Australia (Commonwealth)_Access Elemental, a social prescribing company based in Derry, has secured a contract in Australia to contribute to addressing long-term health challenges in a remote community. The company has partnered with health organization Nib Group to implement a digital social prescribing platform in Bourke, New South Wales, an outback region located nearly 800 km northwest of Sydney. Approximately one-third of Bourke’s population is Aboriginal, and the community faces significant logistical challenges, needing to travel at least 400 km to access major hospital or health services.
The contract, the financial details of which remain undisclosed, underscores Access Elemental’s commitment to leveraging technology for social prescribing to enhance community health. The initiative, known as the Bourke Pathways program, aims to utilize Access Elemental’s platform to improve overall community health and alleviate pressure on public health and allied services in the region.
Social prescribing is a healthcare model that involves referring individuals to various support sources to enhance their well-being. These sources may include activities such as debt advice, social welfare legal support, fitness classes, gardening clubs, befriending services, and healthy cooking programs. Access Elemental’s software, tailored for use by general practitioners, social workers, and mental health practitioners, facilitates the efficient referral of individuals to appropriate services within their communities while enabling the tracking of their progress.
Jennifer Neff, co-founder and managing director of Access Elemental, emphasized the importance of addressing social determinants like housing, access to health services, and community connections for better health outcomes. Neff noted that the technology developed by Access Elemental streamlines the referral process, utilizing existing networks to connect individuals with the right services and monitoring their progress. With a decade of experience, the company has witnessed substantial improvements in health outcomes and cost savings to healthcare systems.
Access Elemental’s social prescribing platform has been in use since 2017, serving various entities such as local authorities, GP practices, mental health trusts, housing associations, and higher education institutions. The platform has gained traction for its effectiveness in fostering community well-being.
Nib Group, a health, wellness, and global travel insurance company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange with a market capitalization of $A3.5 billion, has been actively engaged in population health management programs. The company has previously collaborated with New Zealand Māori iwi (tribes) to address long-term health issues and reduce hospital admissions using managed health methods. The Bourke program marks Nib Group’s pioneering effort in Australia, focusing on the health and well-being of a community where approximately 30% of the population is Aboriginal, significantly higher than the national average of 3%.
Roslyn Toms, Nib Group’s Head of Sustainability, Group Executive Legal, and Chief Risk Officer, emphasized the importance of bringing innovative support to communities in need, especially in regions with particular health challenges. Toms highlighted the collaboration with Access Elemental, combining global expertise with local insights to address health issues endemic to remote locations in Australia.
Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI), an economic development agency, has been supporting Access Elemental since its inception 11 years ago. Grainne McVeigh, Invest NI’s Director of Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, commended Access Elemental’s breakthrough into the Australian market, attributing it to the innovative solutions developed by the company and the broader innovation landscape in the North West. McVeigh expressed pride in the agency’s role in supporting Access Elemental’s growth, encompassing research and development (R&D) assistance, expert advice, and guidance to expand its exports into new markets.
In 2021, Elemental Software, now a part of the Access Group, witnessed substantial growth across the UK and the island of Ireland. The company’s technology has been widely adopted in Northern Ireland by organizations such as housing associations and healthcare trusts. Access Elemental’s global reach and success in securing the Australian contract highlight its continued commitment to advancing social prescribing solutions on a global scale. As the company works to deliver this significant contract for the Bourke Pathways program, the entire Access Elemental team receives well-wishes from Invest NI and the broader professional community.
