Providing HIV Management for People in Rural and Remote Areas: a WA Health Excellence Award Finalist

Everything we do at EMHS is done so with our community in mind, including delivering health care services that are responsive to the needs of some of the most isolated individuals in WA.

The RPH Rural and Remote HIV Service was recently recognised as a finalist in the 2019 WA Health Excellence Awards for overcoming unique challenges to accessing healthcare in some rural and remote communities. This program delivers a service that is equivalent to healthcare received in metropolitan Perth, and to internationally recognised standards.

The RPH Rural and Remote service commenced in 1998 following an increase in patients diagnosed with HIV in rural areas.

A clinical nurse specialist is responsible for facilitating the provision of care through a combination of visiting specialist clinics, local physicians, and the increasing use of Telehealth and Videocall appointments. Supply and delivery of medications is also facilitated.

Since being introduced, a total of 450 patients have been enrolled in this service, including 330 in remote regions with the provision of HIV care to many isolated patients successfully achieved.