An independent evaluation of the Health Care Home (HCH) model established in New Zealand in 2011 has shown there are measurable positive benefits to patient experience, clinician satisfaction and delivery of care, although it is not yet showing any significant effect on levels of hospital admissions.
The evaluation was carried out by Ernst & Young (EY) on behalf of the so-called N4 Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) – ProCare, Compass Health, Pegasus and Pinnacle Midlands Health Network (PMHN) – with the latter having first customised the model for the NZ setting and implemented it in 15 practices in its region.
Adapted from the model developed by Group Health in Washington state in the US and set to be trialled in Australia, Health Care Homes are modelled around a team-based approach with the patient at the centre of care. The model uses a mixture of current and emerging technologies, including alternatives to face-to-face care such as telephone and email.
