Health Alliance to bridge primary care and hospital gap

South East Queenslanders will have better access to healthcare thanks to a new Metro North Hospital and Health Service and Brisbane North PHN Health Alliance.

The Alliance, a partnership between Brisbane North PHN and Metro North Hospital and Health Service, provides for better connection across the healthcare spectrum. It recognises that collaboration and integration between primary, tertiary and community health and social support services offer better health outcomes for patients.

Public health specialist Professor Don Matheson has been appointed to lead the alliance, drawing on his international experience supporting health systems to address inequalities and tackle non-communicable diseases.

He served on the World Health Organisation’s executive board, and provided policy advice to the World Health Reports on health care financing, primary healthcare, and to the Commission on the Social Determinants of Health.

Brisbane North PHN Chief Executive Abbe Anderson said partnership and integration between primary care and hospitals is key to building an improved and sustainable healthcare system.

“The Alliance between the PHN and the HHS will improve care for people right across the North Brisbane and Moreton Bay region, ensuring they receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time,” Ms Anderson said.

“Both organisations share a vision to have a community where good health is available to everyone.

“We look forward to delivering more initiatives through this agreement and continuing our strong commitment to improving the patient journey,” she said.

Metro North Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Ken Whelan said it makes sense for hospital and health services to work closely with GPs and community based services.

“Our focus is on getting the best outcome for patients and that means making sure everyone involved in their health journey is communicating and putting the patient’s needs first,” Mr Whelan said.

“For many patients, coming to hospital is not necessary when there are community or home based services available, such as Metro North’s community based rehabilitation or other PHN pathways.”

The Health Alliance builds on a history of partnership between the two organisations, including The Pathways Program, which provides GPs with evidence-based localised care pathways for their patients, and the PHN’s Team Care Coordination and Staying Healthy, Staying Home programs, which deliver care coordination services to help people remain healthy and at home.