Covid-19 digital response – community care

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eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth

In our second round-up of news from health providers across New Zealand during Covid-19, eHealthNews.nz focuses on how they are using data and digital services to provide care in the community.

Government funds eMental health tools

The Government is funding the use of three eMental health tools for Kiwis wanting to look after their mental wellbeing as a result of change and uncertainty from COVID-19.

The tools are: the Mentemia app developed by former All Black Sir John Kirwan; a self-management platform from Melon Health; and an e-therapy programme called Staying on Track.

They are being funded by the initial $500m Covid-19 response health package, announced prior to the lockdown.

Health Minister David Clark says the online tools give people practical ways to support their mental wellbeing.

The Mentemia app was originally aimed to be released just to workplaces but extra funding from the Ministry of Health means it will be available free to Kiwis throughout the Covid-19 response.

The Ministry is also working with Mentemia to create content and tools specifically to support front line health workers and government employees in essential services.

Plunket delivers virtual visits during lockdown

Plunket is delivering its Well Child services via telehealth during lockdown with Plunket nurses supporting families either via phone or video conference.

The organisation had been planning to introduce virtual consultations, but this was fast tracked due to Covid-19.

PlunketLine also continues to provide 24/7 support and the care provider is running Facebook Live chats.

All whanau enrolled with Plunket have access to online parenting education programmes, virtual community groups and other forms of parenting support.

Allied health goes virtual

Active+ allied health professionals are offering virtual appointments during lockdown.

Active+ director and physiotherapist Andy Schmidt says physios are providing rehabilitation exercise programmes to support those injured and rehabilitating at home with video-based exercises and reporting.

“We have also launched a number of free to air exercise programmes via social media,” he says.

During a consultation, physios ask a series of questions and get the patient to carry out movements and actions on camera, so they can make an assessment. They can then give advice on managing the injury, prescribe exercises and arrange further appointments.

Schmidt says physio clinics are seeing about 25-30 percent of the appointments they normally would via telehealth. ACC claims are reduced by about 70 percent and some people may not realise what can be done via telehealth, but those using the virtual service are positive about it.

The organisation also has occupational therapists, psychologists, dieticians and social workers providing telehealth in the community.

The Southerly tackles mental health in Gore

The Gore district is using a new curated mental health and wellbeing content service within the community as part of its Covid-19 response. 

Developed by HealthTRx, the evidence-based content service guides people with practical steps to strengthen their own and others’ mental health and wellbeing and supports people to stay well and resilient as the nation transitions through Alert Levels. 

Project management lead Penny Marlowe says, "we know the pandemic has placed the mental health of New Zealanders at heightened and unprecedented risk. 

"We are already seeing the challenging effects of isolation in lockdown, stress, anxiety and more. Research tells us these effects may well be long-lasting," she says. 

Health Care Home practices embrace telehealth

General practices transitioned a predicted ten-year process to telehealth services over the course of a weekend, the Health Care Home Collaborative says.

As part of its response to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Collaborative moved fast to open telehealth and clinical triage resources support to all primary health organisations and practices prior to the RNZCGP college directive to conduct all initial patient consultations via telehealth.

Nicky Hart, chief executive of Feilding Health Care says, “we need to acknowledge that General Practice may never look the same, which when condensed brings its own hurdles, but also opens the way for a new and exciting landscape to benefit both practice teams and patient outcomes”.

If you would like to provide feedback on this news story, please contact the editor Rebecca McBeth.

Read more news:

Contact tracing app weeks away
Waikato prepares for significant telehealth uptake

For more information and resources about COVID-19 go to https://www.hinz.org.nz/page/covid19

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