GIPPSLAND Primary Health Network is supporting improved access to digital health technology in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Gippsland.
Four Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations (ACCOs) have been supported to build their digital health capability and facilitate improved access to primary and secondary healthcare.
Practice manager at Moogji Aboriginal Health Centre at Orbost, Peter Lisacek, is confident the new technology will be embraced by both health practitioners and patients.
Mr Lisacek and practice nurse, Marni Joiner, underwent recent training and were impressed with the range of diagnostic tools available and the ease of use.
“The equipment can undertake a range of diagnostic tests including capturing quality images of the patient if needed, measuring vitals such as blood pressure and blood glucose levels, and even taking an electrocardiogram,” Mr Lisacek said.
“It means if a patient needs further specialist medical support, the doctor can initiate it with the patient from a consulting room at Moogji.”
Gippsland PHN chief executive, Angela Jacob, said funding the ACCOs to purchase these telehealth solutions and strengthen digital health capability would support greater access to culturally safe care and provide wider access to healthcare services.
“The equipment provides integrated medical devices such as high-resolution wound cameras that can support a telehealth consult, revolutionising the way a GP can examine, diagnose, monitor and treat remote patients,” Mrs Jacob said.
“We hope to increase access to health checks and build the foundations for working with ACCOs to further develop virtual models of healthcare that support the health and wellbeing needs of communities across Gippsland.”
Digital health capacity training will continue with staff at the four participating ACCOs – Moogji, Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association (LEAHA), Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Cooperative (GEGAC) and Ramahyuck – over the coming weeks.
