Preventative hospital admissions highlighted at Tasmanian Health Conference

Everyday, there are 35 preventable hospital admissions in the state, and the 2017 Tasmanian Health Conference in Hobart was used to identify solutions to reduce that number.

Although that figure was low compared to other states, the correlating demand on hospitals and population statistics “didn’t match up”, according to Australian Medical Association Tasmania president Stuart Day.

Flinders University general practice professor Richard Reed said that could be because Tasmanians were seeking treatment later than they should.

“It’s early in the illness that people are more likely to have a better outcome,” he said.

The conference’s key focus was on team-based approaches to keep Tasmanians out of hospital, drawing together medical professionals from various backgrounds such as general practice, oral health, heart health and after hours care.

Dr Day said GPs and their teams they worked with were “key to preventing the vast majority of people that need healthcare out of hospitals".

“Hospitals are largely the tip of the iceberg of people that need healthcare, and having your care outside hospital is much better for patients and the community.

“The conference is looking at the broad range of health conditions and what is preventable within Tasmania.”

As part of the conference, GPs met for one-on-one sessions with Health Minister Michael Ferguson to discuss concerns within the sector.

“We have overseen a 78 per cent reduction in people who have waited longer than the recommended time for their surgery, and most importantly, an 86 per cent reduction in kids waiting too long,” Mr Ferguson said. 

“While these figures are very pleasing, we know there is more to do and we are getting on with the job of ensuring all Tasmanians get the health care they need when they need it.”

Dental health was highlighted as a serious concern at the conference, with a number of patients presenting to Tasmanian hospitals for potentially preventable problems.

“Tasmania has an older population that is sicker and has more chronic diseases, managing those in the community is important,” Dr Day said. “Having a GP, which can provide consistent long-term care, is in the community’s interest.”