South Australia - Survey: What Should Be Considered In The Design Of A Clinic To Treat Complex Health Conditions?

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What should be considered in the design of a clinic to treat complex health conditions?

By Cathie Powell
Copyright © 2018 Bridges & Pathways.

We have an urgent request for you to respond to this State Health Survey about ‘the need for a one-stop clinic for people with chronic and complex conditions in South Australia’.

This is a unique opportunity for you to have your say on matters that are important to you about the services you require to manage your chronic condition/s.

While this is not the proposed ME/CFS clinic, it would be complementary and your responses will let the State Health Department know what all South Australians with complex chronic conditions need to manage their health."

We are aware that many of you have difficulty completing online surveys due to the severity of your illness, and that you may also require assistance from family members and / or carers to compile the information. With this in mind we are showing the questions below in printed form, so you have time to think about them before you go online to complete the survey.

As you reply, it is important to remember this is a State Clinic. The aim is to address Service gaps and reduce waiting lists that cause unnecessary stress, disability and the need to go to hospital emergency departments.

Some examples for us might be the lack of:
• GPs and GP clinics that provide continuing and appropriate care with both during the day and after hours access.
• Care Managers, Practice Nurses to coordinate the range of services you need.
• Affordable physiotherapy, exercise physiology, dieticians, occupational therapy, psychologists.
• Holistic providers (many of you have advised us, you use these as part of your care)
• Community education programs, Information, phone and other on-line support from peer groups.


For those of you who are house bound and or live in rural areas,
• The need for 24/7 phone support
• Telehealth GP appointments both with the doctor and your Case Manager
• Problems you have with physical access, ambulance, wheel chair, lifters for examination tables.
• Multiple Chemical Sensitivity issues


Any other issues related to the cost of your care e.g.
• The cost of medications
• Cost of tests to guide treatments and help with assessments.
• Services to meet Centrelink and National Disability requirements.


When you open the survey online, you will find the following explanation and 6 questions. As this is an opportunity to have your say, we suggest you to think about the questions before you answer. Thank you!



What should be considered in the design of a clinic to treat complex health conditions? Patients who have chronic and complex health conditions often utilise significant health services, not always at their convenience, through hospitals and emergency departments when access to their GP / other services, cannot be gained. SA Health wants to hear from consumers about what they would like to be considered in the design of a One-Stop Clinic for consumers with chronic and complex conditions.

Questions
1. What professions / healthcare workers would you like to see working there (eg: doctors, nurses,
physiotherapist, dietician etc)? (be as specific as you can)
2. What services would you use (eg: physio, wellness and prevention health education, nursing, etc)? (be as specific as you can)
3. What currently makes accessing health services difficult?
4. What would make you go to a ‘one stop clinic’ rather than present to an Emergency Department?
5. What would stop you from going to a ‘one-stop clinic’?
6. Any other comments or suggestions?

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Below is the link to the on-line survey about the design of a clinic to treat complex health conditions on behalf of the SA State Health Department. We urgently request you complete it.


https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CFF2SGZ

Thank you in advance. If you need help please ask your carers to assist you.

Regards Cathie and the SA ME/CFS Fibromyalgia Collaboration Clinic team.
South Australian ME/CFS/FMS Clinical & Research Collaboration
c/- Bridges & Pathways Institute Inc
Office: 08 82704316 or Mobile: 0447 133 682 or AH: 08 8358 6086
Email: bpprojects02@gmail.com
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