Community HealthPathways

Community HealthPathways (CHP) provides primary care clinicians with access to a suite of locally agreed pathways covering assessment, management and referral to community and hospital care services.

CHP pathways are agreed between primary and secondary care clinicians, based on evidence based guidance, and reflect "how we do things around here."

It facilitates informed decisions at the point of care, promotes standardised ways of working, and supports effective referrals community and hospital care services.

Increase the standardisation and quality of care delivered to patients in primary care settings and provide a clear and consistent referral process, by using locally agreed web-based pathways.

Key Features

Pathways support clinicians to assess and manage patients’ needs, request support from local specialist services, access relevant information, remain up-to-date with local changes, and identify opportunities for service improvement.

You receive Immediate access to over 1000 community pathways that have been developed by members of the CHP community.

  • Available online 24/7
  • Desktop, mobile, and tablet-friendly
  • Can be integrated with third-party toolsets
  • Access to starter templates for clinical conditions, which can be adapted for your local health system
  • Adaptive process that ensures information remains current and reflective of changes to local service agreements.

Testimonial

"HealthPathways is a web-based resource that truly supports clinical decision-making by ensuring that pathways of care are based on up-to-date national guidelines, tailored to local opinion and resources. The relationship-building and understanding that develops between experienced GP clinical editors and their specialist service colleagues while writing pathways ensures mutual agreement on the best care for patients in North Cumbria."
DR JULIET RHODES GP, North Cumbria

"HealthPathways is helping us to get a range of statewide policy into practice quickly and effectively."
MS JODY PAXTON Director, Healthcare Improvement Unit, Clinical Excellence Queensland, Queensland Health

Why Implement Community HealthPathways?

EVIDENCE BASED, PRACTICAL AND LOCALISED GUIDANCE CLINICIANS TRUST AND USE, LEADING TO LESS DEMAND ON ED AND OUTPATIENT SERVICES

CHP promotes:
  • clinical engagement and agreement
  • service development, using feedback loops to improve pathways
  • improved patient flow through standardised work
  • improved referral practice
  • seamless transition of patients from a community setting to a hospital setting.
CHP reduces:
  • unwarranted variation
  • delays
  • unnecessary referrals leading to time and resource wastage
  • conflict among clinicians about how a patient should be managed.

Who is using Community HealthPathways?

CHP started in Canterbury, New Zealand, in 2008, where 99% of general practitioners surveyed use it weekly in their practice, 70% of whom use it daily.

It is also used by practice nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, community nurses, and other allied health services.

Over 600 clinical pathways provide guidance on assessment, management, and referral for clinicians in 50 health systems caring for over 30 million people across New Zealand, Australia, and the UK.

Download information on CHP here