Diabetes is the most common cause of potentially preventable hospitalisations in Logan, a rate 60 per cent higher than the national average. Admissions due to complications of Type 2 Diabetes represent a quarter (24 per cent) of all potentially preventable hospitalisations. Health and Wellbeing Queensland (HWQld) has joined a Queensland-first alliance with The University of Queensland (UQ), UQ Health Care, Metro South Health, Brisbane South Primary Health Network and Griffith University, to deliver diabetes care differently with an aim to reduce the burden of the disease on individuals, the community and the health system. HWQld is supporting a four-year pilot of a Health and Wellbeing Hub model – Logan Healthy Living.
This new model of care will see greater integration between primary care, community, hospital and social care, strengthening of the prevention workforce capacity and capability, and partnering with the communities to address cultural, social and economic factors contributing to the local social and health inequalities.
The program, focusing on physical activity, nutrition and wellbeing, is delivered by a student-infused allied health workforce in an environment of teaching and research complemented by Health and Wellbeing Queensland’s existing suite of prevention programs. Logan Healthy Living connects people living with or at risk of diabetes with community programs to provide social supports and improve overall wellbeing, keeping people well and out of hospital.
The solution of these Health and Wellbeing Hubs is to provide health equity through:
- integrating clinical prevention into Queensland's health system
- services are place based on community needs and target population
- collaboration by cross-departmental and cross-sectoral integration
- Health technologies such as Smart Hubs are utilised to support priority populations
- outcomes-based funding
