HealthPathways is integrating information from Queensland Health’s Clinical Prioritisation Criteria (CPCs) project to promote equity of access across the state for patients accessing secondary out-patient care.

The information will be single-sourced for all HealthPathways regions in Queensland – including Brisbane North which is due to launch next month – providing consistent access criteria information across all request pages and clinical pathways.

Andy Froggatt, HealthPathways International Business Development Manager, says Queensland Health’s development of CPCs is a positive step that complements the goals of HealthPathways.

“We certainly see it as a positive thing. CPCs link perfectly with HealthPathways to provide GPs and the wider health community with access to agreed state-wide standards, combined with the best local guidance on when to refer a patient and how urgently to improve patient care for all Queenslanders.”

However, as Clinton Bazley, the Coordinator for Sunshine Coast HealthPathways, explains the process of investigating the criteria in itself is bringing benefits in the shape of greater collaboration.

“It is important to highlight the collaboration of primary and secondary care sectors to drive the success of the implementation and the sustainable change that will follow. The quality working relationship between GP representative groups, Queensland Health, and the PHN will positively influence this process.”

CPCs have been developed through a process of rigorous collaboration between clinicians that began more than three years ago.

Each CPC identifies a patient’s most appropriate triage category, standardised across the state, with GPs able to quickly determine the category, ensure the appropriate referral, and advise the patient.

“CPCs complement the pathway in ensuring the patient’s continuation of well-directed, equitable, and timely care through to the hospital appointment,” Clinton says.

“Their inclusion within HealthPathways ensures that patients, GPs, and specialist health services within the hospital setting are collectively supported with clear, well-informed data for guiding patient care from the community through to hospital entry.”