Queensland General Practice Liaison Network
Home >QGPL Network – Who we are
The Queensland General Practice Liaison (QGPL) Network is a multidisciplinary collaboration of clinicians. The QGPL Network provides expert direction and advice on all strategic matters relating to integrating the patient journey of care across the interface between general practice and hospital care.
The QGPL Network improves the patient journey at the interface between general practice and hospital care by focusing on:
- Stakeholder engagement including interprofessional education
- Access to care and clinical communication
- Discharge / transfer of care to general practice
- Models of collaborative care
The QGPL Network supports the development of the GPLO role and the network.
The QGPL Network is funded by the Healthcare Improvement Unit, Clinical Excellence Queensland, Queensland Health.
What we do
The objectives of the QGPL Network are to:
- Build the capacity and capability of GPLOs through the sharing of learning, experiences, resources and innovations
- Identify effective local patient-focused strategies, solutions, and service delivery models; and share these with the QGPL Network and support their wider implementation
- Reduce duplication of effort and promote effective and equitable use of resources and equity of access for all patients
- Provide opportunities for QGPL Network members to build mutually supportive and collaborative relationships to facilitate shared learnings and improve the patient journey
- Implement the QGPL Network Work Plan
- Showcase achievements of the QGPL Network and its members, including achievements by individual GPLOs, Hospital and Health Service and Primary Health Network teams at local and state-wide levels.
Our members
- Reflect the various health disciplines involved in general practice liaison services from within Queensland Health, Primary Health Networks, and other relevant government and non-government organisations
- Represent the diverse geographical spread of Queensland with representation from each Hospital and Health Service (including Children’s Health Queensland) and Primary Health Network
- Are experienced in building collaborative relationships, and have an active interest in improving health care integration.
QGPL Network Co-chairs
Dr Toni Weller
Toni is a longstanding member of the Townsville general practice community and started as the inaugural GPLO at Townsville Hospital and Health Service in 2018. She has an interest in clinical governance and collaborative care so people can have safe quality care as close to home as possible. She and her team work at multiple levels, leading communication and connection between providers across health systems. She is currently the clinical lead on a project exploring alternative ways to provide client focused GP-led care within residential aged care facilities. Her background includes completing both a commerce and a law degree, creating a unique skill set. Together with her colleague Dr Edwin Kruys, Toni has been Co-chair of the QGPL Network since 2021.
Dr Edwin Kruys
Edwin is a Sunshine Coast general practitioner with special interests in health system improvement, collaborative care models and mental health. He has worked at the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service, GP Liaison Unit since 2018. He is leading a research project into health system reform at the interface of primary and secondary care. Edwin is a past vice-president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and past chair of RACGP Queensland. Together with his Townsville colleague Dr Toni Weller, Edwin has been Co-chair of the QGPL Network since 2021.
Our history
The QGPL Network was originally established in 2008 by General Practice Queensland. In 2012, GPLO positions were established across Queensland with funding from Queensland Health. Since May 2019, Country to Coast Queensland PHN has partnered with Queensland Health to coordinate the QGPL Network.
The role and function of the GPLO were based on recommendations described in the General Practice Queensland position paper ‘Enhancing Integration: The General Practice Liaison Model, 2011’. Improving the hospital and general practice interface is a key enabler for improved delivery and patient experience of health care services.
