NSW Health works together with its partners to embed new ways of delivering care. The NSW Integrated Care Implementation (ICI) team works closely with their partners to integrate services, systems and improve experience and outcomes for patients, their families, and carers.
There are 31 Primary Health Networks (PHNs) Australia wide. These Commonwealth run organisations have been established to lead improvements to the quality and delivery of primary health care. All PHNs will align with local hospital networks to drive efficiencies and better direct health funding to the delivery of frontline health care services.
NSW Integrated Care promotes a collaborative approach with a focus on improving the health and wellbeing of local communities. The NSW Ministry of Health (MOH) provides ongoing support through a collaborative governance model to lead on a range of key activities that support local engagement and integration. This model allows both PHNs and LHDs to focus on:
Both LHDs and PHNs aim to improve frontline service delivery by working to integrate primary, community and secondary sectors for the benefit of patients. As such, it is important for NSW Health to keep PHNs and the Commonwealth up to date on the ongoing integrated care initiatives and their findings.
The NSW Primary Health Network - NSW Health Joint Statement is an agreement between NSW Health, and the NSW PHNs that sets the direction and principles for health organisations to work together in NSW. The Joint Statement outlines a shared commitment to addressing challenges together and realising opportunities for patient-centred care and better health outcomes.
Leading Better Value Care (LBVC) is one of the programs that is accelerating value-based healthcare in NSW. It involves clinicians, networks and organisations working together on high-impact initiatives to improve outcomes and experiences for people with specific conditions. NSW Health has identified and scaled 13 evidence-based models or standards of care the fall within the scope of Leading Better Value Care.
Commissioning for Better Value (CBV) is one of the state-wide programs accelerating the move toward value-based healthcare in NSW. In NSW Health, Commissioning for Better Value involves:
Outputs are designed around the amount of activity being provided, while outcomes focus on the patient receiving the service. CBV provides a structure that puts the patient at the centre of service design, with a focus on measuring and achieving outcomes. Providing services that deliver improved outcomes for patients, clinicians and other end-users drives value within the health system.
Collaborative Commissioning (CC) involves patient centred co-commissioning groups identifying and prioritising local health needs and developing care pathways to improve patient and community outcomes. It aims to address the gaps in patient care and embed local accountability to ensure care is truly integrated for patients.
The Collaborative Commissioning program has five guiding principles:
The Lumos program links records to map patient journeys from primary care to other settings and health information sources in NSW, including Ambulance NSW, emergency departments, hospitals, and mortality. The Lumos program operates in all 10 NSW PHNs and extracts patient records twice a year. Data from this program uncovers new insights that can inform improvements to health services and patient outcomes across the state.
Lumos provides unique information about patients enrolled in Integrated Care initiatives to better understand the impact on various aspects of the patient journey. State-of-the art technology and security measures are embedded throughout the program to minimise any risk to patient privacy.