Aug
22
2017
Dr Hilton Koppe
Senior Clinical Editor, HealthPathways
“Paid thinking time.” That’s what I used to call my work as a medical educator with North Coast GP Training (NCGPT). Of course, it was much more than that. It was an opportunity to assist the next generation of general practitioners launch their journey in our region. There were benefits that came from teaching – they say, “If you can’t do it, teach it … and then you’ll know how to do it.”
So it was a great loss when NCGPT lost the contract for delivering GP training in our region at the end of 2015. Fortunately NCPHN opened a different door for me, and I joined the HealthPathways team as a clinical editor.
Once again, I have a job which involves “paid thinking time.” Working on HealthPathways has been a revelation. There are opportunities to ensure that patients get the right treatment at the right time in the right place. On a personal level, I have learnt so much medicine. I definitely feel that I am a better doctor for my patients as a result.
The other day I saw Jim, a patient who complained of calf tenderness after his plaster was removed for treatment of an ankle fracture. I had reviewed the DVT HealthPathway a few weeks earlier, and learned about the Revised Wells Score Clinical Risk Assessment Calculator for DVT. Using this calculator, I was able to assess Jim as being of low risk of DVT, thus avoiding him needing to take time off work to have Doppler.
The other week I saw Muriel, a 75-year-old woman who was complaining of vague lower abdominal discomfort and bloating. She had mild tenderness in lower abdominal region, so I arranged for her to have an ultrasound. This showed a 3cm right ovarian cystic structure. The radiologist did not report any sinister findings, but – due to my involvement in a workgroup developing HealthPathways for ovarian cancer – I was aware of the Risk of Malignancy Index (RMI) for assessing risk for ovarian cancer. Muriel agreed to have CA125 done to further quantify her risk. When this came back raised, with associated elevation in RMI score, I knew from my work on the relevant HealthPathway that I needed to refer her directly to a gynaecological oncologist. Plus, I knew that HealthPathways had up-to-date contact details for these specialists. It’s possible that most other GPs already knew this information, but I didn’t. Without my work on HealthPathways, I am not sure that Muriel would have received optimal treatment in an appropriate time frame.
And then there was last Monday. One of those days in general practice we all dread. Three new patients with suicidal thoughts! None of them required immediate mental health team assessment, but they all needed assistance with keeping them safe. Once again, HealthPathways came to my rescue. I had been involved in developing our new Suicide Risk pathway earlier this year, so I was aware of the resource in that pathway called “Keeping me safe plan”. Just what the doctor ordered for these three disturbed patients. They were all delighted that I was quickly able to print out a personalised action plan with local and national contact numbers to help keep them safe during this challenging time.
These are just three examples of how working on HealthPathways has helped me be a better doctor for my patients. Every pathway I work on results in better care for my patients. This paid thinking time is paying dividends!
There are often opportunities to be involved in the development of new pathways, either as a member of a workgroup, or in reviewing pathways before they are published. If you are interested, please contact Kerrie Keyte at kkeyte@hnc.org.au or myself at hkoppe@hnc.org.au.
For a list of all localised pathways see:
Mid and North Coast Localised Pathways
Username: manchealth
Password: conn3ct3d
For further information about HealthPathways email kkeyte@hnc.org.au or fryan@hnc.org.au.
The RACGP Green Book Needs Your Input
Cancer Genetics for GPs
Strategic Priority Area: One team
North Coast is identified as the region most likely to be impacted by climate change in Australia and also forecasted greatest growth in those 65+.
Healthy North Coast takes a lead role in ensuring the older population and the sector that supports them are prepared for, can respond to and recover from disasters and other emergencies.
We have led eight regional disaster management capacity building workshops, bringing together SES, community organisations and the aged care sector.
We have also developed disaster preparedness tip sheets for both residential and community aged care providers.
Strategic Priority Area: One team
In May 2022, the NSW Parliament passed the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2022. Effective from Tuesday, 28 November 2023, eligible people have the choice to access voluntary assisted dying.
Healthy North Coast has developed a webpage for both health professionals and consumers, with links to available information and resources.
Strategic Priority Area: No one is left behind
Healthy North Coast has worked with people living with dementia, their families and local service providers to develop an information booklet that will help them connect with local and national supports along their journey.
Highly regarded by a range of professional supporting those on or starting the dementia journey, the booklet includes commonly asked questions for people to ask their GP and/or specialist.
“It’s a fantastic resource and I give it to everyone on their first diagnosis. Its easy to read, so well planned and thought through and has lots of really useful information, tailored to the region.
I also find it very helpful when educating clinical staff.”
−Geropsychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Mid North Coast.
The resource is available in digital and printed copies, with more than 5,000 distributed across the region. An e-version is available to clinicians via the Dementia and Cognitive Impairment HealthPathway.
Strategic Priority Area: One team
Empowering aged care teams to deliver safer, more consistent care.
The Deteriorating Resident Triage Tool (DRRT) supports aged care staff to confidently recognise and respond to signs of resident deterioration. It enables timely, evidence-based decisions, strengthens communication with health services, and promotes early intervention and effective care planning, helping residents receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place. By doing so, it reduces unnecessary Emergency Department presentations and improves resident outcomes.
Developed in collaboration with a specialist geriatrician and informed by input from Residential Aged Care Managers, NSW Ambulance, GPs, and clinical experts across the Mid and North Coast Local Health Districts, the DRRT is practical, relevant, and aligned with contemporary best practice.
Aligned with the Strengthened Quality Standards:
Strategic Priority Area: No one is left behind
Care finders is a free service to assist older adults connect to aged care services and supports. Care finders support older people who experience significant barriers to accessing services, and walk alongside their clients at their own pace, to understand their individual situation and support them to work through the steps to address their needs. Care finders assist people with access to other supports in the community. They can provide connections both with accessing services for the first time, and with changing or finding new services and supports if their needs change.
Care finders can:
The care finder program has been extended to June 2029 and is provided by the following organisations. Each (Lismore, Coffs Harbour, Clarence Valley, Richmond Valley, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Kempsey, Nambucca and Bellingen) and Footprints (Kyogle, Tweed, Byron and Ballina).
Strategic Priority Area: Improving Lives Now
Healthy North Coast commissions two service providers to deliver psychological therapies and supports for older people with, or at risk of developing, a mental illness and who are living in residential aged care homes (RACHs).
The aim of the program is to both provide direct support to residents and their families and carers, as well as upskill the RACH workforce to respond to the needs of residents presenting with mental health concerns.
Strategic Priority Area: Securing a Healthier Future
Connection and a sense of belonging are protective factors for both individual and community health and wellbeing. Evidence highlights that the social determinants of health play a critical role in addressing many of our regions health challenges.
That’s why Healthy North Coast has long been committed to supporting communities to strengthen and to build social health. Our initiatives, including contemporary ‘Social Prescribing’, help people to connect to activities, supports and each other, and assist communities to integrate services and bridge gaps.
Strategic Priority Area: Improving Lives Now
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety identified several critical areas affecting aged care residents and our health system. Key challenges include:
Telehealth offers valuable opportunities to enhance support for residents living in aged care homes. Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, this initiative provides telehealth equipment and staff training as part of the response to the Royal Commission’s findings.
By improving access to primary care clinicians, specialist services, and other service providers through telehealth, we can significantly enhance health outcomes for residents, reducing unnecessary hospital transfers and emergency department visits.
The selection of telehealth equipment was guided by our Healthy Ageing Strategy (HAS), a comprehensive digital discovery questionnaire, and consultation workshops with various stakeholders. These efforts included interviews with residents to understand their attitudes toward telehealth, ensuring the initiative meets their needs and preferences.
Strategic Priority Area: Improving Lives Now
Aims to provide people who have life limiting conditions the opportunity to exercise choice and receive high quality care at home, harnessing improved and better coordinated supports and services that meet their individual needs.
Program objectives:
These objectives will contribute to achieving the following intended overarching outcomes of:
Funding is open to all primary care providers within disaster affected communities across the Healthy North Coast footprint.
Workforce Locum support and R&R funding criteria
Wellbeing Flexible Funding Criteria & Eligibility
| *Team Size (Total staff and contractors) | Funding Available |
| Small (1-5) | $500-$1500 |
| Medium (6-20) | $1500-$4000 |
| Large (>20) | $4000-$5000 |
