Value-Based Health Care Awards finalists announced

Thursday, March 11, 2021

Australian leaders in value-based health care have been recognised with the announcement of the Value-Based Health Care Awards finalists.

The finalists are:

  • Integrated Care Implementation of Planned Care for Better Health, NSW Health
  • KAHAS- Conservative OA management - Better Value, Better Care, Northern NSW Local Health District
  • Leading Better Value Care (LBVC) Bronchiolitis SLHD, Sydney Local Health District
  • Osteoarthritis Chronic Care Program, Concord Repatriation General Hospital
  • rpavirtual, Sydney Local Health District (SLHD)
  • Smile Squad school dental program, Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV)

The inaugural awards aim to shine a light on outstanding value-based health care activities in Australia and the results they are achieving. The award categories are:

  • The Innovation Award, sponsored by Queensland Health
  • The Inspiration Award, sponsored by NSW Health
  • The Collaboration Award, sponsored by St John of God Subiaco Hospital.

Nick Steele, Deputy Director-General, Healthcare Purchasing and System Performance, Queensland Health says, ‘Queensland Health is a proud sponsor of Australia’s first ever Value-Based Health Care Innovation Award. The Queensland Health Innovation Award has an important role in recognising and promoting innovative projects across the country that are improving the health outcomes that matter most to patients while simultaneously helping to contain the rising costs of care. Queensland Health congratulates Award finalists and is excited to present the winner with their trophy at the Value-Based Health Care conference on 28 May 2021.’

‘NSW Health is delighted to sponsor and present the Inspiration Award at the inaugural 2021 Value-Based Health Care Conference,’ says Elizabeth Koff, Secretary NSW Health.

‘Our growing experience shows that putting value-based health care into practice is complex. It requires us to measure health outcomes and experiences and to review how and where care is delivered. The Inspiration Award recognises and celebrates initiatives from across Australia that demonstrate results and learnings for the future. We congratulate all of the entrants and finalists for their outstanding work in this category.’

St John of God Subiaco Hospital CEO Prof Shirley Bowen notes, ’As a values and mission led organisation, we are pleased to support the Value-Based Health Care Awards. The awards provide a wonderful opportunity to celebrate innovative health care organisations that provide compassionate and high quality clinical care to those in need.’

The winners will be announced at the Value-Based Health Care Conference on 28 May 2021. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.ciccancer.com/vbhcconf

More information about the Value-Based Health Care Awards is available here. More information on AHHA is available at ahha.asn.au. .

The Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association is the national peak body for public and not-for-profit hospitals, Primary Health Networks, and community and primary healthcare services.

Media enquiries:  Alison Verhoeven, Chief Executive, AHHA

0403 282 501

 

AWARD FINALISTS

NSW Health – Integrated Care Implementation of Planned Care for Better Health

NSW Health’s Integrated Care Implementation of Planned Care for Better Health program aims to deliver seamless care to patients through seven integrated initiatives, including state-wide strategies coordinating care between providers and ensuring better access to community-based services closer to home.

Shireen Martin, Acting Director of Integrated Care says, ‘Truly Integrated Care can significantly improve health outcomes for individuals and entire communities by focusing on the patient and organising appropriate care around them.’

Northern NSW Local Health District – KAHAS - Conservative OA management - Better Value, Better Care

The Knee And Hip Arthritis Service (KAHAS) was developed in partnership between the Northern New South Wales Local Health District (NNSWLHD), North Coast Primary Health Network (PHN), local GPs, visiting Orthopeadic Surgeons and patients. KAHAS provides seamless, person-centred care through partnership across primary and public service providers. Timely and evidence-based assessment and intervention is provided to reduce pain and reverse functional decline, and where appropriate, avoid joint surgery. Emphasis is on patient empowerment through better understanding of their condition and support for self-management.  This has allowed the service to be built around the patient and their preferences.

Following a successful trial at one site, KAHAS has now been rolled out across the LHD, with interest from other Health Services in adopting the model.  Over 1500 patients have commenced with KAHAS, with significant reductions in pain, improvement in function and in-patients not wishing to proceed to surgery.

Sydney Local Health District – Leading Better Value Care (LBVC) Bronchiolitis SLHD

LBVC Bronchiolitis SLHD (Sydney Local Health District) is an innovative, district-wide initiative focused on enhancing value-based healthcare for infants with Bronchiolitis. To date, patient and family reported experience measures have demonstrated high levels of satisfaction and results have shown reductions in unnecessary investigations and treatments, with corresponding cost-savings.

Alisha Baker, Paediatric CNC for Sydney Local Health District and Nursing Lead for the project says, ‘The team feel honoured to be recognised as finalists in the Value-Based Health Care Awards. Delivering high quality, patient-centred, efficient healthcare is what Sydney Local Health District is all about and this project is a good example of that commitment.’

Concord Repatriation General Hospital – Osteoarthritis Chronic Care Program

Concord Repatriation General Hospital established an Osteoarthritis (OA) Chronic Care Program to improve health outcomes, patient experiences, provider experiences, and efficiency of care in the non-surgical management of knee and hip OA as part of the Leading Better Value Care (LBVC). Over 450 patients have enrolled in the multi-disciplinary program and many have reported enhanced confidence, ability to start exercising and those proceeding to surgery report rapid recovery.

‘To be recognised as a finalist validates all the hard-work and dedication of all those involved in the project and will provide further impetus for ongoing program development in what has been a difficult year in healthcare. We look forward to sharing our successes and challenges, as well as learning from other projects nominated for the Awards,’ says Dr Richard Holland, Rheumatologist, Concord Repatriation Hospital.

Sydney Local Health District – rpavirtual

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sydney Local Health District’s rpavirtual quickly emerged as a national leader in the provision of care to COVID-19 patients in home isolation and hotel quarantine as well as COVID-19 negative returning travellers with complex health needs. rpavirtual’s unique hybrid model features a Virtual Care Centre complemented by an in-person community nursing service.

‘The rpavirtual team is very excited to be shortlisted for a Value-Based Health Care Award and acknowledged for introducing the first virtual hospital model in NSW. After a busy year it has given the team increased confidence to continue to evolve our virtual hospital model,’ notes Miranda Shaw, rpavirtual General Manager.

Dental Health Services Victoria – Smile Squad school dental program

Smile Squad school dental program is a Victorian Government program led by DHSV and the Victorian Government Department of Health with the support of the Department of Education and Training (DET), that provides free dental care to all Victorian public primary and secondary school students. The program aims to reduce the burden of oral health and minimise its impact on the lives of young people and families across the state.

School Dental Program, Program Director, Melanie van Altena says, ‘Being shortlisted for the Value-Based Health Care Awards is a great honour. We are proud to be delivering a program that at its very heart, supports students, and more broadly their families, to achieve and maintain good oral health – for life.’