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West Moreton Hospital and Health Service partners with Philips to transform patient care and reduce readmission rates

Announcement posted by FleishmanHillard 11 Sep 2015

Strategic partnership focuses on providing optimised care for patients with multiple chronic diseases both in the hospital and the home
Sydney, Australia - West Moreton Hospital and Health Service and Queensland Health have signed a strategic partner agreement with Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG; AEX: PHI) to transform and improve healthcare to patients in the South East Queensland community who are suffering from complex multiple chronic diseases.
 
The strategic agreement is focused on implementing a new model of care that provides connected home care services, allowing for optimised care in the community and at home. It also represents a joint commitment to bring innovation to the field, using Philips technology and a global clinical evidence base to improve care delivery across the health continuum.
 
The partnership enables Queensland Health and WMHHS to continue to expand access to quality care and improve results for Queensland, providing a unique opportunity to bring about unprecedented change that will effectively target the highest need segment of the population resulting in fewer emergency department visits, reduced re-admissions and more patients living and recovering in a supported and monitored environment from the comfort of their homes.
 
West Moreton Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive, Ms Sue McKee, said the program aims to improve the quality of life for people living with chronic illnesses by connecting and tailoring home, community and hospital based care delivering major health, social and economic benefits to the people of Queensland.
 
“The burden of chronic illness on patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, taxpayers and the community is rising exponentially as our population ages,” Ms McKee said. “A significant proportion of our hospital resources are used to treat a small percentage of the population with multiple chronic conditions. By partnering with Philips the program will leverage our respective expertise to transform the current, largely ‘reactive’ model of care.”
 
Kevin Barrow, Managing Director Australia and New Zealand for Philips, said with Australia’s health systems facing increased pressure and complex demographic challenges a new approach to improved care delivery is required.
 
“Health systems need a trusted, dedicated partner that can bring deep health care and patient expertise, next to technology and resources that will help accelerate the transformation of their organisation and healthcare ecosystem,” Mr Barrow said. “Our partnership with West Moreton reinforces our strong commitment for long-term, strategic collaboration, allowing health systems to focus on what ultimately matters most – delivering better care to the people in their communities.”
 
 
For further information, please contact:
Albertine Schor
Corporate Communications
Tel: 0427 915 643
E-mail: albertine.schor@philips.com
 
 
About Royal Philips
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2014 sales of EUR 21.4 billion and employs approximately 106,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.
 
About West Moreton Hospital and Health Service
West Moreton Hospital and Health Service is an independent statutory authority, working within the Queensland Health framework as one of 16 Hospital and Health Services. West Moreton provides healthcare to a community of 260,000 people, which is forecast to increase by 77 per cent to 450,000 people by 2026. Our public hospital and health services include hospital facilities in Ipswich, Gatton, Boonah, Laidley and Esk; a full range of allied health services, dental services and a public health unit; screening and prevention services; and health services in correctional facilities.