Three New General Practice Liaisons
By Clinical Director of Innovation and Improvement
(formerly GP Liaison), Joe Bourne
It is with great pleasure that I can introduce
three new general practice liaisons (GPL) who
have been recruited to the DHB.
Alison James
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GP Practice: Bethlehem Medical Centre
Responsible for: Women, Child and Family / Mental Health
Works: Monday all day/Wednesday mornings
Chris Tofield
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GP Practice: Cameron Medical Clinic
Responsible for: Medical specialties including ED
Works: Monday mornings/Friday all day
Jethro Leroy
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GP Practice: Waitaha Medical Centre
Responsible for: Surgical specialties
Works: Monday mornings/Friday all day
A part of their time each week will be spent reacting to issues
raised by general practice and specialist services. The rest of their
time will be spent attempting to develop innovative solutions to the
many challenges that we face in healthcare. A key focus will be
how we can integrate services more effectively to improve access
for our population. The GPLs will all work closely with hospital staff,
DHB Planning and Funding, and Quality and Patient Safety.
Please can all enquiries for the general practice liaison team be
sent to [email protected] from where they will be forwarded
to the most appropriate member of the team.
All of the team will be present at the CME session on Tuesday
10th May, 6 - 7.30pm, Conference Centre, Ground Floor, Tauranga
Hospital (access through clinical library) if you would like to meet
them.
Meet the Team
services. Look forward to meeting everyone associated with the
liaison role and the new challenges it will bring.
General Practice Liaison
and General Practitioner at
Bethlehem Medical Centre,
Dr Alison James.
I have a lovely wife along with three boys aged 15, 13 and 10
years old. I graduated from Otago School of Medicine in 2004,
worked as a house surgeon in Tauranga Hospital before moving
on to General Practice training through to fellowship in 2010. I
enjoy all sports, play golden oldies rugby, kayak and Jet Ski fishing
and have and continue to coach all levels of my boys’ sports.
My name is Dr Alison James. I
have worked with the great team at
Bethlehem Medical Centre as a GP
for the past 11 years. I am originally
from England having qualified from St
Mary's Medical School in London and completed my GP Registrar
training in Cornwall, UK. I made the wise decision to move to New
Zealand in 1998 and have never looked back!
I am really enthusiastic about my new role in GP Liaison and
will be responsible for Women’s, Child and Family Services
and Mental Health Services. I hope to facilitate productive
communication between primary and secondary care and look
forward to seeking out opportunities to innovate and improve!
Outside work I live on an avocado orchard with my partner,
Richard and our blended family of four kids. I love running and
am excited to be attempting my first marathon soon. I also enjoy
singing and help co-ordinate the fantastic Vocal Chords - which I
would encourage other tuneful folk to join!
General Practice Liaison and
General Practitioner at Waitaha
Health Centre, Dr Jethro LeRoy.
Ko Mauao te Maunga
Ko Tauranga te Moana
Ko Takitimu te Waka
Ko Ngati Ranginui te Iwi
Ko Ngati Hangarau te Hapu
Ko Jethro taku ingoa
My name is Jethro LeRoy and I am a GP working at Waitaha
Health Centre in Te Puke, the town where I grew up. I am one of
the new GP Liaisons and my area will be surgical and anaesthetic
4
The increase in the size of the General Practice Liaison team
reflects the importance of the interface between general practice
and the District Health Board. The departments for which each
person is taking responsibility are listed above. All three are
working a day and a half per week.
General Practice Liaison and
General Practitioner at Cameron
Medical Clinic, Dr Chris Tofield.
Hi, I’m Chris and I am one of the three
new GP Liaisons/Clinical Advisors.
I’ll be covering the areas of Medicine
and ED. Having graduated in London
far too many years ago, I left the NHS
and moved to NZ with my Kiwi fiancé
in 2001. Since then we have had three kids and are now firmly
established in Tauranga. I love to run, cycle, travel the world, and
regularly (and unsuccessfully) attempt to win against my wife at
board games.
For the last four years I have been working at Cameron Medical
Clinic in Greerton, having previously gained GP experience in
various rural, urban and Māori practices around the middle North
Island. I also have experience in clinical research, online research
analysis and consultancy (you might have heard of Research
Review), and have managed to publish a research paper or two.
It is fascinating to read about new ideas or changes that have
been implemented in other healthcare systems around the world.
I believe we can learn a lot by looking around us and seeing what
has and has not worked out for others in the health arena, with
the ultimate goal of making limited financial ends meet with great
healthcare.
I’m excited to be part of the continual improvement process at the
primary care/secondary care interface of our DHB, and am looking
forward to meeting you all over the next few months!