Country PatHS celebrates one year of supporting country patients
Maxine Shandley with Country PatHS Community Outreach Officer Karen Waigana.
WA Country Health Service’s Country Patient Health Support (Country PatHS) has provided more than 350 vulnerable country patients with support to access specialised care in its first year of operation.
Country PatHS is a journey coordination and support service for vulnerable people from the Kimberley, Pilbara, Midwest and Goldfields that require specialist healthcare in the metro area.
In just the first six months of service, the number of people who attended their appointments was significantly increased.
WA Country Health Service Chief Executive Jeff Moffet said the service was aimed at relieving the burden on some of country WA’s most vulnerable.
“We know Country PatHS is having a very positive impact on the patient journey.
“We’re hearing it firsthand from our patients, but our data also shows significant improvements in the number of country patients attending their appointments in the city,” Mr Moffet said.
“They’re feeling more supported to get where they need to be and that’s really important – the health system can be overwhelming and sometimes difficult to navigate, particularly if you’ve never been off country and are away from your community.”
Kimberley resident Maxine Shandley commended WACHS for ‘doing it the better way’ when aiding regional and remote communities to access specialised health services in the metro area.
During her stay in Perth, Maxine was supported by Country PatHS to attend multiple hospital and GP appointments, including assistance with medical requirements, medication access, connection to welfare agencies, transportation to appointments and airport navigation.
If you know someone from the Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields or Midwest who may need additional support while they are in Perth for healthcare, contact Country PatHS on 0448 717 251 or countrypaths@health.wa.gov.au.