NSW Health WSLHD Safety & Quality Account 2020-21

The COVID-19 Vaccination Outreach Team and Mount Druitt NSP Service offered a walk-in vaccination clinic for clients, and provided incentives such as food vouchers, to encourage uptake of vaccination. The opportunistic clinic’s success was attributed to the collaborative model that utilised the expertise of the WSLHD COVID-19 Vaccination Outreach Team, support of peer workers and drug health workforce. A total of 35 PWID received vaccinations through the clinic. Implementation of the iDOSE system for Methadone dispensing at the Opioid Treatment Clinics across WSLHD The Opioid Treatment Clinic’s (OTP) one of the core businesses is the administration of Methadone or Suboxone for substance dependant patients. These medications belong to a category of high-risk medications and it is vital that the right medication and dose is administered to the right patient. In partnership with Digital Health Solutions, iDOSE was implemented across OTP clinics in WSLHD to improve the safe administration of Methdaone and Suboxone. The iDOSE system identifies clients by taking a digital photo of their iris before dispensing the methadone or suboxone dose. This technology has ensured the right client gets the right medication and dosage every time. There is no longer a need to rely on passport photos and information on paper file. The iDOSE system has also saved the time it required to administer the medication, enabling staff to focus on other patient needs. Provision of treatment to clients during the Pandemic The Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) clinics at WSLHD treats around 700 patients affected with substance use. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the clients were required to self-isolate at home. To ensure, continuity of treatment, the service had to organise alternative way of dosing. The service swiftly organised home dosing for all COVID positive and close contact clients. This involved preparation of home doses by pharmacists and delivery and administration by 2 nursing staff members with infection control protocols to ensure all clients received their daily medication, safely. 86 clients from Fleet Street OTP clinic, 70 clients from Mount Druitt OTP clinic and 81 clients from Blacktown OTP clinic were home dosed during 2021/2022. This enabled clients to isolate safely at home and resulted in avoidance of hospital admissions and potential serious/fatal outcomes for OTP clients.

Drug Health

WSLHD Drug Health service supports people in western Sydney with the management of alcohol, substance use and dependence. The focus of drug health services in 2021/2022 were continued safe delivery of services, access to COVID-19 vaccinations to clients and access to treatment whilst safely isolating at home. It was identified that despite the high vaccination rates among residents in WSLHD, less than 60% of People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) who attended the Mount Druitt Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) were vaccinated (NSP Survey: Sept-Oct 2021). Marginalised populations, such as PWID, often have complex pre-existing health conditions, social needs, and poor access to appropriate services during the pandemic that further increase their vulnerability to COVID-19. In response, WSLHD Public Health Unit (PHU) collaborated with Drug Health to integrate COVID-19 vaccination clinic within its NSP service. Opportunistic COVID-19 Vaccinations in the Needle and Syringe Program

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