HealthPathways (Sydney and South Eastern Sydney) is an online local health information portal to support local GPs and health professionals to the point of consultation. It provides clinical decision support frameworks on how to assess and manage medical conditions, and how to appropriately refer patients to local services and specialists in the most efficient way.

HealthPathways is based on a highly successful model of collaboration developed in New Zealand. It has resulted in significant improvements in the way that hospitals and general practices share the care and clinical management of patients. It has reduced costs and improved the quality of patient care.

The name HealthPathways reflects the referral lines, or ‘pathways’, which link patients to the most appropriate treatment, local service or specialist. While HealthPathways is aimed at general practitioners, it can also be used by hospital specialists, practice nurses, Residential Aged Care Facility staff, and allied health providers.

HealthPathways is a dynamic collaboration between Central and Eastern Sydney PHN and neighbouring Local Health Districts (LHDs) and Local Health Networks (LHNs). General practitioners, hospital specialists, and community and allied health providers are all actively involved in creating and reviewing HealthPathways.

The pathways are developed by local GPs, local hospital clinicians, and private allied health providers and clinicians.

The HealthPathways programs convene workgroup meetings with primary and secondary clinicians to identify what is working well along with areas for improvement. Based on discussion and shared decision-making, local clinicians determine local solutions (pathways) for implementation. These pathways then go through a process of review and formatting in preparation for publication on the respective HealthPathways websites.

All published pathways, referral pages, and resource pages will enter periodic review at set points and the program team re-convenes the key individuals/service teams involved in creating the pathway to review it. This ensures that the pathways remain up-to-date with the latest evidence-based clinical guidelines, reflect current practice throughout services, as well as aligning with changing health demographics and emerging population needs.

We have previously had representatives on this committee and are currently looking for a new representative.

• For assistance with access, email SESLHD-HealthPathways@health.nsw.gov.au
• For general enquiries about HealthPathways South Eastern Sydney, email SESLHD-HealthPathways@health.nsw.gov.au or call (02) 9526-3916.