Aboriginal Chronic Care CPAP Clinic – improved access to CPAP equipment and culturally safe care

BACKGROUND:

The previous Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) CPAP model of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities was fragmented with multiple appointments across different sites, delays between trial and permanent equipment allocation and lacked cultural support.

These factors reduced engagement, delayed treatment, and increased per-client costs for the Integrated Team Care (ITC) program.

AIM/ CLINICAL INTERVENTION

The SLHD Aboriginal Chronic Care Team partnered with SLHD Sleep clinician to design, develop and implement a culturally safe, streamlined model of care that provides:

1. Cultural support

2. Increased client participation in CPAP therapy

3. Reduced timeframe from referral to CPAP initiation

4. Reduced average cost per person accessing CPAP therapy

5. Access to a sleep specialist review as required

REFERRAL CRITERIA:

• Lives within SLHD catchment
• Obstructive sleep apnoea diagnosis 
• Identifies as Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander
• GP management plan

REFERRAL PATHWAY:

Referral directly from GP/ sleep physician/ self (for those already on CPAP therapy) to:

https://www.slhd.nsw.gov.au/ACRS/form/RIC_Referral_Form.pdf

OUTCOME FROM NEW MODEL OF CARE:

This service partnership has demonstrated:

Increased client engagement

Reduced wait time for CPAP therapy

Reduced equipment cost per patient