Country PatHS reaches major milestone with 1000th referral

WA Country Health Service's Country Patient Health Support (Country PatHS) service has reached a major milestone, recording its 1000th referral since launching just two years ago.

Country PatHS was established in early 2023 to support vulnerable and complex country patients travelling from the Kimberley, Pilbara, Midwest and Goldfields to Perth for specialist health care. The service was created in response to a joint Health and Homelessness Ministerial submission highlighting the risks experienced by some regional patients navigating metropolitan health care, including poor health outcomes and rough sleeping.

Supporting country patients every step of the way

Country PatHS works closely with metropolitan and regional healthcare providers, Aboriginal organisations, accommodation and homelessness services to provide patient-centred, holistic and culturally safe support.

• Contacting vulnerable patients and families before travel and tailoring supports to their needs
• The team engages with patients, their families and communities to ensure their journey to Perth is as safe and supported as possible. This includes:
• Coordinating transport between accommodation, appointments and transport hubs
• Assisting with emergency food, clothing, medication and accommodation
• Supporting cultural safety, including organising placements at Aboriginal short-stay hostels
• Providing advocacyand health literacy support to help patients understand treatment plans
• Working with interagency partners to meet health, social and cultural needs

For many country patients, travelling to Perth can mean being away from community for weeks, months or even years. This separation has significant cultural, emotional and social impacts. Country PatHS helps reduce these pressures by smoothing the patient journey, ensuring continuity of care, and keeping patients connected and engaged with their treatment plans.

A collaborative approach

Since its inception, Country PatHS has built strong working relationships with cancer care coordinators, renal navigators, metropolitan outpatient clinics, allied health services, accommodation providers and Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer teams. The service also collaborates closely with Department of Communities’ homelessness outreach teams to identify and support rough sleeping people who have travelled to Perth for health care. This collaborative approach has helped secure culturally safe accommodation, re-engage patients with health services and coordinate safe return to country.

Meaningful impact on patient outcomes

Country PatHS is making a demonstrable difference to the experiences and outcomes of rural and remote patients. Patients who have been supported by Country PatHS  have reported increased confidence navigating the system independently on future visits. The service has also been recognised through the 2024 WA Health Excellence Award – Aboriginal Health, acknowledging its commitment to culturally safe care and improved patient outcomes. One patient said: “You provide emotional support. I was isolated from family, by myself going through everything. 100% made my time in Perth easier.” A Metropolitan Cancer Nurse Coordinator added: “You have done an amazing job supporting Dorothy (not her real name) in her journey to Perth as well as going above and beyond – without you I don’t think she would have completed her treatment.”

1000th referral: supporting an elder back to health

The service’s 1000th referral was an elderly woman from a remote Aboriginal community, travelling to Perth for treatment for an infected fractured finger. She had a history of missed appointments, so the Country PatHS team provided advocacy and transport coordination to help her complete her care. They then worked with the PATS team to secure her safe return home, including support with identification and documentation required for travel.