Communiqué June 2022

Children Young People and Families Executive Steering Committee (CYPFESC)

The CYPFESC met on 7 June 2022. Discussion focused on monitoring progress of the Henry Review Implementation Plan and ensuring work considers equity and meets the needs of priority groups of children, young people and families. Key activities underway which will support better access and care were considered.

A patient story, of the lived experience of a family living in regional NSW that interacts regularly with the health system was shared with the committee. The committee reflected on the impact for family members, the potential for virtual care and how services can improve to better support families.

The Secretary highlighted her priorities for NSW Health

The Health Secretary Susan Pearce shared her vision for NSW Health including opportunities to align Henry Review implementation with broader health priorities, such as embedding virtual care, supporting the workforce and better health access and equity for regional NSW.

She discussed the importance of the formal apology on behalf of NSW Health to survivors of the Stolen Generations recently delivered. Ensuring culturally safe services and workplaces for Aboriginal people is essential to demonstrate our commitment to address past harm and show respect.

Henry Review Implementation Plan

The Plan has been approved by the Secretary. Reporting on delivery will aim to provide sufficient detail to show change over time whilst not recreating onerous reporting requirements. Where possible, baselines will be established to track progress. The first implementation report will be delivered by December 2022.

Focus on priority populations

The Committee is committed to improving equity and access. To drive this commitment, project leads will be asked to reflect on the impact of their work on priority population groups. The initial focus will be on Aboriginal people and children, young people and families living in regional and remote NSW.

Presentation on embedding Virtual Care (VC)

The NSW Virtual Care Strategy aims to embed virtual care in standard practice as appropriate. The VC team are currently consulting with local health districts and other key partners (including primary care) on strategies to embed virtual care. The next step is to develop or amend models of care in non-admitted patient settings to include virtual care. Paediatrics is one of six key cohorts in the strategy. The paediatric cohort will be supported by a new project to standardise paediatric diabetes management and improve access by promoting scalable, sustainable virtual models of care. The VC team also sought advice on other non-admitted paediatric services that may be appropriate for future virtual care models.

The Committee agreed that there are opportunities to use virtual care more effectively in paediatric services to enable greater capacity, equity, and value-based care. The importance of virtual care models integrating with local health services, including primary care, was emphasised.

Henry Review Implementation Plan update by the Agency for Clinical Innovation

1. Review pilot studies where GPs write repeat prescriptions for stimulant medication, and review approaches to assessment and management of ADHD
   ACI has reviewed the scope of need and identified emerging evidence. They have identified initial options for assessing and managing ADHD, including approaches to prescribing.
2. Examine current processes, develop and provide guidance on intake, referrals, GP pathways and providing functional assessment reports for NDIS
   ACI is looking at minimum standards to support referral and links to the NDIS. They are progressing a literature review to support this. Other work is underway that will dovetail with this activity, including as part of Brighter Beginnings.

For more information

Contact Sarah Morton, Director, Disability, Youth and Paediatric Health, NSW Ministry of Health at sarah.morton2@health.nsw.gov.au.