For Patients and Visitors
What is the Service?
The Access and Support program offers individual support to eligible persons who require assistance assessing services due to barriers experience because of their diverse needs.
The program is focused on the following areas
- People from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Culture
- People from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
What can I expect from the service?
The program offers:
- information and support about the services that can help you remain living at home
- form a link a between you/your carer and service providers
- help for you to engage with the assessment service (My Aged Care)
- understanding about your cultural needs
How much does it cost?
The program is free
Contact us
All referrals are welcome and anyone can refer. The Commonwealth and Victorian Government funds Social Support and criteria for the program is based on these guidelines.
For People aged under 65 (or people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Background under 50
- Contact Northern Health Community Access on 9495 3443 between the hours of 9am–5pm Monday to Friday.
For People aged over 65 (or people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Background under 5
-
- Contact My Aged Care website and request the Northern Health Service as Commonwealth Home Support Program.
- Contact the email address Aboriginal.CHSP@nh.org.au or multicultural.CHSP@nh.org.au
To enquire about your referral: 9495 3443
Other information:
Charter of Care Recipients’ Rights and Responsibilities- Home Care
Please see the following web link to access this information in English and other languages.
Advocacy:
We are most happy to have a family member, friend or formal advocate involved in your care or assist in accessing our service.
Contact Numbers for Advocacy Services
Organisation | Phone Number |
Elder Rights Advocacy | 1800 700 600 |
The Office of the Public Advocate | (03) 9603 9500 or 1800 136 829 |
Complaints or concerns:
We are most happy to manage any concerns you may have directly with the Program Manager, our Patient Experience Unit or via the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner. You can also email the organisation directly via the webpage.
Organisation | Phone Number | |
Northern Health Patient Experience | Available 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) | Phone: 03 9495 3229 |
Australian Aged Care Complaints Commissioner | 1800 550 552 | |
The Aged Care Ombudsman | (03) 9613 6222 or 1800 806 314 | |
The Equal Opportunity Board Commissioner | (03) 9281 7100 or 1800 134 142 | |
Office of the Health Services Commissioner | (03) 8601 5200 or 1800 136 066 |
For Health Professionals
Service Overview
The Access and Support program offers individual support to eligible persons who require assistance assessing services due to barriers experience because of their diverse needs.
The program is focused on the following areas
- People from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Culture
- People from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
The program offers:
- information and support about the services that can help you remain living at home
- form a link a between you/your carer and service providers
- help for you to engage with the assessment service (My Aged Care)
- understanding about your cultural needs
- we will contribute to your clients care plan
- time limited to 12 weeks
Inclusion criteria:
Participants must meet Commonwealth Home Support Guidelines (CHSP) and be assessed by My Aged Care as eligible.
Exclusion criteria:
CHSP services cannot be offered:
- To permanent residents of residential aged care facilities
- Where a residents accommodation contract provides for similar services to those under CHSP (some disability accommodation/lifestyle providers)
How to Refer:
For People aged under 65 (or people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Background under 50
- Contact Northern Health Community Access on 9495 3443 between the hours of 9am–5pm Monday to Friday.
For People aged over 65 (or people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Background under 5
-
- Contact My Aged Care website and request the Northern Health Service as Commonwealth Home Support Program.
- Contact the email address Aboriginal.CHSP@nh.org.au or multicultural.CHSP@nh.org.au
To enquire about your referral: 9495 3443
Pre-referral guidelines available at:
Commonwealth Home Support Programme Programme Manual 2018
Alternative Services: Review the My Aged Care Website and discover alternative groups in the area
Enquiries:
Contact Community Access on: 9495 3443
CHSP is Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health.