This model has evolved due, in part, to the diminishing numbers of doctors choosing to work in rural areas, but has been complemented by the increasing use of virtual care methods.
KDHS relies on a mixed medical model, including the highly valued GPs and their trainee doctors from Kyabram Regional Clinic, a KDHS employed senior medical officer (Dr Vuthy Keng), medical locums as well as the Telecare medical service and the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department.
The vital bottom line of the medical model is that every patient who presents at the Urgent Care Centre is assessed and their treatment is based on that assessment.
KDHS acute services nurse unit manager Susan Ryan said there would not always be a doctor physically present.
“KDHS is not classified as an emergency department, but we will always prioritise patients based on their needs and meet them safely,” she said.
Inpatients will, of course, continue to have face-to-face consultation with Kyabram Regional Clinic doctors on weekday mornings during rounds.
“The medical model change in service delivery is by no means a reduction in services, just a more effective way of making sure every person who presents to the Urgent Care Centre receives the treatment they need and ensures the sustainability of our medical model,” Ms Ryan said.
“The model of care doesn’t have to be what it’s always been to be effective. KDHS is versatile and supportive of our visiting medical officers.
“In fact, the majority of our patients are quite comfortable with a video consultation as it is now a common form of treatment delivery.”
KDHS’s highly skilled nursing staff take the initial lead role in assessing and triaging patients who present for treatment at the Urgent Care Centre.
Then, if required and based on clinical need, they can contact the rostered medical support, which may be virtual or on site.
This model of care has positioned the Fenaughty St health service strongly in regard to meeting the demands of its community.
This was evident through the feedback received from the Community Advisory Committee when recently presented to by KDHS chief executive Anne McEvoy.
KDHS has worked closely with its 10-person Community Advisory Committee to support communication of information to the community.
KDHS, state and national clinical guidelines provide the guidance for KDHS nursing staff to identify patients who need to be transferred to another hospital — most often in Echuca or Shepparton.
This can sometimes be via an ambulance; hence KDHS encourages locals to consider membership of Ambulance Victoria.
While the revised medical model has resulted from the availability of doctors, it has also taken into consideration the strong nursing presence within KDHS.
“We have competent nurses who are constantly upskilling via education and training including advanced life support,” Ms Ryan said.
“Alongside the nursing staff, KDHS continues a long-standing relationship with the doctors of Kyabram Regional Clinic and (as previously reported in the Free Press) KDHS now employs a senior medical officer, Dr Vuthy Keng, who works six days a fortnight,” she said.
But the days of doctors being available after hours for face-to-face consultations at country health services 24/7 are long gone.
Ms Ryan said quite often only a nurse was required, and patients who rang an ambulance first would be transported to another health service if their clinical needs could not be met at KDHS.
“Not everyone who presents to UCC will need to see a doctor and may be treated by a nurse and/or referred to a GP clinic. KDHS also promotes the community’s use of VVED and Nurse on Call, as not all ailments are relevant for a UCC attendance,” she said.
“We have a great relationship with our doctors and the ambulance service with the multidisciplinary professional respect paramount.”
Ms Ryan said there was easily accessible information on the KDHS website in regard to “the right place to go” in a medical situation.
For more information about the UCC, visit https://www.kyhealth.org.au/departments-services/urgent-care/
• The KDHS acute inpatient medical support service also operates under a hybrid model, a combination of doctors working through the medical support roster to deliver care to patients.
“Sometimes patients on our acute ward will see a different doctor to the one who admitted them to hospital, depending on who is rostered after hours and on weekends and public holidays,” Ms Ryan said.
“These doctors are from Kyabram Regional Clinic, and include our senior medical officer, locum doctors and virtual medical support doctors through Telecare.
“On all occasions the necessary patient information is transferred to the attending physician.
“KDHS is a public hospital and like all contemporary health care, our medical model has evolved with the focus of our community being well cared for.
“Our staff feel connected to their community and supported by KDHS, which means a quality service for patients.”
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