New primary care pilot aims to improve concussion outcomes
We’re kickstarting a pilot to improve outcomes for people with a concussion and make it easier for GPs to manage these injuries in primary care settings.
Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) ProCare and Pegasus will work with us over the next 12 months to trial a new standardised concussion treatment pathway. We’re looking for GPs in Auckland and Canterbury to participate in the pilot. To sign up to the pilot, contact your PHO.
The new pathway will support GPs to manage appropriate concussion patients in the primary care setting, and quickly identify and refer patients that require specialist concussion services. This will support Kiwis with concussion to get better faster and be managed close-to-home by someone they know and trust. The pilot provides GPs with education and learning materials, as well as a standardised concussion assessment tool designed in partnership with Auckland University of Technology. This tool will help GPs assess patients and alert them to signs that referral to secondary care is needed.
Where necessary GPs can refer patients directly to secondary care without approval from us. This will reduce delays, supporting patients to get the care they need faster. The primary care concussion pilot will launch on 18 May and run over approximately 12 months, during which time it’s hoped around 1000 patients will be treated. If successful we’ll look at ways to make the programme available to GPs nationwide.
For more information contact us.
Email hart@acc.co.nz