GP Liaison positions exist in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, in public and private hospitals.
[1][2] GP Liaison Officers are often health professionals, including general practitioners, and assist with building and enhancing pathways, linkages, programs and services between the hospital system, general practice and primary health care.
International literature indicates that GP Liaison positions in the public sector have emerged as change management roles in influencing outcomes including:[5] In Tasmania, Australia, all regions of the state have appointed GPs as GPLOs tasked with improving communication between hospitals and community health services.
The Tasmanian General Practice and Primary Care Unit assists with coordination and collaboration across Tasmania's GPLO resources to ensure a statewide perspective and consistent access to health services.
In 2012, Queensland Health funded 20 GP Liaison positions in the largest public hospitals under a state election commitment.