Cardiology services modelling

The problem

Te Manawa Taki region faced significant challenges in planning cardiology services due to rapidly changing demographics, including population growth, an aging population, and significant health disparities, particularly for Māori communities. The region's health infrastructure struggled to meet the increasing demand for cardiology services, exacerbated by geographic barriers, workforce shortages, and limited access to specialised care, leading to longer wait times impacting on outcomes for patients.

Our approach

Synergia was commissioned to develop provide data analysis to inform the plan to address these challenges:

Conducted a detailed assessment of current cardiology service delivery, population health needs, and system capacity across the region. This included analysing the disparities in access and outcomes, particularly for Māori.

Developed a Role Delineation Model (RDM) to assess the capacity of hospitals to deliver cardiology services. This model highlighted gaps in service provision and opportunities for network development.

Collaborated with regional health leaders, including Chief Operating Officers and Chief Medical Officers, to align service delivery models with projected demand and ensure equitable access to care.

Provided actionable recommendations to enhance cardiology service delivery, including expanding workforce capacity, improving service accessibility, and addressing infrastructure limitations in rural and underserved areas.

Benefits to the Client

Improved access to care: The plan identified key areas where service expansion or enhancement is needed, ensuring more equitable access to cardiology care across the region, especially for high-need populations such as Māori.

Strategic workforce planning: Recommendations for increasing workforce capacity, particularly in specialized roles, are set to address critical shortages and improve service delivery in both urban and rural areas.

Optimised resource allocation: By using the Role Delineation Model, the client can more effectively allocate resources, ensuring that each hospital provides appropriate levels of cardiology care, reducing the need for patient transfers and improving overall care efficiency.

Future-proofing healthcare delivery: The plan provides a roadmap for adapting to future demographic changes and growing service demand, ensuring that Te Manawa Taki’s cardiology services remain sustainable and effective in the long term.