In the inaugural year of the award initiative, in addition to recognising 25 individuals, Telstra Health recognised the team responsible for the ‘First Nations Dermatology Service – Telehealth’, who has introduced a new digital process for the delivery of health care to First Nations peoples and improved health outcomes for populations who have reduced access to care.
The First Nations Dermatology Service – Telehealth was funded via a non-conditional grant from Janssen Pharmaceuticals, delivered to the Service through The Royal Melbourne Hospital Foundation. With no other service like this in Australia, it’s creating positive change to the health outcomes of First Nations peoples by providing access to specialist dermatology services regardless of their location in Australia. The Service provides culturally sensitive and safe care, and actively removes barriers to receiving care, by seeing patients at home or in their local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, with telehealth consultations for dermatologic conditions provided by Dr Crystal Williams. In addition, the Service provides access to an Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer to provide holistic care and service coordination. The dermatology team is also a pilot unit for the use of the Patient Health Hub at The Royal Melbourne Hospital, allowing patients greater access to their electronic medical record when they register to the Hub and improving communication.
This team is made up of medical professionals and support staff, including:
• Dr Crystal Williams – Service Co-Founder and Consultant Dermatologist, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, & visiting Staff Specialist, Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospitals
• Dr Vanessa Morgan – Service Co-Founder and Acting Head of Unit, Dermatology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital
• Dr Rebecca Dunn – Dermatologist, Victorian Aboriginal Health Service and The Royal Melbourne Hospital
• Gabrielle Ebsworth – Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer, The Royal Melbourne Hospital
• Barbara Ioppi – Head of Telehealth Services, The Royal Melbourne Hospital
• Kate Scholtens – Dermatology Office Manager, The Royal Melbourne Hospital
Source: Telstra Health – 2021 Brilliant Women in Digital Health (Direct Extract)