Allied Health Access development

The Mid North Coast Division of General Practice strives to build Allied Health Service capacity and community access to these services on the Mid North Coast of NSW.  Part of this development is strengthening Allied Health Service viability through promotion of Commonwealth Government Medical Benefits Scheme Item numbers linked to Shared models of Care promoted by the Division.  The Division has established initiatives such as the Mid North Coast Mental Health Carers Forum, Aged Care Allied Health Panels initiative and an online Allied Health Service Directory to facilitate greater ease of communication, access and shared care between GPs, Specialists, Allied Health Services, Hospital and Residential Aged Care Facilities.

The Division workforce support program was the catalyst for the development of a Web Based Allied Health Service Directory, developed to promote referrals and integrated communication between Service Providers.  Allied Health Service registrations for inclusion in the directory were promoted via television broadcasts.  The Allied Health Directory has been further developed and incorporated into a free source Web Based Interactive directory allowing for updates by Allied Health Professionals to maintain accuracy and providing information to GP for contact for Care Plans – the web based directory is based upon a free open source solution ensuring ongoing sustainability at no cost and replication by other interested sites.

The Division has also promoted the uptake of the Argus Secure Messaging (encrypted) solution amongst Allied Health Services to improve communication, information sharing and coordination of services with Specialist, GP, Aged Care and Hospital Based Services.