Health Care Home reflects back on seven years of achievements and support for general practice

Initially starting in 2016, the Health Care Home programme set out to shift the traditional general practice model of care designed to improve the quality and sustainability of services as well as the experience of both patients and staff.

Reflecting on it’s seventh year of operation, 82% of the enrolled population within Tū Ora’s general practice network can access the Health Care Home programme at their general practice, with 100% of Wairarapa practices operating the model. The team took the opportunity to reflect on the achievements and growth of the programme, as well as plans for the future.

Diversifying the offerings available at general practice has helped to support teams currently under pressure in general practice helping to reduce wait times to see a doctor, supporting patients to ensure they get the treatment they need promptly and improving equity outcomes for our priority populations, including Māori and Pacific. With the increased range of services available to enrolled patients, which includes but isn’t limited to, telephone triage, tools to support patients in managing their wellness, introducing extended care team roles and patient portal with telehealth options for patients.

Health Care Home Programme Lead Amelia Walsh said the programme has been instrumental in supporting practices and patients across the Greater Wellington Region, including Wairarapa.

“One of the key benefits of Health Care Home is the opportunity it provides for reassessment. Supporting practice teams to see where they can make improvements, adapt to change, and recognise their successes is a highlight of working within this programme at Tū Ora. The need for these models of care is integral to the sustainability of primary care and providing healthcare to people.

The demand on GPs is on the rise. Providing different avenues of access is important to patient choice, whether it be the enhancement of virtual health, or being able to offer a range of inhouse services with the extended care team roles. This in turn helps to redirect work. There is also the added value for the HCH practices, having the tools to support a more proactive and holistic approach with the increase of patients with complex conditions coming through the door.

I feel lucky to be a part of a sustained and collaborative effort that the Health Care Home programme has offered in our network.”

Despite workforce constraints due to the COVID-19 pandemic, statistics over the past two years show the positive effect of Health Care Home, including supporting our secondary care workforce. ASH rates (Ambulatory Sensitive Hospitalisations, indicating a person visiting the hospital for treatment that could’ve been dealt with in primary care) were much lower for practices with Health Care Home compared to those without.

Rates also showed that in four out of six areas, ED visits for Health Care Home patients were also lower, compared to practices without Health Care Home.

Tū Ora Chief Executive Justine Thorpe said the Health Care Home Programme practices were leading the way with innovation and new technology and were incredibly adaptable to the new ways of working.

“It’s positive to see the continued increase in patient engagement and focus on equity for Māori, Pacific and other priority populations. Helping them be more engaged in their wellbeing journey and finding out how they want services delivered to them has helped improve health outcomes across the board” she said.

Health Care Home celebrated the seven-year anniversary with the release of a Reflections Booklet which can be accessed on our website.

“The programme continues to go from strength to strength, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the programme continues to grow over the next twelve months” concluded Ms Walsh.