400844 Health Services And Facilities Planning

The purpose of an environmental scan for any population-based health plan is to understand the region health context, identify available and required resources, collect information, gaps available, links and analyses the data on practices and issues in public health and medicine in order to look for quality improvement opportunities, guide planning, educate decision makers and improve intended health outcomes (NWS, 2018). In addition, the health environmental scan gives information about the health workforce of a given area. This, in turn, helps the government to know areas which have a need for human resources (WHO, 2018).

This study seeks to perform an environmental health scan for Illawarra Shoalhaven District. The Local Health District covers four Local Government Areas namely Kiama, Shellharbour, Wollongong and Shoalhaven which comprise six statistical areas (Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, 2018). The geographical region for the district is 5,687 square kilometers which are divided into three major community groups for health planning (NWS, 2018). This includes the Southern Illawarra, Northern Illawarra, and the Shoalhaven. The internal clinical decisions are based on policy and workforce planning (Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, 2018). This includes palliative care division, aged care facilities, medicine and cancer care division, mental division, renal services unit,, surgery and critical care division and women and children branch.

The healthcare planning of Illawarra Shoalhaven Local District reflects the area core values which include collaboration, respect, openness, and empowerment (Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, 2018). The district has taken plans for local health reforms which include establishing a local health patient-centered model, restructuring funding that matches with community needs, establishing an integrated health system and building the workforce for the future(Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, 2018).In addition, the district has specific plans designed to address the rising health demands. This includes addressing the rising levels of complex and chronic health needs. The diseases in the local health district particularly address include obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, renal diseases and cancer (Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, 2018).  Other than that, the district has developed a partnership with Medicare to reduce hospitalization of ambulatory care sensitive conditions (Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, 2018).

This goes hand in hand with the New South Wales health care plan pillars which include health education and training, bureau of information, agency for clinical consultation and NWS kids and families objectives(NWS, 2018). The Australian government has set subsidies and health policies that govern all states and territories including the private sectors. All states and territories are required to deliver health services and regulate health professionals(NWS, 2018).  In addition, NWS has set rules and objectives that provide guidelines to local governments and health sectors to provide environmental control, personal preventive services, home care and health screening like for breast cancer(NWS, 2018).

The data for planning better health care in the district include community population, region geography, available and required resources, specific population groups and their needs, culture, religion, linguistics and social characteristics ("Healthy Illawarra," 2018). Other data to be considered include the determinants of health, the burden of diseases, mortality and morbidity data, current inpatient and outpatient activities, services profile and catchment areas. (Department of Health, 2018)  The data to be collected for social determinants of health in the district include various social economic status, education, and employment status. Relevant mortality and morbidity rates data from the district involve aged care facilities, cancer care, maternal and child care, accidents, and emergencies and chronic illness. (Department of Health 2018)  

The general practitioners and public health nurses have responsibilities of providing data such as common diseases and surveillance, available and required treatment methods, health promotion and prevention programs plus treatments available in order to provide better healthcare and planning ("Healthy Illawarra," 2018).In addition, healthcare professionals can provide data related to health risk behaviors of different categories of people living in the district. This includes individuals who have risks for obesity, risk drinkers, individuals experiencing emotional and psychological distress, persons hospitalized for ambulatory care and number of possible suicidal attempts. Other than that, health workers can give information about the burden of disease and avoidable morbidity and mortality in the region. (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2018)

References

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2018)  Australia’s Health 2018. Retrieved from

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/australias-health-2018/contents/table-of-contents

Department of Health (2018) Department of Health Annual Report 2016-17.Retrieved from

https://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/Annual+Reports-3

Healthy Illawarra. (2018). Sexual Health. Retrieved from https://www.healthyillawarra.org.au/index.php/healthy-people/sexual-health

Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District(2018). Working Together Building Healthy Futures. Retrieved from https://www.islhd.health.nsw.gov.au/Plans/ISLHDHCSPFinalVersionOctober2012.pdf

NWS, (2018). The Australian, NSW and Illawarra Shoalhaven Health System. Retrieved from https://www.islhd.health.nsw.gov.au/Community_and_Consumer_Participation/Links_Resources/Aus_NSW_IllaShoal_Health_Overview.pdf

World Health Organization (WHO) (2018). Health Services Development. Retrieved from

https://www.wpro.who.int/health_services/en/