Results from allied health services review

Earlier this year, Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) commenced a review of how it funds allied health services across the region to understand the allied health needs of the community.

MPHN CEO Melissa Neal said the comprehensive review, which included individual interviews with 22 service providers, 200 survey responses from community and providers, and four workshops with community and providers in Wagga Wagga, Griffith, Finley and Young, found the primary barriers to accessing allied health services was cost and long wait times for appointments.

“While affordability and being able to access a service in a timely manner were key findings, we also confirmed people are concerned about workforce shortages, want to know more about the role of allied health, and have identified a need to improve coordination between services,” Ms Neal said.

“The review process identified important considerations for allied health service delivery across the region into the future including empowering patients to self-manage; coordinating and linking in with other providers including those outside of health; and ensuring measurable outcomes for the patient and community.

“After careful consideration of this feedback and an analysis of our current funding model for allied health we will be adopting a new approach designed to improve the overall wellbeing of at risk or vulnerable people of Murrumbidgee communities. Our new Murrumbidgee Wellness and Resilient Model of Care will also aim to better support the allied health workforce creating a strong network between providers.

“Over the coming days we will be commencing a tender process to progress the establishment of the new model, and we are encouraging all allied health providers and general practices interested in tendering, delivering or hosting services as part of the new model, to register and view the tender documents at www.mphn.org.au/tenders.

“We would like to thank all those involved in this review process. Your time and feedback is valuable and will directly be used to ensure people living in the Murrumbidgee are able to access the right service, in the right time, by the right team and in the right place,” she said.