A compelling case for system change has been put forward in Cairns, the home of the newest member of the HealthPathways Community. Cairns HealthPathways held a two day launch event in late February which saw regional stakeholders and influencers from the HealthPathways Community take to the stage.

These included representatives from Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS), Torres and Cape Hospital Health Service, and other regional health services, as well as members of the neighbouring Mackay HealthPathways Team.

However, it was Mary Streatfield, the Acting Chief Operating Officer for CHHHS, who set the tone for the event on the first day by outlining Cairn’s compelling case for change.

Revealing a health system under pressure with continuous growth in specialist wait lists, she touched on how, in 2014-2015, more than 50,000 referrals were sent to a facility within CHHHS. Acute services in Cairns are also experiencing access and flow issues, compounded by the number of admissions that could be prevented by enhanced primary care and supported by clinicians across the Cairns health system.

Above: Dr Graham McGeoch, Cheif Clinical Editor - HealthPathways Community
(Credit: Toni Simmons)

Mary’s opening speech was followed by presentations from the Chief Clinical Editor – HealthPathways Community, Dr Graham McGeoch; Implementation Consultant, Juanita Gibson; and members of the neighbouring Mackay HealthPathways team.

GP Liaison Sue Langdon, HealthPathways Coordinator Toni Simmons, and Clinical Editor Dr Aaron Kennedy each shared their experiences implementing HealthPathways within the Mackay healthcare system. Dr Kennedy’s video presentation (15 mins) provided insights into how he localises Canterbury’s clinical pathways to reflect local practice and referral pathways.

The second day of the planning event included a workshop facilitated by Dr McGeoch, during which he demonstrated how local clinicians can participate in work groups that identify gaps and barriers to improving patient care and referrals.