Overview
The Medical Specialist Outreach Assistance Program (MSOAP) was established as a mechanism for improving the health outcomes for rural Australians by increasing access to medical specialist services.
The program aims to improve the access of regional, rural and remote communities to medical specialist services. General Practice Queensland (GPQ) is one of the two contracted fundholders for the MSOAP in Queensland. GPQ works in conjunction with rural and provincial divisions of general practice and other key stakeholders to administer the MSOAP.
The MSOAP is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (AGDHA).
Objectives
The objectives of the program are to:
- Increase visiting specialist services in areas of identified need;
- Support medical specialists to provide outreach medical services in rural areas;
- Facilitate visiting specialist and local health professional relationships and communication about ongoing patient care; and
- Increase and maintain the skills of regional, rural and remote health professionals in accordance with local need.
Program Detail
Since the inception of MSOAP, a variety of specialist outreach medical services have been established. For the financial year 2009 to 2010, GPQ contracted 36 specialists to deliver services in 54 communities from the Torres Strait Islands in the north, Cunnamulla in the south and Mount Isa in the west.The services provided cover 13 specialties, including: Dermatology; Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, General and Respiratory Physicians; Gynaecology; General, ENT and Paediatric Surgery; Ophthalmology; Paediatrics; Psychiatry and Urology.
Listing of specialist services by speciality and location can be provided upon request.
Achievements
From 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009:- 12,315 patients benefited from receiving consultations and procedures from private outreach specialists funded by MSOAP.
- 1,398 of these patients identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people.
Further Information
Kay Trotman
Program Coordinator - Medical Specialist Outreach Assistance Program
ktrotman@gpqld.com.au