Specialist launches new app to tackle health care ‘teething issues’

Passionate about helping NDIS and mental health participants to reach their goals, a Toowoomba occupational therapist has launched a new digital platform to target key issues health specialists and clients are facing.

When Alice Curtis was a teenager she recalls visiting her friend in hospital and witnessing first-hand how much of a difference an occupational therapist made for her friend.

The interaction inspired Ms Curtis to pursue the career herself, and after opening her own Toowoomba clinic in 2021, she discovered how many issues NDIS and mental health patients face on their health journey.

Occupational therapist Alice Curtis (centre), pictured with clients Lucia (left) and Prue Smith, has developed Link Me Digital Health – a digital platform aiming to revive holistic healthcare. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Passionate about addressing these needs, the now 31-year-old has launched an exciting new initiative called Link Me Digital Health – a digital platform which securely stores a client’s healthcare history, while improving communication and collaboration between different healthcare specialists.

“When the NDIS was rolled out in Toowoomba there were teething issues which was always going to be the case, but our participants and providers are still facing the same stressors and challenges,” Ms Curtis said.

“These issues range from specialist wait times, transient providers or multidisciplinary teams with little handovers and the burden placed on clients to constantly relay their healthcare information, all of which has a direct impact on participants being able to reach their goals.

“It can be really draining and exhausting when you have to relay this information all the time, especially when it’s mental-health related.”

Occupational therapist Alice Curtis (right), pictured with client Lucia Smith, has developed Link Me Digital Health – a digital platform aiming to revive holistic healthcare. Picture: Kevin Farmer

After three years of working on the platform which includes an app for patients and web-based technology for healthcare providers, Ms Curtis officially launched the program on Monday. The occupational therapist said the platform also gave participants direct control and stored their information more securely than the alternative method over email.

Link Me Digital Health also allows specialists to communicate directly through the platform.

A free trial version is available for participants and providers and share feedback. The final version will be offered to patients at no cost while providers will be charged $14.99 per month or $149 per year.

For more information visit linkmehealth.com.au