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The ACT and SNSW HealthPathways Program is a free online tool for primary health care professionals that provides condition-based assessment, management and referral information. The program is a unique cross-border partnership involving CHN, ACT Health, COORDINARE (South-Eastern NSW PHN) and Southern NSW Local Health District.
Key program statistics (2023/24)
- 206,251 pageviews
- 6,601 users
- 195 pathways were reviewed, and 23 pathways were localised over the last year. As at 30 June 2024, there were 672 localised pathways.
b) When networks unite – management of chronic conditions
The ACT & SNSW HealthPathways team partnered with the Health Care Consumers’ Association (HCCA) Chronic Conditions Network to update information on the HealthPathways site. Members of the network are local advocacy organisations, representing over 30 different chronic conditions.
Through our network partnership, over 20 pathways have been updated with correct service details, new services, expanded psychosocial supports, accessible patient information and useful information and educational opportunities for health professionals.
c) Promoting better care outcomes in the ACT
The ACT & SNSW HealthPathways team continued to support health professionals and promote better care outcomes within the ACT community this year.
The 3 focus areas included:
- inclusive information
- responsiveness to local needs
- dementia care education for health professionals.
d) Inclusive information
The team launched a new flag icon on the site this year to identify information on pathways that support better provision of care specific to the LGBTIQA+ community. There are now three flag icons on the site that identify information specific to First Nations, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse CALD and LGBTIQA+ communities.
The information highlighted by the icons on the site include:
- clinical points of care
- identified clinical care guidance
- guidance for culturally appropriate care and cultural safety
- identified patient information
- translated resources
- interpreter services
- and local service providers and support services in the ACT.
e) Responsive to local needs
Over the last year, the team localised 11 clinical pathways that provide best practice information on the assessment, management and referral options for the following conditions.
f) Rapid localisation
Rheumatic Heart Disease and heat-related Illness pathways were rapidly localised, in response to concerns of rising case numbers and summer temperatures.
The HealthPathways team also worked with the ACT Health’s Public Health Response and Capability Unit, on the Post Natural Disaster HealthPathway as part of the Summer Preparedness Campaign.
g) Localisations for conditions typically managed within primary health care
Vaping in Youth, Safe Prescribing of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medications, Inflammatory Arthritis, B12 Deficiency, Travel Medicine and Transgender Health – Gender-affirming Hormone Therapy pathways were localised in recognition of the role primary care providers have in the continued management of these conditions.
h) Older adults’ health
Comprehensive Medical Assessment for Residential Aged Care Homes and Older Adults’ Weight and Nutrition pathways were localised in reflection of the national priority to support better care provision for older adults.
i) Dementia care education for primary care professionals
As part of the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) funded Dementia Pathway Project, the ACT & SNSW HealthPathways team helped facilitate 4 educational webinars with Dementia Training Australia to support GPs in the early diagnosis and management of dementia. Webinar sessions covered the foundations of dementia diagnosis, mild cognitive impairment and changed behaviours in dementia.