Overview
The Queensland Strategy for Chronic Disease 2005-2015 has identified a number of system enablers including appropriate governance structures, partnerships, planning and change management processes to create a positive policy environment and community capacity to support the implementation of the Strategy. This includes the establishment of local partnerships involving the range of health service professionals and agencies in planning and developing local options.
In June 2006, The Health Minister announced $2.5 million in funding to support the establishment of local partnerships through Divisions of General Practice. GPQ has entered into a Service Agreement as the fund holder for Queensland Health for the Initiative, and separate Partnership Agreements have been entered into between GPQ and each Division of General Practice in Queensland for the delivery of the Initiative within their regions.
All 18 Divisions in Queensland have established formal partnership mechanisms and are progressing with implementing at least one initiative/project to progress the goals of the Queensland Strategy for Chronic Disease 2005-2015.
Objectives
The Capacity for Local Partnerships Initiative (CLPI), funded by Queensland Health, aims to encourage and support each Division of General Practice across Queensland to identify and build partnership structures as a mechanism for joint planning, priority setting and implementation of locally identified strategies under the Queensland Strategy for Chronic Disease 2005-2015.
The key objectives of the Initiative are to support the trialling and refinement of local partnerships to support the implementation of the Queensland Strategy for Chronic Disease 2005 -2015, and to inform future primary health care partnership structures as a mechanism for planning and implementation of other initiatives at the local level.
Program Detail
Under the CLPI, participating Divisions of General Practice aimed to:
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Engage local stakeholders: Use open and transparent strategies to identify and engage all local relevant stakeholders in the development of local partnerships aligned with the Queensland Health District Health Services;
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Sustainable governance structure: Establish a sustainable governance structure/mechanism that underpins the local partnership, is inclusive of key stakeholders, and consistent with the statewide partnership framework;
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Joint planning: Undertake joint planning based upon analysis of local data and information from relevant local stakeholders to enable agreement of priority areas, within the scope of the Queensland Strategy for Chronic Disease 2005-2015;
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Progress a local initiative: Determine an initiative for implementation to progress the goals of the Queensland Strategy for Chronic Disease 2005-2015;
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Improve stakeholder linkages: Improve linkages between District Health Services, Divisions of General Practice and other key providers such as government, non-government and private stakeholders, to progress agreed strategies in locally identified priority areas consistent with the Queensland Strategy for Chronic Disease 2005-2015;
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Link with the Area Health Services: Establish sustainable linkages between local Partnerships and Area Health Service planning and partnership mechanisms;
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Provide recommendations: Work with GPQ to identify evidence-based recommendations to guide the Chronic Disease Strategy Implementation Steering Committee in future decision making;
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Inform future directions: Establish processes throughout the life of the project to identify recommendations for ongoing sustainability and future directions for local partnership mechanisms; and
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Initiative reporting: Meet the Capacity for Local Partnerships Initiative Reporting Milestones.
Achievements
Division achievements/progress
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Local partnerships established by each Division of General Practice consisting of a range of key stakeholders from both government and non-government organisations.
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Sustainable governance structures have been established by each Partnership.
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All 18 Divisions have undertaken joint planning based upon analysis of local data and information.
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All 18 Divisions are implementing at least one local initiative/activity/strategy to progress the goals of the Queensland Strategy for Chronic Disease 2005-2015.
General Practice Queensland achievements/progress
January 08 – June 08
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General Practice Queensland was successful in obtaining approval for a six month program extension until 31st December 2008 for the CLPI to allow flexibility for Divisions. Eleven Divisions have accepted the invitation to extend to the CLPI until 31st December 2008.
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Regular communication and support for CLPI Program/Project Officers via the weekly Chronic Disease Update, monthly teleconferences, email list serve and regular phone communication.
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CLPI Evaluation strategy developed
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The Partnership Self-Assessment Tool (PSAT), developed as part of the Capacity for Local Partnerships Initiative, measures the perception of key individuals to various success areas of a partnership. The Tool has been implemented by 12 of the 18 partnerships within the CLPI. The self-assessment tool has identified strengths and weaknesses to help partners take action to improve their collaborative processes.
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Evaluation of PSAT was undertaken in partnership with Griffith University. The aim was to evaluate the uptake and effectiveness of the Tool. The findings from the evaluation will inform the adaptation and further development and implementation of the tool. GPQ will work with the Improvement Foundation to enhance useability and uptake as per recommendations from the PSAT evaluation.
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As part of GPQ Quality Improvement processes, a CLPI program review was undertaken in May 2008. the purpose was to identify the learnings of the CLPI to assist in framing recommendations to Queensland Health and improve GPQ program support and delivery
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Close liaison with Connecting Health Care in Communities (CHIC) Coordinators to share information and progress and provide input into key documents and implementation
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Regular communication and updates regarding progress continue to be provided to key stakeholders
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Dissemination of resources and information to assist Divisions and build knowledge
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Division support visits continue to provide support and information and monitor progress of Divisions
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The CLPI poster is being adapted into an online interactive version to enhance showcasing of chronic disease prevention and management activities and programs across the Divisions network.
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General Practice Queensland held a workshop on 17th June for Division program staff to present the outcomes and learning’s of the CLPI; deliver findings from the CLPI Program Review and Partnership Self-Assessment Tool Evaluation; workshop barriers and enablers to implementation; and identify opportunities for sustainability.
July 2007 – December 2007
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Division profiles developed. These outline the initiatives/activities being undertaken by each Partnership. Project focus areas range from: Type 2 Diabetes, Chronic Respiratory Disorders, Cardio Vascular Disease, Renal Disease, Risk Factor Management, and Chronic Disease Case management.
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October Divisional Forum provided an opportunity to showcase a number of CLPI projects.
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Workshops conducted for Division program staff and key stakeholders to assist Divisions in planning, partnering activities, provide networking opportunities and share experiences across Queensland
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The CLPI was showcased at the Queensland Health Chronic Disease Forum. This included a presentation of the CLPI and a poster presentation showcasing the initiatives being implementation by Divisions
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Project Plan Template developed by General Practice Queensland and North and West Queensland Primary Health Care to provide a consistent framework for planning and documenting the initiative/project
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Website Information, resources and web links relating to the CLPI on General Practice Queensland website
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CLPI poster has been developed to showcase initiative being undertaken by Divisions across Queensland under the CLPI.
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Issues register developed and circulated to Divisions of General Practice
Resources
Capacity for Local Partnerships Initiative (CLPI) Resources
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Creating Sustainable Partnerships and Partnerships Initiatives Information Sheet
Provides a simple and easy to read summary of the key enablers and hindrances to a successful partnerships as well as tips for creating sustainable partnerships and initiatives.
General Resources
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WHO A Pocket Guide to Building Partnerships (.pdf document)
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Partnership workbook, Ontario - a guide for leaders and relationship managers within the Ontario Public Service who initiate and manage cross-organizational partnerships (.pdf document)
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Partnering Toolbook - International Business Leaders’ Forum and Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (.pdf document)
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Building and Sustaining Partnerships
A Resource Guide to Address Non-Traditional Tobacco Use: This resource contains a number of methods and information sources for developing, building and sustaining partnerships. -
The Partnership Toolkit - Tools for Building and Sustaining Partnerships
Provides a range of tools and strategies to assist organisations to build and sustain partnerships, by helping them meet the challenges and achieve the benefits associated with partnering. -
Forging Partnerships to Eliminate Tuberculosis - A Guide and Toolkit. Chapter 8
Provides tools and strategies to organisations and partners build sustainable partnerships.
Links
Self Management
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Diabetes self-management - Guidelines for providing services to people newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes
Improvement
Feedback
For further information or support, please contact Sabrina Ostowari on 07 3105 8300 or email sostowari@gpqld.com.au
Click here to download the Capacity for Local Partnerships Initiative fact sheet.