Adelaide Hills RPC Project 

ABOUT THE REGION

Population

• 62,168 (2001 Census)

Area

• 1,274 kms2

Features:

• 100 GP members
• The region has been recognised as having
  one of the fastest growing populations
  in the state of South Australia

Deb Rawlings (Project Coordinator),
Dr Graham Hughes (GP Advisor)
and the Hon. Alexander Downer

Due to geographical position

• no C/W funding for Palliative Care for this area
• Community Nursing Service relies soley on HACC funding
• no access to Palliative Care Specialist consultancy as offered in other rural and remote areas through MSOAP

REASONS FOR THE PROGRAM

The region currently has no co-coordinated system of palliative care and referrals to Community Nursing from GPs are usually at a late stage. Whilst there is an existing framework, there is a lack of utilization by GPs, leading to a lack of community awareness and lack of usage by the community.
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KEY OBJECTIVES

• To increase the ultisation of the existing framework, and ensure improved access to palliative care services
• To build capacity and partnerships through shared governance of the program
• To develop links with local hospitals and aged care facilities
• To co-ordinate and facilitate regular multi-disciplinary case-conferences with increased uptake of EPC items for care planning and case conferencing
• To systemize the recording of quality data

EXPECTED IMPACT

• Improved continuity of care for patients and their families
• Improved collaboration in community care
• Better skilled nurses and other allied health professionals within local hospitals and residential aged care facilities
• Less inappropriate hospital admissions and shorter hospital stays
• Better grief outcomes for carers and families
• More equitable access for palliative care patients