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 to 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 1,000 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 base pathways for clinical conditions, which can be adapted for your local health system
  • Adaptive process that ensures information remains current and reflects changes to local service agreements.

Testimonials

"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 state-wide policies into practice quickly and effectively."
MS JODY PAXTON Director, Healthcare Improvement Unit, Clinical Excellence Queensland, Queensland Health

Why implement Community HealthPathways?

Community HealthPathways (CHP) provides evidence-based, practical, and localised guidance that clinicians trust and use, leading to less demand on emergency departments 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 in care
  • delays
  • unnecessary referrals that waste time and resource
  • conflict among clinicians about how a patient should be managed.

Who is using Community HealthPathways?

CHP is being used by clinicians in 50 health systems caring for over 30 million people across Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

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

CHP started in Canterbury, New Zealand, in 2008. A recent survey of general practitioners in Canterbury found that 99% of them use it weekly in their practice, 70% of whom use it daily.

Download the Community HealthPathways information pack

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