Gastroenterology Network

Digestive system diseases are the third most common cause of hospitalisation in NSW accounting for 10.6% of all hospitalisations in 2004-2005 (11.1% in males and 10.2% in females). Clinicians - doctors, nurses and allied health professionals - working within the NSW public hospital system across greater metropolitan Sydney, provide care to patients with a range of gastroenterological disorders including but not limited to:

The GMCT Gastroenterology Network was established in late 2005. Its main objective is to promote high quality care for these patients and to reduce inequities in access to services and improve outcomes.

The Network has built strong collaborative relationships amongst clinicians and with NSW Department of Health, the Cancer Institute NSW, the Clinical Excellence Commission, the NSW Institute of Medical Education and Training and Rural Health Priority Taskforce.

• Sedation Training Pilot 22 & 23 May

GMCT has provided sponsorship for the development of a training course for Gastroenterologists to administer sedation (including propofol) in endoscopy. The course is being developed by the Sedation Working Party (RACS, ANZCA and GESA) and will correspond with the ANZCA PS9 Document: Guidelines on Sedation and/or Analgesia for Diagnostic and Interventional Medical or Surgical Procedures. The Sedation Training Course will be piloted at the John Hunter Hospital Simulation Centre on 22 & 23 May 2009.

• NSW State-Wide Endoscopy Information System

There is an inherent lack of data on the number of colonoscopies being performed each year in NSW public hospitals which was reported in the 2006 GMCT Report: Colonoscopy Capacity in Selected NSW Public Hospitals. In 2008, the NSW Health Director General gave funding approval for the purchase of a system, similar to that being implemented in Queensland.

GMCT is working with NSW Health on the purchase of a State-wide Endoscopy Information System (EIS) in NSW. A trial of the Program is planned for April 2009 in a NSW public hospital, which is to be followed by the purchase and roll-out of the system through-out NSW hospitals performing endoscopic procedures.

• Hepatitis C  - Clinical Governance Forum

  Following recommendations from the GMCT Hepatitis Working Group, the Hepatitis C Clinical Governance Forum was held in December 2008 at the Sydney Airport. The meeting was attended by NSW Health (AIDS and Infectious Diseases Branch), GMCT, HIV and Related Programs Managers, Clinical Staff (Medical, Nursing and Allied Health) involved in hepatitis C treatment from each of the Area Health Services and consumers.

Area Health Services were tasked with the development of AHS Committees for HCV to provide consultation on the distribution of funding for treatment and care services. These committees are to encourage clinical involvement in decision making on evidence based practice.

• Nursing Scholarships

GMCT Gastroenterology Network will be providing part-scholarships for gastroenterology and hepatology nurses participating in the UTS Graduate Certificate in Acute Care (Gastroenterology). For information, please contact Cassandra Smith, Network Manager on Ph: 9887 5602.