Leading home care provider Silverchain has launched a free health service, to improve access to health services in the Frankston and Greater Dandenong regions, with the aim of reducing pressure on local hospitals.
The new ‘chronic care coordination service’ will be offered in Frankston and Greater Dandenong, enabling GPs to help eligible patients and reduce the number of presentations at hospital emergency departments, particularly after hours.
The service is funded by the South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN), through the Australian Government’s PHN Program.
Silverchain’s Executive Director Victoria Carolyn Bell said the service was being offered through referrals from GPs and pharmacists for adults in the Frankston and Greater Dandenong area who had two or more chronic conditions – such as diabetes, cancer, back problems or heart and lung conditions – and who were at risk of hospitalisation or presentation at an Emergency Department for non-critical conditions.
“This chronic care coordination service is about empowering people, so they have the confidence and ability to play a more proactive role in managing their condition,” Carolyn said.
“Ultimately, we want to see our community stay in better health and spend a lot less time in hospitals.
“Our service will also help to free up time for GPs who are under enormous pressure to meet an overwhelming demand for primary health care.
“We will work in partnership with eligible patients to provide care coordination depending on their health care needs, for up to three months.”
