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We respect the Ngunnawal people of this region as the Traditional Custodians and cultural knowledge holders of this land.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain images, names and voices of people who have passed away.
In the ACT, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people present with complex and multiple chronic conditions. For any person living with one or more chronic diseases, navigating the healthcare system, affording the necessary medical care, and developing the necessary level of health literacy can make self-management and living well with chronic illness an unapproachable goal. We know that statistically the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community are disproportionately affected by chronic illness, as well as facing higher disparities in socioeconomic measures like income equality and access to higher education institutions. These factors, in conjunction with intergenerational traumas relating directly to the medical system, can make finding and attending quality health care services and managing chronic illness inaccessible to our First Nations populations.
As a measure to improve closing the gap in Indigenous health, Capital Health Network support both Grand Pacific Health and Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services to facilitate the Integrated Team Care (ITC) program in the ACT with funding from the Australian Government Department of Health Indigenous Australians’ Health Program.
The ITC program has two central functions:
- Care coordination services, delivered by qualified health care workers, to assist with client education, chronic disease self-management, client advocacy and support, and implementation of care plans. The Care Coordinator works closely with the patient, their family, GP, Practice Nurse, Allied Health Practitioners, and specialists involved in their care.
- Supplementary service, some limited funding is allocated to assist patients to access urgent or essential health services and medical equipment that are not otherwise affordable or available in a clinically acceptable time frame. This funding can be used towards the cost of specialist and allied health services (including consultation fees, transport to and from appointments, and certain approved medical aids), in accordance with the patient’s care plan. Access to funding is arranged by the Care Coordinator following referral, triage and assessment.
GPs can refer patients to the ITC program if the patient would benefit from assistance with management of their chronic disease(s) to improve health outcomes. Priority is given to patients with complex chronic care needs who require multidisciplinary, coordinated care.
Winnunga’s ITC program is specifically funded to service their patient cohort.
Referrals for mainstream general practice: please contact Grand Pacific Health Integrated Care Intake team on 1800 879 096 or (02) 4448 2200.