Community Rapid Response Service

The Hodgman Liberal Government is changing the way our health system operates so we can get better results for all Tasmanians.

We are fixing the budget to ensure we can afford the services Tasmanians deserve into the future.

Today I am pleased to announce that we are delivering on our election commitment to provide $3 million to help keep people with chronic illness out of hospital by providing them with quality care in the home or community.

The new Community Rapid Response Service, to be launched in the greater Launceston area, will provide treatment for people who need short-term intermediate care that can be safely delivered in the community or the home.

The service will be available to people suffering from acute illness or whose condition has deteriorated, which would otherwise see them end up at an emergency department and ultimately admitted to hospital.

The service is based on the idea that a patient’s care is shared between their usual GP and community nursing and allied health professionals.

Treatment will be provided wherever it best meets the patient’s needs and this might be in their home, a residential aged care facility, or a community health centre.

We have all read the wealth of research evidence that shows community-based multidisciplinary models of care do prevent presentations to the emergency department and reduce hospital admissions. This frees up hospital beds, meaning more medical and surgical services for more patients.

Most importantly, this provides better outcomes for patients, including for those with chronic diseases such as cystic fibrosis.

The new Community Rapid Response Service continues the rebuilding of our health system under the ‘One State, One Health System, Better Outcomes’ reform and is one more example of what we are doing make sure that all Tasmanians get the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

It also complements other work in northern Tasmania through the ‘Better Access to Community Care’ project, including implementation of the Community Nursing Enhanced Connections Service at the LGH emergency department and the development of Community Nursing Liaison role in the LGH.

This also builds on the work of the Commonwealth, which is delivering more services ‘on the ground’ in communities, with Primary Health Networks providing community aged care packages, mental health services and drug and alcohol services.

This will be stage one of a phased roll-out across the state, which will of course be subject to an evaluation.

The service is expected to commence from March 2016 and more information will be made available for health professionals prior to commencement.
Michael Ferguson, Minister for Health