HEALTH

THe link below is for a NSWCID factsheet that explains the various ways parents and carers can find the medical treatment and support they need for those they care for, and which is covered by Medicare.

Order/subscribe to NPS publications for consumers. All orders and subscriptions are free. Print materials are distributed to Australian addresses only.
You can:
- order useful tools and information to help you, your family and friends manage medicines
- subscribe to e-alerts, so you can read, download or forward the latest publication(s) from our website as soon as they are available
- subscribe to print publications, to get each edition mailed to your Available in English and other languages.

The 'healthdirect' Australia service is now available across NSW and provides a 24-hour hotline for people who need health advice.
The advice is delivered by highly skilled Registered Nurses who are supported by health triage software, a website and an up-to-date service directory of local facilities.
If people have a health concern and are unsure what to do next they can call healthdirect which will deliver important health information and help people make good choices about where to seek treatment and when. Calls to healthdirect Australia on landlines are free but mobile charges may apply.

The healthdirect Australia number is 1800 022 222.

Abbott Nutrition is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to discovering new medicines, new technologies and new ways to manage health. They provide enteral nutrition products and equipment and have offices in Sydney. Abbott Nutrition also employs a Clinical Nurse Consultant in their Home Nutrition Service, which is available at no additional charge to enterally fed people, their families and their carers, as well as supporting professionals in hospitals and the community.
Please call 0409 397 621 if you wish to access this service.
Blueprint has copies of Abbott Nutrition's 'Tube Feeding at Home' Manual. Please call (02) 4784 2323 if you would like a free copy.

General practitioners are central to the health management of people with a disability. In recent years, in recognition that the management of chronic and complex disease/conditions requires time and a coordinated approach from the GP, Medicare has introduced a number of different MBS Items such as health checks, management plans and case conferencing to enable this coordination. The new Medicare items provide a framework for GPs to assess the health of patients with a chronic and complex condition i.e. an intellectual or physical disability, and to identify medical treatment and preventative health care the patient needs.
If you think that a person with a disability would benefit from these items, raise it with the person’s GP who can decide if the person is eligible or not.
Counselling
In recent times Medicare Australia has introduced the Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative. Under this scheme, your GP has the opportunity to refer patients for subsidised counselling for many common psychological conditions such as depression and anxiety. There are certain criteria that have to be met, including the preparation of a Mental Health Plan and the ultimate decision whether you are eligible for counselling under this initiative rests with your GP.

Click for more information regarding the Enhanced Primary Care Plan, which enables Medicare claims for certain health services.

Disability Enterprises has put together a very informative DVD covering the many issues around Enteral Nutrition and tube-feeding.The DVD has been designed to assist individuals and families to become competent and confident with supporting people who require enteral nutrition, and can be used as a source of information and reassurance.
Cost is $30 for carers.
Call Disability Enterprises on 4784 1118 for more information

Information for parents of children with a disability

The Health Information Service will help you find up to date, quality information about health and wellbeing in easy to understand language.

1800 884 367

Contact Chronic and Complex Care Intake on 1800 013 101.

Kids Health actively promotes the health and safety of children. Kids Health aims to keep children fit, happy, safe and healthy through health promotion and education activities and by providing information to parents, carers, health professionals, students and the community.
Contact (02) 9845 3585

(02) 9832 1356

Men's Health Australia is Australia's primary source of information about the psychological and social wellbeing of men and boys. It has been developed in partnership with the Men's Health Information & Resource Centre (MHIRC) at the University of Western Sydney, the South Australian Men's Health Alliance (SAMHA) and the Australasian Men's Health Forum (AMHF).

Covers Penrith, Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains. A part time clinical service funded by Home and Community Care (HACC) for all age groups. The Continence Foundation brings this service to your home. Contact on (02) 8741 5699 or email: contfoundnsw@ozemail.com.au

Provides support to parents and carers at Westmead Hospital

To help young people move from child to adult health services