WA Primary Health Alliance acknowledges and pays respect to the Traditional Owners and Elders of this country and recognises the significant importance of their cultural heritage, values and beliefs and how these contribute to the positive health and wellbeing of the whole community. Service Provider Connect #94 - 13 December 2023 In this edition
Chief Executive Officer’s foreword
Procurement and contracting - Performance Management Framework Update - Alcohol and other drugs and chronic disease providers
Strategic update - WAPHA Digital Health Strategy 2024-2026
- Service Provider Special Interest Panel – Digital Health Strategy
- Latest update - Strengthening Medicare budget measures
- Multicultural Competency and Capability Framework
General resources - New guide launched for interviewing older people at risk of harm
- Dementia Community Services and Support Finder
- Protecting older people in the festive season
- Mental health, human rights and legislation: guidance and practice guide
News and media - Head to Health adult mental health centre opens in Armadale
- Needs Assessments for after hours, homelessness and culturally and linguistically diverse communities
- Medicare Urgent Care Clinics complementing general practice and supporting integration with local health services
- Health equity, a non-negotiable
- Midland location of WA’s sixth Medicare Urgent Care Clinic
- Broome Medicare Urgent Care Clinic
- Integration and collaboration key to a connected health care system in the Great Southern region
- Assessing knowledge and attitudes toward psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted therapy
- Rent relief in Western Australia
- Changes to palliative care entry process to residential aged care homes
Training and events
Resources - Commissioning policies and procedures
- Previous editions of Service Provider Connect
- Our services webpage
Chief Executive Officer's forewordOver the past year we continued to focus on our strategic priorities and vision of a more connected primary health care system for WA. Central to this is health equity and improving access to primary health services across WA’s culturally and geographically diverse communities.
We have seen much progress on health system innovation and improvement, including the establishment of two Medicare Urgent Care Clinics and two endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics based in existing general practices, the establishment of a network of Head to Health services in WA, and grants provided to general practices for a range of innovation, training and equipment purchases intended to improve patient access.
We continue to support general practice to deliver the highest quality patient care. The GP Advisory Panel, a joint initiative between WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA), Rural Health West and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners WA, has strengthened the influence of general practice in the planning, design and policy setting for primary health care. We are focused on working to further strengthen the relationship between general practice and our commissioned primary health care services over the coming year.
See some of our achievements from the past year. Our ongoing commitment to inclusion and diversity was further strengthened this year with the launch of our Aboriginal Cultural Competency and Capability Framework 2023-2025, LGBTIQA+ Equity and Inclusion Framework 2023-2025, Aboriginal Health Strategy and the Transgender Health and Gender Diversity HealthPathway.
Digital transformation has been, and continues to be, a key area of focus for us. We continue to drive digital health initiatives such as Primary Health Insights and Primary Sense and support continuous improvement of our service providers through our Commissioned Services Reporting Portal and Performance Management Framework.
This year we refreshed our approach to stakeholder engagement and partnerships to make sure they are flexible and purposeful, and to encourage more meaningful input. The voices of all our stakeholders – communities, consumers, families, carers, health professionals and service providers – are critical to shaping our work to address inequity, identify gaps and invest in accessible, quality local care.
Our work this year has been supported by our extensive network of dedicated stakeholders, all working towards improving health care in WA. I am proud of the work we have accomplished as we strive for a more integrated health system, and I am optimistic about our collective achievements over the coming year.
I hope you enjoy reading our 2022-23 Year in Review.
Kind regards Learne Durrington Chief Executive Officer Procurement and contracting
Performance Management Framework Update - Alcohol and other drugs and chronic disease providers
Thank you for your patience whilst we have recently engaged separately with each of our alcohol and other drug and chronic conditions providers regarding implementation of Performance Management Framework (PMF) reporting requirements in 2023-24.
Based on the recent consultations with commissioned service providers, we have categorised the issues and challenges faced by organisations into the following: - Understanding reporting requirements and data items - Some organisations encountered difficulties in fully grasping the reporting requirements and the specific data items needed.
- Capacity to collect data - Challenges related to the ability to collect data, whether through manual processes or within data management systems.
- Extraction and reporting - Issues arose in extracting and reporting data.
Correspondence is being sent to all those alcohol and other drugs and chronic conditions providers in scope for PMF implementation with a further update and offer of financial support to assist with clinical information management system issues and challenges. Strategic update
WAPHA Digital Health Strategy 2024-2026
Digital health is one of the seven key priorities for Primary Health Networks set by the Australian Government. WAPHA’s recently launched Strategic Plan 2023-2026 commits us to leading the delivery and support of secure digitally enabled health care with partners locally and nationally.
WAPHA’s Digital Health Strategy 2024-2026 is currently being developed, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, and recognises the role of digital health as an enabler rather than the solution. It will provide an action plan designed around the unique requirements of communities across the state.
The focus will be on ensuring: - Clinicians and service providers have access to key information and support when and where required.
- New models of care and new ways of working are enabled through digital.
- Accurate and integrated data is used to share insights and inform decisions in the health system.
- Sustainable and equitable care is ensured through strategic partnerships.
- The right digital resources and knowledge are made available to the workforce in order to be efficient and effective.
Service Provider Special Interest Panel – Digital Health Strategy
The recent meeting discussed WAPHA’s Digital Health Strategy and commissioned service provider insight of digital health functions across the state. The questions posted in the meeting included: - Where have digital health technologies been successfully integrated into your service and what were the key reasons for this success?
- Where do you see opportunities for digital health to provide value in the short-term (one to two years) and beyond (three to four years)?
- What are the key risks to realising these opportunities?
- What are the key digital platforms required to realise the value?
Read the session summary Latest update - Strengthening Medicare budget measures
WAPHA continues to work with our key partners and stakeholders to progress development of new and continuing primary health care initiatives announced in the Australian Government Budget 2023-24. Read the latest updates on WAPHA’s work in the following areas: - MyMedicare registration for residential aged care homes
- Tripling of bulk billing incentives
- General Practice in Aged Care Incentive
- PHN Commissioning of multidisciplinary teams
- Wraparound primary care for frequent hospital users
- Commissioning primary health care services into thin markets
- Single Employer Model
- General practice incentives review
Read more Multicultural Competency and Capability Framework
Given our vision of better health together, WAPHA is working with communities, primary health care providers and partners across the health system in WA to improve cultural safety for Western Australians.
Our Multicultural Competency and Capability Framework will support the organisation on a journey to better meet the primary health care needs of the WA’s significant multicultural communities.
The new Framework provides a set of key principles for developing cultural competency, and standards with agreed actions to guide the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of cultural competency for WAPHA staff, commissioned service providers and primary care services.
The implementation of the Framework, from 2024 to 2026, will support WAPHA’s commitment to build respectful relationships and reduce disparity.
This Framework is a companion to the WAPHA Aboriginal Cultural Competency and Capability Framework and the LGBTIQA+ Equity and Inclusion Framework. General resources
New guide launched for interviewing older people at risk of harm
As part of WA Seniors Week, Minister for Seniors and Ageing Don Punch announced a new guide for interviewing older people at risk of harm, on 16 November 2023.
The Best Practice Guidelines for Interviewing Older People at Risk of Harm Guide will give service providers the tools to have effective and meaningful conversations with older people who have experienced abuse. Dementia Community Services and Support Finder
In partnership with My Community Directory, WAPHA has established the Dementia Community Services and Support Finder to help people find information for themselves and loved ones when the early signs of dementia present. This online resource provides dementia specific information including a service finder to assist in accessing services and planning care during the dementia journey. The resource supports the community to understand dementia and the care available and will assist in locating local services.
Protecting older people in the festive season
The festive season is a time many of us spend with our older family and friends. Make sure you know the basics and protect older people from COVID-19. - wash your hands
- stay home if you’re unwell
- get your recommended vaccine doses.
If you are visiting an aged care home, you may also need to: - test before your visit
- wear a mask
- find an outdoor space to spend together.
Aged care COVID-19 advice – communication kit Mental health, human rights and legislation: guidance and practice guide
In October the World Health Organization and United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights published a valuable resource titled Mental health, human rights and legislation: guidance and practice.
Learn more
News and media Head to Health adult mental health centre opens in Armadale
A Head to Health adult mental health centre has opened in Armadale, offering free advice, support and, if needed, assessment and treatment for people with stress, anxiety and other mental health issues.
Head to Health makes it easier for GPs and other health professionals to support the mental health of the people they look after, and those who support them, through improving access to, and coordination of, mental health services in their local community.
Read more Strengthening Medicare Implementation and Oversight Committee
WAPHA CEO Learne Durrington has been appointed to the Strengthening Medicare Implementation and Oversight Committee. The Committee has been established to oversee primary care reform projects emanating from the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce Report.
As a 10-year program, Strengthening Medicare aims to fundamentally shift primary care to be more adaptive to population health needs and workforce needs. Across Strengthening Medicare there are four key themes which are guiding the Committee: - Improving access and increasing access to primary care.
- Voluntary patient registration.
- Improving and increasing primary care affordability and accessibility for people in disadvantaged locations and population groups.
- Strengthening after hours primary care.
WAPHA is closely assessing and interpreting progress of the Strengthening Medicare reform program and the implications for primary health care in WA. We understand the need to be agile and to align ourselves to reform agenda in a way that continues to build value in primary care, trust with stakeholders and good consumer outcomes. Needs Assessments for after hours, homelessness and culturally and linguistically diverse communities
The Department of Health and Aged Care has for some time been reviewing the After Hours Program, and some changes have recently been implemented. Whilst the quantum of funds for the program are much the same, this is now allocated to three streams: - After Hours Program
- Homelessness support
- Multicultural Access Program
WAPHA is undertaking a state-wide needs assessment for the multi-cultural access, homelessness support and after-hours programs. The needs assessments will include consultation and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, including peak bodies, consumers and specialist support services for each of the priority groups to identify barriers and opportunities to increase primary health care access, cultural competency and safety and increased service provision. The needs assessments will inform future PHN commissioning and primary care activities. Urgent Care Clinics complementing general practice and supporting integration with local health services
Watch our latest Better Health, Together video, as Tim Koh, GP and practice owner at Ocean Keys Family Practice, shares his insights into establishing the Clarkson Urgent Care Clinic, and the role general practice can play in relieving pressure on hospital emergency departments through Medicare Urgent Care Clinics.
Read more
Health equity, a non-negotiable
WAPHA General Manager Strategy and Engagement, Chris Kane, discusses health equity and WAPHA’s focus on what we can do in the primary health care context to ensure we are reaching those people within priority population groups who are at greater risk of poor health outcomes.
Read more Midland location of WA’s sixth Medicare Urgent Care Clinic
A sixth Medicare Urgent Care Clinic for Western Australia has been confirmed at North Street Medical Centre, supporting the wider Midland area. Opening on 11 December, the clinic provides treatment for urgent, but not life-threatening, illnesses and injuries requiring same day assessment for people who may otherwise have visited an emergency department.
Read more Broome Medicare Urgent Care Clinic
A seventh Medicare Urgent Care Clinic for Western Australia has been confirmed at the Kimberley Medical Group general practice, supporting Broome and surrounding areas.
Expected to open from 28 December 2023, the clinic will provide treatment for urgent, but not life-threatening, illnesses and injuries requiring same day assessment for people who may otherwise have visited an emergency department.
In developing the model of care for the Broome Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, local stakeholders were consulted to ensure local workforce challenges were taken into consideration.
The result is an innovative and sustainable mode of care, including in person and, if required, telehealth consultations that will ensure patients can access the clinic seven days a week and receive high quality urgent care.
Read more Integration and collaboration key to a connected health care system in the Great Southern region
Over the past 12 months Amity Health undertook a consultation and mapping exercise with primary care services within Mount Barker and the wider Great Southern region that focused on integration and connecting local services, to maximise support for clients and to simplify the healthcare system. Following a wide range of consultations with stakeholders and community groups, they were able to comprehensively map the care available within the region and identify any duplication or gaps in service.
Read more Assessing knowledge and attitudes toward psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted therapy
Since July 2023, the Therapeutic Goods Administration has permitted the use of psychedelic medicines in conjunction with psychotherapy for treatment-resistant depression and PTSD. This development underscores the importance of understanding clinician knowledge, attitudes, and readiness regarding psychedelic assisted therapy by clinicians who are eligible to refer for, or deliver, these therapies.
Little research has explored the relationship between knowledge of psychedelics, and interest or openness toward engaging with psychedelic assisted therapy. This informs the key aims of our research. We aim to understand whether knowledge predicts increased willingness to engage in psychedelic-assisted therapy and reduces stigma. The findings may help shape policies and guidelines to ensure the safe and optimally beneficial administration of psychedelic-assisted therapies. Participants also have the chance to enter a draw for a $150 MasterCard. The survey, which takes approximately 5-10 minutes to complete, can be found here. If you have any questions or require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the lead investigator Lena Oestreich: l.oestreich@uq.edu.au
Rent relief in Western Australia
In November, the State Government announced a $24.4 million Rent Relief program for tenants in private rentals to access a one-off support payment of up to $5,000 to cover rental arrears, and in some cases assist with a 50 per cent rental co-payment of up to three months. We know rental stress and precarious housing affects mental health and we welcome this development as a positive step towards providing some rental relief.
Read more Training and events ResourcesCommissioning policies and procedures
Commissioned service providers can access WA Primary Health Alliance policies and procedures that your organisation is expected to comply with in one location here. Also, Notifiable Incident Reports are lodged via this webpage.
Our services webpage
Our services webpage provides an interactive map of the services we commission, which can be filtered by region and service type.
Explore our services webpage here Previous editions of Service Provider Connect
View previous editions of Service Provider Connect here
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