HealthPathways

The western Victoria HealthPathways is a web-based portal providing locally agreed, evidence-based, condition-based clinical guidelines and an up-to-date service referral directory. The site is designed to support primary health care providers, in particular general practitioners, in assessing, managing and referring patients.

Latest updates How to access and use HealthPathways How pathways are developed Contributing to HealthPathways Your local clinical editors

Latest updates

Please note, you will need to be logged in to HealthPathways to access the following pages.

New pages		Updated pages
End-stage Dementia Bone Pain Flare Following Radiation Therapy Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) Consent Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTOP) in General Practice		Rotator Cuff Disorders Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) Shoulder Osteoarthritis (OA) Hip and Knee Joint Replacement Low Back Pain in Adults

---

How to access and use HealthPathways

GPs, health professionals and key primary care staff within the western Victoria region can access HealthPathways.  The portal is not designed to be used by the general public and can only be accessed by using a secure login and password. There is no cost to access. Access to HealthPathways can be obtained by online form, email or phone. Request a login: via online form Email  healthpathways@westvicphn.com.au Phone 1300 616 305 Website: westvic.communityhealthpathways.org

HealthPathways Region Boundaries Click to enlarge

The site is designed to be used during a consultation, and includes over 850 pages with information on:

• How to assess and mange a range of symptoms and conditions
• How to refer patients to local specialists and services in the timeliest manner
• Reference materials
• Educational resources
• Patient resources

New pathways are constantly under development and existing pathways regularly reviewed by local GPs and specialists to ensure they remain aligned with best practice and are relevant to the local context.

• Pathways are developed by local general practitioners, in consultation with local experts, ensuring the clinical and referral Information Is relevant to your region and reflects the agreed ways that conditions and symptoms are managed between primary care and secondary and tertiary health services in our region.
• HealthPathways is a dynamic site with information being added/updated regularly, ensuring access to up-to-date evidenced based care guidelines.
• HealthPathways promotes closer relationships between general practitioners, allied health professionals, specialists and relevant community agencies to help deliver a more connected health system.

More information

For more information on HealthPathways, contact our HealthPathways team: healthpathways@westvicphn.com.au

How pathways are developed

HealthPathways aims to ensure the right care, in the right place, at the right time by:

• enhancing clinical knowledge and promoting best practice
• improving the patient health experience
• encouraging collaboration between tertiary, primary and secondary care providers
• identifying appropriate and efficient referral pathways
• planning in conjunction with the patient
• ensuring correct pre-referral tests are performed and service criteria are met to enhance the quality of referrals, and to minimise rejection
• reducing patient waiting lists

Providing educational resources and information for patients, to enable better self management of health.

Western Victoria HealthPathways works collaboratively with:

• Local primary care providers and health services
• More than 40 HealthPathways’ teams in Australia, New Zealand and UK.
• The Victorian State Department of Health and the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care
  •  State-wide Specialist Clinic Referral Criteria
  • Optimal Care Pathways
  • State-wide Paediatric HealthPathways Project
  • Covid-19 care pathways
• Peak Bodies

Contributing to HealthPathways

Providing feedback

Primary health care professionals are invited to:

• suggest new pathways
• inform us of new services or updates in our region
• provide feedback on specific pathways

Please complete and submit our  Feedback form.

Participating in HealthPathways

Health professionals can also:

• volunteer to join a clinical workgroup to assist in enhancing/developing pathways
• volunteer to be a subject matter expert for a particular pathway of interest
• request a demonstration for yourself or your team

Please complete and submit our Expression of Interest form

Your local clinical editors

Dr Amy Litras Amy is a Ballarat-based general practitioner who graduated from the Australian National University and completed further education in Paediatrics and Sexual Health. Her interests include women’s health, disability and supporting general practice through HealthPathways.

---

Dr Katherine Graham Katherine is a Horsham-based general practitioner. She graduated from Melbourne University and has completed a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Education, Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Fellowship in General Practice through RACGP. Interests include public health, education and general practice as part of HealthPathways team.

---

Dr Brendan Condon A Warrnambool-based general practitioner, Brendon graduated from Melbourne University and completed further education in Masters in Clinical Education. He is a board member of the Otway Division of General Practice and Chair of the division’s Limited Adverse Outcomes Screening Committee. Brendon is also Deputy Director of Clinical Studies, Warrnambool Clinical School, Deakin University School of Medicine and Supervisor of Intern Training at South West Healthcare.