Our system
Increasing access and coordination of care
Digital health
The PHN assists health care providers to adopt digital health tools to enable access to the right health information in the right place at the right time. We assist with Telehealth consultations, My Health Record, Electronic prescriptions, Secure messaging, eOrders and eRequests, eHealth incentives and Queensland Health initiatives.
During 2020-21, we supported:
211,476
telehealth consultations
4,933,796
total uploads of documents to My Health Record
355,000
electronic prescriptions (prescriptions and dispense)
4,249,973
secure messaging transfers
Telehealth
Telehealth is an integral tool to bring health care closer to home. This became particularly important in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The uptake of telehealth has enabled specialists, general practice, mental health and other allied health providers, aged care and community organisations to provide effective health care to their clients using video call consultations.
Our team has been providing resources, information and access to telehealth platforms.
Providing care closer to home
Goondir Aboriginal Medical Service currently cares for over 200 patients who are at risk of, or are currently managing chronic disease through their Virtual Health Monitoring Service.
The Service provides in home real-time monitoring of a patients’ vitals through a specially formatted tablet and Bluetooth peripheral devices to test and measure BP, BSL, H2O level and weight.
Goondir initially approached the idea to introduce the Virtual Health Service into its model of care in early 2016, but due to the current health environment, finding support for the new service proved difficult at the time. The impact of COVID-19 in 2020 forced the health sector to quickly adopt digital platforms and new ways of working such as telehealth video consultations to continue to see patients.
My Health Record delivering for GPs
Toowoomba-based GP Dr Peter Sklavos believes there is no reason why fellow health professionals shouldn’t be introducing My Health Record into their practices.
Dr Sklavos is currently the Principal GP of his practice and believes My Health Record is an important tool to get a better understanding of a patient’s health history.
“I find that My Health Record is easily accessible and gives one the ability to immediately view information one wouldn’t otherwise have, when relying solely on paper-based records,” Dr Sklavos said.
My Health Record enables practices to have access to shared health summaries, discharge summaries, prescription and dispense records, pathology and diagnostic imaging reports.
HealthPathways
HealthPathways is a long-term program aimed at supporting GPs and health care professionals to guide their patients to better care. It is a web-based portal offering evidence-based information for assessment and management of a range of clinical conditions and includes clear referral guidance for local hospitals, specialists and allied health.
Our region operates two local online portals:
As of 2020-21, the portals now have:
1,120
collective pathways
7,250
active users
38,768
unique page views
Quality care at the end of life
The PHN continued to provide funding to the Toowoomba and Ipswich Hospices. These facilities are community-funded holistic hospices that provide end of life care. The funding provided enabled both Hospices to employ suitably qualified staff, including a registered nurse and personal care worker, to give high quality clinical care and support to patients and their families.
New model of care pilot for people with a disability requiring palliative care
A new model of care pilot has been tested in the West Moreton region that supports people living with a disability who may have difficulty accessing palliative care.
The pilot is funded by the PHN to be delivered through a partnership between Ipswich Hospice Care, CiMAS Nursing Services and West Moreton Health’s palliative care service.
The new model of care is designed around a care coordination service which begins by linking the patient with a nurse practitioner who will address any current needs the patient might have. The nurse will then organise relevant meetings with the individuals GP, family and care providers to ensure all parties involved are informed.
Patient Transport Program
To support patients at risk of potentially preventable re-admission to hospital attend primary health care appointments, our PHN continues to fund regional patient care coordination and client transport services in Goondiwindi and surrounding areas.
In 2020-21:
2,051
patient trips were provided by Care Goondiwindi’s Medico Transport Service
784
patient trips were provided by Meditrans to access services in Toowoomba
Contact Us
P: 07 4615 0900
Darling Downs Office
Level 1, 162 Hume Street (PO Box 81),
West Moreton Office
Level 5, World Knowledge Centre, 37 Sinnathamby Boulevard, Springfield Central QLD 4300
Acknowledgement of Country
The Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN wishes to acknowledge Australia’s Aboriginal people as the Custodians of this land. We pay our respect and recognise their unique cultures and customs and honour their Elders past, present and emerging.
