Mrs Erin Passfield1, Ms Louise Moodie2, Mr Kieran McInnes2, Ms Philippa Munro2
1Mackay Hospital and Health Service, Moranbah, Australia, 2Mackay Hospital and Health Service, Mackay, Australia
Biography:
Erin Passfield is an Allied Health Team Leader in rural Queensland, overseeing a multidisciplinary team across three public hospitals. A dietitian by background, she is passionate about workforce sustainability, service innovation, and improving allied health access in rural and remote communities.
Abstract:
Purpose:
This presentation examines two telehealth models addressing workforce shortages and enhancing capability in a rural/remote allied health (AH) team delivering services across three public hospitals in Queensland (MM4-6).
Scope:
Speech pathology and dietetic telehealth models were piloted in 2024. The first model used metro- and regionally based speech pathologists to deliver telehealth services into homes and host sites during staff vacancies. The second enabled rural (MM 6) dietitians to provide telehealth services to a regional hospital as an upskilling strategy. Evaluation included waitlist analysis and qualitative clinician feedback.
Issue:
Rural workforce shortages result in delayed or inaccessible AH services, particularly in solo generalist roles. Recruitment challenges lead to prolonged vacancies or positions being filled by early-career clinicians requiring rapid upskilling.
Outcomes:
The speech pathology model ensured service continuity by providing telehealth to patients who would otherwise face prolonged wait times, while supporting the local workforce through leadership, supervision, and quality improvement functions delivered virtually.
The dietetic model facilitated upskilling of early-career clinicians to manage a rural generalist caseload, while assisting with regional hospital capacity demands, reducing waiting times for paediatric patients. Clinicians reported increased clinical exposure and confidence through access to more complex caseloads. This model strengthens the rural workforce while addressing waitlist pressures.
Leveraging telehealth models as a workforce strategy has supported critical AH functions, optimised workforce capacity and capability and enhanced service access. These models demonstrate a scalable, sustainable approach to strengthening AH service delivery amid workforce instability.