Super Clinics at an aggregated level rather than releasing data at the individual Clinic level.

Please note that the numbers reported by the Clinics for the workforce providing services at each operational clinic are presented as full time equivalents (FTE). The number of individuals comprising this workforce is substantially greater.

(a) As at end September 2011, there were a total of 93.8 FTE general practitioners providing services at the 15 operational clinics.

(b) and (c) As at end September 2011, the 15 operational clinics reported that a total of 108.0 FTE allied health professionals and nursing staff were providing a wide range of health care services for their local communities.

(d) The number of specialists providing services at the GP Super Clinics will fluctuate from time to time as the needs of the local community fluctuate. Information on specialist medical services available at operational GP Super Clinics is available on the Department's GP Super Clinics website at:

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/pacd-gpsuperclinics

Information will be available for those GP Super Clinics that have been operational for a minimum of four months. The four month timeframe allows for a period of settling in by the Clinic.

(e) Clinical practice placements for GP Registrars are of limited duration and reporting at a point in time will underreport the total number of GP Registrar placements. Of the 15 GP Super Clinics operational at the end of September 2011, seven GP Super Clinics have already provided one or more placements for GP Registrars. Additional Clinics are in the process of obtaining the requisite accreditation to host GP Registrars.

In addition, the operational GP Super Clinics are contributing to the education of the future primary care workforce through the provision of clinical practice placements for undergraduate medical, nursing and/or allied health students.

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