Greater Western Area Health Service (GWAHS) chief executive Dr Claire Blizard will launch the much-anticipated Practice Development Workshop at Dubbo today.

Practice development is a broad term used to describe the patient-centred approach and set of techniques used to enhance both patient and staff experience in the health-care system.

A total of 42 participants from across GWAHS will attend the workshop.

A recent review of practice development has identified a range of outcomes including:

n Increased effectiveness of services;

n Development of new services and better access to integrated care pathways;

n Improved patient experience and outcome;

n Greater teamwork; and

n Greater involvement in improving care projects.

Dr Blizard said GWAHS

was leading the way in rural NSW in relation to practice development.

“A strategic plan will be developed in conjunction with the University of Technology Sydney to assist with the two-year project of practice development implementation,” Dr Blizard said.

“The main aim is to improve the experience for the patient and we can do this by learning about better ways to provide patient-centred care and trying to change the traditional culture that is associated with health care,” she said.

The workshop will be held at the OEC Conference Centre with Dr Blizard to open proceedings at 8.45am.