RuralKidsGPS

An integrated paediatric care coordination service designed to support children and young people with chronic and complex health conditions living in rural and regional NSW. Adapted from the metropolitan KidsGPS model at SCHN, the service aimed to improve access to coordinated care, reduce unnecessary hospital use, and lessen the travel, disruption and out-of-pocket costs experienced by families.

The challenge

Children with medical complexity often require care from multiple professionals and services over long periods. For families living rurally, these services are frequently located in metropolitan centres, making access difficult and expensive.

Our approach

Family-centred care coordination model. Nurse care coordinators worked with families, local providers and tertiary services to develop shared care plans, strengthen self-management and improve integration between local and specialist care. Implemented across four rural Local Health Districts and evaluated using mixed methods.

Key goals

• Improve coordination of care for children with chronic and complex conditions.
• Reduce avoidable hospital admissions and ED presentations.
• Improve access to specialist and shared care for rural and regional families.
• Strengthen family experience, wellbeing and confidence in navigating care.
• Generate evidence on the value of rural paediatric care coordination.

Evaluation & impact

Found reductions across most hospital service use outcomes for enrolled children, including unplanned admissions, length of stay, ICU use, ventilation hours and high-priority ED presentations. Families reported improved access to care, better parental wellbeing and improved child quality of life.