Rural and Remote Primary Health

An opportunity to align and achieve

Today …

A new mindset

Collaborative solutions

Why now makes sense

Accountability to remote and regional WA

Accountability to Aboriginal people

Today…

Potentially Preventable Hospitalisations

A New Mindset

Strategic direction

In every dimension and at every level, the Australian health system is not just fragmented, but atomised. Like iron filings scattered randomly on a piece of paper, its many players are influenced by different motivations, which in turn draw them in different, often opposing directions… More than ever, the Australian health system is in need of a magnet to align its efforts – strong, determined leadership fuelled by a bold, unifying vision.

NHHRC Report 2009

Many ‘sweet spots’ for primary health care

Northern Territory

Source: 2007-2011 NT data (Zhao et al 2013)Authors note their study was neither longitudinal nor experimental limiting inferences about causality

COLLABORATION and SUCCESS

Primary Health Networks

“PHNs will be expected to work to achieve health outcomes for their local communities. A core set of national health priorities will be set by government, along with local priorities identified through assessing regional needs. National priorities may include reduced avoidable hospitalisations and emergency department presentations, and improved outcomes for people with complex chronic conditions.”

“PHNs will operate under an outcome focused performance management contract with the Department.”

DoH October 2014

Themes from ACHWA

Engagement CommunicationWorking Together

Equal Solution(Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services & Main Stream Services)

The power of Aboriginal Health Planning Forums

Tomorrow…Enabled by:

•Strong, determined leadership fuelled by a bold, unifying vision•Joined up clinical & patient management systems that align effort and tell us what's

working and what's not so continuous improvement is a reality

Aligned effort achieves…

•Persisting & high rates over many years•Significant health consequences•Changed the Response•Target the most vulnerable•Recognise and act early•Regular reporting•Anaemia prevention (antenatal)

Anaemia in Early Childhood – A Northern Territory

Response

In 2012 Anaemia in children aged 6-24 months= 1:3

Rate is now showing improvement

Melissa.vernon@health.wa.gov.au

Executive Director Primary Health & Engagement

WA Country Health Service

BOLD & ACHIEVABLE =Between Commonwealth & State:Agreed Primary Health Service & Purchasing Plan for Country WA

that directs strategy, effort and resources to achieve agreed outcomes