Access and Support

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

 

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.

Email: feedback@nh.org.au

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

 

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.