A new Integrated Team Care Program to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in western New South Wales has begun.
The federal government-funded initiative is designed to increase the capacity and capabilities of 11 Aboriginal Medical Services (AMSs) to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with chronic health conditions in NSW's far west.
The program will increased access to care coordination, multidisciplinary care, and support for self-management, as well as improving access to culturally appropriate mainstream primary care services.
Commissioned by Western NSW Primary Health Network, the revised Integrated Team Care Program replaces the existing version of the program, which was funded until 31 December, 2022.
Western NSW Primary Health Network chief executive Andrew Coe, said the new era of ITC delivery in the region presents a powerful opportunity to enhance program delivery and improve patient care outcomes.
"We are very excited that the revised ITC Program is giving us the opportunity to support the enhancement of capacity and capability in our region's AMSs and deliver even better health outcomes for Indigenous people living with chronic disease in Western NSW," Mr Coe said.
From January 1, Western NSW Indigenous residents attending their local Aboriginal Medical Service to access care for their chronic health condition will be provided with on-site care through the revised ITC program.
Mr Coe said the program reduces challenges associated with accessing healthcare for chronic conditions.
"Living with a chronic health condition is a huge challenge in itself," he said.
"The ITC Program removes the challenge of navigating an on often tricky health system to help local Indigenous people get the appropriate care they need, when and where they need it."
Information and regular updates regarding the Integrated Team Care Program are available on the Western New South Wales Primary Health Network website.
Integrated Team Care Program Aboriginal Medical Service providers
- Orange Aboriginal Medical Service
- Yoorana Gunya Family Healing Centre Aboriginal Corporation
- Condobolin Aboriginal Health Service
- Peak Hill Aboriginal Medical Service
- Dubbo Regional Aboriginal Health Service
- Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service
- Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service
- Brewarrina Aboriginal Health Service
- Bourke Aboriginal Health Service
- Maari Ma Primary Care Health Service
- Coomealla Health Aboriginal Corporation
