Our History - Mission Statement - Practice Philosophy
Our History
The Dandenong Casey General Practice Association has established a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, Dandenong Casey Super Clinic Ltd (DCSCL), to oversee the construction and operation of the Berwick Healthcare clinic.
Mission Statement
Berwick Healthcare is a multi-disciplinary health services centre established to represent a model for the delivery of primary health care, and as a place of excellence in the training of health care workers in primary health care including general medical practice. Berwick Healthcare is committed to providing a holistic approach to health care with an emphasis on health education and preventative measures.
Practice Philosophy
It is our aim to ensure our patients experience the highest possible quality of care, by ensuring excellence in all aspects of our practice. We will endeavour to provide patients with the best and most current treatments, methods, materials and equipment within our resource capabilities to ensure that patients receive a high quality of service. Teamwork within Berwick Healthcare is highly valued and encouraged in order to promote a harmonious and productive environment and to optimise patient care. Ethical and responsible professional behaviour is expected, and seen as being essential to maintaining the trust and loyalty of patients, staff, and all Berwick healthcare stakeholders.
Our Board
The DCSCL Board has five (4) Directors:
Chair – Dr Graeme Downe
GP principal at Joseph Banks Medical Centre, Endeavour Hills is also a Director of the South Eastern Health Providers Association (SEHPA).
Company Secretary – Dr Roger Smith
GP at Casey Medical Centre, Cranbourne is also a Director of the South Eastern Health Providers Association (SEHPA).
Professor of General Practice, Director China GP Program- Leon Piterman AM - Resigned
Professor Piterman Academic Director, Monash University. Awarded the Member of the Order of Australia for service to family medicine through distance education for doctors in remote areas, to research and student training, and to international medical education.
Director – Dr Nicholas Demediuk
GP principal at Parkmore Medical Centre, Keysborough and Chair of the DCGPA. Also Board member of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and Chair of the RACGP Standards Review Committee.
Director - Anne Peek
Anne is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Associate Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Service Management and Member of the Australasian Association for Quality in Health Care
An experienced executive and non-executive director in the both the public and private health care sectors for over 30 years.
CEO of the Dandenong Casey General Practice Association (Division of General Practice) since establishment in 1994 and subsequently appointed as CEO of the South Eastern Melbourne Medicare Local (SEMML) in 2012
Interim CEO for the Gippsland Primary Health Network from July 2015 to October 2015
With her original qualification in Health Information Management, in the early years of her career Anne managed and restructured Health Information Services in both public and private hospitals. An interest in quality assurance/clinical review led to the establishment of a successful consultancy in quality improvement during the 80s and 90s. During this period Anne was also a senior lecturer in health sciences at La Trobe University.
Anne was commissioned in 2007 by the Victorian Department of Human Services to develop, what was a watershed document, titled ‘Working with General Practice Position Statement and Resource Guide’.
In early 2016 Anne was contracted once again by DHHS to update the Guide and Position Statement. The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) aims to further strengthen its collaborative interface with general practice and the newly established Primary Health Networks (PHNs).
Collaboration with stakeholders
The following organisations are key stakeholders in the Clinic:
- Federation University - Was co-located with Monash University in 2017 and is involved with their Nurse Placements.
- Monash University – Monash will be actively involved in the provision of inter-professional undergraduate education at the Clinic.
- RACGP – Providing a Medical Educator to coordinate and supervise Registrar placements
- Monash University Research and Education Network - A key role in supporting education, research and evaluation activities
GP Super Clinics
The Australian Government sees GP Super Clinics as a model for building a stronger national primary care system, including a greater focus on health promotion and illness prevention and better coordination between privately provided GP services, community health and other government funded services.
Super Clinic Objectives
While there is no prescriptive model for GP Super Clinics, there are a number of core objectives which the Commonwealth expects each funded clinic to meet.
Well integrated multidisciplinary patient centered care
This means that patients with chronic disease(s) receive the full range of health services they need in a coordinated manner, where possible and appropriate, in a single convenient location.
Responsive to local community needs and priorities, including the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Organisational governance arrangements for the clinic will need to provide for ongoing community engagement and input.
Accessible, culturally appropriate and affordable care
While health professionals will retain their autonomy over billing, GP Super Clinics will be strongly encouraged to bulk bill MBS funded services.
Support for preventive care
This includes promotion of healthy lifestyles, addressing risk factor and lifestyle modification to prevent chronic disease and improving early detection and management of chronic disease.
Efficient and effective use of Information Technology
Use of an electronic clinical information system that can make patients’ medical records available (with patient consent) to all practitioners at the clinic, including allied health professionals, and to external providers as appropriate.
Working environment and conditions which attract and retain their workforce
This could include scope for health professionals to contribute clinical sessions and teaching activities, possibly on a salary basis, without needing to consider routine administrative and practice management activities. Provide support for primary health care research to complement clinical service delivery.
High quality best practice care
Practice accreditation against RACGP Standards and accreditation for training. Where appropriate, Super Clinics are also encouraged to participate in the Australian Primary Care Collaboratives Program.
Operate with viable, sustainable and efficient business models
Draw revenue from existing programs and initiatives (including usual fee for service arrangements), and potentially other sources such as community partners.
Support the future primary care workforce
Provide high quality clinical training environment for medical, nursing and allied health professional students and new graduates, in addition to prevocational doctors and GP registrars.
Integrate with local programs and initiatives
Demonstrate enhanced co-ordination with other health services and a partnership approach to local health service planning and coordination.