Patient Pathways Project
Introducing This Page
A new project has commenced to develop patient pathways at West Coast District Health Board (WCDHB). This page summarises what this project is designed to develop and will also introduce you to the current projects.
Patient Pathways Project
The Patient Pathways Project will initially develop four best practice pathways of care, taking in the entire patient journey from first presentation in primary care or the Emergency Department (ED), through secondary or tertiary services and transfer of ongoing care to community providers. While developing the pathways, barriers and constraints to effective access to services across the journey and any new initiatives and innovations to improve the quality of patient care will be considered.
Sue Wells, Project Manager from the South Island Shared Service Agency Ltd (SISSAL), will be leading the project under the direction of the Patient Pathways Project Steering Group - Jane O'Malley, Director of Nursing and Midwifery; Carol Atmore, GP Liaison Officer; and Tom Fiddes, Acting Medical Director.
Sue has over 10 years experience working within the New Zealand health sector developing service provision framework for service units. Alison McDougall, WCDHB's Patient Journey Improvement Co-ordinator, will be working alongside Sue to develop patient pathways through consultation with clinical and operational support staff. Emma Smith will assist the team in co-ordinating project activities and communications, and maintaining documentation during development of pathways.
The first patient pathway to be developed will continue on from patient journey improvement work already begun on an integrated service for stroke patients. Further updates about the project will be posted identifying the next pathways to be developed. The project aims to complete the first four patient pathways by May 2009.
For more information on the Patient Pathways Project please contact Emma Smith, Project Co-ordinator, ext 2452 or Alison McDougall, Patient Journey Improvement Co-ordinator, ext 2815.