In late 2025 Streamliners sought input from healthcare stakeholders across Australia on a proposed national approach to integrated care.

We invited healthcare professionals and wider stakeholders in the health and care sectors to share their views on a proposed national approach to integrated, localised care pathways. In our view, a shared national framework that supports local adaption would help address fragmentation and complexity within the Australian health system and shape the future of care in Australia.  A broad cross-section of clinicians and other health system professionals took part in the consultation process, responding to our Care Pathways Australia 2026-2030.

The below video from Rhonda Morton, Streamliners Director, Strategy and Partnerships (Australia) provides an overview of the opportunities that could be realised with a shared vision for a national care pathways structure thatconnects Australians to the right care, first time, every time.

‍

‍

Independent review of findings

A recently completed independent review of the Care Pathways Australia consultation has confirmed strong, cross-sector support for a nationally aligned approach to care pathways. Conducted by international management consultancy Nous Group, the review brings together feedback from clinicians, health services, policy leaders and consumer organisations across Australia.

Their collective message is clear - care pathways are vital infrastructure for delivering safer, fairer and more consistent care, but they cannot reach their full potential without stronger national direction, sustainable stewardship and better integration into everyday clinical practice.

Why care pathways matter

The Nous Group review emphasises that care pathways play an essential role in supporting clinicians to deliver evidence based, coordinated care across settings. Stakeholders see pathways as a practical way to reduce unwarranted variation, strengthen referral and escalation processes, and improve outcomes for priority populations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people in rural and remote areas.

However, despite widespread use, pathways are currently developed and managed in different ways across jurisdictions. This variation limits their effectiveness as shared system infrastructure and results in duplication, uneven quality and reduced clinician confidence.

‘Care pathways are extremely helpful for the healthcare system… they are immediately applicable to the management of care of an individual patient at the point of consultation.’
- Health practitioner, Victoria, Australia

What stakeholders said

Survey responses and submissions reflected strong consensus on the need to elevate the role of pathways nationally. More than 90% of respondents agreed that pathways should play a central role in the future of Australian healthcare. They also stressed that without action, the system risks continued fragmentation, widening inequities and missed opportunities to support clinicians working under significant workforce pressures.

‘Without integrated pathways, those with least system literacy (including many priority populations) will continue to face the highest barriers to care.’
- Health practitioner and assistant professor, Queensland

Stakeholders also pointed to the growing importance of digital integration. Care pathways, they argued, must be usable within existing clinical workflows, not accessed as standalone reference tools. Many also noted the opportunity for AI-enabled support - if underpinned by high-quality, governed content.

Key findings from the review

The review identified several system‑wide constraints and opportunities:

- Variation across regions and sectors limits impact, with parallel development and inconsistent quality assurance.

- Governance and funding are fragmented and short term, relying heavily on discretionary effort or individual champions

- Pathways are not well integrated into clinical workflows, reducing their influence on real-time decision-making.

- Clear national direction is needed, supported by consistent definitions, principles and expectations for quality and use.

- Sustainable stewardship and funding are essential to ensure pathways remain current, trusted and effective.

The review concludes with seven recommendations, including establishing a national position on care pathways, clarifying roles across system levels, recognising pathways as shared infrastructure and embedding them into real-time clinical workflows. It also calls for consistent outcome focused success measures to guide learning and track value.

For more information, email engagement@streamliners.com