Our Work
Building better care
The Hybrid Virtual Memory Clinic has been developed through research, clinical collaboration and local partnerships to test new ways of delivering specialist memory services closer to home.
Pilot to practice
Testing a new way to deliver care
hVMC began as a pilot in Echuca, Victoria, testing a new way to bring specialist memory assessment closer to regional communities.
Since then, the model has continued to grow, shaped by feedback from patients, carers, clinicians and local health teams.
A model people valued
Feedback from patients and carers showed the model was valued, with people reporting a positive experience and feeling respected, informed and involved in care.
Patients
Carers
Had a positive experience overall
Felt they were treated with dignity and respect
Felt actively involved in care decision
Received adequate information about diagnosis
From idea to implementation
The hVMC model has developed over time, shaped by research, community feedback and the lessons learned from each new site.
Expansion to new sites
The model is set to be implemented at two further sites - Yorke and NorthPHN, SA and Gippsland, VIC - expanding access to early diagnosis and post-diagnostic support to even more regional communities.
Orange clinic launch
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MRFF funding secured
Professors Sharon Naismith and Lee-Fay Low, alongside the project's chief and associate investigators, secured funding through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) to expand the model to three new sites across regional Australia.
Echuca clinic resumes
Following a period of hiatus, the clinic resumed operations at Echuca Regional Health.
First regional launch
The clinic launched at Echuca Regional Health, marking the first implementation of the model in a regional setting.
National co-design process
We conducted a national co-design process involving over 50 stakeholders from across Australia, including researchers, clinicians, dementia advocates, people living with dementia, carers, policy makers, and primary health networks. Together, we developed a model of care for early diagnosis and post-diagnostic support in regional areas. This work was funded through the Australian Dementia Network, with support from the Australian Government's Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. The co-design process and resulting model have been published - Read more.