ANNUAL REPORT 2015/2016...2015-2016 GP Synergy Annual Report Published by GP Synergy Ltd Level 1, 157-161 George Street Liverpool NSW 2170 P 1300 477 963 E [email protected]

GP SynergyANNUAL REPORT2015/2016

GP SYNERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016 | 1

CONTENTSChair report

CEO report

Director of Education and Training report

Our background

2015-2016 transition

Our people

Our Board

Our staff

What we do

High quality regionalised registrar education

Targeted and responsive registrar support

Regionalised supervisor professional development

Dedicated supervisor and training facility support

Unwavering commitment to closing the gap

Contributing to evidence based general practice training

Our training regions

Three training regions, seven subregions

North Coast

Hunter New England Central Coast

Nepean, Western and Northern Sydney

Central, Eastern and South Western Sydney

South Eastern NSW

Murrumbidgee and ACT

Western NSW

2016 financial report

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2015-2016 GP Synergy Annual Report

Published by GP Synergy Ltd Level 1, 157-161 George Street Liverpool NSW 2170 P 1300 477 963 E [email protected] W gpsynergy.com.au ABN 62 099 141 689

GP Synergy is funded by the Department of Health to deliver the AGPT programme.

GP Synergy acknowledges the traditional owners of country. We pay our respects to them, their cultures and their Elders both past and present.

2 | GP SYNERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016 GP SYNERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016 | 3

North Coast registrar workshop (Coffs Harbour)

New England/Northwest registrar workshop (Tamworth)

ACT registrar workshop (Canberra)

Fusion Workshop (Sydney)

ACT registrar workshop (Canberra)

Hunter, Manning and Central Coast registrar workshop (Newcastle)

Registrar workshop (Wagga Wagga)

Hunter, Manning and Central Coast registrar workshop (Newcastle)

New England/Northwest registrar workshop (Tamworth)

Dr Sue Wald, Regional Head of Education, Murrumbidgee and ACT

Nepean, Western and Northern Sydney registrar workshop (Castlereagh)

Western NSW Workshop (Dubbo)

Cover image - GP Synergy medical education staff

mailto:applicant%40gpsynergy.com.au?subject=

http://gpsynergy.com.au

CHAIRREPORT

There will be an inevitable range of issues during the transition from five relinquishing organisations with different systems and variable databases. At the time of writing, we can say that we have almost a full roster of staff including medical educators. The work of training the next generation of general practitioners has continued relatively smoothly despite the complexity of the transition.

The inevitable ‘thank you’ now occurs. This is even more heartfelt at this time. I must thank the Board for their support and consideration over the last 12 months. A number of crucial decisions have been taken that have enabled us to be so successful.

Mr John Oldfield and his staff have lived and worked through the pressure of producing a successful tender; all staff went beyond what would be expected of them during the last 12 months. The Board is sincerely appreciative and thankful, not only for the last 12 months, but for most of our senior staff, who have worked diligently towards our success over many years.

The three-year contract provides GP Synergy with yet another opportunity to demonstrate our ability to continue to deliver and improve general practice training in NSW/ACT.

GP Synergy cannot rest on its laurels. We will not assume that we will automatically be recontracted in three years. There will be inevitable challenges and unexpected changes in the environment over this time.

Dr Harry Nespolon | Chair, GP Synergy

It gives me great pleasure to report on the activities of GP Synergy over the last 12 months.

GP Synergy, as were all regional training providers, were required to tender for a decreased number of Department of Health contracts to provide GP training in Australia. GP Synergy was successful in obtaining the contract to deliver the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program for all three training regions in NSW/ACT.

This has naturally led to a significant expansion in the area that we deliver our training, and an increase in registrars (from 626 to 1529), supervisors (from 572 to 1739), training facilities (from 312 to 1163) and employees (from 40 to 142). This includes an expanded medical education team that has increased from 23 to 69 staff members. The preparation of the tender and now the transition to the bigger GP Synergy has kept our staff very busy.

The awarding of all NSW/ACT was the culmination of deliberate decade long strategy to have GP Synergy always ready for the unsurprising and inevitable consolidation of regional training providers. One of the pillars in applying this strategy was operational excellence. The operational aspects of the transition have been complex but have been accommodated by our existing infrastructure.

Another reason why we were successful was the strong culture of education excellence. The basis of our tender was a ‘bottom up approach’ of what would be required to deliver a high quality general practitioner training program throughout NSW/ACT. Very early on in the process, the Board made this one of its major guiding principles.

The Board is currently reviewing a number of areas of corporate governance. This includes reviewing membership, the size and nature of the Board, and ensuring there are adequate financial and education safeguards. The Board is mindful of the necessity to ensure that the strong and successful culture of GP Synergy is adopted by our many welcomed new employees, contractors and supervisors.


CEOREPORT

This year marks one of the most significant developments in GP Synergy’s history. In May 2014, the Commonwealth government announced that the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program was to be consolidated under an open application to market. With six highly capable incumbents across NSW/ACT, plus universities and other interested stakeholders, this announcement was sure to give rise to a highly competitive and politically charged environment.

On 6 October 2015, the Commonwealth Department of Health announced GP Synergy as the successful contender for the AGPT program throughout all of NSW/ACT.

Our tender was significant in both scope and depth. It represents the culmination of strategic foresight and efforts of the Board led by our Chair Dr Harry Nespolon, our senior management team and staff. Their combined efforts, combined with industry support are to be directly attributed to this resounding success. I am deeply grateful for their loyalty and dedication to the task.

I am equally mindful of the outgoing Regional Training Providers (RTPs) and their significant contribution to general practice training. We enjoyed a proud history of collaboration and commitment to regionalised general practice training spanning over a decade. It is now GP Synergy’s job to acknowledge those contributions and build on the legacy of former training providers.

I joined the industry in 2002 as state-wide Operations Manager for General Practice Australia (GPA), the subsidiary of the Royal Australian College of General Practice (RACGP) which managed the training program and its divestment over a transitional year. The newly formed RTPs took over the management of their first cohort in 2003, the same year I became CEO of GP Synergy (formerly named the Sydney Institute of General Practice Education and Training - SIGPET). It was turbulent time during that transition. Yet despite the NSW/ACT program now being several times bigger, we have accepted the challenge to gear-up our operation to over four times its previous size, and all within the space of a couple of months. This has also occurred in a rapidly changing policy environment.

Our ability to adapt so readily is testament to the capability and culture of our organisation that has been developed over many years. Our journey for increased capability and quality improvement continues across all areas of the business.

We are not ‘strangers to change’ having managed two regional amalgamations over the years. Yet this current transition is significantly bigger and more complex. This can be unsettling and is reminiscent of the changes that I observed in 2002/2003 when general practice training was first regionalised. Still, we have clear purpose and strategic direction that will yield significant benefits for all stakeholder groups and meet the stated objectives for AGPT.

We recognise that change is uncomfortable for all stakeholders in various degrees and it takes time to settle. We continue to consult with registrars, supervisors, practice managers and peak body organisations to better understand their experiences and needs. We have recently embarked on state-wide qualitative and quantitative survey of stakeholders to inform our communications and stakeholder engagement strategies during this transition. Outcomes of the surveys will be reported later in 2016, identifying key issues and how we intend to address them.

GP Synergy remains committed to the regionalisation of general practice training and has formed seven sub-regions across NSW/ACT. Each subregion is resourced with medical education and administrative staff led by a Regional Head of Education. Advisory councils have been established to investigate and integrate the work of GP Synergy and affiliated health organisations including primary health networks, local health districts, universities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and others. Supervisor and registrar issues are represented by the respective supervisor and registrar liaison officers.

Advisory councils play a key governance role in the organisation, addressing issues of maldistribution of general practice workforce in training, and integrated planning to maximise positive health outcomes for the communities we serve. GP Synergy has invested heavily into informatics and information technologies. These

systems are shared with council members to provide contemporary population heath and workforce data. They inform the work of the council in areas of policy development such as the distribution of registrar training placements and our regionally contextualised education programs.

Evidence based policy and program development is core to our strategic aims and culture. To strengthen our research agenda, we have contracted with the Department of Heath to continue the Registrars’ Clinical Encounters in Training (ReCEnT) research project. ReCEnT investigates the educational and clinical experiences of registrars across a number of levels, including identifying what registrars do in practice (the types of patients and conditions they see and the management they initiate) and how registrars’ practises change during their training.

We are delighted that the research team is led by Dr Parker, Conjoint Professor, Discipline of General Practice, University of Newcastle. The team is being expanded under a strategic plan to undertake a range of projects that have been identified for development.

I would like to mention another important development being the establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Education Unit led by Mr Darren Green. Closing the Gap is important to us and we have embarked on the redevelopment of our Reconciliation Action Plan. We have developed a strategic plan in collaboration with the state-wide network of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) and are well into its implementation.

In closing, I wish to reaffirm the enormous effort, loyalty and ongoing support of staff, registrars, supervisors and practice managers and other key stakeholders during this transition. Our collective commitment to general practice training and the positive outcomes it brings to our communities is what binds us. We have come a long way since the announcement of our successful tender to deliver general practice training across NSW/ACT and I look forward to 2017 with a sense of excitement.

John Oldfield | Chief Executive Officer


DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING REPORT

contributing to future sustainability of the medical education workforce. In addition, each regional medical education team is supported by dedicated program and administrative staff.

These teams form part of GP Synergy’s training and education operational and governance structures which are supported by several key commities:

Education Committee – a subcommittee of GP Synergy’s board. This committee oversees and reviews the Education Quality Strategic Framework, and advises GP Synergy’s Board on education matters and risk. This committee includes invited representation from ACRRM and RACGP.

Education Executive – a forum for GP Synergy’s Director of Education and Training, Deputy Director of Education and Training, Director of Registrar Education and Director of Supervisor Education plus all seven Regional Heads of Education to discuss and manage training matters. This helps ensure training and education matters are reviewed and implemented consistently across all NSW/ACT, with a strong understanding of regional needs and variables.

Committee Overseeing Registrar Education (CORE) - CORE oversees the development and implementation of GP Synergy’s registrar education program, and ensures it meets educational vocational standards required by college curricula. Registrar needs are considered through registrar representation on CORE.

Committee Overseeing Supervisor Education (COSE) - COSE has led the development and implementation of the GP supervisor development program. COSE maintains an NSW/ACT wide overview to ensure supervisors have equitable access to professional development activities. Supervisor needs are considered through supervisor representation on COSE.

GP Synergy is well placed to continue delivering AGPT across NSW/ACT

A tremendous amount of work has gone into transitioning from 2015, and establishing the programs for 2016. Thank you everyone for your contributions, and we look forward to continue working with you in 2017 and beyond.

Dr Graham Lee Director of Education and Training ACT and NSW

GP Synergy’s mission is to train highly skilled medical practitioners for healthier communities. 2015/16 has been a time of transition and expansion for GP Synergy, but we have continued to focus on excellent delivery of the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) and Overseas Trained Doctor National Education and Training (OTDNET) programs. I particularly want to thank our training facilities and GP Synergy staff for their contributions.

Training facilities, supervisors and practice staff play a foremost and vital role in general practice training

A sincere thanks to all supervisors and practice staff who are the cornerstone of an apprenticeship model of vocational general practice training. The practice environment provides an invaluable authentic environment for registrars to learn and attain skills. Thank you to all the practices that have continued to support GP training and offer your facilities and time to train registrars. I also warmly welcome all new practices and supervisors who have joined GP training over the past 12 months.

GP Synergy continues to build and provide further supports for all our training facilities. This includes dedicated practice liaison and support officers, point of care resources such as high quality subscriptions for evidence based practice, online textbooks and clinical guidelines. In addition, GP Synergy continues to develop the supervisor and practice manager professional development opportunities. We look forward to working with all practices as we continue to build a stronger GP training program.

GP Synergy’s education and program teams are committed to education excellence

We have established and expanded a regional approach to AGPT and OTDNET delivery, supported by key education committees that oversee training across NSW/ACT.

In each GP Synergy region, we have established local medical education teams led by a Regional Head of Education. GP Synergy has successfully recruited highly skilled medical educators to each of the regions, as well as welcoming GP’s new to medical education. Currently two thirds of our medical educators are from existing or former regional training providers across Australia. They bring a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience to GP Synergy. One third of our medical educators started for the first time in GP training in 2016, bringing enthusiasm, fresh ideas and


Key program highlightsCommitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health

GP Synergy has mandatory Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health training requirements for all registrars. Our cultural education unit have been instrumental in the regional delivery of the 2015/2016 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workshops.

Quality and excellence enabled by expanded research activities

GP Synergy’s establishment of our Research and Evaluation Unit means we can continue to be at the forefront of medical education excellence and innovation. A number of key projects are underway, intended to provide an evidence base for best practice and further enhanced delivery of AGPT.

Commitment to rural and remote training

GP Synergy recognises the needs of rural and remote communities. GP Synergy’s special education programs team has been working with rural GP practices, local health districts and hospitals to develop further pathways for advanced skills training for the benefit of rural communities.

Individualised support for all learners to achieve Fellowship

All GP Synergy registrars are assigned a medical educator to support them through training. This support means that throughout 2015/16, GP Synergy registrars have attained exam pass rates consistently above the national average. Congratulations to all registrars who have received their Fellowship of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM) and/or Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP) / Fellowship of Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP). GP Synergy hopes to continue working with you as future supervisors and educators.

OURBACKGROUND

GP Synergy is the largest provider of vocational training for doctors seeking to specialise as General Practitioners (GPs) in NSW/ACT.

2009

Amalgamation of SIGPET and NEATS

In 2009, GP Synergy was formed with the merger of two Regional Training Providers (RTPs) - SIGPET, and the rural New England Area Training Services (NEATS), located in north western NSW.

2002

Transitional year for regionalisation

A year is set aside to transition from General Practice Education Australia to regionalised providers across Australia. SIGPET is one of these new providers.

2001

Incorporation of SIGPET

The Sydney Institute of General Practice Education and Training (SIGPET) is incorporated in preparation for the RACGP’s divestment of the GP training program under their subsidiary, General Practice Education Australia (GPEA).

2010

GP Synergy acquires contract for South Western Sydney

In 2010, GP Synergy expanded for the second time, acquiring the contact to deliver the AGPT program in south/southwestern Sydney, in doing so becoming the largest provider of vocational training in NSW.

2003

First SIGPET cohort

The first SIGPET registrar cohort under the new regionalised GP training arrangements commences.

2011

PGPPP expansion

In 2011, the Prevocational General Practice Placements Program (PGPPP) received an injection of funding. This would be the start of one of the largest prevocational placement programs in Australia.

2014

Changes to training provider network announced

In May 2014 the federal government announced there would be significant changes to GP training including a reduction in training regions and a tender process to determine future training providers. At this time, GP Synergy was the largest of the six providers of GP training in NSW/ACT.

2015

GP Synergy announced as the sole NSW/ACT training provider

In October 2015, GP Synergy secured the tender to deliver the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program across the NSW/ACT training regions: Western NSW, Lower Eastern NSW and North Eastern NSW.

2016

GP Synergy commences as sole NSW/ACT training provider

On 1 January 2016, GP Synergy commenced operations as the sole NSW/ACT AGPT training provider, resulting in the establishment of 10 offices, and tripling of staff to service a fully regionalised education program.

1529REGISTRARS

1739SUPERVISORS

142EMPLOYEES

1163TRAININGFACILITIES

10REGIONAL

OFFICES


2015-2016 TRANSITION

JULY 2015 GP Synergy submits a tender application to deliver the AGPT program in NSW/ACT training regions.

JULY

2015

AUGUST 2015 Awaiting tender outcomes. Planning commences for all possible outcomes.AUG

2015

SEPTEMBER 2015 Awaiting tender outcomes. Planning for all possible outcomes continues.SEP

2015

OCTOBER 2015 GP Synergy announced as the successful tenderer for the three NSW/ACT training regions. Implementation of tender commitments and transitional plans commences. Face to face forums commence with NSW/ACT RTP administration and medical education staff, Board members, supervisors, practice managers and registrars. Stakeholders contacted. Staff recruitment commences.

OCT

2015

NOVEMBER 2015 Implementation of tender commitments and transitional plans continue. Face to face forums continue with supervisors and registrars within each NSW/ACT RTP. Staff recruitment continues. Stakeholder meetings progress. Regional office scoping commences. FAQ platform launched.

NOV

2015

DECEMBER 2015 Implementation of tender commitments and transitional plans continue. Staff recruitment and regional office scoping continues. Stakeholder engagement and contracting continues. Strategic planning forum held with NSW/ACT Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs). Welcome letters sent to all registrars, supervisors and practice managers. Data received from the Department of Health and data transfer commences.

DEC

2015

JUNE

2016 JUNE 2016 Recruitment continues. Staff training and upskilling continues. Supervisor and practice manager feedback process continues. Regional advisory council meetings progress.

MAY

2016 MAY 2016 Recruitment continues. Staff training and upskilling continues. Supervisor and practice manager feedback process commences.

APR

2016 APRIL 2016 Recruitment continues. Staff training and upskilling continues. Dubbo office comes online. Bi-annual staff development day.

MAR

2016

MARCH 2016 Recruitment continues. Staff training and upskilling continues. Appointment of GP Synergy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Education Unit Manager. ACRRM training for all medical education staff. Regionalised supervisor professional development commences. Registrar feedback collection and review.

FEB

2016FEBRUARY 2016 Recruitment continues. Extensive staff training and upskilling. GP Synergy research unit launched with the finalisation of the ReCEnT project contract. Regional registrar educational program commences. Data transfer and cleaning continues.

JAN

2016

JANUARY 2016 Commencement as the sole provider of AGPT in NSW/ACT. Implementation of tender commitments and transitional plans continue. Online and face to face orientation activities provided for registrars, supervisors and practice staff. Three day on-boarding and induction workshop held for former and new GP Synergy staff. Recruitment continues. New offices established in Wagga Wagga, Wollongong, Newcastle, Ballina and Canberra. Data transfer and cleaning continues.

40 staff / 626 GP registrars /572 GP supervisors / 312 training facilities2015 142 staff / 1529 GP registrars /

1739 GP supervisors / 1163 training facilities*2016

*as at 30 June 2016


OUR PEOPLEWe believe in a workplace that supports and trains all staff to reach their full potential in support of our doctors and stakeholders.


Dr Rob Trigger | Senior Medical Educator North Coast

OURBOARD

Dr Harry Nespolon | Chair24 October 2014 - present

MBBS DipRACOG B.Ec LL.B (Hons) FRACGP, FACLM, GCLP, MBA, FAICD, MHL

Dr Harry Nespolon is an experienced chair and company director. He is chair of GP Synergy, and successfully led a tender that has resulted in the company becoming the largest GP training provider in Australia.

He is the deputy chair of Sydney North Health Network, a primary health network. He has been chair of number of organisations including a division of general practice and medicare local. He has been a director of Therapeutic Guidelines - a not-for-profit organisation. He holds a Fellowship of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD) and regularly updates his director’s knowledge.

Dr Nespolon has more than 20 years’ experience in general medical practice. He is the principal of two general practices in the centre of the city of Sydney and the lower north shore for over 14 years. Before moving to Sydney he worked in general practice in Adelaide and Canberra.

He is a member of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) NSW Council. He is involved in most aspects of general practice training; he is a supervisor of GP registrars, and is involved in most aspects of the RACGP Fellowship exam, including setting standards. He holds a Fellowship of RACGP.

Dr Nespolon is sought after to provide advice on many aspects of healthcare, including general practice and broader policy issues. He writes extensive expert reports for medico-legal proceedings. He is a long serving member of several disciplinary committees, including Medicine’s Australia Code of Conduct Committee and Dietitian’s Australia. He holds law and economics degrees and completed his Masters of Health Law (MHL) from Sydney University in 2015.

Having completed his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) at the Australian Graduate School of Management he worked as a management consultant advising predominately in insurance and financial areas. Prior to this he worked as a senior member of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) in the federal office. He was able to influence several major programs and was in regular contact with senior politicians and bureaucrats.

When he is not working he tries to take his own advice by running after his beautiful daughter and keeping up with his partner.

Dr Michael Bonning | Director6 May 2014 – present

B App Sci (Hons), MBBS (Qld), GAICD, DCH

Michael is a GP registrar with an interest in Indigenous health and health policy who currently splits his time between the Royal Australian Navy as a uniformed medical officer and Sans Souci Medical Practice.

His research areas are health workforce and training, the use of social media in healthcare and measuring health outcomes.

He has a background in the not-for-profit sector and is currently a director of the Postgraduate Medical Council of Queensland and the national Doctors’ Health Service as well as being a past director of beyondblue, the federal Australian Medical Association and past president of the Australian Medical Students’ Association.

Assoc Prof Lyn Fragar | Director1 January 2009 – present

MBBS (USYD), DTM&H (USYD), MPH (USYD), Dip Ag Ec (UNE), FAFPHM, Grad Dip Ornithology (CSU)

Adjunct Associate Professor Lyn Fragar is a public health physician and is currently chair of the Hunter New England Local Health District.

She has previously been the director of the Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety, a research centre of the University of Sydney based in Moree in North West NSW, and employed as the area medical superintendent overseeing six hospitals in the northwest region. A/Prof Fragar has also spent considerable time working in Papua New Guinea, initially as a medical officer, then as a provincial health officer.

In 2002 she received the award of Officer of the Order of Australia for pioneering service to rural health care and farm safety issues in Australia.

Lyn’s other achievements include being awarded the Rotary International Award for Vocational Excellence in 2002, the Australian Medical Association award for ‘The best individual contribution to health care in Australia in 1999’, the Lou Ariotti Award for Excellence in Innovative Rural Health Research in 1996 and the Australian Hospital Association National Outreach Award in 1987.


OURBOARD (cont.)

Assoc Prof Michelle Guppy | Director1 January 2009 – present

MBBS, FRACGP, MPH

Dr Michelle Guppy is Associate Professor of General Practice at the School of Rural Medicine, University of New England, and conjoint with the University of Newcastle. She is a practising GP in Armidale. Michelle has been involved in rural undergraduate medical education in Armidale since 2003.

Dr Charlotte Hespe | Director27 December 2001 – 30 October 2015

MBBS (Uni of Syd) Hons, FRACGP, DCH (Lon), FAICD, GCUT (UNDA)

Dr Charlotte Hespe is the former chair of the GP Synergy board, and former Sydney Institute of General Practice Education and Training (SIGPET) chair. Charlotte works as a GP and supervises registrars for GP Synergy in addition to teaching medical students within her group family medical practice in Glebe. She is actively involved with the Royal Australian College of GP and is currently on the executive council of the NSW/ACT Faculty Board. She was the national coordinator for the OSCE and on the Board of Assessment from 2004-2011. She is currently Head of General Practice and Primary Care Research for the Notre Dame Post Graduate Medical Program in Sydney. Charlotte is also director on the board of Central Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network and a former director of GP NSW. Charlotte has been a board director since SIGPET’s conception in 2001.

Mr. Craig Hocking | Director30 October 2015 – present

MAICD

Mr Craig Hocking is the Chief Executive Officer at Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service - an Aboriginal community controlled health service. Craig has over eight years of experience within the Aboriginal health sector at both local and regional levels, with qualifications in Aboriginal studies, business management and human resource management.

Dr Ian Kamerman | Director28 October 2011 – present

MBBS, FACRRM, FRACGP, DRANZCOG, DA ACCAM, MAICD

Dr Ian Kamerman has been a rural GP supervisor for over 15 years. He is a director of GP Synergy, and General Practice Supervisors Australia. He is a member of the board of Hunter New England Local Health District, the Australian Medical Association (NSW) Council and the National Medical Training Advisory Network Executive Council. He is currently chair of ACRRM’s Professional Development Committee and NSW PESCI panel. He is an enthusiastic supervisor with an interest in training within a patient centred medical home model and addiction medicine.

Dr Sayeed Khan | Director25 October 2013 – present

MBBS, GAICD

A practising GP for over 25 years in South Western Sydney, Dr Sayeed Khan has over 20 years’ experience as a GP supervisor, involved in teaching GP registrars, medical students, nursing students, nurses and prevocational doctors. He is a director on the board of the GP Synergy, Sydney South Western Primary Health Network (SWSPHN), SWSGPLink and president of the Australian Pakistan Medical Association. His clinical interests include chronic disease management, surgical procedures, skin cancer/lesions and cosmetic procedures.

Dr Jacqueline Korner | Director28 February 2007 – present

MBBS, DRCOG, MRCGP

Dr Jacqueline Korner is the General Practice Supervisors Australia nominee on the GP Synergy Board. Jacqueline is a principal in a long standing practice in Summer Hill. She has been involved in general practice training for over 20 years and is a supervisor for GP Synergy. She also teaches medical students in her practices.


OURBOARD (cont.)

Dr Aline Smith | Director12 October 2012 – 30 October 2015

MBBS, FRACGP, Masters MH/GP, Grad Dip HPE, GAICD A principal owner and general practitioner at the Village Medical Practice in Summer Hill, Aline is also a senior lecturer in the School of Medicine at the University of Notre Dame Australia. She graduated in 1986 from the University of NSW and has extensive experience providing health services to people with intellectual disability and chronic disease. She has interests in child and maternal health after gaining valuable experiences in community paediatrics and women’s health services, and provides shared antenatal care services at the Royal Prince Alfred and Canterbury hospitals with public and private obstetricians. Through her skills in counselling and her Masters in Mental Health (NSW Institute of Psychiatry), she helps people with a variety of mental health problems, in particular eating disorders.

Aline is passionate about training future doctors and supervisors both GP registrars and medical students. She has completed formal governance training with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and has held various director positons. Aline is currently chair of the Central Sydney GP Network and continues to promote and strengthen GP networks as a leader, clinician and medical educator.

Prof Siaw-Teng Liaw | Director1 January 2010 – present

MBBS, Dip Obst, GAICD, PhD, FRACGP, FACMI

Professor Liaw is professor of general practice at UNSW, Director of General Practice for South Western Sydney Local Health District and Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, and sits on the Management Committee of the UNSW Research Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity.

An experienced rural GP, he sees patients and supervises registrars at the GP clinic in the Fairfield Hospital campus, and has a long-standing interest in Indigenous health.

Prof Liaw is an internationally recognised general practice and health services researcher and educator. He uses mixed methods to research health information systems, informatics-enhanced education and integrated care across the primary, community and acute care sectors, with a focus on chronic disease prevention/management and cross-cultural health. He has received research funding from a number of peak government and non-government bodies.

He leads an electronic Practice Based Research Network research and development program in the optimal use of Electronic Health Record (EHR) data for research and quality improvement, in addition to NHMRC-funded multicentre randomised control trial of a cultural respect program in general practices in Melbourne and Sydney (2014-17).

He is an investigator in the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in eHealth, The Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute (APHCRI) Centre of Research Excellence in Obesity, ARC-Linkages funded project on home telemonitoring, and a NHMRC-funded project on treatment as prevention in HIV. He chairs the RACGP National Research and Evaluation Ethics Committee, sits on the NSW Health Acute Care Taskforce and is an associate editor of the International Journal of Medical Informatics and Journal of Innovations in Health Informatics.

Mr Damon Rees | Director25 June 2014 – present

BIT, EMBA, MAICD

Damon is a senior information technology leader. He is currently the Chief Information and Digital Officer for the New South Wales government. Prior to this Damon held a range of leadership positions across Macquarie Group, Woolworths and Westpac Banking Corporation.

Dr Warwick Yonge | Director30 October 2015 – present

FRACGP FACRRM BEc (Hons) MBBS (Hons)

Dr Yonge studied medicine and economics at Sydney University. After working in Gosford and Wyong hospitals, he sought adventure in Alice Springs as an emergency retrieval doctor on Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) aircraft.

His general practice career started on the Pitjantjatjara/ Yankunytjatjara lands in South Australia. He has worked at Barkly cattle stations, Uluru and several remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory.

He completed GP training through the Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS) and is a fellow of both the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).

In 2007, Dr Yonge returned to NSW to build a practice and start a family. He is currently a GP supervisor on the NSW North Coast and a partner in two interdisciplinary practices, in Port Stephens and Port Macquarie.

He is an RACGP examiner and recent former director of General Practice Training Valley to Coast, with special interests in Aboriginal health, diabetes and clinical governance.

Dr Yonge enjoys developing new evidence based clinical protocols and promoting rural and remote general practice. He believes in a central and greater role for general practitioners and a clinician-led health industry.


OURSTAFF

RecruitmentWith the expansion of the GP Synergy’s operations, the first half of 2016 was marked by an extensive recruitment campaign to acquire staff who were committed to the delivery of high quality general practice education and training, and who shared our organisation values – respect, excellence and initiative.

From December 2015, employee numbers more than tripled from 40 to 142 employees by 30 June 2016. Recruitment activity was the highest between December and 11 January 2016, levelling out by March 2016.

Staff from former Regional Training Providers (RTPs) were strongly encouraged to apply. As of 30 June 2016, two thirds of the GP Synergy medical education team were from former RTPs.

As we move into the second half of the year, recruitment continues but at a significantly reduced rate with the majority of staff now in place.

23%33%

43%

Medical Educators Existing GP

Synergy educators

Medical Educators Experienced

educators from former RTPs

Medical Educators New educators not from former RTPs

Staff recruitment Medical education composition

Administration - new and existing

Medical Educators - new and existing

Dec

17

2340

97116

127133 134

142

Jan

46

51

Feb

57

59

Mar

62

65

Apr

66

67

May

66

68

Jun

73

69

Regional teamsDelivering regional responsive and regionally contextualised education and training is a fundamental aspect of our vision for GP training. As part of this commitment, GP Synergy staff work in regional teams in offices located around NSW/ACT.

Each team member is not only a member of a regional team, they are also a member of a functional unit and the broader GP Synergy organisation.

Within each regional office, there are specific regional staff providing support to medical education teams, registrars, supervisors, practice staff and other stakeholders. In addition to other ancillary staff, each subregion has a dedicated:

• Regional Head of Education• Medical education team• Practice Liaison and Support Officer• Education Coordinator• Rural Support Officer (in rural subregions)• Program Support and Events Coordinator

ChippendaleLiverpool

South Wollongong

Newcastle

Canberra

Dubbo

Ballina

Armidale

Moree

Wagga Wagga

Western NSW

North Eastern NSW

Lower Eastern NSW

Training Regions

Office Locations

Former Primary Health Network (PHN) office premises.

Existing GP Synergy facilities.

Temporary offices. Permanent offices avail September 2016.

Existing GP Synergy facilities.

Temporary offices. Permanent offices avail November 2016.

Former Coast City Country GP Training (CCCGPT) premises.

New facility

Regional offices

There are ten GP Synergy regional offices located around NSW/ACT, with at least one GP Synergy office servicing each subregion in each training region.

ChippendaleLiverpool

South Wollongong

Newcastle

Canberra

Dubbo

Ballina

Armidale

Moree

Wagga Wagga

Western NSW

North Eastern NSW

Lower Eastern NSW

Training Regions

Office Locations

Temporary offices. Permanent offices avail September 2016.


GP Synergy staff development workshop

WHATWE DOOUR MISSION

To train highly skilled medical practitioners contributing to healthier communities.

We are committed to building a high quality general practice workforce in our rural, regional and urban NSW/ACT training regions.


GP Synergy registrar education workshop | Dubbo

HIGH QUALITY REGIONALISED REGISTRAR EDUCATION

Mapped to bi-college curricula, the GP Synergy registrar education program has been designed to deliver regionally responsive education, consisting of synchronous and asynchronous program elements. This model ensures consistency and accessibility for registrars irrespective of their locality or training practice, whilst simultaneously allowing flexibility in addressing regional health community needs and registrar learning needs.

In 2016, the registrar education program was developed and delivered by each subregion’s medical education team, led by the Regional Head of Education. Between 1 January 2016 and 30 June 2016, more than 44 registrar workshops have been held, totalling 69 days and over 550 hours of education.

The program meets the required vocational training standards of the colleges’ requirements, the National Terms and Conditions for Employment of Registrars (NTCER) and bi-college education requirements. It also addresses previously specified RACGP Identified Priority Areas (IPA) and National Health Identified Priority Areas (NHIPA).

The program has a strong focus on education delivery underpinned by educational principles that enhance and promote adult learning. This in turn helps registrars plan their learning, and supervisors plan their teaching.

Committee Overseeing Registrar Education (CORE)Overseeing the development and implementation of GP Synergy’s registrar education program is the Committee Overseeing Registrar Education (CORE). The committee ensures the program consistently meets educational vocational standards required by the RACGP and ACRRM curricula, and is a key quality improvement process for the formal GP registrar educational program.

Membership of CORE includes the seven Regional Heads of Education, two Registrar Liaison Officers and the Education Program and Evaluations Manager.

In 2016, the CORE group has generally met bi-monthly and will continue to do so for the remainder of this year and thereafter.

Process for making changes for 2017 and beyondThe process for reviewing the current education program to make improvements for the program delivered in 2017 and beyond has recently commenced.

This process includes the Registrar Education Working Group reviewing the program and making any recommended changes that may be needed after review of the evaluations, curricula and any changes that have been made by the colleges, as well as data collated through the ReCEnT research project. This working group includes the Director of Registrar Education, Regional Head of Education representatives, senior medical educators, in addition to registrar and supervisor representatives. Consultation as to any changes with the registrar education program will also be sought from GPs from both colleges.

Dr Anna Sallos Director of Registrar Education

Registrar Medical Educators

Within each subregion there are Registrar Medical Educators (RegMEs). Fostering and engaging registrar’s interest in medical education is an important succession planning strategy that GP Synergy has employed for many years.

RegMEs assist in the design and delivery of the formal GP Synergy registrar educational program. They take an active role in the planning, delivery and evaluation of vocational training provided by GP Synergy, with guidance and support from a senior medical educator.


2016 GP Synergy registrar education program at a glance

The program:

• addresses all curriculum statements for both colleges

• delivers 150 hours of education for registrars in their first and second GP terms

• is largely delivered regionally (83%) with the remaining 17% delivered centrally via the Fusion Workshop

• is accessible and equitable to registrars, irrespective of where they train

• is flexible in its modalities of delivery

• is responsive to community and registrar needs

• follows education principles to promote and enhance adult learning

• provides 2.8 hours of education averaged per week for registrars in their first and second GP terms

• is continually reviewed through evaluations review and analysis workings of CORE.

TARGETED AND RESPONSIVE REGISTRAR SUPPORT

We continually strive to understand the needs and aspirations of doctors and the communities in which they work. To do this we provide targeted and responsive registrar support in a number of ways.

A dedicated medical educator for each registrarEach GP Synergy registrar has a dedicated medical educator who mentors, monitors and guides them throughout their training.

The continuity of a dedicated medical educator promotes relationship building and trust, in addition to playing an important quality assurance and safety netting role.

Regional education coordinatorsTo assist registrars navigate the requirements of the AGPT program, there are dedicated education coordinators in each training subregion. Led by an education coordinator team leader, the education coordinators work closely with the medical education team to ensure that registrars are able to reach the fellowship of their chosen college within program guidelines.

Rural registrar supportFor registrars undertaking rural training, we have dedicated Rural Support Officers (RSOs) whose role is to help integrate and assist registrars relocating to rural areas. They provide advice in relation to financial support available, local infrastructure and settling of their families into the rural community.

In 2016 GP Synergy provided registrars training in rural areas (RA 2-5 / MMM 3-7) with significant financial supports to subsidise emergency skills training courses in support of their participation in VMO work. During the first half of 2016 we have worked closely with accredited training providers such as ACRRM and STEMI Australia to align our training calendars to maximise course opportunities for registrars.

In addition, GP Synergy provides registrars with relocation supports, escalating on a sliding scale

according to remoteness. Registrars training in MMM5-7 are supported further with additional travel and educational subsidises.

Registrar Liaison OfficersRegistrar Liaison Officers (RLOs) play an important advocacy and support role for GP registrars. As part of our transition plans, RLOs of outgoing Regional Training Providers (RTPs) were invited to stay on in their current roles until 30 June 2016.

As of 30 June 2016, there are RLOs for the majority of subregions with recruitment ongoing for remaining positions.

Australian Defence Force (ADF) registrarsAs at 30 June 2016, there are 47 ADF registrars enrolled in the AGPT program in a NSW/ACT training region.

These registrar’s progression through training is often more complicated than their peers, due to their military responsibilities and deployment.

In recognition of this complexity, GP Synergy supports these registrars with dedicated senior staff, who provide mentoring, advice and monitoring to ensure they meet AGPT and college requirements.

Procedural skills traineesAt any one time there are a number of registrars training in Advanced Specialised Training (AST) posts under the ACRRM fellowship pathway or Advanced Rural Skills Training (ARST) posts under the RACGP fellowship pathway.

As at 30 June 2016, there are 23 registrars training in ARST and/or AST posts including 6 in the Hunter, Manning and Central Coast, 4 in Murrumbidgee and ACT, 1 in New England/North West, 5 in North Coast, 2 in South Eastern NSW and 5 in Western NSW subregions.


Dr Timothy Howell | Rural pathway procedural GP registrar Hunter, Manning and Central Coast (Muswellbrook)

REGIONALISED SUPERVISORPROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The delivery of regionalised supervisor education and professional development has been a key focus of 2016.

Committee Overseeing Supervisor Education (COSE)The supervisor professional development program is overseen by the Committee Overseeing Supervisor Education (COSE). The role of the committee is to provide advice and guidance on the development and implementation of supervisor education through the supervisor professional development program. Membership includes supervisors, medical educators, a supervisor medical educator and Supervisor Liaison Officer (SLO). COSE has met on three occasions between 1 January and 30 June 2016.

Due to transitional arrangements, the committee recommended that the previous GP Synergy requirements for newly accredited supervisors would continue for 2016. This includes participating in a clinical teaching training activity (face to face or online) and completing an online induction module.

The committee also recommended that existing supervisors would have no mandated professional development attendance for 2016, while full review of the supervisor professional development program was undertaken that took into account the following complex issues:

• previous Regional Training Providers (RTPs) had varying requirements for supervisors and hence there are different expectations coming into the new training arrangements

• college standards• professional development needs to be

appropriately targeted and this means considering not only active, lead or principal supervisors but supervisory teams and their needs

• recognition of the difficulties faced by solo practitioners

• recognition of the needs of group practices• the workforce impact when requiring supervisors

to leave their practices for workshops and training• appropriate remuneration models.

2016 subregional program

During the first half of 2016, 13 face to face workshops were held across GP Synergy’s subregions, with a monthly webinar series launched in June.

The program has involved a large number of people in different roles across the state. We have been fortunate to engage experienced, enthusiastic and well-respected speakers for workshops. Every opportunity has been taken to provide a forum for supervisors to meet with key GP Synergy staff with including the local Practice Liaison and Support Officer (PLSO), and where possible the Regional Head of Education.

In addition to workshops and webinars, supervisors have been engaged in a range of other professional development opportunities. We have a large network of supervisors who have undertaken clinical teaching visitor training and perform registrar clinical teaching visits on behalf of GP Synergy. Numerous rural and metropolitan supervisors from across NSW/ACT have also participated in training to act as interviewers at the 2017 AGPT Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) assessment centres being held in June/July. Invitations have also been extended to supervisors to attend the 2016 General Practice Training and Education (GPTE) Convention on the Gold Coast in August 2016.

2017 and beyondAs we move into the second half of the year, focus remains on the delivery of high quality, relevant education, as well as planning for 2017. A Supervisor Professional Development Workshop Group is being formed, who will compile proposals for the COSE to consider.

Dr Tes vanDuuren Director of Supervisor Education ACT and NSW


GP Synergy supervisor workshop

DEDICATED SUPERVISOR AND TRAINING FACILITY SUPPORT

GP supervisors play a critical role in training GP registrars to become confident and competent GPs.

To assist supervisors and training facility staff perform this role, GP Synergy provides a range of supports.

Regional Practice Liaison and Support OfficersIn each of GP Synergy’s subregions, there is a full-time, local Practice Liaison and Support Officer (PLSO). The primary function of this role is to provide high quality, practical support to supervisors and training facility staff. Over the past few months, the PLSO team has been busy delivering face to face in practice support to supervisors and their staff, implementing resources to assist practices traverse AGPT and GP Synergy training program requirements, as well as attending development opportunities to meet with the supervisor groups, in addition to meeting with local Primary Healthcare Networks (PHNs) and other stakeholder groups.

GP Supervisor Medical EducatorsGP Synergy has dedicated roles within each subregion for GP Supervisor Medical Educators (GPSME). These educators support GP supervisors in their role as clinical supervisors and teachers and actively contribute towards planning, delivery and evaluation of the professional development program for GP supervisors. They are members of the Committee Overseeing Supervisor Education (COSE), and are a point of contact for teaching and clinical supervision issues.

Supervisor Liaison OfficersSupervisor Liaison Officers (SLOs) play an important advocacy and support role for GP supervisors. As part of our transition plans, SLOs of outgoing RTPs were invited to stay on in their current roles until 30 June 2016.

As of 30 June 2016, there are SLOs for many subregions with recruitment ongoing for remaining positions.

Online subscriptionsGP Synergy provides supervisors with free access to an extensive range of online subscriptions, which are also available to GP registrars. These resources include British Medical Journal (BMJ) Best Practice and BMJ online; Full electronic Therapeutic Guidelines (eTG); Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH); AMH Aged Care Dosing Companion; AMH Children’s Dosing Companion; plus 100+ e-books and 33+ journals via OVID premium advantage.

Discussions are being progressed with MedCast – an online health education organisation to provide online education resources for supervisors to plan and deliver in-practice registrar learning.

GP supervisor feedback and needs analysisIn May 2016, GP Synergy engaged an external specialist healthcare consultancy specialising in understanding and improving service delivery in healthcare settings. They were commisioned to design and manage a qualitative and quantitative research program aimed at understanding the needs of GP supervisors and practice managers within their respective regions.

The research commenced in June 2016 and utilised a qualitative phase which included 23 participants in three Sydney metropolitan (Penrith, Liverpool and Chippendale) focus groups and 51 NSW/ACT regional semi-structured depth interviews with GP supervisors.

A second quantitative surveying phase will commence in July and will be circulated to all GP supervisors and practice managers.

It is hoped the research will provide insights into the needs of our supervisors and practice managers, and how we can support them in their training role. Results from the research will be analysed and action plans developed, and communicated to supervisors and practice staff.


GP Synergy supervisor workshop

UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO CLOSING THE GAP

GP Synergy recognises that too many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience unacceptable levels of disadvantage.

Our vision of reconciliation is to work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; to develop practices and processes that will help overcome current inequity, and provide the same opportunities enjoyed by non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Our goal is to develop mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by building a culturally diverse health workforce.

We aim to consolidate existing relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through development and support of quality training placements for registrars at Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) and Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS) in NSW/ACT. We will deliver cultural and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workshops for GP registrars, supervisors and staff. Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Training Strategy aims to support registrars, supervisors and practice management at our ACCHS and AMS facilities to ensure continuity of registrar placements with excellent and supported training environments.

This support contributes towards developing a well-trained culturally aware cohort of GPs who will service not only the NSW/ACT ACCHS and AMS communities, but bring their skills in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health to their practice within the wider Australian community.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health CommitteeIn 2011, GP Synergy established the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Committee which is a sub-committee of the GP Synergy Board.

This committee brings us together in a partnership; all ACCHSs that come within the geographical boundary of GP Synergy are offered membership, and membership may be extended to other properly constituted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations as accepted by resolution of the committee.

The committee plays a critical role in ensuring the development and delivery of effective education for GP registrars in the area of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. It makes recommendations on a range of areas such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health educational delivery, AMS registrar recruitment, identifying ways in which the needs and the aspirations of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities can be incorporated into the governance and operations of GP Synergy, and GP Synergy’s compliance with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Framework.

The committee is responsible for the development and oversight of the GP Synergy Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Health Strategic Plan.

GP Synergy Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Health Strategic PlanAs part of our transitional strategy, GP Synergy undertook consultation meetings with NSW/ACT Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) on 15-16 December 2015 and 23-24 March 2016.

From these two consultation meetings priorities and actions for the 2016 GP Synergy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategic Plan were identified and will drive the GP Synergy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Education Unit actions. Four key strategic direction priority areas, each with set action areas, were identified:

• NSW Commonwealth Department of Health Set Strategies

• financial and infrastructure supports• cultural awareness and cultural safety training• professional development and networking.

This plan was submitted to the Department of Health on 31 March 2016 and accepted.


“I sought out the AMS for my training to gain experience and insight into the health needs and challenges within the Aboriginal community, and it has been an amazing journey.

It gives you a unique insight into the social challenges faced by the community on a daily basis. The memories they share and the complexities of their lives is astounding, and I think we should all have the opportunity to learn more about Australia’s first people.”

Dr Rachael Fikkers | Rural pathway registrar | Murrumbidgee & ACT

Members of the GP Synergy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Education Unit

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Education UnitFrom internal and external consultations and understanding the complexities of delivering culturally responsive programs, GP Synergy has developed an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Education Unit with specialist positions to provide GP registrar training across NSW/ACT with the support and resources to:

• promote NSW/ACT ACCHSs as centres of excellence for training opportunities offering more varied experiences through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health

• support GP registrars and NSW/ACT ACCHSs to ensure outcomes are maximised and positive for both the GP registrar and NSW/ACT ACCHSs.

The priorities of the unit are driven by the GP Synergy Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Health Strategic Plan.

The unit is the first of its kind amongst Regional Training Organisations (RTOs). The structure of the unit ensures at a local level the priorities of the GP Synergy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategic Plan are communicated and enacted. Whilst there are multiple levels, all stakeholders have representation at the appropriate levels to maximise implementation, monitoring and reporting from a local, regional, state and national level.

By 30 June 2016, the unit had its full complement of staff including an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Education Unit Manager, Aboriginal Liaison Officer, regional cultural educators, Reconciliation Action Plan Project Officer, and administration support.

Reconciliation Action PlanTo support improving relationships and closing the 17-year gap in life expectancy between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and other Australians, we believe we need to talk to each other about issues that come up and find innovative ways to create positive change. One way of supporting this dialogue is to redevelop our existing Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to reflect the expanded network and functions of GP Synergy.

The RAP will provide accountability, measurable outcomes

and is an independent and public verification of GP Synergy’s contribution towards addressing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian disadvantage.

We acknowledge the work of previous Regional Training Providers (RTPs) in NSW/ACT who have built strong links with their local communities including implementing relevant regional RAPs. To support genuine reconciliation at this new organisational level we have sought input from a range of staff, external general practice stakeholders and the ACCHS network.

Staff, registrars, supervisors, practices and the wider community have been invited to engage with GP Synergy to support the crucial development and ongoing success of our reconciliation journey.

This feedback will be incorporated into our RAP due to be completed in the first half of 2017.

GP Synergy TAFE OTEN Aboriginal Medical Service Diploma

To enhance AMS training posts through practice staff professional development support, in 2015 GP Synergy initiated a Diploma of Practice Management for Aboriginal Medical Services.

The diploma has been designed, developed and delivered in collaboration with the Open Training Education Network (OTEN) Western Sydney Institute. It tailors a nationally recognised diploma to meet the specific needs and context of practice management in an AMS facility.

The diploma is fully funded by GP Synergy, and provides practical skills and knowledge that is expected of all practice managers. This learning is contextualised to the complex social, cultural, and clinical dimensions that need to be coordinated and work in harmony for the success of AMS health service delivery and general practice training.

In 2015, fourteen AMS staff from across NSW successfully completed the diploma.

In 2016, twenty staff from ACCHS across NSW/ACT have embarked on the diploma from ACCHS facilities across NSW/ACT including Broken Hill, Coffs Harbour, Coonamble, Kempsey, Moree, Newcastle, Nowra, Orange, Tamworth, Walgett and Wyong.

2015 GP Synergy TAFE OTEN Aboriginal Medical Service Diploma graduates with GP Synergy staff.


Indigenous Business Leaders Company Directors Course

In 2015 GP Synergy offered ACCHSs in its footprint an opportunity to participate in an Indigenous Business Leaders Company Directors Course with the Australian Institute of Company Directors. This opportunity will be offered again in 2016.

Registrars training in AMS facilitiesBetween 1 July 2015 and 31 December 2015, there were nine registrars training across the four accredited GP Synergy Aboriginal Medical Service facilities.

Between 1 January 2016 and 30 June 2016, in the enlarged footprint, 52 registrars were training within 23 accredited Aboriginal Medical Service facilities.

Registrar Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educationTraining focusing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health is an integral component of a GP Synergy registrar’s training experience.

GP Synergy works closely with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in the delivery of its registrar education program. During the first half of 2016, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sessions were held in collaboration with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and individuals within each of GP Synergy’s training subregions. Many sessions also involved the GP Synergy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Education Unit.

Toni Manton | Awabakal Aboriginal Medical Service Presenter and facilitator at a GP Synergy registrar workshop in Newcastle

CONTRIBUTING TO EVIDENCE BASED GENERAL PRACTICE TRAINING

Relying on evidenced based data to make decisions regarding the education program and distribution of registrars is a fundamental principle underlying GP Synergy’s operations.

This information not only benefits GP Synergy’s immediate stakeholders, but the wider community through more effective and targeted general practice training decision making.

Registrars’ Clinical Encounters in Training (ReCEnT) research projectIn February 2016, GP Synergy’s research unit was launched with the finalisation of the agreement with the Department of Health to continue the longstanding Registrars’ Clinical Encounters in Training (ReCEnT) research project.

This highly regarded, flagship research project grew under the leadership of former Regional Training Provider (RTP) General Practice Training – Valley to Coast, from a pilot program in 2009 into a large collaborative venture with other RTPs across Australia.

The ReCEnT project investigates the educational and clinical experiences of registrars across a number of levels, including identifying what registrars do in practice (the types of patients and conditions they see and the management they initiate) and how registrars’ practice changes during their training.

Since the project’s inception, more than 170,000 clinical encounters have been recorded from over 1220 registrars, enabling the research team to reach a critical point where they can design, deliver and evaluate educational interventions.

During the first half of 2016, two GP Synergy training subregions are taking part in ReCEnT: Hunter, Manning and Central Coast and New England/North West (along with General Practice Training Tasmania and Eastern Victoria General Practice Training). However, leading into 2017 we will be including other subregions within GP Synergy in the project.

GP Synergy education activity evaluations

GP Synergy employs a rigorous evaluation of education activities to ensure the program’s effectiveness and quality is maintained. Evaluations are presented to the Education Executive and GP Synergy Education Committee – a sub-committee of the GP Synergy Board.

Informatics and geo-mapping systemGP Synergy has developed a geospatial informatics system that spans NSW/ACT and incorporates all providers. This system utilises the interactive ‘Lumio’ tool, a cloud based application that analyses, displays and enables data to be managed and shared across multiple stakeholders, alliances and networks including data feed from GPRime2.

This platform has been developed to integrate information about general practice workforce and demographics, population health, and general practice training distribution and activity type. Data is captured from multiple existing datasets and survey information to create new levels of insight to inform planning and training workforce distribution.

In 2016, this data, together with local knowledge and information gathered through the seven regional advisory councils, has been used to help inform registrar GP training placement distribution.

As we move forward, it is intended that information generated through this system will be able to be accessible to the multiple health organisations who share the common goal of health workforce planning and distribution, and to consolidate and agree on minimum data sets for data exchange, input, reporting purposes, and integrated planning and forecasting.

This contribution and sharing of evidenced service gaps and areas for health workforce development will drive more effective realisation of strategic goals and change.


GP Synergy registrar education workshop North Coast

OURTRAINING REGIONSWESTERN NSW

NORTH EASTERN NSW

LOWER EASTERN NSW

Liverpool

Newcastle

Dubbo

Ballina

Armidale

Moree

Wagga Wagga

Wollongong

Sydney CBDCowra

Hay

Goulburn

Batemans Bay

BowralYass

Eden

Scone

Port Macquarie

Tamworth

Grafton

Tweed Heads

GosfordNorth Sydney

WalgettBourke

Broken Hill

Parramatta

Queanbeyan

YoungGri�thCampbelltown

Oberon

OrangeBathurst Katoomba

Canberra

Murrumbidgee & ACT

Western NSW Central, Eastern &South Western Sydney

Nepean, Western &Northern Sydney

Hunter, Manning &Central Coast

North Coast

New England /Northwest

South Eastern NSW

Western NSW

North Eastern NSW

Lower Eastern NSW

Training Regions

Subregion

THREE TRAINING REGIONS SEVEN SUBREGIONS


GP Synergy registrar education workshop | Newcastle

NORTH COAST

SUBREGION IN FOCUS

The North Coast region stretches from Tweed Heads in the north to just past Laurieton in the south.

It has been a busy and productive six months in the first half of the year for the North Coast region with the transfer of GP training over to GP Synergy from North Coast GP Training (NCGPT). I would like to acknowledge the strong and high quality foundation of GP training that we have inherited from NCGPT and thank them for their generosity and cooperation during handover.

There are 149 GP registrars, 191 GP supervisors and 105 accredited facilities in the North Coast region. The medical education team consists of 12 permanent part-time medical educators and several casual medical educators. There are eight administrative staff in the Ballina office. Together we have worked hard as a cohesive, friendly and united team to deliver excellent high quality education to our GP registrars.

We have allocated a medical educator to every registrar in the region to act as a mentor and provide advice regarding their training as well as pastoral care to endeavour our registrars have a supported training environment. In the first half of this year we have delivered six days of regionalised face to face training for our registrars including separate streams for learners at different levels with a further three being delivered in Sydney.

This has included a mixture of lectures and small group learning role play and interactive sessions. Topics covered have included our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health training and communication skills. Exam workshops and webinars have been successfully run to assist registrars to prepare and complete their fellowship exams with outstanding results from our registrar cohort.

Registrars following the Rural Generalist Program, advanced skills training or Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine pathway have a dedicated medical

educator to ensure that they are able to receive relevant advice. Those on the Overseas Trained Doctor Network (OTDNET) program have had separate educational support from a medical educator with experience in this field.

Many thanks to our casual medical educator team who have assisted with workshop presentation and also undertaking Clinical Teaching Visits (CTVs). Without the help of our casual medical educators completing these visits would not have been possible.

Our GP supervisors and practices have skillfully navigated their way through a new system to continue to provide outstanding educational experiences to the registrars they host and we convey our thanks to them for continuing to engage with GP training at a time of change. I have had the pleasure of meeting some supervisors at our supervisor workshops and speaking with some on the phone, and I thank them for their commitment and enthusiasm.

We have held our first regional advisory council meeting which provided a valuable opportunity for organisational stakeholders to provide feedback to our processes and provided advice on future plans and policies. I have met with the North Coast Primary Health Network on several occasions to explore potential common projects and liaised to work with the local health districts to try and develop new training opportunities for our registrars.

The next six months will be a phase of consolidation and expansion for the North Coast region with new medical educators, practices and supervisors coming on board; significant contribution to the GP Synergy Reconciliation Action Plan; delivery of the second half of year registrar and supervisor education programs; and the expansion of our roles into other areas to localise some processes such as CTV training.

Finally, I would like to reiterate my thanks to the ‘team’ of the North Coast region to ensure that we have continued to deliver high quality GP training to the GP registrars we teach in the North Coast region of GP Synergy and look forward to continued engagement into the future.

Dr Rashmi Sharma Regional Head of Education - North Coast


GP Synergy registrar education workshop | Coffs Harbour

HUNTER NEW ENGLAND CENTRAL COAST

SUBREGION IN FOCUS

The expansive Hunter New England Central Coast region stretches from the Central Coast through the Hunter/Manning area up into New England/Northwest NSW.

It has certainly been an interesting and busy first six months in the Hunter New England Central Coast subregion as we learn new systems, experience new people and organisation culture.

Within the region there are two training areas. This includes Hunter, Manning and Central Coast with an office located in Newcastle servicing 190 registrars, 239 supervisors and 150 facilities. In New England/Northwest there are offices in Armidale and Moree, servicing 90 registrars, 70 supervisors and 59 facilities.

As a former senior medical educator with the former Regional Training Provider (RTP), General Practice Training – Valley to Coast, I am pleased to be working with a number of familiar faces, in addition to welcoming a number of new team members.

During the past six months we have formed and maintain a cohesive, motivated office in Newcastle, and I have started to get to know the registrars, supervisors, practices and GP Synergy staff in the New England region.

Registrar training is in full swing; over the last six months we have safely delivered six registrar workshop days in Newcastle, and seven workshop days in Tamworth and Armidale.

We have also delivered a supervisor professional development workshop in each region, and look forward to hosting more activities in the remainder of 2016 and beyond.

In Newcastle we welcome being about to move into

a purpose built space in Mayfield. This office will also include the GP Synergy NSW/ACT Research and Evaluation Unit. We are expecting that the new facility will enhance workshop delivery and strengthen communication and relationships.

We appreciate the first six months have been a period of considerable change, and I would like to acknowledge everyone’s contribution to getting us this far.

Firstly, thanks to the registrars for their patience with change and continued enthusiasm to learn.

I also appreciate the efforts and adaptability of the medical educators new to the organisation as well as the stability and corporate knowledge of the New England medical education team in particular.

The administration staff have been particularly wonderful for their friendly willingness to learn and to help.

Finally, recognition and thanks to all the practices and supervisors in the whole region, who provide the core of the registrars’ learning, training and support. I look forward to being able to engage further in the months to come.

Dr Tony Saltis Regional Head of Education – Hunter New England Central Coast

GP Synergy registrar workshop | Newcastle


GP Synergy registrar workshop | Tamworth

NEPEAN, WESTERNAND NORTHERNSYDNEY

SUBREGION IN FOCUS

Dr Vanessa Moran Regional Head of Education - Nepean, Western and Northern Sydney

NEPEAN, WESTERNAND NORTHERNSYDNEY

SUBREGION IN FOCUS

This diverse subregion stretches from west of the Blue Mountains, across Nepean and Western Sydney, and encompasses North Western Sydney, Northern Sydney and the Northern Beaches.

To support supervisors within the region, we have held two supervisor professional development workshops in region, with more planned for the second half of the year. These workshops have been a wonderful opportunity to meet supervisors and understand their needs. I am enjoying getting to know the region and the practices within it.

I also thank the efforts of our front line support team who are always ready and willing to help answer registrar, supervisors and practice staff queries, in particular helping them navigate thorough not only a range of new GP Synergy systems and policies but the new Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) and college policies implemented in January 2016.

Now that the dust has settled, I am looking forward to meeting many of the staff on the ground at supervisor workshops and during practice visits over the next twelve months. I am also looking forward to the commencement of the new 2017 registrar cohort; enhanced registrar and supervisor education programs with input from the committees overseeing registrar and supervisor education; and the regional advisory councils; and as always contributing to mentoring and training highly skilled medical practitioners contributing to healthier communities.

It’s been a whirlwind first six months for the Nepean, Western and Northern Sydney subregion and GP Synergy. It has one of the largest cohorts of registrars (301registrars) in GP Synergy, supported by 211 practices and 311 supervisors, many of which are new to GP Synergy having come from the former Regional Training Provider (RTP) WentWest.

I would like to extend my thanks to WentWest for their assistance during the transition and acknowledge the strong foundation they built for GP training in the area over a period spanning many years.

The subregion has benefited from having a dedicated team of existing GP Synergy and former WentWest medical educators on board from the beginning of term, in addition to a number of new staff. Despite some early challenges the team were always there putting registrar training and education first. They hit the ground running and I can’t thank them enough for the superb effort they have put in delivering a highly relevant and well received registrar education program this year.

Over the last six months we have held nine registrars workshop days covering a range of topics. A highlight of the program was the Fusion workshop where all the early GP term GP Synergy registrars got to get together to network and participate in three days of outstanding lectures.

Of course GP training could not occur without the support of the supervisors and practices. I sincerely thank them for their patience during this transition period, and for their persistance and poise in learning new systems and processes.

GP Synergy registrar workshop | Muru Mittigar Cultural Centre | Castlereagh


“In Western Sydney there is an interesting mixture of people from all types of backgrounds, both culturally and socioeconomically.

People access their GPs frequently and have many varied presentations; you will have to be very broad with your knowledge to manage well in the West! It’s challenging but rewarding!

I enjoy talking people from all ages, backgrounds and walks of life. I am always learning from my patients and taking part in their lives; it is a true privilege.”

Dr Belinda Poon | General pathway registrar | Nepean, Western and Northern Sydney

CENTRAL, EASTERN AND SOUTH WESTERN SYDNEY

SUBREGION IN FOCUS

The Central, Eastern and South Western Sydney subregion stretches from the Eastern suburbs and CBD, across the Inner West, Southern Sydney and South Western Sydney.

It has been an exciting and challenging first half of the year. We have had a lot of changes and it has been a time of transition for our 415 registrars, 473 supervisors, 291 training facilities, as well as the many medical educators and staff involved in making the program for the first half of the year run successfully.

I would like to thank the Central, Eastern and South Western Sydney medical education team for all their hard work and contributions, and welcome our new medical educators and registrar medical educator. I would also like to thank the numerous other support staff who play an integral role in the delivery of the GP training program.

This year we have successfully held the orientation program and the regional day releases both at Liverpool and Chippendale, as well as the Fusion program in collaboration with the Nepean, Western and Northern Sydney (NWNS) team. A highlight were our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health training days held at Tharawal Aboriginal Medical Service and Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural and Educational Centre (pictured).

A number of Royal Australian College of General Practitioner (RACGP) exam preparation workshops have been held for registrars including Friday study group sessions for registrars requiring additional assistance. We were delighted to have had a very good result amongst the cohort for the RACGP Objective Simulated Clinical Exam (OSCE) and I thank the medical educators and supervisors who helped run these workshops so smoothly.

I am pleased to advise 28 doctors have completed the

Overseas Trained Doctor Network (OTDNET) program in the first half of the year, with assistance from OTDNET team members who have been extremely efficient in helping these registrars reach this outcome.

This year we have welcomed many new clinical teaching visitors and we pass on our special thanks to them, and to the medical educator responsible for this group.

We are looking forward to running the registrar education program in the second half of 2016 which will continue to be coordinated with the NWNS education team. Planning for 2017 has already begun. This program will align with the college curriculums and standards, and we are working with the other stakeholders in improving the education program to address local community needs.

We are also working at improving the educational resources available for registrars and supervisors alike and many online modules are being developed. I was pleased to be able to meet many supervisors at the recent supervisor professional development workshops and look forward to meeting more at upcoming events.

I would like to specifically welcome the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural educators who have joined GP Synergy this year, and pass on my sincere thanks to the supervisors at Tharawal Aboriginal Medical Service.

We hope to have an exciting year ahead and provide the very best for registrars and supervisors who have joined and are part of GP Synergy.

It is a privilege to work with this talented team and I hope to be transactional and transformational in my role as Regional Head of Central, Eastern and South Western Sydney.

Thank you all for your diligence, hard work and support in a time of change.

Dr Geetha Kunjithapatham Regional Head of Education – Central, Eastern and South Western Sydney


GP Synergy registrar Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workshop | Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural and Educational Centre | Castlereagh

SOUTH EASTERNNSW

SUBREGION IN FOCUS

Starting from Wollongong in the north, the South Eastern NSW subregion stretches down the South Coast to the Victorian border and is home to the ski fields and the Southern Highlands.

The first six months of 2016 has been a time of massive, but surprisingly very positive change. My thanks to GP Synergy staff for their warm welcome.

As a former Director of Training from Coast City Country GP Training (CCCGPT), for myself and the medical education team, it has been a busy time upskilling about the changes in Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) and college policies, as well as GP Synergy policies and processes.

I have enjoyed travelling around the region, with highlights being trips to Cooma, Jindabyne, Goulburn, Narooma and Bega, where I had the chance to meet some of the 187 supervisors, 124 practice facility staff and 143 registrars. It was great to meet supervisors in both Bega and Wollongong at the supervisor workshops, and I look forward to meeting more at the future planned events.

Out-of-practice teaching remains a high point on the education calendar. To date we have had nine days of teaching for registrars - six locally and three at the Fusion Workshop in Sydney. The locally run workshops are delivered by local medical educators, local GP’s and some local specialists, with all material being pertinent to our subregion. These workshops are attended by registrars north of Batemans Bay and east of Goulburn, with registrars from the Far South Coast, Tablelands and Snowy Mountains attending teaching in Canberra as it is closer in proximity. However, I have had the great pleasure of facilitating some small group work in Canberra and meeting these registrars.

Exam preparation has been delivered locally, with mock RACGP written and clinical exams and workshops. The subregion has experienced a fantastic RACGP

assessment pass rate, with one of our registrars scoring the highest mark in the clinical OSCE exam in NSW/ACT, which is a great achievement. Our ACRRM registrars are supported through their assessments with a dedicated medical educator and a support program for assessment assistance.

We are looking forward to moving into a new office in September in Wollongong CBD, in particular the onsite training facilities where we will run our workshops and tutorials.

The medical educators in our team have done an outstanding job this year. My thanks go to the experienced members of the team for their ongoing dedication, and sharing their wisdom and expertise, and to the new medical educators who have embraced their roles with great enthusiasm.

I would also like to thank the South Eastern NSW administration team who have provided crucial on the ground assistance and support to supervisors, registrars, practices, and medical education staff.

Thank you also to the wonderful supervisors and practice managers in the South Eastern area, who have been so patient in this transition period, and also to our amazing registrars.

It is a pleasure and a privilege working with you and I look forward to being able to spend more time getting to know you in the second half of 2016 and beyond.

Dr Allison Miller Regional Head of Education – South Eastern NSW

GP Synergy registrar workshop | Wollongong


“I’ve always wanted to work in the community rather than in a hospital. I liked the idea of looking after “the whole” patient rather than specialise in a single field. It offered a broad scope of practice from prevention and health promotion to the treatment of acute and chronic conditions. General practice provides a flexible career with a broad range of working opportunities.”

Dr Toby Jackson | General pathway registrar and winner of the 2016.1 RACGP Tony Buhagiar Medal for the highest OSCE exam score in NSW/ACT | South Eastern NSW

SUBREGION IN FOCUS

MURRUMBIDGEEAND ACTThe Murrumbidgee and ACT subregion encompasses the vast Murrumbidgee and Riverina areas, as well as the ACT.

As with all GP Synergy subregions, 2016 has seen significant changes. For the Murrumbidgee and ACT subregion there has been some adjustment as the new training boundary now extends west from the ACT, rather than south east.

However, our medical education and administration staff across the two regional offices (Wagga Wagga and Canberra) have worked together well, delivering regional registrar workshops in both sites, several exam preparation sessions, clinical teaching visits, and a national Australian General Practice Training assessment centre. Whilst recruitment of new staff continued, several staff from other GP Synergy subregions assisted in the delivery of some of the early sessions – a positive benefit of being part of an enlarged organisation.

Our registrar teaching program for 2016 was completed early in 2016 and is mapped against RACGP and ACRRM curricula. In the first six months of this year we have run 14 regional workshop days in both Wagga Wagga and Canberra in addition to the longstanding GP Synergy three day Fusion Workshop held in Sydney.

Former Regional Training Provider (RTP) Coast City Country General Practice Training (CCCGPT) had developed a very successful small group teaching program in 2015. In the second half of 2016 we will be trialling a similar format adapted to current curricula – as a theme through the workshop program for the Canberra group, and with regional small groups in Murrumbidgee.

I would like to sincerely thank CCCGPT for their investment and development of the GP training program across the region which has placed GP Synergy in good stead to progress the program forward in 2016 and beyond.

Across the region there are 140 registrars, 166 supervisors and 113 accredited facilities. As we move forward into the remainder of 2016 we will be running educational activities for hospital registrars, and registrars nearing the end of their training. We have scheduled several supervisor workshops across the region and look forward to hosting more educational activities in the latter half of 2016.

I have had the pleasure of meeting with both local primary health networks and other community stakeholders, and we are looking forward to developing stronger links as we progress.

Our Wagga Wagga premises are the former CCCGPT premises which is now home to a growing number of staff. We are currently located in temporary offices in Canberra and are looking forward to moving to permanent offices in the second half of the year which will include on-site training space.

I am very grateful to everyone on the team for their cheerful and energetic input and willingness to make things work in this time of such rapid change, and I am looking forward to the next 12 months as we settle in and develop further.

Dr Sue Wald Regional Head of Education – Murrumbidgee and ACT

Dr Genevieve Yates | Presenter at Wagga Wagga registrar workshop


“I chose general practice as a career because I relish the privilege of being a positive part of my patients’ and their families’ lives. It is the most challenging and diverse area of medicine I have worked in, but also the most satisfying.”

Dr Jessica Nathan | General pathway | Murrumbidgee and ACT

WESTERN NSW

SUBREGION IN FOCUS

The expansive Western NSW subregion extends from Bathurst through the greater west, encompassing a diverse range of small and large rural communities.

The first six months of this year has seen us take off from a standing start. We now have a well-appointed Dubbo office with local staff who understand and know the region. We also have a dedicated and enthusiastic medical education team who understand the unique, diverse and sometimes challenging training opportunities that exist in the region. Western NSW is truly the place to train if you want to develop broad skills while being immersed in a welcoming community.

Our medical education team is spread across a wide geography but we have been in close proximity when it comes to focus and determination to provide our registrars with everything that they need to progress through their training. The registrar education program has been delivered both regionally and centrally, with all registrar education in the second half of the year to take place in region. A comprehensive exam preparation program has been delivered locally, with local input and expertise, and I extend our sincerest thanks to the local GPs and educators that have supported us in their delivery.

In the first half of 2016 there has been an initial round of face to face supervisor professional development events in Dubbo and Bathurst, and the popular Dubbo-based supervisor breakfast meetings reinstated. A number of additional regional activities are scheduled for the remainder of the year.

Across the Western NSW subregion there are 100 registrars, 91 supervisors and 83 accredited training facilities who are supported by dedicated and efficient local Dubbo medical education and administration staff. The Dubbo office is also home to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Education Unit Manager who oversees and coordinates the unit’s delivery of GP

Synergy’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander strategy developed by the GP Synergy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee.

I would like to thank all staff for their genuine passion and commitment they have displayed in the last six months in delivering a high quality general practice education program.

I would also like to thank our Registrar Liaison Officer (RLO) and Supervisor Liaison Officer (SLO) teams, for advocating for their fellow registrars and supervisors and for providing support and counsel during this transitional period.

The biggest word of thanks for their patience during this period of change goes to the supervisors and practice mangers of the Western training practices. They are integral to the success of the training program.

It has been a pleasure to hold the role of Interim Regional Head of Education until the new regional head starts in August. In the short time I have been in this position, I have thoroughly enjoyed working and getting to know many supervisors, registrars and stakeholders, and I thank you for your continued engagement in the program.

Dr Tess van Durren Interim Regional Head of Education – Western NSW

GP Synergy registrar education workshop | Dubbo


Orange Base Hospital Emergency Physician Dr Grant Westcott facilitating at a registrar workshop | Dubbo

FINANCIALREPORT


GP Synergy registrar workshop | Tamworth

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

The directors present their report together with the financial report of GP Synergy Limited for the year ended 30 June 2016 and the auditors’ report thereon.

The directors at any time during or since the financial year were as follows:

1. Directors

2. Company Secretary

Name Period as Director

Dr C Hespe MBBS (Uni of Syd) Hons, FRACGP, DCH (Lon), FAICD, GCUT (UNDA)

27 December 2001 – 30 October 2015

Dr I Kamerman MBBS, FACRRM, FRACGP, DRANZCOG, DA, ACCAM, MAICD

28 October 2011 – present

Dr J Korner MBBS (Lond), DRCOG, MRCGP

28 February 2007 – present

A/Prof M Guppy MBBS, FRACGP, MPH

1 January 2009 – present

A/Prof L Fragar AO MBBS, MPH, Dip Ag Ec, Dip Ornith, FAFPHM, MAICD


Prof T Liaw MBBS, PhD, FRACGP, FACHI, FACMI, GAICD


Dr A Smith MBBS, FRACGP, Masters MH/GP, Grad Dip HPE, GAICD


Dr S Khan MBBS, GAICD


Dr M Bonning MBBS (Qld), B App Sci (Hons), DCH

6 May 2014 – present

Mr D Rees BinfTech, MBA (Exec)

25 June 2014 – present

Dr H Nespolon BM, BS Dip RACOG, B.EC, LLB (Hons), FRACGP, FACLM, GCLP, MBA, FAICD, MHL


Dr W Yonge MMBS (Hons), BEc (Hons),FACRRM, FRACGP, MAICD


Mr C Hocking MAICD


Mr John Oldfield MBL (Sydney), MBA (Macq.), MMgtOpsMgt, FAICD

6 May 2014 – present

3. Principal Activities during the year

The principal activity of the company during the financial year was to promote and deliver general practice education and training.

The company is economically dependent on Government funding to carry out its principal activity.

The net surplus for the year was $40,708 (2015:$Nil).

GP Synergy secured the contract for delivery of the AGPT and OTDNET programs from the Commonwealth Department of Health for the period 2016 – 2018. This contract is for the delivery of the program within NSW/ACT.

4. Description of Short and Long-term ObjectivesPromote and deliver integrated general practice education and training.

5. Strategy for Achieving ObjectivesContinue to deliver general practice education and training within the terms of the Australian General Practice Training contract. The program will be integrated to include other ancillary programs.

6. How Principal Activities Contributed to Achieving these ObjectivesBy continued compliance with the requirements of the AGPT contract for general practice education and training.

7. How Performance is MeasuredAGPT measures company performance under terms of contract specific performance indicators. GP Synergy is obliged to report against the performance indicators.

The company has established applicable internal performance indicators, periodically audits risks and tracks its performance against these indicators.

8. Members Liabilities22 Members limited to $10 per member.


DIRECTOR’S REPORT (cont.)

9. Directors MeetingsDuring the financial year, the attendances of the directors were as follows:

Name Attended EligibleDr C Hespe 1 4

Dr J Korner 9 9

A/Prof M Guppy 7 9

A/Prof L Fragar AO 7 9

Dr I Kamerman 8 9

Prof T Liaw 8 9

Dr A Smith 4 4

Dr S Khan 7 9

Dr M Bonning 9 9

Mr D Rees 6 9

Dr H Nespolon 9 9

Dr Warwick Yonge 6 6

Mr Craig Hocking 6 6

Committees of the BoardDuring the financial year, the attendances of the directors were as follows:

Finance and Audit Committee

Name Attended EligibleA/Prof L Fragar AO 11 12

Dr A Smith 4 4

Dr C Hespe 2 4

Prof T Liaw 10 12

Dr H Nespolon 10 12

Dr M Bonning 10 12

Nominations, Remuneration and Constitutional Review Committee

Name Attended EligibleA/Prof M Guppy 2 2

Dr C Hespe 0 1

Dr I Kamerman 1 2

Dr J Korner 1 1

Dr M Bonning 2 2

Dr W Yonge 1 1

Education Committee

Name Attended EligibleDr A Smith 1 1

Dr C Hespe 0 1

Dr I Kamerman 2 4

Dr S Khan 1 1

Dr J Korner 1 1

Dr W Yonge 3 3

Information Management and Technology Committee

Name Attended EligibleMr D Rees 5 5

Dr J Korner 3 5

Prof T Liaw 4 5

Dr W Yonge 4 4

Dr H Nespolon 0 1

Mr C Hocking 3 4

Dr S Khan 4 4


DIRECTOR’S REPORT (cont.)

AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Committee

Name Attended EligibleDr S Khan 0 1

Mr C Hocking 1 2

10. Lead Auditor’s Independence DeclarationThe lead auditor’s independence is set out on the next page and forms part of the directors’ report for the financial year ended 30 June 2016.

Signature in accordance with a resolution of the directors:

Director: __________________________________________

Dr Harry Nespolon

Director: __________________________________________

Dr Ian Kamerman

Sydney

Dated this 24th day of August 2016

I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, during the year ended 30 June 2016 there have been no contraventions of:

(a) the auditor independence requirements as set out in the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the audit; and

(b) any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.

Assurance & Audit Services Pty Ltd Bruce Howle Managing Principal Sydney



STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

STATE OF FINANCIAL POSITION

State of comprehensive income for the year ended 30 June 2016

Note 2016 2015Revenue 2 39,333,917 18,415,137

Employee benefits expenses (9,407,315) (4,790,182)

Depreciation 3(a) (287,241) (295,492)

Practice reimbursements (6,548,385) (2,766,518)

Registrar expenses (5,152,507) (2,408,639)

Supervisors costs (349,535) (325,563)

Teaching allowances (4,552,170) (1,964,704)

Board expenses (166,837) (118,894)

Consultants and contractors (1,777,832) (1,132,368)

Insurance 3(a) (90,696) (76,712)

Rent 3(a) (873,810) (548,947)

Administration fee 3(b) 0 (287,460)

Other expenses 3(c) (10,086,881) (3,699,658)

Surplus before income tax expense 40,708 0

Other comprehensive income after income tax: 0 0

Other comprehensive income for the year 0 0

Total comprehensive income for the year 40,708 0

Total comprehensive income attributable to members of the entity

40,708 0

State of financial position for the year ended 30 June 2016

Note 2016 2015Assets

Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents 5 18,629,189 9,029,170

Trade and other receivables 6 223,521 207,445

Other assets 7 171,349 648,271

Total current assets 19,024,059 9,884,886

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment 8 1,531,541 817,301

Investments 9 1 1

Total non-current assets 1,531,542 817,302

Total assets 20,555,601 10,702,188

Liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables 10 2,409,325 1,261,142

Unearned revenue 11 12,314,783 4,149,157

Provisions 12 1,140,133 684,149

Total current liabilities 15,864,241 6,094,448

Non-current liabilities

Provisions 12 121,647 78,735

Total non-current liabilities 121,647 78,735

Total liabilities 15,985,888 6,173,183

Net Assets 4,569,713 4,529,005

Equity 18

Retained surplus 4,569,713 4,529,005

Total equity 4,569,713 4,529,005


STATE OF CHANGESIN EQUITY

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

State of changes in equity for the year ended 30 June 2016

Note RetainedSurplus

Total

Balance at 1 July 2014 116,223 116,223

Comprehensive Income

Surplus for the year attributable to members of the entity 0 0


Total comprehensive income attributable to members of the entity

0 0

Member contribution 20 20

Funds returned to equity 4 4,412,762 4,412,762

Balance at 30 June 2015 4,529,005 4,529,005

Balance as 1 July 2015 4,529,005 4,529,005

Comprehensive Income

Surplus for the year attributable to members of the entity

40,708 40,708


Total comprehensive income attributable to members of the entity 40,708 40,708

Member contribution 0 0

Funds returned to equity 4 0 0

Balance at 30 June 2016 4,569,713 4,569,713

Statement of cash flows for the year ended 30 June 2016

Note 2016 2015Cash flow from operating activities

Cash receipts from government and other sources 40,063,405 18,802,544

Interest received 266,288 244,128

Cash payments to suppliers and employees (29,728,193) (18,517,388)

Net cash generated from operating activities 15 10,601,500 529,284

Cash flow from investing activities

Payments for plant and equipment (1,001,481) (293,994)

Net cash used in investing activities (1,001,481) (293,994)

Net increase in cash held 9,600,019 235,290

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year 9,029,170 8,793,880

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year 5 $18,629,189 $9,029,170


NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The financial statements cover GP Synergy Limited as an individual entity, incorporated and domiciled in Australia. GP Synergy Limited is a company limited by guarantee. This company is a not-for-profit entity for financial reporting purposes under Australian Accounting Standards.

The financial statements were authorised for issue on 24th August 2016 by the directors of the company.

1. Summary of significant accounting policies

Basis of preparationThe financial statements are general purpose financial statements that have been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards (including Australian Accounting Interpretations) and the Corporations Act 2001.

The financial statements have been prepared on an accruals basis and are based on historical costs.

Accounting policies(a) Revenue

Interest revenue

Interest revenue is recognised as it accrues.

Other income

Income from other sources is recognised when the income in respect of other products or services provided is receivable.

(b) Government grants

Grants from the government are recognised at their fair value where there is a reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and the company will comply with all attached conditions.

Government grants are deferred and recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income over the period necessary to match them with the costs that they are intended to compensate.

The nature of the grants received from the Department of Health and the activity within the contracted programs at times results in an elevation of unearned revenue. In effect this is a timing issue and future program activity is expected to acquit such revenues.

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2016

1. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)(c) Property, plant and equipment

Each class of property, plant and equipment is carried at cost or fair value, less, where applicable, accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses.

Plant and equipment

Plant and equipment are measured on the cost basis less depreciation. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items.

Depreciation

The depreciable amount of all fixed assets including buildings and capitalised lease assets is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the asset’s useful life to the entity commencing from the time the asset is held ready for use. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of either the unexpired period of the lease or the estimated useful lives of the improvements.

The depreciation rates used for each class of depreciable assets are:

Class of fixed asset Depreciation rate

Plant and equipment 7.5% - 40%

Computer and software 40%

Leasehold improvements Shorter of lease term and useful life

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at the end of each reporting period.

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing proceeds with the carrying amount. These gains or losses are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they arise. When revalued assets are sold, amounts included in the revaluation surplus relating to that asset are transferred to retained earnings.

(d) Leases

Leases of fixed assets, where substantially all the risks and benefits incidental to the ownership of the asset (but not the legal ownership), that are transferred to entities in the economic entity, are classified as finance leases.

Finance leases are capitalised by recording an asset and a liability at the lower of the amounts equal to the present value of the minimum lease payments, including any guaranteed residual values.

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2016 (continued)


NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont)

Leased assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the lease term.

Lease payments for operating leases, where substantially all the risks and benefits remain with the lessor, are charged as expenses on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

(e) Employee provisions

Provision is made for the company’s liability for employee benefits arising from services rendered by employees to the end of the reporting period. Employee provisions have been measured at the amounts expected to be paid when the liability is settled.

Contributions are made by the entity to an employee superannuation fund and are charged as expenses when incurred.

(f) Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and deposits held at-call with banks.

(g) Good and services tax (GST)

Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of GST, except where the amount of GST incurred is not recoverable from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

Receivables and payables are stated inclusive of the amount of GST receivable or payable. The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the ATO is included with other receivables or payables in the statement of financial position.

Cash flows are presented on a gross basis. The GST components of cash flows arising from investing or financing activities, which are recoverable from or payable to the ATO, are presented as operating cash flows included in receipts from customers or payments to suppliers.

(h) Income tax

No provision for income tax has been raised as the entity is exempt from income tax under Div 50 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.

(i) Comparative figures

Where required by Accounting Standards, comparative figures have been adjusted to conform with changes in presentation for the current financial year.


1. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)(j) Trade and other payables Trade and other payables represent the liability outstanding at the end of the reporting period for goods and services received by the company during the reporting period which remain unpaid. The balance is recognised as a current liability with the amount being normally paid within 30 days of recognition of the liability.

(k) Critical accounting estimates and judgments

The directors evaluate estimates and judgments incorporated into the financial statements based on historical knowledge and best available current information. Estimates assume a reasonable expectation of future events and are based on current trends and economic data, obtained both externally and within the company.

(l) Economic dependency

GP Synergy Limited is dependent on the Australian Government’s Department of Health for the majority of its revenue used to operate the business.





Note 2016 20152. Revenue and other income

Grants received 38,436,344 17,642,319

Other revenue 631,285 528,690

Interest received 266,288 244,128

Total revenue $39,333,917 $18,415,137

3. Surplus for the year

(a) Expenses

Depreciation 287,241 295,492

Insurance 90,696 76,712

Rent 873,810 548,947

Auditor remuneration:

- Audit services 28,700 26,500

- Other services 2,500 4,500

$31,200 $31,000

(b) Administration fee representing cost allocation for PGPPP 0 $287,460

(c) Other expenses

Advertising 27,881 13,350

Compliance cost 135,888 70,356

Consumables 1,483,661 229,259

Freight and cartage 16,885 5,271

Motor vehicles 20,773 14,665

Office maintenance 161,531 222,614

Office equipment leasing 3,624 2,844

Storage 22,845 1,019

Telecommunications 462,577 183,241

Trading surplus (un-acquitted) 7,751,216 2,957,039

$10,086,881 $3,699,658


Note 2016 20154. Funds returned to equity

Funds returned to equity 0 4,412,762

0 4,412,762

In 2015 the company recognised a liability for unearned revenue (Note 11) which represented current and prior years’ grant funding from the General Practice Educational Training Limited (GPET) which remained liable to be claimed by the funding organisation subject to finalisation of an agreement relating to the excess.

The Board then resolved to recognise funds that are not subject to acquittal or other legal claim, as equity. Accordingly the company returned $4,412,762 to equity and continues to recognise unearned revenue as a liability for amounts arising after June 2009.

Note 2016 20155. Cash and cash equivalents

Current

Cash on hand 1,340 1,340

Cash at bank 18,627,849 9,027,830

$18,629,189 $9,029,170




Note 2016 20156. Trade and other receivables

Current

Trade receivables 1,520 55,838

Accrued interest 0 26,499

Other receivables 222,001 125,108

$223,521 $207,445

7. Other current assets

Prepayments 171,349 648,271

$171,349 $648,271

8. Property, plant and equipment

Plant and equipment

At cost 1,044,678 933,323

Less: accumulated depreciation (814,995) (750,606)

229,683 182,717

Computer and software

At cost 697,375 327,668

Less: accumulated depreciation (374,871) (257,803)

322,504 69,865

Leasehold improvement 1,494,150 973,681

At cost (514,796) (408,962)

Less: accumulated depreciation 979,354 564,719

$1,531,541 $817,301


8. Property, plant and equipment (continued)

Movements in the carrying amounts

Movements in the carrying amounts for each class of property, plant and equipment between the beginning and the end of each current financial year

Plant and equipment

Computer and Software

Leasehold improvements

Total

2015 $ $ $ $

Balance at the beginning of the year 239,445 74,075 505,279 818,799

Additions 99,574 47,155 147,265 293,994

Disposals 0 0 0 0

Depreciation expense (156,302) (51,365) (87,825) (295,492)

Carrying amount at end of year $182,717 $69,865 $564,719 $817,301

2016

Balance at the beginning of the year 182,717 69,865 564,719 817,301

Additions 111,306 369,706 520,469 1,001,481

Disposals 0 0 0 0

Depreciation expense (64,340) (117,067) (105,834) (287,241)

Carrying amount at end of year $229,683 $322,504 $979,354 $1,531,541

2016 2015$ $

9. Investments

Current 1 1

Investment – GPRIME Pty Ltd $1 $1




2016 2015$ $

10. Trade and other payables

Current

Trade payables 1,246,063 756,669

Accrued expenses 597,567 156,894

Other payables 565,695 347,579

$2,409,325 $1,261,142

11. Unearned revenue

Grant funds 414,409 0

AGPT (operational and accumulated funds) (i)

11,900,374 4,149,157

$12,314,783 $4,149,157

(i) Unearned revenue - AGPT (operational and accumulated funds)

As detailed in Note 1(b), contains unearned revenue expected to be acquitted against future program activity under the 2016 – 2018 Department of Health contract.

12. Provisions

Current

Employee entitlements 1,010,133 554,149

Premises make-good 130,000 130,000

$1,140,133 $684,149

Non-current

Employee entitlements 121,647 78,735

$121,647 $78,735


13. Key Management Personnel

(a) Key management personnel include the directors, the CEO and the Director of Training.

(b) Directors

The names of each person holding the position of GP Synergy Limited during the financial year are:

Dr C Hespe Dr H Nespolon Dr J Korner

Dr N Shadbolt Dr A Smith A/Prof L Fragar

Prof T Liaw Dr I Kamerman A/Prof M Guppy

Dr S Khan Mr D Rees Dr M Bonning

Mr C Hocking Dr W Yonge

(c) The compensation paid, payable or provided to other key management personnel consisted of benefits of $1,881,644 (2015: $1,430,755). This balance reflects the recognition of the evolving nature of the management of GP Synergy. Management is integrated within the senior management team, with due reference to individual areas of responsibility.

(d) The compensation paid, payable or provided to directors consisted of benefits in the nature of Board fees of $245,951 (2015: $204,964), practice payments of $861,938 (2015: $453,599), teaching fees of $4,284 (2015: $0), conference attendance fees of $7,448 (2015: $4,807) and subscriptions of $0 (2015: $8,112)

Board fees of $245,951 (2015:$204,964) represent grossed up salary packaging including non-cash items, whereas actual payments made and received were $143,785 (2015: $137,213).

Practice payments of $861,938 (2015: $453,599) represent payments made to practices which are connected with the Directors. However, these payments are not necessarily received directly by directors, as funds are paid to supervisors attached to the practice.




14. Directors Remuneration

2016 A B C D E FGross Fees Excl. Salary Package

Salary Packaged Amount

Grossed up Salary Package

Salary Sacrifice Super

Super SGC 9.5%

Payroll Benefits Received (A+C+D+E)

Director

Fragar, A/Prof Lyn 0 9,435 18,500 0 896 19,396

Guppy, Michelle 7,425 0 0 0 705 8,130

Hespe, Charlotte Mary (retired 30 October 2015)

0 4,350 8,529 0 413 8,943

Kamerman, Ian 0 12,450 24,412 0 1,183 25,595

Korner, Jacqueline 0 11,325 22,206 0 1,076 23,282

Liaw, Siaw-Teng 3,975 7,050 13,824 0 1,047 18,846

Smith, Aline (retired 30 October 2015)

0 5,025 9,853 0 477 10,330

Khan, Sayeed 8,250 3,375 6,618 0 1,104 15,972

Bonning, Michael 0 2,850 5,588 5,325 777 11,690

Rees, Damon 0 8,625 16,912 0 819 17,731

Nespolon, Harry 0 27,075 53,089 0 2,572 55,661

Hocking, Craig (appointed 30 October 2015)

0 6,375 12,500 0 606 13,106

Yonge Warwick (appointed 30 October 2015)

0 8,400 16,471 0 798 17,269

Total $19,650 $106,335 $208,502 $5,325 $12,473 $245,951


2015 A B C D E FGross Fees Excl. Salary Package

Salary Packaged Amount

Grossed up Salary Package

Salary Sacrifice Super

Super SGC 9.25%

Payroll Benefits Received (A+C+D+E)

Director

Fragar, A/Prof Lyn 0 10,536 19,879 0 1,001 20,880

Guppy, Michelle 9,662 0 0 0 918 10,580

Hespe, Charlotte Mary 5,840 17,749 33,489 0 2,241 41,570

Kamerman, Ian 0 6,862 12,948 0 610 13,558

Korner, Jacqueline 0 10,747 20,277 0 1,021 21,298

Liaw, Siaw-Teng 0 9,149 17,262 0 869 18,131

Smith, Aline 0 12,872 24,287 0 1,223 25,510

Shadbolt, Narelle (retired 24 October 2014)

0 2,920 5,510 277 5,787

Khan, Sayeed 10,830 0 0 0 1,029 11,859

Bonning, Michael 0 0 0 8,121 771 8,892

Rees, Damon 0 5,564 10,498 0 529 11,027

Nespolon, Harry (appointed 24 October 2014)

0 0 0 14,495 1,377 15,872

Total $26,332 $76,399 $144,150 $22,616 $11,866 $204,964




2016 2015$ $

15. Cash flow information

Reconciliation of cash flow from operations with profit after income tax

Profit after income tax 40,708 0

Non cash flows

Depreciation expense 287,241 295,492

Changes in assets and liabilities

(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables

460,846 (100,559)

Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables

861,238 (336,981)

Increase/(decrease) in provisions 785,841 257,786

Increase/(decrease) in unearned revenue

8,165,626 (3,999,236)

Increase/(decrease) in returnable funds 0 4,412,782

Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities

$10,601,500 $529,284

16. Lease commitments

Non-cancellable operating lease is payable as follows:

Less than 1 year 1,008,759 266,216

1 to 2 years 1,046,504 0

2 to 5 years 581,627 0

2,636,890 $266,216


17. Post reporting date events

No adjusting or significant non-adjusting events have occurred between the reporting date and the date of authorisation.

17. Member guarantee

The company is limited by guarantee. If the company is wound up, the articles of association state that each member is required to contribute a maximum of $10 each towards meeting any outstanding obligation of the company. The number of members as 30 June 2016 is 22 (2015: 25).



In accordance with a resolution of the directors of GP Synergy Limited, the directors declare that:

(a) The financial statements and notes, as set out on pages 6 to 18, are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 and:

a. comply with the Australian Accounting Standards applicable to the company; and

b. give a true and fair view of the financial position of the company as at 30 June 2016 and its performance for the year ended on that date in accordance with the accounting policies described in Note 1 to the financial statements.

(b) In the directors’ opinion there are reasonable grounds to believe that the company will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable.

This declaration is made in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors.

Signature:

Dr Harry Nespolon

Signature:

Dr Ian Kamerman

Sydney


DIRECTORS’ DECLARATION

REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL REPORT

We have audited the accompanying financial report, being a general purpose financial report, of GP Synergy Limited, as set out on pages 6 to 19, which comprises the statement of financial position as at 30 June 2016, the statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity and statement of cash flows for the year then ended, notes comprising a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information, and the directors’ declaration. DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FINANCIAL REPORT

The directors of the company are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view and have determined that the basis of preparation described in Note 1 to the financial report is appropriate to meet the requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 and is appropriate to meet the needs of the members. The directors’ responsibility also includes such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of a financial report that gives a true and fair view and is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITY

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial report based on our audit. We have conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Those standards require that we comply with relevant ethical requirements relating to audit engagements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial report is free from material misstatement. An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial report. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial report, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the company’s preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the directors, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial report.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF GP SYNERGY LIMITED



INDEPENDENCE

In conducting our audit, we have complied with the independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001. We confirm that the independence declaration required by the Corporations Act 2001, which has been given to the directors GP Synergy Limited, would be in the same terms if given to the directors as at the time of the auditor’s report. OPINION

In our opinion the financial report of GP Synergy Limited is in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including:

(a) giving a true and fair view of the company’s financial position as at 30 June 2016 and of its performance for the year ended on that date; and

(b) complying with Australian Accounting Standards to the extent described in Note 1 and complying with the Corporations Regulations 2001. BASIS OF ACCOUNTING

Without modifying our opinion, we draw attention to Note 1 to the financial report, which describes the basis of accounting. The financial report has been prepared for the purpose of fulfilling the directors’ financial reporting responsibilities under the Corporations Act 2001. As a result, the financial report may not be suitable for another purpose.

KSG Assurance & Audit Services Pty Ltd

Bruce Howle Managing Principal



86 | GP SYNERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016

Documents

ANNUAL REPORT 2015/2016...2015-2016 GP Synergy Annual Report Published by GP Synergy Ltd Level 1, 157-161 George Street Liverpool NSW 2170 P 1300 477 963 E [email protected]