Shawn Lee1, Jan Coull2
1Tasmanian Health Service. 41 Frankland St, Launceston, Tasmania, 7250. Shawn.lee@ths.tas.gov.au
2Tasmanian Health Service. Anne O’byrne Bld, Cnr Charles & Howick St, Launceston, Tasmania, 7250. Jan.coull@ths.tas.gov.au
The Northern Integrated Care Service (NICS) was purposely designed and built in 2012 to provide opportunities for an expanded range of services and to enhance integration of these services as a solution to chronic disease – a major health issue for Launceston and surrounds.
Critical success factors identified were:
– A person/client centred approach;
– Leadership and shared vision;
– Planning effective service delivery system design;
– An emphasis on personal skills and self-management supports;
– Information systems and provision of decision support tools;
– Commitment to working collaboratively;
– A focus on research and evaluation.
After four years of operation, the NICS integration model continues to evolve and mature. Governance, funding structures, cultural issues, non-integrated IT systems and manual workflows were barriers to realising a successful model. Recognised as a Greenfield opportunity and a demonstration site for implementation of an eHealth Transformation Project, NICS is transforming workflows from paper based to electronic. In this session, Shawn and Jan will discuss:
– Emergence of new local integration principles and framework
– The critical success factors of the NICS
– Utilisation of new power to change, and forming broader networks
– Re-conceptualise integration – from one stop shop to one service
– Use of new language and modes of communication and collaboration
– Impetus to interprofessional practice
– Embracing client centred care through all specialties and services
