The recommendations from a research project exploring who, when and why people access Launceston ED services with non-urgent conditions has been handed to key stakeholders. The work of PhD student and Launceston General Hospital nurse Maria Unwin, the research found an over-represented number of people presenting at the Launceston General Hospital live in the northern suburbs. Ms Unwin finalised the project last week, a day after presenting her findings at a health symposium held as part of anticipatory care project Our Community, Our Care. Since being launched earlier this year, the project has worked to identify what needs to change to improve the region's health outcomes, with the support of UTAS researchers. With recommendations focused on access to services that target specific community needs, Ms Unwin said she was "quietly optimistic" her research could lead to better outcomes. "There is obviously a huge amount happening in the northern suburbs and quite a lot of awareness about a lot of the issues facing the populations there," she said. "The realisation that has come from this research is reaffirming the strong correlation in socio-economic index by suburb and ED presentations. "It's led me to look at what services are available in those areas. I always presumed healthcare was equitable in our state and country. Sadly I am realising it's not." Ms Unwin has presented her findings to stakeholders from the Tasmanian Health Service, primary health, UTAS and consumer representatives.
Findings: Nurse and PhD student Maria Unwin has explored who, when and why people access ED services with non-urgent conditions. Picture: Paul Scambler
The recommendations from a research project exploring who, when and why people access Launceston ED services with non-urgent conditions has been handed to key stakeholders.
The work of PhD student and Launceston General Hospital nurse Maria Unwin, the research found an over-represented number of people presenting at the Launceston General Hospital live in the northern suburbs.
Since being launched earlier this year, the project has worked to identify what needs to change to improve the region's health outcomes, with the support of UTAS researchers.
With recommendations focused on access to services that target specific community needs, Ms Unwin said she was "quietly optimistic" her research could lead to better outcomes.
"There is obviously a huge amount happening in the northern suburbs and quite a lot of awareness about a lot of the issues facing the populations there," she said.
"The realisation that has come from this research is reaffirming the strong correlation in socio-economic index by suburb and ED presentations.
"It's led me to look at what services are available in those areas. I always presumed healthcare was equitable in our state and country. Sadly I am realising it's not."
Ms Unwin has presented her findings to stakeholders from the Tasmanian Health Service, primary health, UTAS and consumer representatives.
