News

NEW Patient Liaison Officer role

June 7, 2023

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 and 2021, many patients only visited their GPs for management of acute illness or to address urgent matters. People were focused on social distancing, PCR and RAT testing, and getting their Covid-19 vaccinations. Many patients put on hold their regular health checks and management of chronic diseases.

To help patients catch up on disease prevention and chronic disease management, Bulli Medical Practice is trialing the use of a Patient Liaison Officer role. Our current Practice Liaison Officers include Rebecca Jeffery, Brooke Hutchings, Lauren Hart and Rebecca Trevillian.

The Patient Liaison Officer will initiate conversations with patients as they arrive for their scheduled appointments. During these conversations, demographic details (such as home address, phone number and next of kin) are checked and updated to ensure accuracy.

They also discuss where the patient is up to with routine health screening (such as bowel cancer screening, skin cancer checks, and cervical screening). They also ask about any chronic disease management requirements and recommendations.

The Patient Liaison Officer then makes further appointments for the patient, if required, with either a Practice Nurse or their GP, to ensure their chronic condition is reviewed and managed appropriately.

Appointment types

The types of appointments the Patient Liaison Officer can help to identify and organise include:

• 75+ Health Assessment – Eligible patients can have annual assessment with no out of pocket expense (Medicare only).
• 45 – 49 years Health Assessment – Eligible patients can have one assessment with no out of pocket expense (Medicare only).
• 715 Health Check – Eligible indigenous patients can have these appointments every 9 months with no out of pocket expense (Medicare only).
• Chronic Disease Management Plan – eligible patients can have regular appointments to assist them to manage their chronic diseases. There is no out of pocket expense (Medicare only).
• Skin Checks – booked with GPs with a special interest in skin cancer medicine. Can be for an initial skin check and/or a follow up review. There are usually out of pocket fees associated with this appointment type.
• Cervical Screening – appointments are based on the National Cancer Screening recommendations and made with the patient’s regular GP. There are usually out of pocket fees associated with this appointment type.

The Patient Liaison Officer has an important role helping GPs and practices nurses to facilitate urgent appointments and referrals. They can also help patients to navigate complex health care pathways to access services and follow-up.
So don’t be alarmed if Rebecca, Brooke or Lauren approach you in the waiting room and invite you to meet privately to discuss your health screening and management.

We will monitor the effectiveness of this new role and value any comments via feedback@bullimedicalpractice.com.au.