Emma Calvert: Clinical Informatics Award 2024 finalist

eHealthNews.nz: Clinical Informatics

Emma Calvert: Clinical Informatics Award 2024 finalist

Sunday, 27 October 2024

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PROFILE - Emma Calvert, clinical director, Ka Ora Telecare

Judges comment
“Emma’s work has had a positive impact across the country supporting clinicians and stretched services, but more significantly reaching vulnerable patient groups who may not otherwise have sought, or been able to access, medical care. Her strong relationship building, and operational and strategic input has established a sustainable model that will continue to deliver and improve patient outcomes. “

Nominator’s quote
“Emma has been able to create an extremely effective and successful telehealth model, including bespoke models of care when required, whilst supporting an ever-growing clinician workforce and supporting those working in face-to-face roles.”

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Profile
Emma Calvert has contributed to the transformation of rural healthcare access across Aotearoa New Zealand through collaborating with other agencies to establish and implement Ka Ora, the national Rural Telehealth Service.

As clinical director of Ka Ora, she has developed comprehensive clinical operations processes and workflows for telehealth clinicians, while also crafting bespoke solutions for different practices. This customised approach ensures that rural communities receive appropriate care while maintaining the viability of local healthcare providers.

Rural access
Ka Ora enables patients to connect with a clinician or kaiāwhina through video or telephone consultations from their homes: this is particularly valuable when their usual practice is at capacity or closed. This national service has reduced the need for many rural residents to travel long distances for medical care, significantly improving healthcare access for those who might otherwise go without.

Emma’s expertise extends beyond technical implementation to building strong professional networks and support systems. She established peer forums and regular processes that keep clinicians connected and updated, fostering a collaborative healthcare environment.

The impact of her work is evident in the thousands of patients who have successfully had their health need met through Ka Ora. The service has proven especially helpful for routine healthcare needs such as repeat prescriptions and medical advice for illnesses or injuries, providing quick access to clinical expertise that might otherwise involve significant waiting times.

Addressing workforce challenges
Emma’s work has helped address the chronic workforce challenges facing rural primary care and her strong relationship-building skills have been crucial in garnering support from both healthcare practices and clinicians.

For many working in rural primary care settings who have been facing workforce challenges for a while, they have been able to utilise Ka Ora to support their service, allowing them to review after-hours access in their areas to ensure it is effective as well as enabling them to remain sustainable.

Emma works with Practice Plus, building a workforce of clinicians that also remain in face-to-face work. Building peer groups and holding upskilling sessions to ensure they are supported has been paramount to its success.

Her expertise in clinical leadership and capability building has been crucial to creating a digital health asset that supports and improves health outcomes for rural communities across New Zealand.