Highbury Family Practice Unit, and Modbury General Practice Teaching Unit, 1975-93

Component identifier:

Series 9

Content Summary:

The series includes administrative papers describing the establishment and progress of the Family Practice Unit in the northern Adelaide suburb of Highbury, managed on behalf of the University. Murrell was the central figure in this innovation, which complemented the Department's reliance on preceptors in the development of general practice education. From its beginnings, the Family Practice Unit combined medical practice and teaching, involving all 6th Year medical students. The series highlights the role of the Unihealth Research and Development Trust, the development of a computer-based record system, introduction of a registrar in community practice, and community partnerships essential to the running of the Unit.

The establishment of a 'Teacher Training Practice' connected to Modbury Hospital, was unsuccessfully attempted by Murrell around 1980, partly due to opposition within the medical fraternity, and it was not until 1990 that Murrell further committed the Department to family or general practice teaching facilities. Included in the series are submissions, reports, minutes, notes and other material that depict the early attempt by Murrell to relocate his St. Agnes practice, and the later successful development of the General Practice Unit with the appointment of Dr Robert Moorhead as director.

Murrell's general practice communication studies with Helen Winefield, are also included in this series. It is important to note that in addition to material pertaining to the Family Practice Unit and General Practice Unit included here, relevant material may also be found in series 4.

Immediate source of acquisition:

Timothy Murrell donated the papers to the Library in five instalments between 1996 and 2000.

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