Annual Report 2010 - 2011 - GP...

a d v a n c i n g m e d i c a l t r a i n i n g

Annual Report2010 - 2011

GP Synergy Annual Report 2009 - 2010 Page 01

Contents

About Us 03

Our Region 04

Chairs Report 05 Our Board 06 - 07

Board of Sub Committees 08 - 12

CEO Report 13 - 14

Director of Training Report 15 - 16

GP Synergy Farewells Dr Jeremy Bunker 17 - 18

Staff 19 - 20

Supporting Supervisors and Maximising In-Practice Experience 21 - 22

Training Competent and Confident Registrars 23 - 26

Increasing Opportunities to Experience General Practice: Prevocational General Practice Placements Program 27

Expanding the General Practice Profession 28

Financial Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2011 29 - 54

GP Synergy is 1 of 17 Regional Training Providers (RTPs) delivering

the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) and Prevocational

General Practice Placements Program (PGPPP).

GP Synergy was formed in 2009 with the merger of training

providers the Sydney Institute of General Practice Education

and Training (SIGPET) and New England Area Training Services

(NEATS).

In January 2010, a further amalgamation occurred with the

Institute of General Practice Education and Training (IGPE)

training program. The result has been the creation of the

second largest training provider in Australia, offering registrars

a diverse range of training experiences in both urban and rural

environments across metropolitan and outer-metropolitan

Sydney and within the New England/Northwest region of NSW.

Our Vision Is To:

• Provide high quality general practice education and training

• Build capacity by supporting and developing quality

teaching environments centered on general practice;

• Promote the privileges, responsibilities and diverse career

opportunities of general practice

• Develop internal processes and resources to ensure that the

organisation learns and grows.

About Us

Our Organisation Is Underpinned By The Following Values:

• Collaboration;

• Integrity;

• Equity;

• Leadership; and

• Commitment to excellence in life-long learning.

Providing a supportive and quality learning environment

is a shared value amongst all GP Synergy medical educators,

supervisors and training practices. GP Synergy’s highly regarded

reputation as a leading provider of general practice education

and training is a testament to our ongoing commitment to

helping registrars build the skills to develop into a confident

and highly qualified General Practitioners.

Moree

Wee Waa

Warialda

BingaraInverell

Narrabri

Manilla

Armidale

GunnedahTamworth

GP Network Northside

Manly Warringah Division of General Practice

Northern Sydney GP Network

Central Sydney GP Network

Eastern Sydney Division of GP

South Eastern Sydney Division of GP

GP Synergy -New England/Northwest

Sutherland Division of GP

Bankstown GP Division

St George Division of GP

Macarthur Division of GP

GP Synergy -Sydney - Central & South/Southwest


Sydney

GP Synergy Sydney’s region stretches from Brooklyn and

Hornsby in the north down beyond Campbelltown, Camden and

Picton in the south. It includes the northern and southern coastal

areas from the Northern Beaches to the Sutherland Shire. From

the east coast our region extends west across central and inner

western Sydney, through Bankstown, Liverpool and Fairfield local

government areas.

GP Synergy has over 150 training practices across metropolitan

and outer metropolitan Sydney.

Within our Sydney boundaries, we work with a number of

Divisions of General Practice as key stakeholders, including:-

• Eastern Sydney Division of General Practice

• Sutherland Division of General Practice

• Sydney South West GP Link (formerly Macarthur Division of

General Practice)

• Bankstown Division of General Practice

• Central Sydney General Practice Network

• General Practice Northside Network

• Manly Warringah Division of General Practice

• Northern Sydney General Practice Network

• South Eastern Sydney Division of General Practice

GP Synergy also maintains close ties with the four universities

located within GP Synergy’s Sydney boundaries – the University

of Sydney, the University of NSW, the University of Notre Dame

and the University of Western Sydney.

During the 2010-2011 financial year GP Synergy strengthened

its relationships with many of the eighteen teaching hospitals

located within the Sydney basin in the roll-out of the expanded

Prevocational General Practice Placements Program (PGPPP) and

other collaborative marketing activities.

Our Regions

New England/Northwest

The New England/Northwest area remains at the centre of rural

medical training development, with a medical school in the

regional centre of Armidale and an integrated, modern teaching

hospital located in Tamworth.

In addition to the teaching practices GP Synergy has these

regional centres, we also have accredited facilities in many of

the smaller towns across the region including Moree, Bingara,

Warialda, Gunnedah, Inverell, Wee Waa and Manilla.

Within our New England/Northwest boundaries, there are several

Divisions of General Practice with whom we maintain close

relationships and seek their input through regional advisory

councils:-

• Barwon Division of General Practice

• New England Division of General Practice

• Northwest Slopes Division of General Practice

GP Synergy continues to work closely with the local University

located within the New England/Northwest region - the

University of New England and maintains strong relationships

with the two training hospitals in the region – Tamworth Rural

Referral Hospital and Armidale Hospital. Both sites continued to

support procedural skills placements in the 2010-2011 period.


As all our members would be aware, 2011 has been a traumatic

year for GP Synergy with the tragic death of our inaugural Director

of Training (DoT), Dr Jeremy Bunker.

Jeremy was part of the original planning group in 2000 that

help set up the structure and geographic boundaries for Sydney

Institute of General Practice Education and Training, otherwise

known as SIGPET. He was one of the inaugural Directors on the

SIGPET Board before stepping down from the Board to take up

the position of DoT.

Jeremy then had the momentous task of overseeing the

educational program for both SIGPET and GP Synergy after the

merger with NEATS and then IGPE.

We were extremely fortunate to have had Jeremy at the helm

of our organisation over these last 10 years and so it has been

extremely sad and difficult for all the staff (Medical Educators

and Administration), supervisors and registrars (both past and

present) to farewell him after his brave battle with cancer.

As Chair of the Board I would like to personally take this

opportunity to thank Dr Linda Mann and Mr John Oldfield for

their leadership of the GP Synergy team over this difficult time.

They both devoted an enormous amount of personal time and

energy to ensure the education program kept running seamlessly

for our registrars and supervisors.

The Board now welcomes Associate Professor Rosa Canalese into

the role of DoT and looks forward to a stimulating and exciting

journey with her into future general practice education and

training in our wonderfully diverse region of Sydney and New

England/Northwest NSW.

2011 has also seen the opening of our new Liverpool offices

and state of the art training facilities. This has allowed us to

recruit more staff and oversee the development of the PGPPP

(Prevocational General Practice Placements Program), based out

of the Liverpool office.

We are also excited to oversee the development of a new office

site at Armidale and look forward to seeing the development

of more teaching facilities for our registrars based in the New

England/Northwest region.

The Board is also committed to the ongoing development of

our regional subcommittees (Sydney South/Southwest, Sydney

Central, New England/Northwest NSW) where our Members

have the opportunity to actively work with us on improving our

program delivery and support to both registrars and supervisors.

This is particularly important with the roll out of our new

accreditation and support services as well as the PGPPP.

We are also excited by the work of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander Committee which has overseen the development of new

training posts and opportunities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander health.

As a Board we want to encourage our members to actively attend

these meetings so that we can respond to all your suggestions

and feedback about how to improve our training program.

Finally I would like to clarify with all our members that the current

GP Synergy Board structure is skills based, where we aim to have

a broad range of essential and diverse governance skills related

to running a general practice training program. This is designed

to ensure we can deliver a financially viable but educationally

sound general practice training program at the same time as

being innovative and exciting for our future GP registrars. Our

goal is to achieve our mission: ‘To train highly skilled medical

practitioners contributing to healthier communities’.

Chairs Report

"Our mission is to train highly skilled medical practitioners contributing to healthier communities".

Dr Charlotte Hespe


Our Board


Dr Ian Adair MB BS (Syd), MBA (Macq), AFAIM, FAICD20 December 2004 – 29 October 2010

Dr Nada Andric B. MedSci and MB BS (Syd), FRACGP

October 2010 - present

Dr Owen BrookesMB BS (Syd), FRACGP1 January 2010 - 28 October 2010

Dr Ashok ChalasaniMB BS, FRACGP, MFM (Monash)30 June 2005 – 29 October 2010

Associate Professor Lyn Fragar AOMB BS (USYD), DTM&H (USYD), MPH (USYD), Dip Ag Ec (UNE), FAFPHM, Grad Dip Ornithology (CSU)21 May 2003 - present

Associate ProfessorMichelle GuppyMB BS, FRACGP, MPH11 October 2006 - present

Dr Matthew Gray B.Med, B.Ec, FRACGP1 January 2010 - 29 October 2010

Dr Charlotte Hespe - Chair MB BS (Hons) (Syd), DCH (Lon), FRACGP, FAICD, GCUT (UNDA)27 December 2001 – present

Dr Martyn BakerM.A., M.B., B.Chir [Cantab], D.Obst RCOG [London], D.C.H [London], Dip RACOG.30 August 2006 - 29 October 2010

Dr Charlotte Hespe

Our Board continued

Dr Rod MartinB Sc (UQ), MB BS (UQ), FACRRM

(Anaes/Obstets)

9 June 2008 - 29 October 2010

Dr Harry NespolonBM BS, DipRACOG B.Ec LL.B (Hons) FRACGP, FACLM, GCLP, MBA, FAICD31 October 2007– present

Dr Alison RoseMB BS, FRACGP

1 January 2010 - 29 October 2010

Dr Narelle ShadboltMB BS, FRACGP, MFM (Monash)

30 June 2005 - 29 October 2010

Dr Jacqueline KornerMB BS, DRCOG, MRCGP20 December 2006 – present

Professor Jennifer ReathMBBS, Dip RACOG, FRACGP, MMed 29 October 2010 – present

Professor Siaw-Teng LiawMB BS, Dip Obst, PhD, FRACGP, FACHI,

GAICD

1 January 2010 - present

Dr Les WoollardDRANZCOG, DRCOG DA MB BS

(Melbourne)

13 February 2002 - 29 October 2010



Education Committee – Report From Chair, Prof Teng Liaw

I was appointed Chair of the Education Committee (EC) in

November 2010 following the resignation of the previous chair,

Narelle Shadbolt, from the GP Synergy Board.

2010-11 was a tumultuous period with significant events and

changes following the merger of GP Synergy with Institute of

GP Education (IGPE). The combined Medical Education (ME)

team worked effectively and collegiately to consolidate and

to harmonise the GP Synergy and IGPE curricula and training

pathways. GP Synergy is now a single team delivering vocational

training and support of supervisors and registrars from four

offices, Chippendale, Liverpool, Armidale and Moree. It is a

tribute to the combined ME team, ably led by Jeremy Bunker and

Linda Mann and Rosa Canalese (after Jeremy’s untimely illness

and death in May 2011), that the GP Synergy training program

and registrar placement continues to function smoothly and

effectively with most registrar choices met.

The dedication and hard work of the ME team along with the

support of the administrative team led by the CEO, John Oldfield,

continue to amaze me as they grapple with the challenges of GP

training in an uncertain and evolving environment.

Thanks to Margaret Ginger, the Director of Training of WentWest),

for her very able oversight of the new allocation process as chair

of the inaugural Terms Allocation Committee (TAC).

Too many significant activities happened to allow an easy

complete listing: a range of policies, implementation of the

2-stage selection process for GP registrar training, development

of the Alumnus network, enlargement of the Prevocational GP

Placement Program (PGPPP), the joint lecturer position in General

Practice with the University of NSW School of Public Health and

Community Medicine, the Aboriginal Health Education Liaison

Board Sub Committees

Committee with engagement of the CEOs of Aboriginal Medical

Services (AMS), the remote model of supervision of registrars in

Aboriginal Medical Services, and so on.

The focus going forward will be to consolidate the comprehensive

evaluation processes and documentation from a range of sources,

vertical integration, Aboriginal Health and achieving the KPIs of

the quality framework. Doing this systematically and reporting

on it in learned education journals and the GPET conference, will

build up the evidence to support and improve the GP Synergy

training program.

Last but not least, thanks to all the members of the Education

Committee for their active participation and contributions face-

to-face or over the ether.


Finance & Audit Committee

The Finance and Audit Committee meets monthly. The

committee is responsible for reviewing the integrity of

financial reporting and overseeing the independence of

auditors. It primarily focuses on: major judgmental areas;

significant adjustments, accounting and financial reporting

issues and legal requirements resulting from the audit;

compliance with accounting policies and standards, and

legal requirements; and analysis of the Company’s financial

performance.

Nominations Committee

The role of the Nominations and Constitutional Review

Committee is to assist the Board with effective discharge of

its responsibilities to establish and maintain the nominations

and elections processes under the provisions of the company

Constitution.

The Committee is required to review and make recommendations

about constitutional matters and oversee the drafting of

constitutional amendments as appropriate.

The committee also oversees awards programs of GP Synergy.

During the 2010-2011 financial period its members included Dr’s

Owen Brookes (Chair), Charlotte Hespe, Harry Nespolon and Mr

John Oldfield. The committee met in August and October 2011.

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Committee

GP Synergy recognises the need for Aboriginal Medical Services to

employ registrars who are appropriately sensitive and responsive

to the needs of its clients, and the need to maintain continuity of

supply and support.

The role of the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Committee is to

consider the development and delivery of effective education for

GP registrars in the area of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Health within the Framework for General Practice Training

in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health. This involves

interpretation of the most effective ways of applying the relevant

parts of the RACGP and ACRRM curricula to training in Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander Health incorporating and reflecting

local priorities and concerns.

The committee examines all of GP Synergy's educational activities

and equity programs with a view to ensuring that all recognise

and help address the concerns and needs of Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islanders in a culturally sensitive and appropriate way.

The committee helps establish formal and effective relationships

between GP Synergy and other organisations and individuals

which strive for improvement in the health of the Aboriginal

communities and which facilitate effective Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander training.

It also assists in the development and implementation of

procedures for the recruitment of GP registrars to work in the

Aboriginal Medical Services and to support the cultural mentors

who in turn support them.

The committee provides guidance and support for GP Synergy's

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Liaison Officer in the

discharge of her/his duties, to identify 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 to monitor and aim to enhance

GP Synergy's compliance with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander Health Framework.

Board Sub Committees continued


The committee held meetings in August 2010, November

2010, March 2011 and May 2011. Members to the committee

have recently been extended to include a representative from

each AMS or organisation within GP Synergy’s geographical

boundaries.

A key area of focus for the group has been the discussion of a

remote supervision model for Aboriginal Medical Services within

the NE/NW region.

Another area of focus for the group was the mandatory placement

of registrars training in NE/NW in Aboriginal community

organisations and the arrangement of supervision.

Regional Advisory Forums

Regional Advisory Councils are subcommittees of the GP Synergy

Board and have been established to represent interested

stakeholders within each regional node of GP Synergy.

Their role is to consider regional health services and issues in

context to primary care training (particularly GP education

and training), investigate and report on GP Synergy’s influence

(potential or real) and performance in these areas.

Sydney Central Regional Advisory Forum

The Sydney Central Regional Advisory Forum met three times

during the 2010-2011 financial period on 15/09/2010, 9/02/2011

and 22/06/2011. Its members include representatives from

Universities and Divisions located within the Sydney Central

region. Representatives at these meetings during this period

included Dr Martyn Baker (1), Mr Darryl Williams (2), Dr Linda

Mann (3), Mr Kevin Reid (1), Mr Richard Lawrance (1), Ms Tricia

Rowlinson (2), Dr Nada Andric (2), Professor Nicholas Zwar (1),

Dr Charlotte Hespe (1), Dr Liz Marles (1), Dr Narelle Shadbolt

(1), Dr Wicky Wong (1), Mrs Jenny Sikorski (1), Lisa Leckey (1),

Dr Kiril Goring-Siebert, Dr Shamini Ramoo, Dr Michael Moore,

Mr Peter Wood and Mr John Oldfield (3). During this period the

Committee had two Chairs – Dr Martyn Baker (1) and Dr Nada

Andric (2). Current members are in bold.

During the financial period, the advisory forum received updates

on current issues and matters of interest related to GP Synergy’s

training program, distribution of placements in the region, practice

and supervisor capacities, GP Synergy policies, accreditation and

the expansion of training through PGPPP.

Sydney South/South West (SS/SW) Regional Advisory Forum

The SS/SW Regional Advisory Forum met twice during the 2010-

2011 financial period on 14/7/10 and 23/2/11. Its members

include representatives from Universities and Divisions located

within the SS/SW region. The Chair of this committee is Dr Owen

Brookes (3). Representatives at these meetings over the period

included: The above mentioned Chair, Dr Joy Mowbray (1), Dr

Ashok Chalasani (3), Dr Matthew Gray (2). Prof Siaw Teng-

Liaw (2), Dr Sanjyot Vagholkar (1), Dr Alison Rose (2), Dr John

Stanford (1), Dr Robert Yeoh (2), Prof Jenny Reath (2), Dr

Marisa Magiros (2), Dr Anne Eastwood (2), Mr John Oldfield (3),

Mrs Dianne Hill (3). Current members are in bold.

During the 2010-2011 financial period the group collected

and considered feedback from supervisors regarding the IGPE

merger, submitted proposals to the Board for consideration

at Strategic Planning Meeting, maintained a watching brief of

PCHOs, discussed capacity development including recruitment

of training practices for both registrars and prevocational doctors,

registrar retention in view of workforce shortage, involvement in

education of Practice Nurses and Practice Managers, considered

information regarding potential Aboriginal Health posts at and

engaged in a joint initiative with Sydney South West Link to

lobby to have more of the Southwest area classified as outer-

metropolitan.


Board Sub Committees continued

New England/Northwest (NE/NW)Regional Advisory Forum

The NE/NW Regional Advisory Forum met three times during the

2010-2011 financial period on 26/10/10, 21/2/11 and 21/6/11.

At the start of the period its members included representatives

from Universities and Divisions located within the NE/NW region

however to broaden the stakeholder input, this was extended to

include rural procedural GP's amongst others. During this period

the Committee had two Chairs – Dr Les Woollard (1) and A/Prof

Michelle Guppy (2). Representatives at these meetings over the

period included: The above mentioned Chairs, Mrs Fiona Strang

(2), Assoc Prof Lyn Fragar (1), Ms Delys Brady (3), Mr Scott

McLachlan (1), Mr Trevor Kapeen (1), Dr Ian Kamerman (1),

Mr Graeme Kershaw (1), Mrs Sally Armitage (2), Mr Peter

Finlayson (1), Dr Di Coote (1), Dr Cheryl McIntyre (1), Ms

Donna Taylor (0), Mr John Oldfield (3), Mr Pat Worthing (3).

Current members are in bold.

During the year, the committee received updates by CEO/

management of industry and GP Synergy extant developments

and matters of interest including PGPPP, GP Synergy policies

and the establishment of Armidale hub office. The group

also discussed practice and supervisor capacities, including

establishment of supervision model approved by RACGP for use

in Aboriginal Medical Services; maintained watching brief PHCO's,

received Hunter New England Health updates on the progress

of development of the Rural Generalist program, updates on

the status of GP Synergy procedural training posts in Tamworth

and Armidale and clarification of GP Synergy educational

requirements for GP supervisors.


John Oldfield

2011 marks the loss of our colleague Dr Jeremy Bunker, to lung

cancer. Jeremy held the role of Director of Training since late 2002.

Over the past couple of years and during bouts of treatment

and recovery, Dr Linda Mann stepped into Jeremy’s role as acting

Director of Training. I wish to thank and acknowledge Linda

and all staff during this time for their support end efforts in

making sure GP Synergy continued to deliver excellent training

whilst managing substantial growth. I wish to acknowledge

the substantial contribution that Jeremy has made to our

organisation over the years, to general practice training and the

discipline at large.

There is no denying that GP Synergy’s growth has been

phenomenal with two amalgamations in as many years

however it hasn’t stopped there. Supported by Commonwealth

policy and funding, in 2010 - 2011 we seized the opportunity

to develop a significant pre-vocational training program called

the Prevocational General Practice Placement Program (PGPPP).

This program provides opportunity for pre-vocational doctors

to experience general practice by undertaking a supported

10-11 week placement in an accredited, community based

general practice training facility. It has been running for some

time in other states and minimally in NSW. However backed

by generous funding and a concerted industry effort to get the

program up and running in NSW, within a very short space of

time we have been able to scale up a program to 85 rotations in

the 2011 training year and further is grow anticipated for 2012

and beyond.

We have also seen increased registrars intake to 103, importantly

in 2010 – 2012, eighteen rural pathway candidates been

recruited to train in our New England / Northwest region. This

highlights year on year increase in training numbers in the

region since amalgamation and we intend to continue this trend

ensuring that we work with our training practices and continually

improve our training delivery to ensure registers are provided

with a quality training experience. A positive training experience

ultimately leads to retention and improved services for those

communities in need of health workforce.

In 2011 we announced plans to develop our New England

Northwest presence in Armidale.We have acquired premises

and have recruited a number of staff to the Armidale office.

Our Moree office will continue, albeit with a smaller staff, and is

focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health managed

by Val Dahlstrom and other special program's under Felicity

Gemmell-Smith’s management including Defense Force Training

and the procedural skills training program.

Following amalgamation with the Institute of GP Education in

2010, our general pathways registrars and supervisors now cover

an extensive region from eastern and inner Sydney and throughout

the southwest corridor to the Southern Highlands. To ensue that

we provide suitable access and facility we have established

purpose built 500m square facility in Liverpool which includes

a sizeable events area, computer lab and a skills and assessment

lab. Liverpool is deemed to be the most appropriate for transport

and access for both trainees and supervisors and the premises

has been well received by all. Our staff often work between both

sites in support of our aim to maximize the sharing or resources,

skills and expertise.

In 2011 GP Synergy established a joint venture subsidiary with

5 partners to develop a new and improved GPRime system,

our prime IMIT system that is used in the administration and

management of the training program. GPRime is now a legacy

system that was developed in 2003. The upgraded system will

include the most user friendly and productive aspects of the

various systems used by RTPs and is expected to have vastly

improved interface, performance and stability. Its development is

largely informed by years of user experience and feedback form

various stakeholders. We expect trials of the system to occur in

2012.

CEO Report

Quote from John's articleto go here. Quote from John's article to go here.

"I am very fortunate to work with a dedicated and professional staff who make the work environment at GP Synergy both exciting and enjoyable."

John Oldfield


A key challenge for our program is the Commonwealth’s

requirement to complete one year of community based training

outside of the inner city areas and I locations classified as outer

metropolitan, rural and/or in an Aboriginal Medical Services. This

requirement came in in 2010. Although we support the focus

on meeting the needs of these communities, the classifications

do not adequately reflect all the areas of medical workforce

need within our specific urban catchment. GP Synergy will be

investigating improved ways of dealing with this issue and in

ways that provide more flexible options for registrars in meeting

the medical service needs and with a focus on the communities

of medical workforce need in our catchment.

We have many other projects on the boil in support of improved

education delivery. During the period we provided in-practice

resource grants will see a particular focus on resource in and

up-skilling practices supervisors and trainees in the use of

videoconferencing systems as a business and education tool.

This technology will become increasingly important to a number

of aspects of education delivery.

Once again I would like to acknowledge the Board headed up by

our Chair, Dr Charlotte Hespe. Charlottes expertise and input has

been fundamental in shaping our organisation and its governance

culture. I am blessed to work amongst a professional a dedicated

group of directors who have managed difficult transitional

arrangements during amalgamation and who always act in the

best interests of GP Synergy and the programs it delivers. This year

the Board continues to work with the Regional Advisory Councils

as a means to strengthen communications between the Board

and our members. We hope this conduit provides improved

member access and influence in the governance of our region.

We are delighted to welcome our new Director of Training,

A/Prof. Rosa Canalese who accepted the appointment in 2011.

Rosa brings with her a wealth of industry knowledge having

served as a former senior medical educator in IGPE prior to

amalgamation. In recent years Rosa has been educating medical

students at the University of Notre Dame in her role as Associate

Dean for Teaching and Learning. Rosa also continues with clinical

sessions. We are very lucky to have her join us.

I also wish to acknowledge and thank all staff who have

contributed to the success and growth of our organisation

in so many ways and who ensure that the best training and

service is provided to our trainees and supervisors. I am very

fortunate to work with a dedicated and professional staff who

make the work environment at GP Synergy both exciting and

enjoyable. I look forward to 2012.


John Oldfield

Director of Training Report

Following on from the amalgamations with NEATS and IGPE

which were finalised in 2009 and 2010 respectively, the last year

should have been a gentle year of consolidation and melding

the educational skills of three teams to make a new and effective

whole in the newly renovated premises at Chippendale and

Liverpool.

We did do all that, but sadly only amongst tumult of staff change

and the untimely death of Dr Jeremy Bunker.

This report will reflect the work done under Jeremy, from July

2010 to February 2011 and then by me as Acting Director of

Training from then until July 2011 when Change Dr to A/Prof

Rosa Canalese commenced work as DoT.

2010

Trainees

During 2010 our focus was on the training of over 300 GP

registrars and the commencement of the PGPPP experience (Pre-

vocational GP Placement Program). For the expanded PGPPP

program to commence with placements in 2011, completely

new and very exhaustive accreditation was needed for the

initial 12 practices, which occupied much of Jeremy's time in

late 2010. He worked with Ms Jani Mal in the development of

support resources for practices, and the integration of teaching

for registrars and Junior Medical Officers (those who will be part

of PGPPP).

Jeremy also worked alongside Dr Winston Lo, who has nurtured

the registrars at the end of their training time, and into their

life as new GPs, on the development of the GP Synergy alumni

association. This was announced in December 2010. It is a market

place for doctors, and will increase the connectivity of these new

GPs, as well as cementing their relationship with their training

organisation.

Staff

There was considerable movement of staff during this period

across all region nodes, as some chose to move to new

opportunities and new faces arrived.

We bade farewell to Dr Hooi Toh whose work as Director of

Training at IGPE was carried on by Dr Anne Eastwood, now

Regional Education Director of the South West Node. To augment

ME resource out of Liverpool we welcomed Dr Graeme Lee, Dr

Geetha Kunjithapatham and Dr Michael Tam, who is sharing a

new position half time with GP Synergy and half time as a GP

academic with UNSW.

In the New England/Northwest (NE/NW) node, although we lost

the excellent services of Dr Carmen Ast, she continues to work

for us undertaking clinical teaching visits and in our education

program. Dr Russell King also stepped down from his formal

medical education role but is also a regular contributor to the

educational program. The region also bade farewell to Jan Tuart,

whose position is being reorganised, and to Brenda Rees-Smith

who relocated interstate. The staff departures in the region has

been augmented by the welcome addition of Ms Miriam White,

who provides administrative support for the Medical Educators

(MEs) in the region and Dr Jenny Morrison, who became a registrar

ME. The NE/NW ME team include Regional Education Director, Dr

Barb Moritz and Drs Roland Loeve and Donna Quinn.

The Central node has seen great change, most notably Dr Jeremy

Bunker’s forced retirement due to ill health in February, and his

death in May. I took on the role of Acting Director of Training at

this time and was aided by the addition of two new MEs, Drs Carl

Bazergy and Huy An. They join the existing medical education

staff of Drs Eszter Fenessy, Jenny Lonergan, Anna Sallos, Vanessa

Moran, Winston Lo and Su Yang. We also saw the departure of

Dr Hadia Mukhtar, who to become Dean of GP at Notre Dame


"During 2010 our focus was on the training of over 300 GP registrars and the commencement of the PGPPP experience".

Dr Linda MannActing Director of Training



in Auburn Hospital.We were fortunate to continue to have the

presence of Dr Marisa Magiros to help Dr Shamini Ramoo into the

RLO position and Dr Ian Kamerman, in the role of SLO.

2011

Trainees

The selection process for doctors seeking to enter GP training

changed this year to a national program with selection centres

forming a significant part of the assessment. Whilst the centres

required considerable planning, they have ultimately resulted in

a more streamlined and transparent selection process.

A pilot program for rural pathway hospital registrars was launched

by Registrar Medical Educator, Dr Jenny Morrison, with support by

Dr Barb Moritz to support these registrars making the transition

from hospital to GP settings.

Training Practices

Expressions of interest for accreditation resulted in increasing

the number of outer metropolitan practices we have for

registrar placement, but not in supplying all the practices that will

be needed for urban PGPPP for 2012-2013. In a similar vein, we

have reached training practice saturation in the New England/

Northwest area, with suitable practices having given us space

for all the registrars they can offer places for. The ability to fill all

those places continues to vary (we filled 17 of 21 places in 2010,

and have 26 places to fill in 2011, with selection still occurring at

the time of writing.

Divisions and Medicare Locals

A number of Divisional engagement meetings have occurred

to ensure that GP Synergy is able to be as integral a part of the

development of Medicare Locals as those organisations seek. The

New England/Northwest area was successful in the first round, so

that Medicare Local is in active development.

Universities and GP Synergy

GP Synergy has strong relationships with the five Universities in

its boundaries – The Universities of Sydney, NSW, Notre Dame,

Western Sydney and New England. In 2011 we co-hosted the

Clinical Teacher Training Workshop with several of the Universities

and we have several staff and board members with employment

within universities.

Dr Linda MannActing Director of Training

GP Synergy FarewellsDr Jeremy Bunker

On 4th May 2011, GP Synergy lost one of its longest serving staff

members, DoT, Dr Jeremy Bunker, to cancer.

Jeremy was an exceptional General Practitioner, teacher, leader,

academic and, of course, a dear friend to many. He was a high

achiever, graduating in 1983 from the University of Sydney with

first-class honours, a university medal and three prizes.

After 15 years working as a GP in his own practice in Ultimo,

Jeremy became a GP supervisor with the Royal Australian

College of General Practitioners (RACGP) in 2002. Shortly after he

was appointed DoT at the Sydney Institute for General Practice

Education and Training (SIGPET), one of several new Regional

Training Providers (RTPs) created through the regionalisation of

general practice education and training.

Jeremy was instrumental in shaping the general practice

education landscape and undertook his role with dedication,

enthusiasm and professionalism. Under Jeremy’s guidance, the

organisation delivered medical education of the highest quality

and become renowned as a leading provider of general practice

education.

Jeremy played a critical role in the successful merger of SIGPET

with the New England Area Training Service (NEATS) to become

GP Synergy, embracing the opportunity to become involved in

rural general practice education training delivery.

When the organisation merged again in 2010 with the Institute of

General Practice Education (IGPE), Jeremy again led the successful

integration of the education programs, with his colleagues

creating seamless educational delivery that extended across

most of Sydney.

For more than a decade, Jeremy developed programs of

education and training for GPs at all levels, including a formal

training program for supervisors and registrars. He participated

in many of these programs himself and was an avid supporter

of professional development, graduating with his Masters of

Medical Education from the University of New South Wales

(UNSW) in 2010.


In so many ways Jeremy positively influenced his trainees, colleagues and the industry.

Dr Jeremy Bunker1957 - 2011


In his role as DoT, he became a teacher, mentor and role model for

many GP trainees and colleagues.

During his tenure he participated in many research projects such

as literature review commissioned by GPET - ‘Choosing general

practice - A review of career determinants’, and co-authored other

papers such as ‘Caring for patients with opioid dependence’.

In addition to his DoT role, Jeremy wore many other hats,

including working as a Staff Specialist at the Fairfield General

Practice Unit GP in Sydney’s south/southwest and a Conjoint

Lecturer at UNSW. In these role/s he participated in academic

research and was awarded the RACGP award for the best

research article in 2010 for his contribution to the research article

‘Feasibility and efficacy of COPD case finding by practice nurses”.


Jeremy set the tone and educational foundations for GP Synergy.

In so many ways he positively influenced his trainees, colleagues

and the industry.

The general practice community has greatly benefited from his

involvement and in both professional and personal contexts, he

continues to be missed by his colleagues across the profession

and at GP Synergy.

Staff

GP Synergy is fortunate to have a high calibre of dedicated staff

across its medical education and administration teams.

2010-2011 was a turbulent time for staff with the passing away

of GP Synergy’s inaugural Director of Training, Dr Jeremy Bunker

to cancer in May 2011. The illness and loss of Jeremy affected all

staff significantly, and during the period there were several staff

changes.

Dr Linda Mann stepped up into the role of Acting Director of

Training during Jeremy’s illness and after his death until to the

appointment of A/Prof Rosa Canalese into the DoT position on

1st July 2011. Linda then took on the Director of Prevocational

Training (DPET) role for the expanded PGPPP program. GP Synergy

sincerely thanks Linda for her contribution and commitment

during this difficult time.

Amongst this change 2010 saw some significant educational

innovations developed by GP Synergy staff. At the 2010 GPET

Conference in September, several GP Synergy staff were

accepted to make presentations. GP Synergy Medical Educator

Dr Donna Quinn and staff member Jann Tuart co-presented

with Dr Graham Emblem from CSQTC on the adaptation of the

Pre-GPT1 Assessment tool to specifically assess and identify GPR

issues prior to commencing GPT1. Dr Barb Moritz also presented

on her and Dr Donna Quinn's experience trialling the effects of

implementing a tandem External Clinical Teaching Visit (ECTV)

technique in remediation.

In 2010 GP Synergy was fortunate to have the addition of

former SIGPET registrar, Dr Michael Tam, to the GP Synergy

medical education team. Michael joined GP Synergy as part of

a collaborative joint lecturer position between GP Synergy and

the UNSW School of Public Health and Community Medicine. The

position involves teaching in both the undergraduate medical

program at UNSW and vocational education at GP Synergy and is

for a fixed term (up to two years).

Operations Staff: 1.7.10-30.6.11

Mr John Oldfield: CEO

Administration – Sydney

Ms Dianne Hill: Deputy CEO & Regional Business Manager -

Sydney South/Southwest

Dr Sonia Cattley (PhD)

Education and Training Coordinator - General Pathway

Ms Lorraine Cecil-Swadling

Data Administration Officer

Ms Karine Manley

Executive Assistant to the CEO

Ms Denise McSorley

Administration Officer

Ms Belinda Palamara

Data Administration Officer & Educational Resource Coordinator

Ms Carol Thorndike

Office Administrator & Executive Assistant to the

South/Southwest Senior Staff

Ms Michelle Van Dongen

Terms Administration and Data Quality Manager

Administration – New England/Northwest

Mr Pat Worthing

Chief Financial Officer & Regional Business Manager -

New England/Northwest

Ms Lucy Adams

Office Administrator

Ms Ruth Fletcher

Office Administrator

Ms Felicity Gemmell-Smith

Special Education Programs Manager

& Process Development Officer


GP Synergy is fortunate to have a high calibre of dedicated staff across its medical education and administration teams.


Ms Brenda Rees-Smith

Education and Training Program

Coordinator- Rural Pathway

Ms Jann Tuart

Regional Intake & Support Officer

Ms Miriam White

Regional Education Support

& Events Coordinator – New England/

Northwest

Events & Marketing

Ms Kate Froggatt

Marketing & Events Manager

Ms Eliza Canty

Events Coordinator - Central

Ms Lexi Kyle

Marketing & Events Coordinator – SS/

SW

Ms Miriam White

Regional Education Support & Events

Coordinator – NE/NW

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health

Ms Val Dahlstrom

Aboriginal Liaison Officer

Prevocational General Practice Placements Program (PGPPP)

Ms Jani Mal

PGPPP Officer

Accounts

Mr Ken Glover

Accountant

Ms Tina Barwick-Taylor

Finance Officer

Accreditation

Ms Deborah Eastwood

Accreditation, Safety and Quality

Officer

Medical Education Staff: 1.7.10-30.6.11

Dr Jeremy Bunker

Director of Training

Dr Linda Mann

Acting Director of Training

Sydney Medical Educators

Dr Hooi Toh

Regional Education Director

Dr Anne Eastwood


Dr Huy An

Medical Educator

Dr Soheyl Aran

Medical Educator

Dr Carl Bazergy

Medical Educator

Dr James Best

Supervisor Medical Educator

Dr Eszter Fenessy

Medical Educator

Dr Geetha Kunjithapatham

Medical Educator

Dr Graham Lee


Medical Educator

Dr Jenny Lonergan

Medical Educator

Dr Marisa Magiros

Registrar Medical Educator / RLO

Dr Vanessa Moran

Medical Educator

Dr Hadia Mukhtar

Medical Educator

Dr Winston Lo

Medical Educator

Dr Anna Sallos

Medical Educator

Dr Michael Tam

Medical Educator

Dr Su Yang

Medical Educator

New England/Northwest Medical Educators

Dr Barb Moritz


Dr Russell King

Medical Educator

Dr Roland Loeve

Medical Educator

Dr Jenny Morrison

Registrar Medical Educator

Dr Donna Quinn

Medical Educator

Program Evaluation

Ms Margaret Simpson

Education & Evaluation Officer

Training practice supervisors and staff play a critical role in the

successful delivery of the AGPT program. GP Synergy is fortunate

to have an exceptional calibre of training practices across its three

regions, with dedicated, professional and enthusiastic supervisors

providing quality teaching and learning experiences.

In-practice Supervision Satisfaction

In a study commissioned by GPET undertaken by Piazza

Consulting in April 2011, registrars were asked to rate their level

of satisfaction with the quality of teaching and advice provided

by their supervisor. 98% of general pathway registrars surveyed

were satisfied or highly satisfied, with 100% of rural pathway

respondents satisfied or highly satisfied with the quality of

teaching and advice.

Supervisor Professional Development Program

To support supervisors in their education and training of GP

registrars, GP Synergy continues to provide a comprehensive

supervisor professional development program.

The program is built on a matrix of resources for GP supervisors

which includes education designed to increase knowledge of the

General Practice curriculum and GP Synergy education program,

as well as explore and promote methods of clinical teaching.

In the 2010-2011 period GP Synergy hosted several educational

workshops for supervisors in each node, as well as cross-nodal

educational activities.

A highlight of this program was the annual GP Supervisor

Development weekend held in June which examined the

techniques to effectively manage the relationship between

registrars and supervisors to ensure a positive training outcome.

Supporting Supervisors and Maximising In-practice Experience

Held at GP Synergy’s Liverpool office, the workshop was attended

by GP Synergy supervisors from all three nodes. It was led by the

highly respected John Boyle, a cognitive behavioural therapist

with a therapeutic philosophy of Person Centred Treatment, in

conjunction with Drs Linda Mann & Barb Moritz.

The workshop featured several dynamic small group activities

requiring supervisors from across the GP Synergy Sydney and

New England/Northwest regions to work together, reflect, and

challenge their thoughts and behaviour.

To provide additional professional development opportunities for

rural and remote supervisors in the first half of 2011, GP Synergy

piloted its first online supervisor webinar.

In the first half of 2011, GP Synergy, exploring opportunities to

provide additional professional development opportunities for

rural and remote supervisors piloted its first online supervisor

webinar.

Presented and facilitated by GP Synergy Medical Educator Dr

Roland Loeve, the webinar topic was 'Teaching the registrar to

engage the patient in self-management'.

Nine supervisors from the New England region participated

in the workshop with GP Synergy event staff also on hand to

offer assistance and support. Like all good pilots, the workshop

presented some anticipated and some unanticipated issues.

However, there was strong support from participants that the

platform could be further developed into a useful professional

development learning tool for remote supervisors.

Another highlight of the professional development program

was the Clinical Teacher Training Workshop. An annually run

event, the workshop is now in its eighth consecutive year, and

forms part of GP Synergy’s supervisor professional development



GP Synergy continues to provide a comprehensive supervisor professional development program.

program. Held in March, the workshop was run as a collaborative

educational event with the Universities of New South Wales,

Notre Dame, Sydney and Western Sydney. Demand for the

workshop was so high a second event had to be planned for the

latter part of 2011.

Supervisor of the Year Award

In October 2010, GP Synergy supervisor and former GP Synergy

Medical Educator, Dr James Best, won the RACGP General Practice

Supervisor of the Year Award 2010. The award recognises the

dedication of general practitioners who train and mentor general

practice registrars, their continuing commitment within the field

of general practice and their service to their patients, practice and

their community. The RACGP awards are an acknowledgment by

the profession of excellence in general practice.

Supervisor Advocacy & Support – Update by Supervisor Liaison Officer, Dr Ian Kamerman

Supervisors play a vital role within the Australian General Prac-

tice Training program. They not only supervise, but teach, sup-

port, mentor, coach and act as a role model, for their colleagues in

training, as well as see their own patients.

To provide support for supervisors GP Synergy maintains an active

supervisor as a Supervisor Liaison Officer. I have been in this role

for the last year. Largely I communicate with my colleagues via

emails, phone and personal contact at workshops. Another facet

of my role is to ensure GP Synergy gets the best advice from their

supervisors, either on an informal basis or formally through the

Supervisor Advisory Forum, which meets quarterly.

Practice Manager Workshops

Recognising the important role Practice Managers and other

practice staff play in a registrar’s training experience, GP Synergy

ran several Practice Manager workshops during the 2010-2011

period.

A workshop was held in Bingara in the Northwest/New England

region as well as in GP Synergy’s former offices in Smithfield. The

workshops provided a platform for updates about the GP Synergy

program, discussion and clarification of key administrative areas

such as pay and conditions, and opportunities for networking

and asking questions.

Training Practice Accreditation

2010 saw a change in the process for training practice

accreditation, delegated from the RACGP to the RTPs to manage.

The new program includes a peer review process that may

include a visiting supervisor, practice manager and other

delegates led by a GP Synergy Accreditations Safety and Quality

Officer. The aim is to make accreditation more than just red tape

and provide the practice with valuable feedback, perceptions

and ideas from peer reviewers. It is also hoped this change in

process will also derive instances of best practice that may inform

operations.

The rollout of the new program commenced in 2011, and will

continue across the next three years seeing a complete re-

accreditation and peer review of all existing training facilities.

Supporting supervisors and maximising in-practice experience - continued


Training Competent and Confident Registrars

GP Synergy is the second largest Regional Training Provider

in Australia. For the 2011 Australian General Practice Training

(AGPT) program, GP Synergy offered a total of 103 training

places.

As at 30 June 2011, 297 registrars were in active training across

GP Synergy’s metropolitan, outer-metropolitan and rural

regions.

Fellowship Outcomes

In the 2010-2011 financial year 52 GP Synergy registrars

successfully reached their RACGP fellowship aspirations.

To assist registrars prepare for these exams GP Synergy offered

its popular exam preparation series, featuring a combination of

written and clinical interactive workshops. For the 2011.1 series,

GP Synergy trialed an online system for the mock written exams

which proved very successful.

GP Synergy continues to offer registrars training in the rural

pathway opportunities to train towards Fellowship of the

Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM) with

a registrar currently enrolled in this program.

Dr Mark Allan

Dr Olivia Andrews

Dr Asma Arain

Dr Jai Balgovind

Dr Suzan Bekir

Dr David Chiew

Dr Ekaterina Danko

Dr Gabrielle De Giorgio

Dr Leanne Ellis

Dr Elaine Emery

Dr Penelope Fletcher

Dr Lilijana Gorringe

Dr Aryan Hakimi

Dr Won-suk Han

Dr Paul Hanley

Dr Peter Hanley

Dr Nerida Holdaway

Dr Jessie Huang

Dr Arthur Huang

Dr Susanna Hung

Dr Natasha Hyde

Dr Mydhili Immadi

Dr Mehnaz Jamal

Dr Annabel Kain

Dr Ruben Kurilowich

Dr Emilie Larkin

Dr Kane Lavender

Dr Benjamin Lee

Dr Xiao Lin

Dr Peter Ly

Dr Adel Magdy

Dr Marisa Magiros

Dr Kathryn Medynski

Dr Thusha Murugathasan

Dr Arasaratnam Nirmalendran

Dr Maria Pizzinga

Dr Daniel Pronk

Dr Carla Qasabian

Dr Suzanne Rix

Dr Sadija Salihbegovic

Dr Mohammad Shinwari

Dr Ing-Hui Sim

Dr Linda Soo

Dr Kevin Su

Dr Jenny Thai

Dr Marcus Tjiong

Dr Liliya Vitenko

Dr Xiaomin Wang

Dr Michael Westbury

Dr Esther Win

Dr Max Wong

Dr Danian Yang

GP Synergy Congratulates the Following Registrars on their Fellowship Success:-


Education Program

During the 2010-2011 period GP Synergy delivered 112

workshops for its registrars, providing a variety of learning

opportunities across all stages of training.

In 2011, under the guidance of Dr Jeremy Bunker, Sydney Medical

education teams merged the education programs of the Sydney

South/Southwest & Sydney Central nodes. This created a seamless

learning program for registrars training across GP Synergy’s

Sydney regions and ensured local content and presenters were

able to be retained.

The GP Synergy registrar education program continues to be

highly valued and evaluated by its participants. In the 2011

Registrar satisfaction survey commissioned by GPET, undertaken

by Piazza Consulting, 98% of community based registrars were

either highly satisfied or satisfied with the quality of educational

content, presenters, suitability and diversity of educational

workshops delivered by GP Synergy.

The program is reviewed annually and mapped via GP Synergy’s

curriculum mapping guide – SCRIPT - the Syllabus & Curriculum

Roadmap for Independent and In-practice Teaching. GP Synergy

provides each registrar access to SCRIPT as the start of their

GP term training. SCRIPT maps the RACGP curriculum against

GP Synergy’s education program, translating the vast RACGP

curriculum landscape into a learning and teaching framework for

GP Synergy registrars and supervisors.

Some highlights of the 2010-2011 program included the

combined GP Synergy, GP Training – valley to coast & North Coast

GP Training Fusion Workshop and the hands on practical skills

workshops, featuring interactive sessions on musculo-skeletal

medicine, surgical skills, wound management, plastering and for

the first time, ears, nose and throat.

Training competent and confident Registrars - continued

The Pre-GPT1 Assessment, introduced initially only for rural

pathway registrars and then extended to general pathway

registrars, continues to be highly regarded by registrars. The

assessment allows registrars to reflect on the differences in the

consultation styles of the hospital and GP environment, and

target their preparation prior to entering a GP term.

ADF Registrars

GP Synergy is one of the largest trainers of Australian Defense

Force (ADF) GP registrars, training almost 20 ADF GP Registrars in

various stages of training during the 2010-2011 period.

To meet the training needs of this dynamic group, GP Synergy

Special Programs Officer, Ms Felicity Gemmell-Smith, together

with colleagues Dr Linda Mann and Dr Sonia Cattley, have

developed and adopted a multidisciplinary management model

to oversee the training of this group. Evaluations by trainees of

this model had a 100% satisfaction rating and GP Synergy has

made submission to AGPT to present a workshop on this at the

2011 GPET Conference in Canberra.

Discussions have also been undertaken with the Royal Australian

College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Joint Health

Command regarding deployment military medicine terms

and accreditation of same, which has now been achieved for a

number of trainees. Two of GP Synergy ADF registrars took part in

the humanitarian mission to Pakistan following the devastating

floods and their subsequent reports gave clear evidence of the

outstanding work this group of registrars do in very challenging

circumstances.

Further initiatives have been developed to assist this registrar

group with their successful progression through the AGPT

program and GP Synergy will continue to explore improvements

for ADF registrar training as an ongoing project.


Supporting supervisors and maximising in-practice experience - continued

During 2010-2011 52 GP Synergy registrars successfully reached their RACGP fellowship aspirations

Academic Extended Skills Posts

GP Synergy offers registrars the opportunity to undertake

academic extended skills placements at any of the affiliated

universities within its boundaries.

In 2010-2011, general pathway registrar Dr Kylie Vuong

undertook a placement with the University of Sydney, under

the supervision of Professor Bruce Armstrong and Associate

Professor Lyndal Trevena. Her project sought to identify whether

General Practitioner advice influenced sun protection behaviour

amongst patients.

At the annual RACGP NSW&ACT Faculty Fellowship and Awards

Ceremony in 2010 Kylie was awarded the RACGP/Primary Care

Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group (PC4) Research Grant

for this project.

Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander Health Training

GP Synergy has a long standing commitment to the improvement

of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. In 2010-2011 there

was an accredited Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) GP training

facility in each GP Synergy region with registrars training at these

facilities. These posts included the Redfern AMS in central Sydney,

Tharawal AMS in Sydney South/Southwest and the Tamworth

AMS in New England/Northwest.

In an effort to extend the GP training opportunities available

in rural Aboriginal Medical Services within the New England/

Northwest region, GP Synergy has been in ongoing discussions

with AMS’s as Pat Dixon Centre in Tamworth, Armajen AMS in

Armidale & Pius X in Moree regarding development of a remote

supervision model, which is hoped to be launched in 2012.

In 2010-2011, GP Synergy’s Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Officer, Ms Val Dahlstrom, played an instrumental role in the

development of the resource Give us a break! A look at the myths

and legends surrounding Aboriginal people and our lifestyles,

published by GPET. The booklet looks to rebut some of the

myths surrounding Aboriginal people and is a valuable resource

for anyone, particularly for AGPT registrars undertaking cultural

training.

Procedural Skills Training

In 2010-11 five full-time procedural trainees were training in

GP Synergy managed procedural skills posts in Tamworth and

Armidale across three disciplines. The Tamworth DRANZCOG

Advanced post has been reactivated and the ARSP Anaesthesia

placements continue to be popular with both posts filled.

Emergency Medicine in Tamworth has again had a trainee

and very positive feedback has been received regarding all

placements.

GP Synergy continues to work closely with the procedural

training specialist supervisors to ensure the highest quality

training possible and we have standardised log book templates

and assessment tools across the sites. We are also working with

the Tamworth Emergency Department to offer the Australasian

College of Emergency Medicine Certificate to trainees in 2012 as

part of the ARSP Emergency Medicine. This department is also

developing an information brochure for potential trainees which

we hope will be ready soon.

2011-12 is shaping up to be an interesting year. The transfer of

responsibility for the Rural NSW GP Procedural Training Program

is being moved from NSW Health to CETI and Hunter New England

LHD has made a submission for rural generalist program funding.

Discussions regarding both are continuing, and GP Synergy is

taking an active part in these discussions.

Training Competent and Confident Registrars continued


Registrar Liaison & Support

In 2010-2011 Drs Marisa Magiros and Wicky Wong provided

registrar advocacy and support in their role as Registrar Liaison

Officers.

Alumni Program

To remain engaged with the large numbers of registrars that have

completed their GP training with SIGPET, NEATS and IGPE, GP

Synergy, GP Synergy established an Alumni program to provide

a platform where completed registrars were able to reconnect

with their peers and mentors, access professional networking

opportunities, career opportunities and medical education

opportunities.

GP Synergy launched this program with an alumni online portal

in November 2010 and is continuing to develop the program.

Registrar Medical Educator

GP Synergy has a long history of engaging registrars in medical

education through dedicated Registrar Medical Educator

positions. Registrars employed as ‘RegMEs’ generally work on

discrete educational projects and are mentored by more senior

medical education staff.

GP Synergy’s most recent RegME was Dr Jenny Morrison, a

rural pathway registrar in the NE/NW region. Together with

Regional Education Director, Dr Barb Moritz, Jenny developed

and implemented a pilot program for rural pathway hospital

based registrars to help make the leap from hospital work to

community practice less challenging. The program consists of ten

activities spread over ten months with Jenny providing feedback

on registrar’s submissions. A formal evaluation of the pilot is

scheduled to occur at the end of 2011.2.

Developmental Disability

In 2011 GP Synergy added Developmental Disability as a formal

component to its registrar education program. Dr Linda Mann

presented on the topic to registrars from GP Synergy, GP Training

– valley to coast and North Coast GP Training at the May Fusion

workshop held in Sydney.


Increasing Opportunities To Experience General Practice: Prevocational General Practice Placements Program

The Prevocational General Practice Placements Program (PGPPP)

is an Australian Federal Government initiative that provides

hospital based junior doctors with an opportunity to experience

a supervised general practice placement as an accredited hospital

rotation.

Junior doctors undertake a 10-11 week rotation with an

accredited GP training practice seeing patients with on-site

supervision from an experienced GP supervisor, weekly teaching

sessions and education program.

The PGPPP program provides junior doctors with the

opportunity sample general practice as a career choice, with

hands on experience above and beyond that they may have

experienced in medical school. The program has the potential to

significantly influence ta junior doctors career decision making

and hence developing the program within the organization has

been a key strategic objective during the 2010-2011 financial

year and remains so going forward.

The injection of Commonwealth funding in 2010 allowed the

program to be significantly expanded in 2011. GP Synergy’s

PGPPP Officer, Jani Mal, in collaboration with other GP Synergy

staff, made considerable progress to build capacity; recruiting

training practices to participate in the program and working

closely with the major training hospitals to form agreements

enabling junior doctors to participate in the program. GP Synergy

also participated in the finalization of the accreditation process

for PGPPP practices and undertook site visit accreditations of all

newly recruited PGPPP training practices.

In one of his final roles as DoT, Dr Jeremy Bunker was instrumental

in establishing the foundations for the expanded and revised

PGPPP program, developing the educational and induction

framework for the program, with support from GP Synergy’s

inaugural PGPPP Practices – The Hornsby GP Unit and Northwest

Health.

At the start of 2011 nine practices were participating in the

program, with junior doctors participating from seven hospitals.

These hospitals included Bankstown, Campbelltown, Hornsby,

Liverpool, Prince of Wales, Royal North Shore and Tamworth.

As at 30 June, 36 doctors had progressed or were progressing

through the program.

Evaluations by 2011.1 participants have been exceptionally

high across all areas including as supervision and teaching.

95% of participants stated they had a greater desire to pursue

general practice as a career choice or were still wanting to pursue

general practice as a career choice after having completed the

placement.

There are plans for significant expansion of the program within

GP Synergy’s footprint for 2012.


There are plans for significant expansion of the program within GP Synergy’s footprint for 2012

Expanding the General Practice Profession

Applications into the GP Synergy training program continue to

be strong, although there is some evidence starting to emerge

that the return of service obligation requirements are impacting

registrar satisfaction and application into the general pathway.

A study of registrar satisfaction commissioned by GPET,

undertaken by Piazza Consulting, found general pathway

community based registrar satisfaction was high across a

number of areas including education program content quality,

supervision access and advice. However, satisfaction ratings

were well below the national average regarding how well the

training program takes into account the family and personal

needs of registrars.

The level of dissatisfaction is comparable to 2010 results and

correlates with the Return of Service Obligation policy change in

2010.

Satisfaction amongst rural pathway community based registrars

in the 2011 study was very high across all areas of the training

program.

Applications for the 2012 GP Synergy rural pathway training

program remain solid, with focus remaining on attracting high

quality candidates into the region.

Nationally applications into the rural pathway were down 3%

with a decrease in Australian Medical Graduates selecting rural

pathway training.

To dedicate more time to the GP Synergy marketing and event

management function, in June 2011 Ms Kate Froggatt resigned

from the NSW Marketing Officer role to resume full-time

employment with GP Synergy. GP Synergy will continue to

work closely with the new NSW Marketing Officer and NSW RTP

marketing collaborative to promote GP Synergy.

During the 2010-2011 financial period, GP Synergy employed

a number of techniques to reach and communicate with

prospective applicants in various stages of training and

employment.

This included participation in NSW marketing collaborative

marketing activities across the state, including the annual pre-

application training hospital roadshow. Registrars and staff

continued to participate in GP Student network activities across

our regions with the Universities of Sydney, New South Wales

and New England. GP Synergy was also a major sponsor of the

UNE Medical Society.

A strong relationship continues to be maintained with the major

training hospital in our rural region - Tamworth Rural and Referral

Hospital, with collaboration on several marketing activities and

new initiatives being developed.

Access to junior doctors continues to improve via the

Prevocational General Practice Placements Program (PGPPP)

which enables not only junior doctors to try out a career in

general practice, but also build strong relationships with

hospitals within our network.

2010 saw the launch of the GP Synergy e-newsletter and alumni

program, the latter targeting completed registrars and succession

medical education planning.

Providing clear, correct and access to information continues to

be at the forefront of the marketing activity with development

of the GP Synergy Applicant Pack and information sessions for

prospective applicants.

There are a number of new and exciting projects planned for

2011-2012, including increased engagement with junior doctors

across GP Synergy’s region and targeted strategies to promote

general practice and GP Synergy to prospective rural pathway

applicants.


GP SYNERGY LIMITEDA.B.N. 62 099 141 689

ANNUAL REPORTFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2011

Directors' Report 30 - 34

Declaration of Auditor Independence to the Directors of GP Synergy Limited 35

Independent Audit Report to the Members of GP Synery 36 - 37 Directors Declaration 38

Statememt of Financial Position as at June 30 2011 39

Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended 30 June 2011 40

Statement of Changes in Equity for the year ended 30 June 2011 41

Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended 30 June 2011 42

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30th June 2010 43 - 54

The directors present their report together with the financial report of GP Synergy Limited for the year ended 30 June 2011 and the

auditors’ report thereon.

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

Period as Director Dr C Hespe 27 December 2001 - present

Dr I Adair 20 December 2004 - 29 October 2010

Dr N Shadbolt 30 June 2005 - 29 October 2010

Dr M Baker 30 August 2006 - 29 October 2010

Dr L Woollard 2 January 2009 - 29 October 2010

Dr J Korner 28 February 2007 - present

Prof J Reath 29 October 2010 - present

A/Prof M Guppy 2 January 2009 - present

Dr H Nespolon 31 October 2007 - present

A/Prof L Fragar 2 January 2009 - present

Dr R Martin 2 January 2009 - 29 October 2010

Dr M Gray 1 January 2010 - 29 October 2010

Prof T Liaw 1 January 2010 - present

Dr O Brookes 1 January 2010 - present

Dr A Chalasani 1 January 2010 - 29 October 2010

Dr A Rose 1 January 2010 - 29 October 2010

Dr N Andric 29 October 2010 - present

2. Principal Activity 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 $48,896 (2010:$Nil)

There was a significant change in the nature of business activity during the financial year due to increased training activity,

escalation of the Prevocational General Practice Placement Program (“PGPPP”) and grant finding for in-practice resources.

3. Description of Short and Long-term Objectives Promote and deliver integrated general practice education and training.

4. Strategy for Achieving Objectives Continue to deliver general practice education and training within the terms of the Australian General Practice Training

contract. The program will be integrated to include pre-vocational training.

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

DIRECTORS’ REPORT


GP SYNERGY LIMITED A.B.N. 62 099 141 689

6. How Performance is Measured AGPT measures company performance under terms of contract specifically specific performance indicators. GP Synergy is obliged

to report against the performance indicators.

The company has established internal performance indicators under its quality framework and strategic plans. It periodically audits

risk and tracks its performance against these indicators.

7. Members Liabilities 21 Members limited to $10 per member.

8. Directors’ Meetings During the financial year, the attendances of the directors were as follows:

Name Attended Eligible

Dr C Hespe 7 7

Dr I Adair 2 2

Dr N Shadbolt 2 2

Dr M Baker 2 2

Dr L Woollard 2 2

Dr J Korner 6 7

A/Prof M Guppy 7 7

Dr H Nespolon 7 7

A/Prof L Fragar 7 7

Dr R Martin 2 2

Dr M Gray 2 2

Prof T Liaw 6 7

Dr O Brookes 6 7

Dr A Chalasani 2 2

Dr A Rose 2 2

Prof J Reath 5 5

Dr N Andric 5 5

DIRECTORS’ REPORT



Sub-committees of the Board During the financial year, the attendances of the directors at sub-committees were as follows:

Finance and Audit Committee Name Attended Eligible Assoc Prof L Frager 10 10

Dr H Nespolon 10 10

Dr J Korner 10 10

Dr M Gray 3 4

Dr C Hespe 5 6

Dr O Brookes 4 4

Dr N Andric 5 6

Nominations and Constitutional Review Commitee Name Attended Eligible Dr H Nespolon 3 4

Dr C Hespe 5 5

Dr A Chalasani 1 1

Dr R Martin 0 1

Dr I Adair 1 1

Dr O Brookes 4 4

Education Committee

Name Attended Eligible A/Prof M Guppy 4 4

Dr A Rose 1 1

Dr N Shadbolt 1 1

Prof Siaw-Teng Liaw 4 4

Prof J Reath 2 2

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Commitee (ATSI)

Name Attended Eligible Prof J Reath 1 1


Regional Advisory Council - Sydney Central

Name Attended Eligible Dr M Baker 1 1

Dr N Andric 2 2

Dr C Hespe 1 2


DIRECTORS’ REPORT continued



Regional Advisory Council - New England / North West

Name Attended Eligible Dr L Woollard 1 1

Assoc Prof M Guppy 2 2

Assoc Prof L Fragar 2 2

Regional Advisory Council - South / South West

Name Attended Eligible Dr O Brookes 2 2

Prof Siaw/Teng Liaw 1 2

Prof J Reath 1 2




9. Lead Auditor’s Independence Declaration The 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 2011.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the directors:




As lead auditor of GP Synergy Limited for the year ended 30 June 2011, I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, there have

been no contraventions of:

-the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the audit; and

-any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.

This declaration is in respect of GP Synergy Limited during the period.

KS Black & Co

Chartered Accountants

DECLARATION OF AUDITOR INDEPENDENCE TO THE DIRECTORS OF GP SYNERGY LIMITED



Report of the financial reportWe have audited the accompanying financial report of GP Synergy Limited (the “company”) which comprises the statement of financial

position as at 30 June 2011, and the statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity, and statement of cash flows

for the year ended on that date, a summary of significant accounting policies, other explanatory notes and the directors' declaration of

the company.

Directors’ Responsibility for the Financial ReportThe directors of the company are responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial report in accordance with

Australian Accounting Standards (including the Australian Accounting Interpretations) and the Corporations Act 2001. This responsibility

includes establishing and maintaining internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the financial report that is

free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, selecting and applying appropriate accounting policies; and making

accounting estimates that are reasonable in the circumstances.

Auditors’ ResponsibilityOur responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial report based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with

Australian Auditing Standards. These Auditing Standards require that we comply with relevant ethical requirements relating the

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 auditors' judgement, 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 and fair presentation to the financial report 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 company'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 the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

IndependenceIn 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 would be in the same terms if it had been given to the directors at the

time this auditors' report was made.


INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF GP SYNERGY LIMITED


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

(i) giving a true and fair view of the company's financial position as at 30 June 2011 and of its performance for the year ended on

that date; and

(ii) complying with Australian Accounting Standards (including the Australian Accounting Interpretations) and the Corporations

Regulations 2001.

KS Black & Co

Chartered Accountants

INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF GP SYNERGY LIMITED



In the opinion of the directors of GP Synergy Limited:

a. the financial statements and notes, as set out on the following pages are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001,

including:

(i) giving a true and fair view of the financial position of the company as at 30 June 2011 and of its performance for the

financial year ended on that date; and

(ii) complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001; and

b. there are reasonable grounds to believe that the company will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and

payable.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the directors:

DIRECTORS DECLARATION



STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 30 JUNE 2011

Note 2011 2010

$ $

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents 4 6,004,470 4,477,687

Trade and other receivables 5 257,617 596,266

Other assets 6 202,007 191,971

----------------- -----------------

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 6,464,094 5,265,924

----------------- -----------------

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Property, Plant & Equipment 7 1,501,740 1,088,454

----------------- -----------------

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 1,501,740 1,088,454

----------------- -----------------

TOTAL ASSETS 7,965,834 6,354,378

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Payables 8 1,137,445 1,090,077

Unearned revenue 9 6,408,417 4,903,058

Provisions 10 217,858 221,079

----------------- -----------------

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 7,763,720 6,214,144

----------------- -----------------

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

Provisions 10 85,991 73,007

----------------- -----------------

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 85,991 73,007

----------------- -----------------

TOTAL LIABILITIES 7,849,711 6,287,151

----------------- -----------------

NET ASSETS 116,123 67,227

========= =========

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Issued Capital 170 170

Retained Profits 115,953 67,057

----------------- -----------------

116,123 67,227

========= =========

These financial statements must be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes




STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2011

Note 2011 2010

$ $

Revenue* 2 12,053,704 8,347,611

Employee benefits expense 2,855,417 2,024,145

Depreciation 3(a) 237,732 108,067

Practice reimbursements 1,639,779 829,666

Registrars expense 1,071,842 715,158

Supervisors education 101,259 158,682

Teaching allowance 1,263,479 501,898

Board expenses 177,076 150,068

Consultants and contractors 551,795 610,412

Insurance 3(b) 86,110 65,251

Rent 3(a) 303,152 138,594

Administration Fee 3(d) 280,488 -

(Gain) / Loss on disposal of non current assets (1,361) 108,877

Other expenses from ordinary activities 3(c) 3,438,067 2,774,134

----------------- -----------------

12,004,808 8,184,954

----------------- -----------------

Surplus before income tax expense 48,896 -

Income tax expense - -

----------------- -----------------

Surplus for the year** 48,896 -

========= =========


* Revenue includes income recognised during the period for PGPPP totalling $1,845,547; income recognised in relation to grants for

in-practice resources totalling $637,810 and overall increased training activity.

$29,029 has been recognised relating to miscellaneous liabilities arising from the transition of NEATS and IGPE into GP Synergy.

Extensive investigation, which included the external auditor, was conducted in a cost effective manner allowing for the recognition of

these stated liabilites.

** $48,896 has been recognised as surplus arising from cessation of the NSW Health One Programme.



STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2011

2011 2010

$ $

Total Equity at the Beginning of the financial year 67,227 67,157

Additional contributed equity - 70

Surplus for the year 48,896 -

----------------- -----------------

116,123 67,227

----------------- -----------------





STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2011

Note 2011 2010

$ $

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Cash receipts from government and other sources 12,943,398 9,003,449

Interest received 286,978 162,657

Cash paid to suppliers and employees (11,042,620) (7,450,152)

----------------- -----------------

Net Cash Provided by Operating activities 14(b) 2,187,756 1,715,954

----------------- -----------------

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Payment for plant and equipment (660,973) (1,110,898)

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (660,973) (1,110,898)

----------------- -----------------

NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 1,526,783 605,056

Cash and Cash Equivalents at the beginning of the Financial Year 4,477,687 3,872,631

----------------- -----------------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE END OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 14(a) 6,004,470 4,477,687

========= =========




1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial report are set out below. These policies have been

consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

(a) Basis of Preparation

This general purpose financial report has been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards (including

Australian Accounting Interpretations) adopted by the Australian Accounting Standards Board and the Corporations Act 2001.

The financial report has been prepared on an accruals basis and is based on historical costs.

(b) Revenue Recognition

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable.

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.

(c) 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.

(d) Goods and services tax

Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of goods and services tax (GST), except where the amount

of GST incurred is not recoverable from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). In these circumstances, the GST is recognised as

part of the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part of an item of the expense.

The net amount of GST recoverable from or payable to, the ATO is included as a current asset or liability in the Statement of

Financial Position.

Cash flows are included in the Statement of Cash Flows on a gross basis. The GST components of cash flows arising from

investing and financing activities which are recoverable from or payable to, the ATO are classified as operating cash flows.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2011






1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont'd)

(e) Income Tax

The income of the company is exempt from income tax under the provisions of the Income Tax Assessment Act.

(f ) Impairment of assets

Assets that are subject to depreciation are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that

the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset's carrying

amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset's fair value less costs to sell and

depreciated replacement cost. For purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there

are separately identifiable cash flows (cash generating units).

(g) Trade receivables

Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost, less provision for doubtful

debts. Trade receivables are due for settlement no more than 60 days from the date of recognition.

Collectibility of trade receivables is reviewed on an ongoing basis. Debts which are known to be uncollectible are written off.

A provision for doubtful receivables is established when there is an objective that the company will not be able to collect

all amounts due according to the original terms of receivables.

(h) Plant and equipment

Plant and equipment is stated at historical cost less depreciation. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly

attributable to the acquisition of the items.

Subsequent costs are included in the asset's carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it

is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the company and the cost of

the item can be measured reliably. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to the Statement of Comprehensive Income

during the financial period in which they are incurred.

Plant and equipment 2.5 to 13.3 years

Computer and software 2.5 years

Leasehold improvements Shorter of lease term and useful life

The assets' residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each balance sheet date.

An asset's carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset's carrying amount is greater

than its estimated recoverable amount.





1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont'd)

Lease hold improvements are required to be written down over the shorter of the assets useful life and the term of the lease.

(i) Trade payables

These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Company prior to the end of financial year

which are unpaid. The amounts are unsecured and are usually paid within 30 days of recognition.

(j) Employee benefits

(i) Wages and salaries, annual and long service leave

Liabilities for wages and salaries, including non-monetary benefits, and annual leave are recognised in provisions, in

respect of employees' services up to the reporting date and are measured at their nominal values.

Long service leave is measured at present value as it is not expected to be settled within 12 months.

(ii) Retirement benefit obligations

The company contributes to accumulation superannuation plans. Contributions are charged against income as they

are made.


2011 2010

$ $

2. REVENUE

Grants received 10,963,281 6,304,564

Other revenue 803,445 1,880,390

Interest received 286,978 162,657

----------------- -----------------

12,053,704 8,347,611

========= =========

3. EXPENSES

(a) Surplus includes the following specific expenses

Depreciation 237,732 108,067

Rent 303,152 138,594

----------------- -----------------

(b) INSURANCE

Insurance 86,110 65,251

========= =========






Note 2011 2010

$ $

3. EXPENSES (cont'd)

(c) OTHER EXPENSES

Advertising 11,400 29,753

Compliance costs 60,639 71,206

Consumables 159,189 112,175

Freight & cartage 16,695 13,777

Motor vehicles 7,337 5,268

Office Maintenance 96,438 55,042

Supervisor liaison costs - 1,000

Telecommunications 123,750 60,854

Trading surplus (un-acquitted) 2,962,619 2,425,659

----------------- -----------------

3,438,067 2,774,134

----------------- -----------------

(d) Administration Fee representing cost allocations for PGPPP 280,488 -

----------------- -----------------


Note 2011 2010

$ $

4. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Current

Cash on hand 2,020 2,786

Cash at bank 6,002,450 4,474,901

----------------- -----------------

6,004,470 4,477,687

========= =========




Note 2011 2010

$ $

5. RECEIVABLES

Current

Trade receivables 146,663 532,333

Other receivables 110,954 63,933

----------------- -----------------

257,617 2596,266

========= =========

6. OTHER

Current

Prepayments 202,007 191,971

========= =========

7. PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Non-Current

Plant & equipment - at cost 964,559 828,361

Less: accumulated depreciation (325,168) (231,244)

----------------- -----------------

639,391 597,117

----------------- -----------------

Computer and software - at cost 378,623 311,879

Less: accumulated depreciation (254,831) (236,473)

----------------- -----------------

123,792 75,406

----------------- -----------------

Leasehold improvements - at cost 811,857 434,851

Less: accumulated deprecation (73,300) (18,920)

----------------- -----------------

738,557 415,931

----------------- -----------------

1,501,740 1,088,454

========= =========



These financial statements must be read in conjunction with the accompanying notesGP Synergy Annual Report 2010 - 2011 Page 47


Note 2011 2010

$ $

7. PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (cont'd)

Reconciliations

Reconciliations of carrying amounts for each

class of plant and equipment are set out below:

Plant and equipment

Carrying amount at beginning of year 597,117 179,315

Additions 186,268 617,557

Disposals (4,252) (147,510)

Depreciation (139,742) (52,245)

----------------- -----------------

Carrying amount at end of year 639,391 597,117

----------------- -----------------

Computer and software


Additions 94,569 69,830

Disposals (4,059) (27,462)

Depreciation (42,124) (34,347)

----------------- -----------------


----------------- -----------------

Leasehold improvements


Additions 380,136 423,511

Disposals (1,643) (29,414)

Depreciation (55,867) (21,475)

----------------- -----------------


----------------- -----------------



These financial statements must be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes These financial statements must be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes GP Synergy Annual Report 2010 - 2011 Page 48

Note 2011 2010

$ $

8. PAYABLES

Current

Trade payables 597,636 648,078

Accrued expenses 344,666 136,720

Other payables 195,143 305,279

----------------- -----------------

1,137,445 1,090,077

========= =========

9. UNEARNED REVENUE

Unearned revenue

AGPT (Operational & accumulated funds) 6,374,002 4,869,788

NSW Rural Doctors Network 34,415 33,270

----------------- -----------------

6,408,417 4,903,058

========= =========

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2011

Unearned revenue for the current and prior years represents grant funding from General Practice Education and Training (GPET). Until

these funding organisations and the company finalise an agreement relating to this excess, the funds remain liable to claim by the

funding organisation and are disclosed as a liability.

Note 2011 2010

$ $

10. PROVISIONS

Current

Employee entitlements 217,858 221,079

========= =========

Non-Current

Employee entitlements 85,991 73,007

========= =========



12. KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL

(a) Key management personnel include the directors, the CEO, 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 I Adair Prof T Liaw Dr N Andric

Dr N Shadbolt Dr A Chalasani Prof J Reath Dr A Rose

A/Prof L Fragar Dr R Martin Dr M Baker

Dr L Woollard Dr H Nespolon Dr J Korner

A/Prof M Guppy Dr M Gray Dr O Brookes

(c) The compensation paid, payable or provided to other key management personnel consisted of short-term benefits of $490,212

(2010: $489,346).

(d) The compensation paid, payable or provided to directors consisted of short-term benefits in the nature of Board fees of

$174,874 (2010: $187,664), practice payments of $178,033 (2010: 494,109), teaching fees of $1,167 (2010: $2,408) and

conference attendance fees of $6,798 (2010: $5,179).

Board fees of $174,874 (2010: $187,664) represent grossed up salary packaging including non-cash items, whereas actual

payments made and received were $117,991 (2010: $138,367) (see table below).

Practice payments of $178,033 (2010: $494,109) represent payments made to practices which are connected with directors.

However, these payments are not necessarily received directly by directors, as funds are paid to supervisors attached

to the practice.


11. TERM ALLOCATION REVIEW

(a) Audit review of adherence to policy and procedures with respect to training placement and allocation.

From a corporate governance perspective, the Auditor is satisfied that the policies and processes with respect to GP Synergy training

allocation processes have been generally adhered to. It is noted that during the year an exception arose relating to a particular trainee

allocation where the Board intervened on the basis of ensuring procedural fairness and risk mitigation which was not reflected in the

policy at the time. No directors were related to the parties involved in this intervention.

Policy and process guidelines have been since further enhanced to strengthen procedural fairness in relation to receipt and recording of

information and to improve procedural fairness in relation to the term allocation process and other.




2011Director

AGrossFeesExcl SalaryPackage

BSalaryPackagedAmount

CGrossedUp SalaryPackage

DSalarySacrificeSuper

ESuperSGC 9%

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

Adair,Ian (Ceased 29/10/2010) 50.00 2,835.00 5,299.18 0.00 259.65 5,608.83

Andric,Nada (Appointed 29/10/2010) 3,982.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 358.38 4,304.38

Baker,Martyn John (Ceased 29/10/2010) 2,970.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 267.30 3,237.30

Brookes, Owen David 0.00 7,287.50 13,621.80 0.00 655.88 14,277.67

Chalasani, Ashok Kumar (Ceased 29/10/2010) 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,700.00 243.00 2,943.00

Fragar, Lyn 0.00 8,870.00 16,579.80 0.00 798.30 17,378.10

Gray, Matthew James (Ceased 29/10/2010) 0.00 5,110.00 9,551.61 0.00 459.90 10,011.51

Guppy, Michelle 6,480.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 583.20 7,063.20

Hespe, Charlotte Mary 0.00 13,370.00 24,991.20 5,380.00 1,203.30 31,574.50

Korner, Jacqueline 0.00 9,091.00 16,993.36 0.00 818.21 17,811.58

Liaw, Siaw – Teng 0.00 6,480.00 12,112.42 0.00 583.20 12,695.62

Martin, Rod (Ceased 29/10/2010) 0.00 4,300.00 8,037.56 0.00 387.00 8,424.56

Nespolon, Harry Michael 18,130.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,388.71 19,518.71

Reath, Jennifer (Appointed 29/10/2010) 1,080.00 2,700.00 5,046.84 0.00 340.20 6,467.04

Rose, Alison (Ceased 29/10/2010) 0.00 2,700.00 5,046.84 0.00 243.00 5,289.84

Shadbolt, Narelle (Ceased 29/10/2010) 2,700.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 243.00 2,943.00

Woollard, Leslie (Ceased 29/10/2010) 0.00 2,700.00 5,046.84 0.00 243.00 5,489.84

Total 35,392.00 65,443.75 12,2327.46 8,080.00 9,075.23 174,874.69

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2010Director

AGrossFeesExcl SalaryPackage

BSalaryPackagedAmount

CGrossedUp SalaryPackage

DSuper

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

Adair,Ian 2,583.00 4,063.00 7,594.00 596.00 10,774.00

Baker,Martyn John 6,370 0.00 0.00 573.00 6,943.00

Rebecca Blake (Ceased 23/10/2009) 0.00 3,125.00 5,841.00 381.00 6,123.00

Brookes, Owen 0.00 2,160.00 4,037.00 194.00 4,232.00

Chalasani, Ashok 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,632.00 2,632.00

Fragar, Lyn 2,625.00 4,120.00 7,701.00 607.00 10,933.00

Gray, Matthew James 0.00 2,535.00 4,738.00 228.00 4,967.00

Guppy, Michelle 5,745.00 0.00 0.00 517.00 6,262.00

Hespe, Charlotte Mary 638.00 12,623.00 23,594.00 1,193.00 25,425.00

Kamerman, Ian (Ceased 23/10/2009) 3,250.00 0.00 0.00 293.00 3,543.00

Korner, Jacqueline 1,000.00 5,245.00 9,804.00 562.00 11,366.00

Liaw, Siaw – Teng 0.00 2,058.00 3,846.00 185.00 4,031.00

Mann, Linda (Ceased 10/03/2009) 500.00 0.00 0.00 4,541.00 5,041.00

Martin, Rod 5,205.00 540.00 1,009.00 517.00 6,731.00

McGuin, Gregory (Ceased 23/10/2009) 0.00 0.00 0.00 3,543.00 3,543.00

Molydysky, Eugene (Ceased 23/10/2009) 0.00 6,125.00 11,449.00 551.00 12,000.00

Nespolan, Harry 14,770.00 0.00 0.00 10,883.00 25,653.00

Rose, Alison 0.00 3,00.00 5,612.00 270.00 5,883.00

Shadbolt, Narelle 8,738.00 0.00 0.00 768.00 9,524.00

Strong, Kim (Ceased 23/10/2009) 0.00 3,125.00 5841.00 281.00 6,123.00

Wollard, Les 250.00 7,995.00 14,944.00 742.00 15,936.00

Total 51,673.00 56,715.99 106,012 29,980.00 187,664


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Note 2011 2010

$ $

13. REMUNERATION OF AUDITORS

Audit Services

Audit of the financial report

K S Black & Co 13,365 12,975

----------------- -----------------

Other services - K S Black & Co

3,200 3,200

----------------- -----------------

14. NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(a) For the purposes of the Statement of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents included cash on hand and cash at bank.

Cash and cash equivalents as at the end of the financial as shown in the Statement of Cash Flows is reconciled to the related

items in the Statement of Financial Position as follows:


2011 2010

$ $

Cash on hand 2,,020 2,786

Cash at bank 6,002,450 4,474,901

----------------- -----------------

6,004,470 4,447,687

========= =========



2010 2009

$ $

14. NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (cont'd)

(b) Reconciliation of Net Surplus in Net Cash

Provided by Operating Activities

Net Surplus 48,896 -

Depreciation 237,732 108,067

(Gain) / Loss on disposal of available for noncurrent assets (1,361) 108,877

Changes is Assets and Liabilities

Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables 328,613 (470,899)

Decrease/increase in trade and other payables 58,754 507,895

Increase/(decrease) in provision for employee entitlements 9,763 86,605

Increase in unearned revenue 1,505,359 1,375,409

----------------- -----------------

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 2,187,756 1,715,954

========= =========



15 CONDUCT OF RISK AUDIT PROGRAMME

GP Synergy Limited conducts a risk audit programme which is internally reviewed during the year. This programme is set against the

AN/AZS 4360;2004 Standards. This programme is an extension of the risk management function of the company using National Audit

Office Guidelines and the Standards promulgated by the Institute of Internal Auditors.

I have reviewed the audits against the audit objectives identified and I am satisfied that the policies and processes have been adhered to.


GP Synergy Annual Report 2009 - 2010 Page 01a d v a n c i n g m e d i c a l t r a i n i n g

GP Synergy L imited ABN 62 099 141 689 ACN 099 141 689

E [email protected] www.gpsynergy.com.au

SYDNEY CENTRAL OFFICEFirst Floor, 36 - 42 Chippen St , Chippendale NSW 2008 T +61 2 9818 4433 F +61 2 9818 3311

SYDNEY SOUTH/SOUTHWEST OFFICELevel 1 , 157 G eorge St , L iverpool NSW 2170PO Box 3398, L iverpool Westf ie ld 2170T +61 2 9756 5711 F +61 2 9756 5755

NE W ENGLAND/NORTHWEST OFFICESLevel 1 , 35 Heber Street , Moree NSW 2400PO Box 838, Moree NSW 2400 T +61 2 6752 7354 F + 61 2 6752 8400

Suite 24, Armidale Business Centre, Cinders Lane, Armidale NSW 2350PO Box 1166, Armidale NSW 2350T + 61 2 6776 6225 F + 61 2 6776 6277

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