New precedent set for home-based patient care

Pharma News: A new model of primary health care has recently played a fundamental role in enabling a rapid response to the most recent COVID-19 Berala cluster. 

Care in the Community, a collaborative, community-based care model, proved successful in the management of positive COVID-19 cases linked to the Berala cluster over the Christmas period.

Patients were triaged through the hospital and connected to two of the four local General Practices contracted (Well Health Merrylands, Hills Family General Practice, Lejeune Family Medical Practice and Riverstone Family Medical Practice) who provided them with coordinated, comprehensive care from the comfort of their own homes, easing the challenges associated with enforced home isolation. 

Dr Walid Jammal, GP at Hills Family General Practice, said the initiative brings hospital and general practice teams together, to work as one collective for the betterment of patients, and, in this case specifically, the management of mild to moderate cases of COVID-19. Patients were carefully monitored, with a risk threshold determined in case a patient had to be referred to a hospital setting. 

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“From the moment the COVID cases were confirmed, our local hospitals worked strategically alongside selected local general practices, like ours, who are equipped to deal with this particular scenario. Rather than absorbing local hospital resources, each individual was cared for in their own home, with their health managed on a daily basis by our team via telehealth (either via phone or video) appointments.  

“I don’t believe anyone likes to be in hospital, and this initiative allows us to provide care in an environment that gives patients added comfort and convenience without compromising the level of care. From resting up in their own bed, being in familiar surrounds, to having their pets nearby, or watching their favourite TV show, receiving treatment in a home environment also reduces stress levels and speeds up the recovery process. 

“As general practitioners, we’re not just helping these individuals manage their symptoms, we’re here to support them for all of their needs. Whether it is providing peace of mind by offering further information, or helping them manage their anxiety, fears and general ongoing health concerns, we want to ensure we are looking after the person as a whole,” explained Dr Jammal. 

The program, a joint initiative between WentWest – the Western Sydney Primary Health Network (WSPHN), and Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD), sets a precedent for future home-based, patient care. 

Ray Messom, CEO at WentWest, the Western Sydney Primary Health Network, said the Care in the Community model is the first of its kind; a tangible, scalable solution that truly alleviates pressure off the hospital system, which could also be applied to different health care scenarios. 

“In March 2020, when we experienced the first wave of COVID-19, there were more than 250 active patients in Western Sydney, and we knew the system wouldn’t cope if numbers compounded. The solution could have been to expand hospital services but when the risk to patients is low people tell us that what they want more holistic support, not just for COVID-19 but for their chronic conditions, mental health and other physical health concerns. A virtual primary care model, working in partnership with hospital services, was the ideal setting to help these families in the comfort of their own home.

“With Western Sydney home to four public hospitals, six community health centres and 350 general practices, this approach makes use of every aspect of our region’s existing facilities, taking a truly holistic view of the provision of primary care. As an added bonus, patients get the focused care they need by a GP, who can also support them in an ongoing manner should they suffer from any other conditions. If they haven’t had a GP before, it provides a subtle introduction to the services available to them,” said Mr Messom. 

Due to the success of the COVID Care in the Community model, WentWest and the WSLHD have their sights on applying this model to manage other chronic and acute care needs. From heart disease, or asthma, to diabetes; wherever care requires a team approach, this ‘one system’ collaboration provides patients with what they need, when they need it.