The goal was to reduce waiting times for adult patients waiting from 65 per cent of recommended waiting time to 15 per cent and reduce the average cost of a course of care from $1080 to $560 by December 2015.
The method of achieving this was to use redesign methodology, which ensured staff, patients and members of the community were involved in the change. Clinical champions led implementation of separate care pathways for urgent and general care patients. Patients, community members and clinic staff from Southern NSW Local Health District (Queanbeyan) and Murrumbidgee Local Health District (Wagga) dental clinics collaborated on diagnostics, solution design, implementation and evaluation phases.
Results saw an overall reduction in waiting lists and waiting times, better access for the highest five of eight triage categories, and reduction in average cost of a course of care. Clinicians’ mindsets have moved towards a population health perspective.
