We know that emergency departments are overwhelmed by high demand. In partnership with Flinders University, The Plug-in ran workshops in February 2023 with people aged 65+ to understand the ideal ways to access and receive urgent healthcare services.
Although from time-to-time health needs are an emergency, sometimes we need urgent medical attention for things such as falls, cuts or minor burns, sprains, joint or muscle pain which can be hard to access outside of a hospital setting.
In February, we heard your thoughts and ideas on receiving urgent healthcare and what these types of services could look like to improve experiences of older people and avoid long wait times at emergency departments.
What was involved?
The Plug-in hosted a series of three (3) large workshops in February 2023, south of metropolitan Adelaide. In these workshops we explored what:
- is most important to you about accessing and receiving healthcare services,
- the ideal urgent healthcare service should include for people aged 65+,
- the expertise required for a successful service, and
- what is important about the way it looks, sounds and feels like.
Workshops were 90-minutes and set up like casual classroom environment with 12-15 people per workshop. The Plug-in facilitators guided each table through the workshop activities and the insights gathered were extremely valuable.
The research findings were consolidated into a final key insights report for Flinders University.
There is no need to have direct health or medical experience to participate in this research, just a desire to be involved and help shape what urgent health services and options may look like in the future. We want to hear from you!
The Plug-in is supported by Flinders University to undertake this research which forms part of a larger Flinders University project to hear the experiences of people aged 65+ living in Southern metropolitan Adelaide and to understand preferences when it comes to receiving urgent care.
The findings from this research will ensure future healthcare services are tailored to older people and delivered in ways that better meet needs and improves health outcomes.
Participation in this project is voluntary. Personal information is not used or shared without express consent — you can read our privacy policy on the COTA SA website.
Your contribution will make a difference to the lives of older South Australians.
For further information please contact The Plug-in on (08) 8224 5526 or email connect@theplugin.com.au
