Shining bright in the Top End – AAPM National Conference 2024 highlights

The 2024 AAPM National Conference in Darwin was an exciting event filled with knowledge-sharing, connections, and opportunities to support healthcare excellence. AGPAL and QIP proudly participated and engaged with attendees at Booths 1 and 2, and delivered key presentations on accreditation and quality improvement.

The conference opened with the Saltwater Ceremony, a moving and culturally significant tradition, led by Larrakia Elder Richard Fejo. Held on the Peninsula Lawns at the Darwin Waterfront, this traditional welcome to country acknowledged the deep connection the Larrakia people hold with both the land and the sea. The ceremony involved the symbolic use of saltwater for cleansing and protection, was a powerful way to honour the land’s traditional custodians and warmly welcome attendees. It provided a meaningful and reflective start to the conference, setting the tone of respect for the rich cultural heritage and history of the region.

On day two, AGPAL and QIP proudly sponsored the AAPM Practice Manager of the Year Award, a partnership spanning over a decade.  The award celebrates exceptional contributions to healthcare and practice management with this year’s national winner  being Namarata Sawhney from Victoria. Namarata’s leadership at Deer Park Medical Centre resulted in outstanding growth and success including a 9.5% growth in financial performance and expanding the patient base to over 55,000. Additionally, her commitment to operational excellence has resulted in a leap in the practice’s Google rating from 2.3 to 4.5 stars. Her leadership fosters a cohesive team culture, and her innovative initiatives—such as smoking cessation and adolescent health programs—have significantly enhanced patient outcomes.

We also acknowledge the outstanding state finalists:

• Cassie Hall, Queensland
• Emma Martin, New South Wales
• Natalia Alexandrova, Western Australia

Congratulations to all for their contributions to quality management in healthcare.

Following the awards, Emily Geering and Gary Smith AM led the session Ensuring Accreditation and Quality Improvement Success, providing valuable insights to make the accreditation journey smoother and more impactful. During discussions with attendees, AGPAL staff also highlighted the draft of the 6th edition of the RACGP Standards for General Practices and shared AGPAL’s role as the exclusive pilot accreditation provider, emphasising our ongoing commitment to supporting practices through these changes.

Later, AGPAL Group CEO Dr. Tina Janamian, alongside Gary Smith AM and Jan Chaffey, explored the importance of patient feedback in general practice in Improving Healthcare: The Power of Patient Feedback.

Throughout the event, we also celebrated our AGPAL competition winners. Hayley Finalayson from Treasury Medical, Suzanne Stott from The Lockyer Doctors, and Deanna Hines from Summit Health each received a signed copy of Principles of Healthcare Practice Management, co-authored by Gary Smith AM and Colleen Sullivan OAM. Here are their top accreditation tips:

• It’s a continuous improvement journey. Manage your time and do it over time. Empower your staff – Hayley Finalayson
• Educate and involve staff – Suzanne Stott
• Stay calm and be prepared – Deanna Hines

In addition, Myra Christodoulides from Nambour Medical Centre and Fiona Brabender from Galway Medical Centre each won a one-on-one mentoring session with Gary Smith AM, along with a copy of his and Colleen Sullivan OAM’s book. Myra and Fiona’s top accreditation tips were:

• Prepare early and look for innovation – Myra Christodoulides
• Get involved in PHS and QI initiatives – Fiona Brabender

Thank you to everyone who visited our booths, attended the presentations, and engaged in conversations with us. Your participation made the event a success, and we’re already looking forward to attending next year’s AAPM National Conference in Melbourne!