“I loved the experience as it gave me direction and confidence to manage a busy practice.I have found that the information has assisted me in ensuring that our patients receive the best of care, while staff are supported to deliver quality care. I feel lucky to have been given this opportunity which I hope will not only benefit our service and all staff but will also benefit the community.”
Michelle Bolte from Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service (TAMS), says the knowledge she has gained from the diploma has been invaluable. (front row far left)
Fourteen staff from Aboriginal medical services from across NSW were congratulated at a dinner in Tamworth on Wednesday night for completing a nationally recognised Diploma in Practice Management for Aboriginal Medical Services. The diploma is the first of its kind, developed by NSW general practice training provider, GP Synergy in collaboration with TAFE OTEN, to meet the specific needs of practice managers and staff working in Aboriginal medical service facilities.
“Practice management plays an important role in the effective functioning of any primary healthcare facility,” says GP Synergy Chief Executive Officer, Mr Oldfield.
“Whilst there are many general practice management diplomas available, none reflect the complex social, cultural, and clinical dimensions that need to be coordinated and work in harmony for successful Aboriginal health service delivery.
“To fill this gap, GP Synergy staff and members from our Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Committee worked closely with the TAFE OTEN Western Sydney Institute to develop a certified diploma to improve primary healthcare service delivery for local Aboriginal communities and opportunities for doctors to undertake Aboriginal health training,” says Mr Oldfield.
Running over six months, fourteen staff completed the diploma from Aboriginal medical services in Tamworth, Inverell, Moree, Coonamble, Wellington and South-western Sydney.
One of these participants, Michelle Bolte from Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service (TAMS), says the knowledge she has gained from the diploma has been invaluable.
“I loved the experience as it gave me direction and confidence to manage a busy practice’” she says.
“I have found that the information has assisted me in ensuring that our patients receive the best of care, while staff are supported to deliver quality care.
“I feel lucky to have been given this opportunity which I hope will not only benefit our service and all staff but will also benefit the community.”