What is available?
Primary Health Tasmania has commissioned a range of providers to provide this service, which aims to contribute to improved health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic health conditions through access to:
- care coordination – qualified health workers help people access the services they need in line with GP care plans
- supplementary services – a funding pool which can be used to speed up a care coordination client’s access to urgent allied health or specialist services, where they aren’t publicly available in a clinically acceptable timeframe
- outreach workers – non-clinical staff with strong links to the community who help people access culturally appropriate services.
Karadi Aboriginal Corporation has also been commissioned to deliver the social marketing initiative, Deadly Choices, across the state.
Who is eligible?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of any age who are living with a chronic health condition. Priority is given to those with complex chronic care needs requiring input from various health professionals.
Where is it available?
This service is available to people statewide, with the following providers operating in each region (see below for contact details):
- South
- Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre and Aboriginal Health Service - Hobart (across the south)
- Karadi Aboriginal Corporation (Brighton, Clarence, Glenorchy, Hobart and Kingborough (Kingston))
- South East Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation (Huon Valley and Kingborough local government areas)
- North
- Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre and Aboriginal Health Service - Launceston (across the north)
- Flinders Island Aboriginal Association Inc (Flinders Island)
- North west
- Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre and Aboriginal Health Service - Burnie (across the north west)
- Rural Health Tasmania - No. 34 Aboriginal Health Service (across the north west)
- Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation (Circular Head local government area).
Not all services are physically delivered in every local community, but eligible people in the areas indicated have access to some level of service. This could be face to face or through other means such as phone support. Speak to the service providers for more information.
Who can make a referral?
Care coordination services are provided on referral from a GP.
If someone doesn't have a regular GP, they may make direct contact with the service provider and a care coordinator can arrange an appointment for referral.
How much does it cost?
This service is free to eligible people where service capacity exists.
Is there a related Tasmanian HealthPathway?
Yes. Health professionals can log in to the Tasmanian HealthPathways portal and search Integrated Team Care, under Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health.