No. 25 

FUNDING CONTINUES FOR Access Improvement PROGRAM 

The Stanhope Government has allocated over $750,000 in this year’s budget to continue the Access Improvement Program.

Announcing this today, Health Minister Katy Gallagher said the Access Improvement Program (AIP) was established in June 2005 to facilitate the redesign of health care delivery processes and work practices.  

The program is Territory-wide and focuses on reforming health care provision to better support the patient’s journey through the health system.

“Hospital and community care work processes are being refined to support a smooth flow throughout the ‘patient journey’ – from the time a person enters the health care system, say at the Emergency Department, right through a well supported discharge from hospital, with back up and follow up provided when a patient returns home,” Ms Gallagher said.

“The Access Improvement Program will ensure that the extra capacity put into hospital and community care through this Budget’s other growth initiatives achieves desired results – shorter waiting times in the Emergency Department, reduced access block, less waiting time for elective surgery, and better access to specialised aged and community care.

“The AIP involves identifying and implementing work practice and process reforms that directly impact on access to acute care.

“It focuses on improving the ‘patient journey’ through the health care system by improving patient flow through expanded capacity, managed demand and redesigned care delivery processes.
 
“While the full impact of the AIP is yet to be felt, there has been recognised improvement in general access block since its commencement in 2005-06.  This Budget will maintain and build on the gains made in the last 12 months.”