Background
In November 2001 the then Minister for Health, The Hon. Craig Knowles, MP established the Greater Metropolitan Transition Taskforce (GMTT) chaired by Professor Kerry Goulston as the instrument through which recommendations made by the Greater Metropolitan Services Implementation Group (GMSIG) would be implemented.
Between 2001 and 2006, the GMTT / GMCT convened 20 working groups from which evolved 20 Clinical Networks. These networks were dedicated to progressing the implementation of related GMSIG recommendations to address concerns that clinicians believed warranted a systematic metropolitan-wide approach and make best use of limited clinical resources whilst improving health care across the NSW Health system.
In July 2004 the then Minister for Health, The Hon Morris Iemma, MP established the GMCT also chaired by Professor Kerry Goulston. The Taskforce was given the mandate to continue to engage clinicians and consumers in health planning and implementation and to develop a cohesive plan for a number of specialised clinical services across the Sydney greater metropolitan region extending from the Hunter to the Illawarra and to the Blue Mountains.
In 2006 the then Minister for Health, The Hon John Hatzistergos, MP appointed Professor Peter Castaldi as the first Chief Executive of the GMCT. In 2007 the Minister also appointed Professor Carol Pollock as the new Chair to carry on the legacy of Professor Kerry Goulston. A Governing Committee and Executive were then appointed to ensure sound governance of the Taskforce.
Over the past two years under the leadership and direction of Professor Peter Castaldi, the Taskforce has developed strong links with Area Health Services, NSW Health managed Health Priority Taskforces and other related organisations. A priority for the future will include working closely with the Sax Institute to formulate a research direction which will include research into the impact of the clinical networks on health policy.
The principal role of the GMCT continues to be the facilitation of the engagement of clinicians in the challenge of continuously improving access to quality services across the NSW health system. The GMCT continues to support and sustain the established Clinical Networks and provide support for new clinical groups interested in developing new clinical networks eg the Diabetes Network was established in 2007. Links with the Rural Health Taskforce have been forged to facilitate statewide approaches to clinical management where appropriate. Many rural clinicians are actively involved in several clinical networks which are now considered ‘statewide’. |
