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CONTACT DETAILS
Hours: Mon - Fri, 8.30am - 5:30pm
Location: Anne Caudle Centre campus
Phone: (03) 5454 6971
Fax: (03) 5454 7050
Email: harpcdm@bendigohealth.org.au
MISSION
Our mission is to create an integrated, effective and sustainable chronic disease and complex needs program, which provides the right care in the right setting, to reduce avoidable hospital admissions and contributes to better health outcomes for Victorians.
The HARP program is a service to support people with chronic and complex illness to reduce avoidable hospital admissions, emergency department use and improve quality of life. HARP provides a co-ordinated team approach to managing people with complex care needs. The HARP team is made up of a number of health professionals, such as specialist nursing, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, psychologist, social worker and others.
The HARP program was established to:-
- To reduce emergency department presentations and hospital admissions
- Increase the capacity of local health services
- Improve patients quality of life
It assesses and treats the needs of chronically ill people who suffer from illnesses such as:
- Chronic respiratory disease
- Asthma, including paediatric asthma
- Chronic heart disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetes, including gestational diabetes
- Complex aged care
- Complex psychosocial needs
Bendigo Health is the major tertiary hospital and major referral centre in the Loddon Mallee region. Patients with chronic diseases are referred from throughout this region. Bendigo Health's HARP program services the area within a one hour travel time from central Bendigo. However, it is planned to hold outreach clinics on a regular basis in outlaying towns in the near future.
Referral Process
Bendigo Health Referral Centre accepts referrals from inpatient services, hospital outpatient and ambulatory services, general practitioners, allied health and self referrals. The preferred referral method is via the SCTT form, although Medical Director summary templates from GPs are accepted. Basic demographic information is required including full name, date of birth, contact details including address and telephone number, gender, GP details, consultant details if applicable, and the medical condition/reason for referral.
Referrals may be sent via post to Bendigo Health, PO Box 126, Bendigo 3552 or faxed to the Bendigo Health Referral Centre on (03) 5454 7099.
Also see:
Links to other departments:
Links to websites:
Department of Human Services - HARP
Governance and Management
HARP encourages the ongoing growth of partnerships between health and community service providers. Local alliances work together under a governance structure supported by key stakeholders. Executive sponsors demonstrate strong leadership and shared commitment to ensure the objectives of HARP are met and sustainable change is achieved. The working relationship between the partners is a collaborative endeavour which aims at integrating appropriate services effectively.
Bendigo's HARP Program partners include:
- Lead agency: Bendigo Health Care Group (BHCG)
- Business partners: Bendigo Community Health Services (BCHS)
Central Vic Division of General Practitioners (CVDGP) - Other key partners: Bendigo Loddon Primary Care Partnerships (BLPCP)
St John of God Hospital Bendigo (SJOG)
City of Greater Bendigo (CoGB)
The Care Co-ordination Model
* Care co-ordination
The term "care co-ordination" has been used as the generic term for the multitude of co-ordinating roles required for people with chronic and complex needs. This includes case management, care management, service coordination and key worker roles. It is understood that the intensity of care co-ordination will vary depending on the client's needs. In some instances clients may need significant input from the care co-ordinator while others may need more emphasis on referral to appropriate services. The decision to use one generic term has been made to create consistency across HARP and in recognition of the fluctuating and diverse needs of clients.