Neurosciences and the Senses

Neurosciences and the Senses - Discussion Forum 2008 [PDF / 325KB]

Background

In March 2004 the report of the Health Reform Committee "A Healthy Future for Western Australians" was released. The Reid Review recognised that in the context of population ageing and rising chronic disease prevalence in Western Australia, it is essential that the Western Australian healthcare system is patient centred, well coordinated, effective, equitable and efficient.

The development of the Neurosciences and the Sense Health Network strengthens the commitments described within the Department of Health Strategic Intent 2005-2010 and the Clinical Services Framework 2005.

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Goal and Objectives

The Neurosciences and the Senses Health Network will advise on delivering patient-centred, sustainable and effective clinical services across all continuums of care.

Specific objectives include:

To improve health outcomes for all Western Australians.
Prevention of illness and injury and maintenance of health.
Identify gaps in health service provision.
Foster partnerships and links between primary, secondary and tertiary health service providers.
Develop policy and standards for health service provision.
Development and maintenance of an appropriately trained and skilled workforce.
Provide professional support and advice.

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Policy

National strategies and policy documents underpinning the Neurosciences and the Senses Health Network include:

National Chronic Disease Strategy
Preventing Chronic Disease: A Strategic Framework
National Strategy for Heart, Stroke and Vascular Health in Australia
National Eye Health Plan for Australia 2005 to 2010
National Stroke Foundation’s Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Acute Stroke
National Stroke Foundation’s Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery Guidelines

The Neurosciences and the Senses Health Network are guided by the following WA policies and strategies:

Clinical Services Framework
WA State Rehabilitation Plan
WA Health Strategic Plan 2005-2010
WA Stroke Strategy (2001)
WA Eye Health Services Development Plan (not yet endorsed)
WA Acquired Brain Injury Plan (1996)

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Scope

The Neurosciences and the Senses Health Network includes the surgical sub-specialty of Neurosurgery; the medical sub-specialty of Neurology; and the surgical sub-specialties of Ophthalmology and Ear, Nose and Throat.

Neurosurgery consists of head injuries, craniotomy and other neurosurgery (which includes ventricular shunt revision, spinal procedures, spinal cord conditions, pituitary procedures and procedures for cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and neuropathy).
Neurology consists of medical services for stroke, transient ischaemic attack, seizures, headache and other neurology (which includes degenerative nervous system disorders, viral meningitis, multiple sclerosis and cerebellar ataxia, disequilibrium, etc).
Ophthalmology services include all acute medical and surgical procedures related to diseases and disorders of the eye. This includes neurological and vascular disorders of the eye.
Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) services includes tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy, myringotomy with tube insertion, other procedural ENT, otitis media and Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI), and other non-procedural ENT.

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Membership

Current membership of the Neurosciences and the Senses Health Network Executive Group include:

Name	Area
Professor Bryant Stokes	Clinical Lead, Neurosciences and Senses Health Network (Chair)
Dr Simon Towler	Executive Director, Health Policy and Clinical Reform Division
Professor Ian Constable	Director Eye Health Services Western Australia
Dr William Carroll	Neurologist, SCGH
Dr Peter Silbert	Neurologist, RPH
Dr Neville Knuckey	Neurosurgeon, SCGH
Dr Stephen Honeybul	Neurosurgeon, SCGH
Dr Richard Lewis	ENT Surgeon, RPH
Dr Peter Goldswain	Geriatrician, RPH
Ms Del Weston	CEO, Neurological Council of WA
Dr Vicki Fabian	Neuropathologist, Pathwest - RPH
Dr Peter Robbins	Pathologist, Pathwest - SCGH
Dr Ross Goodheart	Neurologist, Fremantle Hospital
Ms Helen Hoey	Consumer Representative

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Support Team

The support team for the Neurosciences and the Senses Health Network is a small core group of staff with a complementary skill set to support the needs of the network. The core responsibilities of the support team include:

Support the Clinical Leader in the administration and management of the network’s portfolios, programs and resources;
Provide administrative and project support to the networks’ special sub-working groups and committees;
Facilitate a review and realignment of all current committees, working groups and advisory groups to the relevant network;
In collaboration with the Clinical Lead and Statewide Health System Support, identify information and research needs, collate data, evaluate cost effectiveness and efficiency of specified services and prepare reports for each network;
Identify appropriate quality indicators and monitor effectiveness and appropriateness of services in which each network is involved in;
Liaise with relevant stakeholders within Area Health Services to build working relationships and ensure alignment of strategic direction and operational outcomes;
Liaise and communicate with all stakeholders relevant to the network, for example government and non-government sectors, the private sector, universities, carers and consumer groups wherever possible;
Promote the whole continuum of care from prevention, early intervention, critical care, acute care and health maintenance throughout the network;
Consult with area specific stakeholders to discuss needs and priorities of the network.
Collaborate within the Health Policy and Clinical Reform Division to ensure consistency and co-ordination across all program and portfolio areas; and
Co-ordinate activities for the Neurosciences and the Senses Health Network.

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Outcomes

An integrated model of sustainable health services that reduces duplication, improves access to health services, facilitates and enhances the continuum of care from preventative, primary, acute to long term aspects of care;
Improved quality and safety of clinical services underpinned by the Clinical Governance Framework, common clinical standards, protocols, and pathways;
Stronger consumer participation;
Increased flexibility of clinical function in times of demand;
More proactive responses to technology changes as they arise to discourage ad-hoc adoption;
Collaboration with existing networks and linkage with Primary Health Care Networks to enhance population health and facilitate effective workforce utilisation;
Improved communication with the private sector, the government and non- government sectors, universities, carers and consumer groups wherever possible;
Improved information and communication interface; and
Expanded opportunities for professional development, collaborative research, teaching and clinical experience, which strengthens levels of clinical expertise and maintenance of staff skills.

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Publications and Reports

Neurosciences and the Senses - Discussion Forum 2008 [PDF / 325KB]
Neurosciences and Senses Stakeholder Forum Report March 2008 [PDF / 368KB]
Motor Neurone Disease Model of Care supporting information March 2008 [PDF / 845KB]
Terms of Reference [PDF / 16KB]

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Contact

If you would like further information regarding the Neurosciences and the Senses Health Network please contact: Health Networks Branch by email healthpolicy@health.wa.gov.au.

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File Formats

Some documents for download on this website are in a Portable Document Format (PDF). To read these files you might need to download Adobe® Acrobat Reader.