Capital Health Network

Capital Health Network (CHN) has continued to work in partnership with Government and private organisations over the past year to integrate health care, strengthen health equity and improve health outcomes, and I am proud of our achievements.

As ACT’s Primary Health Network, we allocated over $23 million to 45 commissioned service providers (for 77 contracts) in 2022/23 to meet our community needs. This is an increase of $3 million from the previous year and $8 million from the year prior.

Throughout our Annual Report, we have used client stories to demonstrate the positive impacts that our commissioned services are having on Canberrans. This is particularly evident in the Government’s nine key priority areas of mental health, aged care, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, digital health, alcohol and other drugs, workforce, care across the continuum, people at-risk of poor health outcomes and chronic disease management.

From the CEO

It is a privilege to have taken over leadership of CHN at such a critical time, with key health reforms. I also acknowledge the inspiring leadership of outgoing CEO Megan Cahill and commit to continuing our innovative work in the primary health care sector.

A key role of PHNs is to trial new initiatives to improve health outcomes. Over the last year, CHN commissioned three key trials that were a first in Australia:

• Social Workers in General Practice trial – We know that the social determinants of health are a significant barrier in accessing health services, particularly for people with complex social and health needs. To address this, CHN funded 4 general practices in the ACT to participate in the Social Workers in General Practice Pilot, with Social Workers as an integrated part of their general practice team. This has resulted in improved referral processes, support for patients while waiting for health care, improved continuity of care and development of partnerships with other agencies. The pilot is being evaluated by the University of Canberra (UC).
• Pharmacists in Residential Aged Care Facilities trial – Over 95% of residents living in residential aged care facilities (RACF) have experienced medication-related problems. CHN commissioned UC to undertake a trial embedding Pharmacists into RACFs. The independent evaluation demonstrated that having Pharmacists on-site at a RACF assist in a decrease in residents taking potentially inappropriate medicines, a decrease in anticholinergic drug burden (associated with cognitive decline, delirium and increased risk of falls) and a decrease in the usage and dosage of antipsychotic medicines.
• ACT Breathlessness Intervention Service trial – Many people with lung and heart conditions live with breathlessness every day. Even when they receive good medical care, managing this distressing symptom stops people doing simple day-to-day activities. CHN engaged University of Technology Sydney, Southside Physio and consumers and clinicians to co-design and develop a trial of a Breathlessness Intervention Service in the ACT. The 12-month trial was delivered by the Southside Physio multi-disciplinary team. Requiring a GP referral, the client received an initial home visit by a Physiotherapist, with 2 to 4 follow-ups at home or by phone by a Nurse or Physiotherapist. This pilot will contribute towards growing evidence about how a Breathlessness Intervention Service could work best for our local community.