New Hamilton Clinics to Work with Patients to Improve Care

Media Release

EMBARGOED UNTIL FRIDAY, 8 APRIL 2011

New Hamilton Clinics to Work with Patients to Improve Health Care

Reduced waiting time for patients, better results from clinic visits and access to health advice and support 24 hours a day are features of a new ground-breaking approach to primary health care in the Midlands region.

The Minister of Health, the Hon. Tony Ryall, is officiating at the launch of the new integrated model of health care in Hamilton today (eds: 8 April 2011) that will make it easier for patients to get the health support they need.

Midlands Health Network is offering the new model of care in Hamilton’s three NorthCare health centres, along with new services and new technology that is intended to encourage patients to engage more closely with their general practice team and thereby achieve better long-term health outcomes.

The new services offered at NorthCare health centres mark the first stage of a Midlands Health Network development path that ultimately will bring together a wide range of primary care practitioners to work collaboratively both on-site in Integrated Family Health Centres and in the community to better meet and support patients’ health needs. The primary care team, led by the general practitioner, will also co-ordinate ongoing care required from other health professionals in the community, specialists, diagnostic services and hospitals.

Improving patients’ engagement with general practice services means reducing waiting times, planning better use of clinic visits, and offering contact through secure online messaging as well as phone and email to arrange appointment times or to discuss health concerns 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

NorthCare patients will also be able to access and update some of their health records online, which means they will have greater management of their own health care. Patients can also share their health information online with other health professionals anywhere in the world if, for example, they fall ill while on holiday overseas.

Midlands Health Network has also established a centralised telephone and online contact centre for all NorthCare patients. St John-trained operators form a contact team who provide the initial health care support or advice appropriate to the patient’s needs and determine what further services are required. The operators could arrange for a patient with diabetes to see their GP if the patient reports they have irregular blood sugar levels, or to have a blood test before they come in to see their GP, or link them with a diabetes support service to discuss dietary concerns.

“From the outset, the patient will be directed to the right health care practitioner, and they will be supported through the system to ensure they receive the appropriate ongoing care. Patients also will be given care plans to follow which they will manage with the help of the general practice team,” says Mr John Macaskill-Smith, CEO of Midlands Health Network.

GP consultations will also be managed by the contact team so that both the patient and the GP can make better use of the appointment time. The contact team will arrange for any relevant blood or urine tests to be undertaken in advance so that the information is on hand to be discussed at the consultation.

“By helping the patient navigate their way through primary care services and giving them relevant and timely health advice either on the phone, the internet or in a health centre consultation, we aim to strengthen our relationship with patients and support them to take greater responsibility for their long-term health outcome,” says Mr Macaskill-Smith.

“With more effective planning and resource allocation within the general practice team, GPs, in turn, can focus their skills increasingly on patients with serious health issues.”

The new Midlands Health Network approach concept aims to keep people well in the community, thereby reducing demand on hospitals and its associated costs.

“For New Zealand’s ageing population and workforce, this is key to developing a sustainable primary health care system. We are working to ensure that we, our children and our children’s children have access to quality health care when it is needed,” says Mr Macaskill-Smith.

Midlands Health Network is a not-for-profit health management organisation that supports the delivery of primary and community health care to nearly half a million people enrolled with 115 general practices in Gisborne, Taranaki, Taupo-Turangi, and the Waikato.

ENDS

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