PCD Strategy Evaluation 2007.pdf - NT Health Digital Library ...

There has been a significant growth in the number of people employed in health services thatwere funded in round 1 of the Healthy for Life program and increases will also occur in the nearfuture for round 2 sites as funding for their implementation plan is released. These willpredominantly be in ACCHOs. There has also been growth in staff in the PHCAP zones. InCentral Australia this has included 2 medical officers, 2 additional community nutritionists, apublic health nurse (as identified previously).While there is some coordination across all these bodies and some shared use of resources, suchas the CARPA guidelines used by all AHSs, there is the potential for any organisation to developits own separate guidelines and policies. Similarly, the ability to audit what is done acrossdifferent organisations is also limited, unless services participate in programs such as the Auditand Best Practice for Chronic Disease extension project (ABCD) and the NPCC, but thisinformation is only released with the permission of the serviceWithin the NTDH&CS, there is a need for coordination of a large number of programs directed atchronic disease management scattered across most Divisions. Interviews revealed thatcoordination between the PCD team and the remote health services could improve, particularly inCentral Australia where communication, coordination and planning between these services is lessthan optimal. It appeared better in the Top End and this may be assisted by the collocation ofthe PCD with the Remote Health Services. Whereas, in Central Australia the PCD team and theRemote Health services are accommodated in 2 distinct locations.There are also a number of general practice representative bodies, which have policies aboutchronic diseases or programs in this area. General practices are largely reimbursed by federalfunding arrangements with support from programs offered through the Divisions to assist withsystems and professional development. The Australian Government has attempted to increasemultidisciplinary care and continuity of care, by providing reimbursement for these activities butthe uptake in general practice and community controlled organisation has been lower than otherareas because of the lack of access to allied health professionals, who can claim the EPC items orincentives offered. This was identified as being a particularly acute problem in Katherine as mostof the services in and around Katherine have chronic disease programs with people on care planswho need access to allied health services. Priority areas for action included access to dieticiansand podiatrists.Chapter 3: Progress Against PCDS Objectives – Evaluation of the NT Preventable Chronic Disease Strategy 2007 57