Protocol signals renewed commitment to working together

A joint protocol to provide seamless connected care for people on Brisbane’s northside has been renewed.

The refreshed agreement between Metro North Hospital and Health Service and Brisbane North PHN coincides with the release of a joint Year in Review report, documenting the shared achievements of both organisations during 2017/18.

The joint protocol formalises arrangements that govern how Metro North and the PHN work together and recognises that better health outcomes are achievable when there is effective collaboration between primary healthcare and hospital services.

The Year in Review, titled Working together to enhance health outcomes 2017/18, represents the first time that achievements under the joint protocol have been presented collectively by the two organisations.

Metro North HHS Chief Executive Shaun Drummond said the partnership provides a crucial framework for collaboration across both organisations.

“Over the past year we have worked together on a range of programs and services to ensure people in the Brisbane north region have access to connected, responsive and person-centred care.

“We are committed to providing appropriate and accessible care for vulnerable people like those who are frail and elderly, people who require support with mental health and disabilities, children and people with socioeconomic disadvantage,” Mr Drummond said.

“The Year in Review celebrates some of our shared achievements over the past 12 months and is testament to what can be achieved working in partnership,” he said.

Brisbane North PHN Deputy Chief Executive Officer Libby Dunstan said collaboration with Metro North is making a dramatic difference to the integration of care across the region.

“Our partnership approach is underpinned by co-sponsored health and wellbeing plans covering healthcare for older people and a regional mental health, suicide prevention and alcohol and other drug treatment services plan,” Ms Dunstan said.

“As well as our regional plans, we achieved many tangible outcomes throughout the year that are documented in the Year in Review.

“Specialist-led GP education, a reduction of emergency department attendances through the Team Care Coordination program, and the launch of a service offering support to people following a suicide attempt are just some of our wins along the way,” she said.

Also during 2017/18, the Health Alliance between Metro North HHS and the PHN made progress improving the health and wellbeing of older people through the work of the Ageing Well Initiative.

Health Alliance General Manager Professor Don Matheson said the success of the Ageing Well Initiative is contingent on the strength of the partnership between the two organisations.

“Developing a partnership mindset has been the key to unleashing the potential of working collaboratively to improve the healthcare system,” Prof. Matheson said.

In 2019, Metro North and the PHN will build on this collaborative work through the continuation of existing initiatives and by identifying further areas in which to work together to improve the health of communities in the North Brisbane and Moreton Bay region.

To view the joint Year in Review, Working together to enhance health outcomes 2017/18