Raymond Wen

Information on the responsiveness of the New Zealand (NZ) health system to Asians to enable navigation of healthcare services is currently lacking. Barriers experienced by Asian patients to enable optimal navigation of, and engagement with, healthcare services are also sparse. This research aimed to: (1) document and analyse resources available on the websites of general practices that aid in optimal health care navigation for NZ Asians; and (2) explore the barriers perceived by Asian migrants to navigating the NZ Health System, particularly primary care.  Read more 👉🏽https://lnkd.in/gnErjw2X Authors: Valerie Xiang, Sherly Parackal, Gagan Gurung, Rathan M. Subramaniam #Asian #healthservices #accessibility #healthsystemresponsiveness #migrantcommunities #healthliteracy #New Zealand #primaryhealthcare #EthnicHealthCollective

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This post of health systems blog ‘Otaihanga Second Opinion’ discusses how corporate ownership of general practices can, by abusing the capitation funding system, have detrimental consequences for primary healthcare in New Zealand. https://lnkd.in/gpbWVzzx

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Do you suffer from gout? There are effective and safe medicines which stop gout occurring. This simple plan will help you and your doctor successfully treat your gout. Medcast Australian Rheumatology Association

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To Walking Below the Line according to New South Wales Health CORE Values As the late, great, Johnny Cash said 'I walk the Line' .....but they don't .. Sydney Local Health District Workforce use this factsheet to monitor and act on "Below the Line Behaviours' So have a look at just one extract: • Failing to treat patients with dignity • Breaching privacy and confidentiality • Disregarding other’s differences • Not listening to other’s opinions and ideas • Having a negative attitude • Knowingly depriving the patient of appropriate attention and care • Show disrespect or intolerance to any employees, patients, carers, students or visitor • Consistently agree to do something but fail to deliver (without appropriate communication or feedback) • Engage in behaviours that are excluding and disrespectful to others • Contribute to a dysfunctional work environment The Medical, Nursing and Allied Staff know that Management consistently fail their own policies. The one-way application of CORE values isn't just Maladministration but arguably Malfeasance. Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM has sent Deb Willcox AM to the SLHD Frontline to replace renowned micromanager Dr Teresa Anderson AM but is there really a tension for change or are the Staff just lining up for Line dancing Classes to the music of Johnny Cash? Premier Chris Minns where is the Independent oversight of NSW Health Justice Peter Garling recommended? Australian Doctors Federation Australian Medical Association Natasha Robinson Natalie O'Brien Louise Milligan Jacqueline Maley Adele Ferguson Angus Thomson Kate McClymont The Australian The Australian Financial Review The Sydney Morning Herald Shaun Lintern Annabel Bentley Rosie Benneyworth Dr Chris Day Martyn Pitman Dr Rosalind Ranson Dr Jane Somerville Sky News Sky News Australia The Times ITV BBC News #doctorsforjustice #nurses #doctors #leadership #maladministration #malfeasance #health #whistleblowers #PublicInterest #auspol

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🖥 THE VIEWER: NAVIGATING THE UPCOMING TRANSITION IN 2025 🖥 | The Viewer, also known as the Health Provider Portal, provides registered and authenticated healthcare providers with access to a summary of their patient’s healthcare details, via a QGov account. In early 2025, the Queensland Government will be retiring QGov accounts, so users will need to transition to the Queensland Digital Identity (QDI) to continue accessing The Viewer. The QDI system is modern, robust, and innovative, using the latest technology to safeguard your private information. ▶ Transitioning from the QGov identity system – the next steps! ✅ How you prepare for the transition will depend upon several factors – whether you have a Digital License app (DLA), and if you do, whether the key details match between your DLA and QGov accounts. 📝 To understand what steps you need to take next to transition your QGov account to a QDI account, view the checklist at ➡ https://lnkd.in/gmRbTEy8 To learn more about The Viewer, visit ▶ https://lnkd.in/gP2xaESZ

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From the latest edition of Critical Care and Resuscitation Journal, make sure to read another original article: "A retrospective registry-based study into the proportion of patients admitted to intensive care who have anaphylaxis as a principal diagnosis and their outcomes in Australia and New Zealand." Critical Care and Resuscitation is the official journal of the College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand. https://loom.ly/qH-yYbU

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From an Australian perspective, the WHO report's findings highlight several key considerations for our healthcare system: Current Spending Context As a high-income country, Australia follows the global trend of elevated health spending post-pandemic, with domestic public spending remaining above pre-pandemic levels. However, like other high-income nations, we face the challenge of maintaining sustainable healthcare funding amid economic pressures. Technology-Driven Solutions Digital Health Integration Leveraging technology for preventative care is the path to sustainable healthcare spending. Australia's digital health infrastructure, including My Health Record and telehealth services, can help shift focus from costly reactive treatments to more cost-effective preventative measures. Data-Driven Prevention - Predictive analytics can identify at-risk populations - Remote monitoring technologies can reduce hospital admissions - AI-powered diagnostic tools can enable earlier interventions Path to Sustainability To achieve sustainable funding levels, Australia should: Preventative Focus - Invest in digital health solutions that promote early intervention - Expand telehealth services to improve access to preventative care - Implement population health management systems Cost Management The pandemic surge in health spending needs to be balanced with long-term sustainability. Technology-enabled preventative care can help reduce the burden on acute care services, bring spending to more sustainable levels, and improve health outcomes.

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The enhancement of population health and the promotion of equity in healthcare are fundamentally contingent upon the efficacy of primary healthcare. In New Zealand, primary care facilitates approximately 23 million patient interactions annually, while emergency departments account for around 1 million. A hypothetical 6% reduction in primary care capacity over a year would result in a doubling of the workload in EDs. It is not uncommon for practices to cease accepting new patients, colloquially termed as "closing the books." Addressing the challenge of closed books is therefore urgent, as they represent a significant barrier to enhancing access to care and mitigating health inequities, which are pivotal objectives of New Zealand’s Primary Health Care Strategy. The inaccessibility of PHC also exerts additional pressure on hospital services, particularly emergency departments, as individuals resort to EDs when they cannot access primary care. Māori populations, in particular, experience inferior access to high-quality healthcare, which contravenes the equity commitments enshrined in Te Tiriti o Waitangi. A recent study by Victoria University researchers, titled “Closed books”: restrictions to primary healthcare access in NZ, highlights that approximately 79% of the 227 surveyed general practices reported closed or limited enrolments between 2019 and 2022. The situation deteriorated over time, with the proportion of practices with completely closed books in 2022 (27%) being nearly four times higher than in 2019 (7%), and the proportion of practices with fully open books in 2022 (28%) being roughly half of that in 2019 (57%). Limited enrolments increased from 36% in 2019 to 45% in 2022. Capitation funding formulas, which consider population characteristics, serve as a method for estimating the necessary funding to meet varying levels of need. Since 2002, Aotearoa New Zealand has employed a capitation formula to fund all general practices, aiming to cater to the needs of their enrolled populations. However, practices serving a higher number of individuals with complex health needs may not receive accurate funding if the formula’s variables do not adequately represent these needs. For funding formulas to be equitable and ensure that those with higher needs receive the necessary services, they must appropriately account for differences in patient needs. This is crucial for the financial sustainability of practices serving high-needs populations. What is the optimal path forward? Should we prioritise the training of more onshore GPs? Should we allocate resources to distribute the workload across a multidisciplinary team comprising nurse practitioners, physician associates, and prescribing pharmacists? Should we leverage technology to bridge the existing gaps? Or should we pursue a combination of all these strategies? Regardless of the chosen approach: time is of the essence. Aceso Health Samantha Ford Digital Health Association (DHA)

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This seems like a no brainer in a digital age. Your GP has the full view a patients clinical history , none of these other services do. GP’s could set up nurse triage who could prescribe and this model would support continuity of care for patients. Why are we creating expensive new models of siloed care when we can redesign an existing model that we know works and modernise it. #primarycare #afterhourscare

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The Digital Health Association (DHA) responds to today's projected workforce cuts across the digital directorate of Health New Zealand. 27 November 2024 More Health New Zealand funding cuts could cripple the health system The Digital Health Association (DHA) has warned that further cuts to Health New Zealand’s data and digital services funding and workforce could have catastrophic consequences for the country’s health system. DHA chief executive Ryl Jensen expressed significant concern following today’s announcement of 1,120 redundancies within Health New Zealand’s data and digital teams—representing 47 percent of its workforce. “Many of these people are responsible for keeping the health system’s aging IT systems operational,” Jensen said. “These systems need regular maintenance and updates to function effectively. Without this critical support, the health system could face significant disruptions, and front-line clinicians may struggle to deliver timely and efficient patient care without the necessary digital tools.” Jensen highlighted that New Zealand’s health ecosystem currently relies on more than 6,000 IT applications, many of which need urgent attention. “The team had made good progress over the past two years on systems poised to transform how our health system is connected,” she said. “However, the legacy of 20 different DHB systems has created significant challenges, perpetuating a postcode lottery for healthcare delivery and outcomes. These cuts risk undoing that progress. “The cuts don’t just impact the present—they stall the future,” she added. “Numerous transformative IT projects designed to bring the health system into the 21st century have already been mothballed following over $380 million in cuts to data and digital programmes in Budget 2024.” Read more in our media release below: https://lnkd.in/g-KHi-VQ Ryl Jensen Daniel Paul FPRINZ Zoe Barnes Becy Roberts

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Australian Health Journal met with Commissioner Catherine de Fontenay from the Productivity Commission to discuss the key findings of new research papers, “Advances in Measuring Healthcare Productivity” and “Making the most of Technology in Healthcare”. De Fontenay talks about the Commission's new approach to analysing health productivity, shifting the perspective from the unit measurement of individuals using the health system to the actual improvement of health. This has shown Australia’s health treatment productivity is improving, but identifies gaps in preventative health measures and duplication, where digital technology needs to be more effectively used. The “Advances in Measuring Healthcare Productivity” research paper emphasises the productivity of healthcare by examining the outcomes of health treatments, such as those for lung cancer, and exploring the possibility of lower-cost settings for treatment, such as home-based care. This approach resulted in a notable 3% increase in productivity annually, showing improved health outcomes and enhanced value for money. While the research highlights the improving productivity of health treatments, it also emphasises the importance of addressing the factors leading to illness, particularly in light of Australia's high rates of obesity and alcohol consumption. By tackling these issues, substantial reductions in healthcare costs can be achieved. The research also identifies digital technologies as a promising avenue for cost reduction in healthcare, particularly in minimising excess testing and delivering care in more cost-effective settings. When accounting for health risks in the population, Australia ranks third among 28 comparable high-income countries in terms of healthcare value for money, indicating the country's strong performance using this method of measurement. The second research paper “Making the most of Technology in Healthcare”, underscores the detrimental impact of inadequate electronic medical records on patient care quality, citing preventable medication-related errors costing approximately $1.4 billion annually. Additionally, it emphasises the significance of effective electronic discharge processes from hospitals in reducing the risk of readmission. The research advocates for the effective utilisation of digital technologies, inc electronic medical records, telehealth, remote care, and artificial intelligence, in the healthcare system. It highlights the potential of these technologies to significantly reduce costs, citing potential savings of about $5 billion for hospitals by reducing test duplication and expediting patient discharge. Remote monitoring technologies can reduce complications for high-risk diabetes patients, and digital technologies could revolutionise the healthcare system, provided that effective utilisation and appropriate funding structures are in place.

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Not a #NetZeroNHS tender but worth sharing. Patient Communication and engagement is essential to providing high-quality, efficient patient care (which can have a NZ benefit) https://lnkd.in/eD-9VNC3

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It is indeed crucial to streamline NACMQIP processes for aged care providers. However, it's important to note that more than half of all aged care homes in Australia are already using standardised tools developed specifically for the National Quality Indicator Program. MOA Benchmarking tools have been purpose-designed to meet the exact requirements of the program, ensuring accuracy and consistency in data collection and reporting. Additionally, these tools include comprehensive data quality and validation systems specifically tuned for the NACMQIP indicators. As the research outlined indicates, the InterRAI items often do not match what is needed exactly or are not available at all. While the concept of a unified system like InterRAI is appealing, the practical application in Australia’s context requires careful consideration to ensure it meets the unique needs of our mandatory quality indicators. The suggestion that InterRAI would simplify QI reporting for providers without the data meeting the program requirements seems very counterintuitive. By continuing to develop and refine tools that are specifically tailored to our national requirements, MOA Benchmarking seeks to maintain the high standards of care and compliance that are already being achieved by members.

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Hospital administrators are expected to perform. Chief executives who do not deliver, are being voted out by medical staff. Medical staff have finally managed to spill the chief executive of a Sydney Local Health District in a vote of no confidence. After all, it is the medical teams that deliver healthcare. Administrators are meant to support, and not hinder the medical staff. #health #healthcare #medicine #administrators #noconfidence https://lnkd.in/gfUnw-vZ

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JUST RELEASED 2024 -2029 Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy This Action Plan (the Plan) underpins the Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy (the Strategy), outlining how the Department of Health and Aged Care and its partners will deliver the Strategy. Actions are presented under each priority and outcome, which will collectively achieve the Strategy’s vision. Data collection, security, analysis and management along with change management / education and co-design will help reduce risk for Aged and Home care providers as the sector faces shortages of staff, quality and well-being of residents and increased regulatory expectations. Alignment with Aged Care providers and Technology and Data vendors is crucial and Talius is doing this with projects with ARIIA grants and aged care providers Whiddon and CSIRO. Talius believes the best care is informed care, Talius is an AI- powered, sensor enabled platform that supports aged care providers to operate safer, smarter and more profitably .... Introducing @Talius Smart Care Platform care. For more information, please visit our website www.talius.com.au or for a demonstration and more information contact sales@talius.com.au #datacollection #datasecurity #reducerisks #Changemanagement #codesign ARIIA Whiddon CSIRO Talius Eldercare Lutheran Homes Group ACH Group AnglicareSA Tanunda Lutheran Home Inc. ECH Inc. Anchor Excellence Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care Aged & Community Care Providers Association Regis Aged Care Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission https://lnkd.in/gszSs9YM

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Join the debate. I am happy to share this paper which has led to a lively debate within the health administration community. They finally see that without a system 'as-a-whole' approach it is impossible to succeed in delivering affordable high quality patient care. https://lnkd.in/guSwMaq2

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🚨 New Health System Spending Data Released! 🚨 The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has unveiled significant statistics on health system spending. In 2022-23, lung conditions alone cost the Australian health system $13.9 billion, representing 8% of the total expenditure on disease and injury. Breaking down the costs: 💸 Lower respiratory infections (includes influenza and pneumonia) accounted for $3.2 billion. 💸 #COVID-19 incurred $1.8 billion. 💸 #COPD amounted to $1.7 billion. 💸 Upper respiratory conditions - $1.6 billion 💸 Upper respiratory infections - $1.3 billion 💸 #Cancer remains the highest cost disease group, totalling $18.9 billion in 2022-23. 💸 Lung cancer accounted for $1.2 billion of cancer spending. Investing in better lung health, including prevention, early detection, treatment and support can bring these costs down!

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🌟 Exciting News in Healthcare Innovation 🌟   The announcement of a National Health and Medical Research Strategy is a game-changer for the future of healthcare in Australia. This strategic milestone will pave the way for enhanced coordination and innovation in meeting our nation's health needs.   CEO, Annette Schmiede emphasises the importance of capitalising on the accelerated innovation seen during the pandemic to deliver more personalised and effective care for all Australians.   “We look forward to consulting on the national strategy to help inform the must-have priorities that investment in digital health requires to capitalise on this once-in-a-generation opportunity.” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gMjHC3JN   #DigitalHealth #HealthcareInnovation #NationalHealthStrategy #DigitalHealthRevolution

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Getting Started with an AI Scribe in Aged Care: My Step-by-Step Guide for Doctors and Other Healthcare Professionals 1. Invest in the Right Tools Ensure you invest in a powerful, reliable tablet with a solid data plan and a high-quality microphone. While this may seem like an upfront cost, it is tax-deductible and essential for professional use. A data plan is critical as facility WiFi can sometimes be unreliable. Choose the best mobile network for your area to stay connected. If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to ask for advice in this group. 2. Practise Speaking Clearly Enunciate, darlings! As my wonderful old English teacher used to say, clear speech not only improves efficiency with AI but patients appreciate it too! Clear speech and regular summarising during consultations benefit both patients and the AI scribe. It helps patients feel heard and understood, while summarising their key concerns boosts confidence in the care you're providing. Make clear communication a habit—it’s a win-win! 3. Pick an AI Scribe Provider Don’t worry about finding the “perfect” provider—AI scribe tools are evolving rapidly, and many offer free trials. The important thing is to get started! Try one or two providers to see which best fits your workflow. 4. Set Up Quick Access After choosing a provider, download and save the AI scribe to your tablet’s homepage for quick and easy access. Need help? Use a free tool like Perplexity.ai for simple instructions. It’s easy and saves time! 5. Practice at Home Get comfortable with the AI scribe by practising at home. The more you experiment with it, the more confident you’ll feel when using it in a professional setting. 6. Try a Trial Run Start by practising with cognitively competent patients or with their decision-makers present, which simplifies the consent process. This is your chance to test the waters with the AI scribe without the pressure of perfection. 7. Set Realistic Expectations Some people adapt quickly, while others may take a bit longer to build confidence. The key is to use the AI scribe consistently over the first four weeks. You’ll improve with each use, and soon it will become second nature. If you encounter challenges, don’t forget to use your peer group for support! Let’s answer questions, troubleshoot, and encourage each other. Scribe experts—anything I missed or should add?

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