In 2016, funding was granted to expand the vestibular service to include onsite First Point of Contact (FPOC) Vestibular Physiotherapy and Vestibular Diagnostic Audiology. Within three short years, the staffing full time positions have multiplied significantly and the team won the 2018 Metro South Board Chair's Award for 'Delivering Our Values: Unleash Potential'.
Turning spinning into winning: expanding the Vestibular Service at Logan Hospital
Summary
Aim
1. Reduce Ear Nose and Throat and Neurology wait times for patients with vertigo and/or vestibular disorders
2. Facilitate timely discharge for inpatients with vertigo
3. Create a more sustainable workforce by offering specialised pre-registration student placements.
Benefits
Patients have benefited greatly from expansion of this specialised service. This has been exemplified by positive unprompted consumer feedback. See attached document, "The Pulse" (final page, bottom left): "I have had several appointments with the ENT Physio for troublesome vertigo and she has done wonders! Her methods are gentle, but very effective. Her manner cannot be faulted - she has improved my life!! I am very grateful for this free service. Top marks to the Logan Outpatients ENT Clinic. The girls in reception are excellent too! Thank you, Betty"
Another benefit is the income generation of these vestibular clinics. In 2017-2018, the clinics generated 35.66 Queensland Weighted Activity Unit (QWAU) with only 1.2 FTE of HP staff. The team reached their target and secured recurrent funding for the vestibular staff.
Expansion of first point of contact vestibular physio and diagnostic audiology. Within 3 years the FTE has expanded and has won a Board Chair award. Clinical redesign, new secondary pathway, consultancy service for inpatients, pioneer permanent vestibular physios, first hospital in Qld to create a specialised pre-preregistration vestibular physio student placement.
Background
In 2016, funding was granted to expand the vestibular service to include onsite First Point of Contact (FPOC) Vestibular Physiotherapy and Vestibular Diagnostic Audiology. Within three short years, the staffing full time positions have multiplied significantly and the team won the 2018 Metro South Board Chair's Award for 'Delivering Our Values: Unleash Potential'.