‘When managing patients with complex chronic pain, I don’t know which local allied health providers are taking referrals, what their wait times are or whether they speak a language my patient speaks.’ – Fairfield GP
SWSPHN’s allied health team believes the key to overcoming barriers to multidisciplinary care like the one reflected above, is building connections and communication between allied health providers and general practice, and developing initiatives shaped by the realities of practising in our region.
To this end, our allied health team has engaged with allied health professionals across Fairfield local government area during the past few months. The team spoke with four speech pathologists, three exercise physiologist, three physiotherapists, two chiropractors, two occupational therapists and one psychologist.
Why was Fairfield LGA targeted?
- the LGA has an ageing population and an ageing, often solo or small practice GP workforce which should result in an increased demand for allied health services in chronic disease management and an increased burden on the healthcare system
- the LGA’s low socioeconomic status is a barrier to children accessing allied health services; allied health is critical to early intervention, prevention and shaping positive long-term health outcomes
- the need for timelier, and better coordinated and connected care; a strong GP-allied health relationship will create more consistent, appropriate and prompt referrals
- allied health services operate across a diverse business model
Why was this engagement important?
- better health outcomes for the community through stronger use of allied health services
- improved multidisciplinary team care, where allied health is actively integrated into patient care pathways
- increased access and utilisation of preventative health services, where allied health plays a leading role
What feedback did we receive?
The feedback had three main themes:
- mixed levels of engagement and different referral pathways between general practice and allied health resulting in missed opportunities for patient care and reducing multidisciplinary care utilisation
- low awareness of allied health roles, particularly in culturally and linguistically diverse communities, resulting in patients potentially not accessing the services they need
- a fragmented health system with poor information sharing, which delays care, reduces collaboration, increases the administrative burden and creates a siloed workforce
What initiatives are being undertaken to address these barriers?
- Multidisciplinary Team Care small grants program for allied health professionals who service the Fairfield LGA. The grants aim to increase collaboration between allied health services and small/solo GP practices to increase access to allied health services
- GP-allied health co-education and networking events: Joint sessions for GPs and allied health professionals to learn together, build relationships and understand each other’s roles. These events are already receiving positive feedback. Following February’s face-to-face event for GPs and allied health professionals, Bowral GP, Dr Fiona Mackintosh said: ‘Getting GPs and allied health to meet each other and chat about a common issue, was worth the effort and is more meaningful than we can possibly know’
- SWSPHN’s Clinical Council: The inclusion of formal allied health representation on SWSPHN’s Clinical Council for the first time, provides a unique opportunity to contribute directly to regional decision-making alongside GPs and other clinical leaders
What are we doing next?
- continuing to identify opportunities to increase allied health service visibility and service navigation
- exploring opportunities to improve allied health integration into the primary care digital eco-system to improve efficient referral pathways and secure clinical note transfers. Read about the National Allied Health Digital Uplift Plan below
We hope you’ll read on, share your ideas and help shape our focus during the year. Keep in touch by emailing alliedhealth@swsphn.com.au or contacting Brendan Chiew or Nisha Nair at 4632 3000. Please share this newsletter with your colleagues and encourage them to subscribe via our website.
PICTURED ABOVE: Brendan Chiew or Nisha Nair on the road, meeting with allied health professionals in Fairfield LGA.