What
is the Health for Kids Network?
The Health for Kids Network is a network of GPs interested in child
and/or adolescent health. It is based on a formal memorandum of understanding
between divisions of general practice and hospitals in metropolitan
Melbourne.
Beginning
as an initiative by North West Melbourne Division of General Practice,
the network sought to develop a collaborative approach between hospitals
and general practitioners in the provision of care for children
and young people. The Network was centred around the Royal Children's
Hospital and Sunshine Hospital and focused on improving GP liaison
with hospitals providing children's services and facilitating GP
education in child and/or adolescent health. Recent HARP (Victorian
Government) funding has allowed expansion of the Network to include
Southern Health, Western Health, Northern Health, Sandringham Hospital
and surrounding divisions.
How
will the Network operate?
The Network will operate through this web-site, www.healthforkids.net.au
This site will have the following features:
An online directory of GPs interested in child and/or adolescence
health[Find a Child and/or Adolescent Friendly GP].
The web-based directory allows hospitals, community health centres
or other agencies to identify local doctors for families who do
not already have a regular GP. GPs will be approached to join the
network. Alternatively they can register online [Registration
to HFKN].
An online library of useful information on child and/or adolescent health [Resource
Library].
GPs can bookmark the site and use it to source guidelines, resources
and links to useful information on child and/or adolescent health.
News [News]
This website will provide GPs with recent news about child and/or
and adolescent health, listing new events or publications that are
relevant to GPs.
Research [Research]
One of the aims of the network is to facilitate research into child
and/or adolescent health in the general practice setting. The website
will inform members of the Network about current research and research
they can participate in.
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What's in it for
GPs?
Improved communication between GPs and hospitals
Increased profile of GPs within the hospital
Information on child and/or adolescent health issues
Highlighting the importance of having a regular family doctor
Educational activities
Opportunity to be active in research
What's in it for Divisions?
Pooling of resources
Liaison between hospitals and divisions
Population-based data and outcome measures available at divisional
level
What
are the aims of the Network?
The Network aims to:
Improve communication between GPs, hospitals and other agencies
providing child and/or adolescent health services
Foster a more collaborative approach to child and/or adolescent
health care
Facilitate the ongoing education of GPs
Encourage and assist families to develop and maintain a relationship
with a GP
Develop models for collaborative research into child and/or adolescent
health in general practice
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