Managing Aged Referrals Project
Overview
As part of Queensland Health outpatient funding allocations in 2007-08, Townsville Health Service District in conjunction with Townsville General Practice Network (TGPN) were provided with funding to implement a process for reducing the number of ‘long wait’ patients awaiting a specialist outpatient appointment.Specifically, this pilot project sought to review all orthopaedic aged referrals (greater than two years old) that had not as yet been allocated an appointment. Significant reductions in the number of aged referrals, as well as the implementation of changes to referral systems became evident through this process.
Following the outcomes and successes achieved in Townsville, General Practice Queensland (GPQ) was approached by Queensland Health to convene a workshop of Queensland division of general practice and Queensland Health Service District representatives to discuss the potential for further roll out of a similar collaborative approach. A number of sites were identified by Queensland Health for inclusion in the next phase of the project.
Objectives
The primary objectives of this project are as follows:- To reduce the number of aged referrals on specialist outpatient waiting lists;
- To review the implementation of changes to the referral systems and pathways;
- To implement a comprehensive change management process and
- To further foster relationships between general practitioners, divisions of general practice and Queensland Health hospitals.
Program Details
In October 2008, a workshop of Queensland division of general practice and Queensland Health Service District representatives was held in conjunction with the Queensland Divisions Forum. This workshop brought together each of the Queensland Health targeted sites to discuss and identify the project scope, possible models and approaches as well as the project deliverables. Following this workshop, in February and March 2009, eleven Queensland divisions of general practice were provided with funding to undertake a project to examine and manage aged referrals and referral pathways in the specialist outpatient setting. These divisions and corresponding hospital sites are outlined below.
| Queensland Division of General Practice | Queensland Health Facility |
| Moreton Bay General Practice Network | Redcliffe and Caboolture Hospitals |
| RHealth |
Toowoomba Hospital |
| GP Connections |
Toowoomba Hospital |
| Sunshine Coast Division of General Practice | Nambour Hospital |
| Ipswich and West Moreton Division of General Practice |
Ipswich Hospital |
| Brisbane South Division of General Practice | Princess Alexandra Hospital |
| General Practice Cairns | Cairns Base Hospital |
| General Practice Gold Coast |
Gold Coast Hospital |
| Mackay Healthcare Connect |
Mackay Base Hospital |
| General Practice Logan Area Network |
Logan Hospital |
| South East Alliance of General Practice | Redland Hospital |
Achievements
In early April, 2009, GPQ provided those divisions of general practice and Queensland Health representatives participating in the next phase of this project with the opportunity to come together to further examine the implementation and reporting requirements relating to the project. Ten out of the eleven sites attended and an opportunity was also provided to hear further from those involved in the initial Townsville project. Each of the division projects will run until early 2010.
Resources
Please click here to access a secure member’s only section of the GPQ website.
Further Information
Please contact:
Libby Dunstan
Team Leader – Programs
ldunstan@gpqld.com.au