East Metro Health Service GP Event Update
The ‘Tackling aging and life limiting illnesses: Helping our patients to make the most of life’ GP update was held on Saturday 31 August by East Metropolitan Health Service (EMHS) including Armadale Kalamunda Group, Royal Perth Bentley Group and St John of God Midland Public Hospital clinicians in partnership with WA Primary Health Alliance; HealthPathways WA. 40 GPs attended with very positive feedback and evaluation, especially on the topics selected, and the discussion and networking opportunities.
Sessions on “Helping Our Older Patients Live Better with Chronic Conditions” included quizzes and presentations on osteoporosis, COPD and heart failure.
“Helping Our Frail Older Patients to Stay at Home” provided an overview of EMHS older adult services and the opportunity for GPs to meet and discuss referral pathways and cases with staff. HealthPathways WA gave a rundown on useful pathways in this space.
The “Clarifying Confusion” practical case studies relating to Delirium, Dementia and “Can I drive, Doc?” led to some lively table discussions, followed by some pointers and resources on these issues.
Our final session was on “Person-Centred Care when Life is Limited”. The Goals of Patient Care initiative was explained and we workshopped opportunities to provide better communication and collaboration around Goals of Patient care and Advance Care Planning discussions. The day wrapped up with a talk on assessing capacity.
Selected presentations from this and previous events are available on the RPH website. There is a valuable information on these topics and more on HealthPathways WA, especially under the Older Adult’s Health and End of Life sections. Please contact healthpathways@wapha.org.au if need to arrange a login.
June 2019
Inspiring a recovery and improved physical health focus for people with mental health issues- EMHS Integrating Mental Health GP Workshop
Over 40 GPs joined East Metropolitan Health Service (EMHS) including Armadale Kalamunda Group, Royal Perth Bentley Group and St John of God Midland Public Hospital clinicians and WA Primary Health Alliance; HealthPathways WA staff on Saturday 18 May for a Mental Health GP Workshop. GPs shared valuable insights into their experiences of patients with mental health issues, the challenges they face and what support would be helpful. They also identified some key areas to improve integration of care across primary and specialist services, which will help inform future EMHS planning.
After an EMHS mental health services overview and a HealthPathways WA demonstration to help GPs navigate this complex space, we heard confronting statistics on the physical health gap for people with mental health issues and the importance of GPs helping to address these issues. See the Physical Health Check for Mental Health Patients health pathway for more information.
It was heartening to hear there is great recovery potential for people affected by alcohol or meth addiction, personality disorders or at risk of suicide. Attendees were given useful strategies which can be helpful in a GP setting. Click here to download copies of the presentations or see links to the following useful resources :
- Where to get help in WA for people experiencing mental health and AoD issues – Mental Health Commission
- Alcohol and drug addiction – Mental Health Commission (includes a self-help guide)
- What works in meth treatment – 360 Edge
- The Suicide Risk health pathway – WA Primary Health Alliance; HealthPathways WA
- Treatment guidelines for personality disorders – Project Air Strategy
Click here to find out more about the next EMHS/WAPHA GP event Tackling Aging and Life-limiting Illnesses: Helping our patients make the most of life on Saturday August 31 at RPH.
Dr Jacquie Garton-Smith
Hospital Liaison GP, Royal Perth Hospital
jacquie.garton-smith@health.wa.gov.au
Generally available: Monday and Thursday