About the project
The Future Health Today project aims to enhance chronic disease management through the Future Health Today (FHT) implementation program – a new clinical software tool, coupled with integrated tertiary health service support, to assist general practitioners to screen, diagnose and manage heart disease, diabetes and kidney disease before complications occur.
Objectives
- Reduce complications of advanced disease and reduce hospitalisations due to complications and/or progressive cardio-metabolic disease in the medium to long-term.
- Improve collaboration and communication between general practices in the western suburbs of Melbourne and tertiary care providers at Western Health
- Improve equity and access to treatment across the diverse Western Health catchment.
The project is led by the Western Health Division of Chronic and Complex Care. They are completing the recruitment and overseeing service testing and implementation.
We are providing additional funding to support the spread and expansion of the implementation from 20 to 40 general practice sites.
Background
Chronic disease is one of the greatest burdens on our health care system with 1 in 2 Australians having one or more of the leading 10 chronic conditions, including chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Evidenced based guidelines and clear benefits of earlier management and secondary prevention exist, however, many consumers are diagnosed late in their disease with complications such as stroke, heart attack and kidney failure the result.
How to get involved
If you would like to reach out to the SCV project team please email staywellstayhome@safercare.vic.gov.au.
Solution design
The Future Health Today (FHT) clinical decision support software will be implemented into 40 general practices in the Western Health catchment over a two-year period with an expected reach of over 100,000 Patients.
The use of FHT by general practice staff will be supported with technical and clinical education, in addition to outreach clinical support from Western Health specialists to assist in providing best care and practice level quality improvement.
Primary care data will be linked to hospital data to understand the impact of earlier detection and management on need for hospital care.
An evaluation will be developed using a mixed methods methodology and iterative approach focused on continuous improvement. It will monitor improvements overtime including number of patients appropriately screened, diagnosed, and managed for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes.
Next steps
The Western Health Future Health Today project team are currently:
- recruiting 20 additional general practices
- evaluating baseline data
- providing ongoing support and education for participating sites to use software and provide appropriate care.
Participating services
20 general practices across Melbourne’s West. This is likely expand to 40 by December 2025.
Priority area
This project supports our broader effort to reduce avoidable hospital admissions.