‘EXPERIENCE AND LEARNINGS FROM IMPLEMENTING IMPROVEMENTS IN REFERRAL MANAGEMENT AND DEMAND
With
Nalani Cox,
Program Manger (Assistant Director of Nursing ADON)
Referral Strategy and ”PerformanceGold Coast Health, Queensland Health
PEOPLE IN HEALTH CARE SEGMENT
Filmed in Southport (Gold Coast) | May 2025
Nalani Cox joined Gold Coast Health in 2019 as a Nurse Manager focused on improving referral management processes within the outpatient environment through the implementation of the Clinical Prioritisation Criteria. This work became a focus point for the organisation in 2020 when Nalani led an organisational wide change project introducing Smart Referrals, Refer Your Patient website and HealthPathways which has culminated in her position as the ADON of the Referral Strategy and Performance Department.
Here she continues to improve and support the continuum of care and create improved clinical safety and transparency of referral management processes across Gold Coast Health. Nalani believes that working collaboratively with external care providers and staff across all levels of the organisation to drive change management, clinical redesign and promote shared understanding is critical in improving the patient journey through our complex health environment.
Prior to commencing this work, Nalani participated in the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) Mid-Career Nurse Leadership Program, which she describes as a catalyst for some of the most significant career achievements to date. Nalani is the deputy chair of ACN Brisbane Region Leadership team.
Source: Supplied
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Sharing the same goals in value-based procurement
Value-based procurement (VBP) is a journey, not a sprint. It’s about putting the patient at the centre of quality affordable healthcare through changes in procurement practices for medical technologies. Patient outcomes drive value and sustainability, not just price. The bigger picture indicates that VBP will create system cost saving through benefitting patients, rather than trying to attain the reverse – a win-win outcome.
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Misinformation impacts routine vaccines
More significant changes in recent years have been health-related misinformation eroding trust in healthcare professionals, leading to people seeking alternative treatments or avoiding medical advice altogether. This can make it more difficult for healthcare professionals to provide effective treatment and care.
Recent vaccines delivered as part of the COVID-19 response, are having a consequential impact on the uptake of routine vaccines.
Australian Health Journal spoke with Dr Paul Griffin, an Infectious Diseases Physician and Microbiologist at Mater Health, and who has been involved in over 150 clinical trials in the field of infectious disease.
Paul talks about the importance of having reputable sources of information that can used to encourage people to understand what is involved in clinical trials and the roles of vaccines.
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AHW Exhibitor: HPA Managing Director Shawn Wigham
Hospital Products Australia (HPA) exhibited at last week’s Australian Healthcare Week. Anne Dao spoke with Managing Director Shawn Wigham on the advanced equipment HPA supply, that combines technology and furnishings within the clinical setting.
