AUS HEARTS National Consensus Workshop 2026
Description
In Australia, hypertension is the leading modifiable risk factor for avoidable disability and premature death. Yet less than 40% of 7.2 million Australians with high blood pressure are managed effectively. The challenge is greater in rural communities, where people are more likely to have hypertension and less likely to be able to see a GP when needed.
The AUS HEARTS project aims to adapt the World Health Organisation HEARTS technical package for implementation in rural Australian primary care settings.
As part of this project, a quality improvement package will be developed to support implementation of the new guideline and best-practice hypertension management in rural communities.
The purpose of this workshop will bring together primary care stakeholders to develop an equity-focused quality improvement framework and establish consensus on quality indicators and benchmarks that are feasible, meaningful and appropriate for hypertension management in Australian primary care settings.
Workshop objectives
Establish consensus on an equity-focused quality improvement framework that includes a core set of quality indicators for the detection and management of hypertension in primary care settings.
Identify contextual factors specific to implementation in rural and remote primary care settings.
Strengthen engagement with Primary Health Networks and national stakeholders.
Travel bursaries
AUS HEARTS is pleased to offer up to 10 x travel bursaries of $500 each to support practicing rural primary care clinicians to attend the workshop. To express your interest, please email aus-hearts.study@sydney.edu.au and include your name, contact details, position/role and location.
CPD for health professionals
Primary Care Practitioners: This Consensus Workshop will constitute 6 hours of CPD.
Pharmacists: This Consensus Workshop is a Group 2 CPD activity as defined by the Pharmacy Board of Australia (CPD points = hours x 2).
A certificate of attendance will be provided on request following the event.
Host
This Workshop is hosted by AUS HEARTS in collaboration with our Partner Organisations:
Plus the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. NSW Health is represented by the Western NSW Local Health District and Far West Local Health District.
Indicative Agenda
- 9:30 am - 10:00 am
Registration and refreshments
- 10:00 am - 10:50 am
Opening session and setting the scene
Facilitator: Prof Brendan McCormack Welcome, Acknowledgement of Country, Overview of Agenda, Prof Brendan McCormack Update on National Hypertension Taskforce, Prof Markus Schlaich New Australian elevated blood pressure and hypertension guideline, Dr Dannii Dougherty Rural health context and clinical need, A/Prof Paul Lunney Overview of AUS HEARTS project, Dr Niamh Chapman
- 10:50 am - 12:10 pm
Interactive session 1: AUS HEARTS quality improvement package
Short presentations on the quality improvement approach for AUS HEARTS, early consultation findings and evidence on using quality indicators for hypertension management, Catherine Sanford, other presenters TBC. Table-based activities to determine key components of the AUS HEARTS quality improvement package.
- 12:10 pm - 12:40 pm
Lunch break
- 12:40 pm - 2:00 pm
Interactive session 2: Quality indicators for hypertension pharmacotherapy management
Short presentations and panel discussion on pharmacotherapy recommendations, Gautam Satheesh, Prof Markus Schlaich, Dr Chris Hayward. Facilitated by Dr Niamh Chapman. Table-based activities to determine quality indicators and appropriate benchmarks - assessing feasibility, relevance and acceptability.
- 2:00 pm - 2:15 pm
Afternoon tea break
- 2:15 pm - 3:30 pm
Interactive session 3: Quality indicators for identifying hypertension, follow-up and treatment initiation/intensification
Short presentations on blood pressure measurement, follow-up, diagnosis and treatment initiation, Dr Dean Picone, other presenters TBC. Table-based activities to determine quality indicators and appropriate benchmarks - assessing feasibility, relevance and acceptability.
- 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Wrap up and closing remarks
Contact Us
Have any questions? Please contact the team at aus-hearts.study@sydney.edu.au
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
RSVP
RSVP
