Please note this activity funding ceased 31 December 2024.
Our impact
61
Program participation in all three 3 PHN areas in WA, including 12 from Country WA, 19 from Perth North and 30 from Perth South.
686
COVID-19 targeted activities including 168 pop-up clinics, 141 home visits (RACHs), 219 home visits (individuals’ home) and 158 Non-Medicare reimbursement.
4557
COVID-19 vaccinations delivered to vulnerable community members.
The Australian Government provided Primary Health Networks with funding to support and coordinate local solutions that enable the delivery of COVID-19 vaccinations to vulnerable populations who cannot access or have difficulty accessing the vaccine through existing mechanisms.
COVID-19 targeted activities aimed to support primary care vaccine administrators in providing equitable access to COVID-19 vaccinations for all Western Australians, with a focus on the vulnerable community members in their region.
Target areas included:
- Kimberley: Derby – West Kimberley, Broome
- Pilbara: Port Hedland
- Midwest: Greater Geraldton
- South West: Bunbury, Murray, Collie
- Great Southern: Albany
- Metro: Armadale, Gosnells, Wanneroo, Swan, Stirling
The initiatives under the COVID-19 Primary Care Vaccination Program aimed to enhance the primary health system and improve community health outcomes, aligning with WAPHA’s cultural competency framework.
The Program provided immunisers with the opportunity to support vulnerable individuals who cannot access vaccinations through usual channels, such as housebound individuals or those facing significant challenges in attending vaccination centres during routine business hours. The Program also addressed the disadvantages faced by vulnerable populations in Australia in accessing vaccines and attending vaccination sites at both general practices and community pharmacies.
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- The success of the funding model allowed COVID-19 vaccination providers to establish, test, and conduct COVID-19 activities such as pop-up clinics & home visits conducted off site or outside of usual service delivery to increase free access and uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations for vulnerable populations. In addition to this, the Program provided:
- An increase in access to vulnerable populations, their families, and other community members.
- Clients were offered option to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines simultaneously (when eligible i.e co-administration with flu vaccine).
- Immunisers pursued sustainability of a suitably qualified workforce with the necessary program approvals to promote and deliver COVID-19 vaccinations.
COVID- 19 vaccination home visits, pop-up clinics & non-Medicare card holder vaccination.
Our Program Participants:
- 31 general practice
- 26 pharmacy
- 2 Aboriginal medical services
- 2 Local Government (local council)
Total vaccinations delivered to vulnerable community members: 4557
- Homebound = 202
- Remote/rural = 24
- Culturally and linguistically diverse = 102
- Aged and disability workers = 24
- Children 5-11 = 19
- People experiencing homelessness = 111
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other vulnerable groups = 722
- RACH residents = 3331
- Non-Medicare = 22
Total COVID-19 targeted activities: 686
- 168 pop-up clinics
- 141 home visits (residential aged care homes)
- 219 home visits (individuals home)
- 158 Non-Medicare reimbursement
What is Quality Improvement (QI)?
Quality improvement is a systematic, ongoing activity to improve the quality of care and services that primary care providers deliver.
When instigating a change, looking at it as a whole of organisation quality improvement activity can help break it down and make it seem more achievable.
How to get started
- Identify and consider several ideas for improvement to deliver COVID-19 vaccinations to vulnerable populations
- Set SMART goals that are Specific, Measured, Achievable, Relevant and Timed.
Quick links
- Template– Quality Improvement (QI) PLAN-DO-STUDY-ACT (PDSA)
- Guide to documenting a Quality Improvement activity as a PDSA
- Practice Assist webpage – Quality Improvement Toolkit (can be used by all primary care providers)
Need help?
For general practices in Western Australia, WAPHA’s Practice QI Coaches can help you with QI.
For pharmacy or other primary health care providers, please feel free to access WAPHA’s – Quality Improvement Toolkit (Practice Assist) here.
Alternatively, call our Practice Assist team on 1800 2 277 478 or email practiceassist@wapha.org.au for assistance.
For further information on our COVID–19 Vaccination Support Program, please visit our COVID-19 Vaccination & Resources page.