HealthOne Newsletter 1 April 2007

The NSW Government has committed $40 million for planning, construction and establishment of HealthOne NSW services across NSW. This sizeable investment reflects the importance the Government attaches to this initiative.

HealthOne NSW services will help the health system provide fair and speedy access to health care and enable services to focus on keeping people well and out of hospital through prevention of disease and ill health, early intervention strategies and continuing care for people with chronic illness. This focus is confirmed by the NSW State Plan, A New Direction for NSW, under Priority F4: Embedding prevention and early intervention into Government services and Priority F5: Reduced avoidable hospital admissions.

HealthOne NSW services will bring together GPs and community health workers, allied health professionals and other medical professionals in 'one stop shops' outside the hospital environment.

The NSW Integrated Primary and Community Health Policy 2007-2012 underpins the HealthOne NSW initiative. This policy is a five-year plan to provide "an integrated and coordinated primary and community health care system, working in partnership to promote the health and wellbeing of our community". It aims to ensure the activities of the primary and community health sector are integrated to facilitate the delivery of accessible, affordable primary care services that are responsive to the needs of patients. The policy recognises the importance of partnerships between NSW government-funded health services, general practice, other private health care providers, non-government organisations, consumers and carers, other government agencies and the Australian Government.

To view or download the Integrated Primary and Community Health Policy 2007-2012 go to:

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/policies/pd/2006/PD2006_106.html

HealthOne NSW services will be established in areas of demonstrated community need and where there is strong evidence of cooperation between (at a minimum) Divisions of General Practice, general practitioners and local community health services.

Many HealthOne NSW service components will be colocated, and those which are not will be 'virtually' integrated. While the details of the service delivery model in each location will depend on local circumstances, all HealthOne NSW services will have a model that ensures clinical care, business arrangements and data management are integrated.

In November 2006, the Premier announced the locations of the first six HealthOne NSW services to be established. Each has somewhat different service delivery arrangements that build on existing services and are shaped by a clear understanding of local needs. Nevertheless, it is expected that each will be consistent with the principles of HealthOne NSW.

The service models proposed for these first six HealthOne NSW services are outlined below.

Mt Druitt

Mt Druitt HealthOne NSW service is a hub and spokes model. It will be based at the Mt Druitt Community Health Centre, with outreach to more isolated areas where there are fewer services and less well developed public transport infrastructure. This model brings together local GPs and practice staff, community health staff, allied health practitioners and local medical specialists. The initial focus of the program will be on young families with parenting and child development issues; young people with health problems including mental  health problems; and people over 70 years old with three or more hospital admissions in the last 12 months. The service is a partnership between Western Sydney GPs Pty Ltd, Sydney West Area Health Service and Wentwest Limited.

Molong

The HealthOne NSW service at Molong will be adjacent to existing services run by Cabonne Shire Council. It will form the hub of service provision in the Cabonne local government area. The initial focus of the service will be on the large population of older people, those with chronic and complex conditions, young people and low-income families. The health services provided in the centre will include: GP services, nursing services, speech pathology, occupational therapy, dietetics, physiotherapy, psychology and counselling, chronic care services, drug and alcohol services. Outreach services will be provided from the 'hub' to neighbouring towns including Manildra, Cudal, Cargo, Cumnock and Yeovil.

This service development is based on a partnership between Greater Western Area Health Service, Cabonne Shire Council, Central West Division of General Practice, local GPs and Cabonne/Blayney Family Daycare service. A new facility will provide much needed space for a wide variety of community health service providers.

Rylstone

The Rylstone HealthOne NSW service will be located in the town centre. The refurbishment of the existing Multi-Purpose Service will enable GPs to be co-located with community health staff, and provide room for visiting medical specialists, specialist nurse practitioners and allied health practitioners. The service will be colocated with private pathology providers.

Rylstone has a higher than average proportion of people over 70 years old who would benefit from the new 'one stop shop' arrangement. The initial target groups for the HealthOne NSW service will be older people, people with chronic and complex disorders, vascular disorders or chronic airways limitations, children and adolescents, and people on low incomes.

Rylstone HealthOne NSW will also provide outreach services to the nearby towns of Kandos and Ilford. It is anticipated that the integrated service will attract other health care providers, complementing the existing service provision.

Rylstone HealthOne NSW represents a partnership between Greater Western Area Health Service, Central West Division of General Practice, local GPs, local private health providers (pathology and pharmacy) and  Rylstone District Care and Transport Services.

Manilla

The proposed Manilla HealthOne NSW service will be located in a new building that is expected to be the first stage of a future Multi-Purpose Service. The proposed HealthOne NSW service will provide accommodation for a full range of primary health services, including GPs and visiting allied health professionals.

The service will focus on meeting the health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people aged 65 years and older, disadvantaged young children and families, and isolated families and individuals who live outside the Manilla town centre.

The integrated service will have capacity to outreach to geographically and socially isolated communities and provide a range of services that focus on maintaining wellness, early detection of disease, early intervention, treatment and education in chronic disease management.

This service represents a partnership between Manilla Medical Practice, Barwon Division of General Practice, Hunter New England Rural Training Unit and Hunter New England Area Health Service.

Corowa

The establishment of the Corowa HealthOne NSW service will see the extension of the existing Corowa Medical Centre (located in the grounds of Corowa Hospital) and a wing of Corowa Hospital. This will allow co-location of general practice staff and community health staff. The building works proposed will allow upgrading of current facilities, and provide purpose-built rooms for visiting allied health and specialist medical practitioners.

The Corowa HealthOne service will initially target over 70-year-olds with chronic complex conditions. Services to be provided at the centre will include speech pathology, occupational therapy, dietetics, physiotherapy,  psychology and counselling, chronic care services and drug and alcohol services.

The service represents a partnership between Greater Southern Area Health Service, Corowa Medical Centre, Corowa Council, Border Division of General Practice and local GPs.

Cootamundra

The Cootamundra HealthOne NSW service will operate from a purposebuilt medical practice on private land adjoining a purpose-built community health centre on the campus of Cootamundra Hospital. It will provide coordinated public and private primary health care services, making the best use of the available local and visiting resources. It will also be responsive to emerging community health needs through links to secondary and tertiary health services.

This HealthOne NSW service will have a particular focus on children and young people, older people and those with chronic and complex needs.

This service represents a partnership between local GPs, Riverina Division of General Practice, Greater Southern Area Health Service and Cootamundra Shire Council. In addition, links will be made with Wollongong University, Charles Sturt University, private pathology and pharmacy providers and Home and Community Care services.

• Stream 1 — for applicants well advanced in planning for an integrated service delivery model in their local community.

• Stream 2 — for applicants who recognised the need for an integrated service model but needed further time and  resources to develop a detailed proposal

There is no doubt that establishing multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated primary health and community care is a challenge within Australia's complex health system. The NSW Department of Health has recognised this and will provide support in the following ways:

• A business analyst will be employed to work specifically with individual services to identify solutions to  heir Information Management & Technology (IM&T) requirements, taking into account existing systems and NSW Health's long-term IM&T objectives.

• A team of consultants will be engaged to provide specific advice and assistance to successful applicants under both EOI 1 and 2.

• A series of regional workshops will be held in the coming months. While targeted at successful applicants from EOI 2, the HealthOne NSW services being established following EOI 1 will also be encouraged to participate.

Newsletter Number 2 is due out in June 2007. If you have any suggestions for its contents please feel free to forward them to us via the HealthOne NSW email address.