About Us

Jointly established by the DCGPA, Monash University and Southern Health, SAPCRU is a research and professional development unit which is advantageously positioned in both the School of Primary Health Care at Monash University and in the shared offices of the Dandenong Casey General Practice Association and Southern Health in Dandenong.  We conduct multidisciplinary research together with our collaborators and strategic partners from other departments and faculties at Monash University, other universities and independent research institutes, General Practice Networks, public health services, consumers and consumer groups, non government organisations industry and government.
Our research is undertaken from two key locations: at the Department of General Practice at Notting Hill, and in the shared offices of the Dandenong Casey General Practice Network and Southern Health in Dandenong.
Check out our new website at www.sapcru.org

Staff

The Director of SAPCRU is Professor Grant Russell.  Professor Russell, a GP and academic researcher, leads a small, experienced team that is advantageously housed in the shared offices of the Dandenong Casey General Practice Association, and Southern Healths Acute Ambulatory services team in Dandenong.  

In addition to the director of the Unit, Professor Grant Russell, the following research associates are also involved in SAPCRU:

Dr. I-Hao Cheng, a GP and research fellow working as the Refugee Health Program Coordinator at the Division and conducting research to improve access and equity for refugees in the Dandenong-Casey area. Hao is currently conducting a health needs assessment to determine the current health service needs of refugees in the South Eastern metropolitan area of Melbourne.

Jenny Advocat, PhD is a sociologist and researcher working on a number of projects around models of primary care and primary care reform.

Dr. Marion Bailes is a GP and research assistant working with Hao on the Refugee Health Needs Assessment.

Supporting staff 

Peter Larter

Lisa Shore

Vision Mission

SAPCRUs mission is to conduct and facilitate high quality, regionally specific research which influences policy makers and health services to shape a primary care system that is continuously focused on improving the health and wellbeing of the south east metropolitan Melbourne community. We have a vision of sustainable primary care systems that offer accessible, affordable, and integrated care for local communities.

Strategic Plan

Chaired by Grant Russell, the director of SAPCRU, a strategic planning session was held in March 2010 and attended by stakeholders and other researchers to lay the groundwork for the creation of a strategic plan and fulfilment of our vision and mission. Over recent months the Strategic Plan has begun to take shape and will be posted here when finalised.

Governance

Created through the joint understanding of the three collaborating bodies, Monash University, DCGPA and Southern Health, the executive committee meets regularly and comprises:

• DCGPA: Board member enshrined plus one additional nominee to attend

• The University: Head, School of Primary Health Care enshrined plus one additional nominee to attend 
• Southern Health: General Manager, Ambulatory Care enshrined plus one additional nominee to attend
• The Director of the Unit 

Research Themes

SAPCRU is involved in a number of research projects, some of which are summarised on the Monash University, Department of General Practice website. Most of our work falls under two broad categories:

• Refugee Health Research
  The unit is currently undertaking a Refugee Health Needs Assessment. More information about this project can be found here

• Health Services Research
  SAPCRU is leading an international team of primary care researchers in an innovative project, Shifting Ground, Common Ground: Understanding the evolving primary care practice which is examining changing models of care in primary practice. More information about this project and the team involved can be found here.