Government provides big win for patients with chronic disease

Media releases, Precedence
Victorian Health Minister David Davis MLC and Professor Michael Georgeff try out cdmNet

Release from David Davis MLC, Victorian Minister for Health, Minister for Ageing

Ten thousand patients are now taking back control of their lives with the help of a Victorian Government funded program that is transforming management of chronic diseases like diabetes, asthma and arthritis.

Health Minister David Davis today launched the Victorian-based Collaborative Care Cluster Australia (CCCA) as a national program that empowers patients to work collaboratively with their GPs, specialists, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals to manage their own health issues, using a new online capability.

“Currently over 10,000 patients, 1,000 GPs and nearly 3,000 allied health professionals have already signed up, the project is running successfully—and now this Victorian initiative is going national”, Mr Davis said.

“CCCA offers the Victorian-developed e-health platform, cdmNet, in a proven format that links a patient with their own care plan and helps their entire healthcare team to share information and collaborate more effectively.

“Now for the first time in Australia, patients with chronic illness can access their care plan with their pharmacist in the pharmacy using a simple barcode”, Mr Davis said.

“I urge all Victorian pharmacists, patients with chronic conditions and their carers to come on board, and join with GPs, specialists and healthcare professionals to embrace innovative technologies like cdmNet, which can transform the outcomes of chronic health management, reduce costs and improve quality of life.

“With no costs to patients, the system pays for itself through efficiencies it creates in the doctor’s surgery, so everyone wins,” Mr Davis said.

“Victoria is leading the nation in e-health and chronic disease management,” he said.

“In future, patients and their carers will be able to join a care conference with their GP and specialists, accessed at the press of a button from cdmNet, by video, voice or online. CdmNet is enabling telehealth.”

The CCCA partners include Precedence Health Care, Fred Health, Cisco Systems, Monash University, the Australian E-Health Research Centre (CSIRO), Baker IDI, Southern Health, Royal District Nursing Service, South Eastern Health Providers Association, Bupa, Diabetes Australia, and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. CCCA is supported by funding from the Victorian Government.

Media contact: Kathryn McFarlane 0419 850 201, kathryn.mcfarlane@minstaff.vic.gov.au