The Ramsay Way 2018 | 03 9
Pilot program to help injured workers
Workers with hand, knee and shoulder injuries
are set to receive a new style of coordinated
care as part of a six-month pilot at North Shore
Private Hospital.
The RecoveryPlus pilot is an initiative of icare, NSW’s
insurance and care provider.
icare’s Interim CEO John Nagle said the outcomes for
injured workers would be improved through the delivery of
coordinated, holistic treatment and care.
“A fundamental part of RecoveryPlus is the introduction of a
Care Coordinator who will develop a treatment plan with every
patient in the pilot. This will cut approval times and help them
get the care they need more quickly,” said Mr Nagle.
The treatment plans will be developed in collaboration with
the patient and their specialist and may include medical
procedures, nursing care, allied health services and other
support services to assist their recovery. Currently, each
of these interventions requires individual approval, adding
delays and uncertainty.
The Care Coordinator will also provide support and
guidance throughout the treatment. They will liaise with
treating professionals and case managers. Currently, the
injured worker has to navigate this process for themselves,
or rely on their case manager for assistance, which can add
confusion and be time-consuming.
icare’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Chris Colquhoun said the
Care Coordinator would also create efficiencies for service
providers.
“They will be able to plan appointments knowing that
approval has been received,” Dr Colquhoun said.
The RecoveryPlus pilot is an Australian-first aimed at getting
workers the treatment they need faster and improving long
term injury outcomes and lowering the risk of secondary
associated injuries.
The pilot at North Shore Private Hospital is on offer to
workers with musculoskeletal injuries of the hand, knee or
shoulder in the Sydney area who are being treated.
After six months the pilot will be reviewed to assess whether
recovering employees found the new approach had helped
them achieve their return to health goals and, where
possible, returning to work.
“We are expecting to have initial results at the end of the
year. They will inform long-term plans to expand the program
in terms of both eligible injury types and hospital locations,”
Dr Colquhoun said.
HOSPITAL NEWS
Forefront of fertility arrives in Melbourne
A new IVF service has opened at Warringal Private
Hospital, offering an Australian-first app allowing
patients 24/7 access to photos and videos of their
embryos during the initial incubation process.
The hospital’s new partnership with fertility group Genea means
Melbourne couples struggling to conceive will tap into the
expertise of fertility specialist Dr Kate McIlwaine.
“Warringal Private believe in personalised care. I have an
established working relationship with the hospital for my
gynaecology patients and am pleased to be able to offer the
same excellent clinical services to my infertility patients,”
Dr McIlwaine said.
Genea has more than 30- years of experience, with clinics
in NSW, ACT and WA. Warringal Private Hospital is their first
site in Melbourne.
Dr McIlwaine offers ovulation tracking, ovulation induction, IUI,
IVF, ICSI, genetic screening of embryos and egg freezing.
As well as access to Genea’s acclaimed Geri incubator
system, patients will also benefit from Genea’s patient-centred
continuity of care model.
Gavi, the world’s first automated vitrification instrument, will
standardise key stages of the embryo and egg freezing process.
Dr McIlwaine integrates evidence-based medicine with patient-centred
medical and lifestyle management to achieve the best
possible fertility outcomes for her patients.
She has extensive training and experience in treating women
with endometriosis and appreciates the particular challenges
this disease can post to fertility.
Dr McIlwaine strives to provide personalised care and takes the
time to explain the various treatment options to her patients so
they feel empowered throughout their fertility journey.
Fertility specialist Dr Kate McIlwaine