The Integrated Team Care (ITC) program is now so ingrained in the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) and Badu Island regions of the Torres Strait that whole families are championing it.
The program supports people to access medical and allied health services that are imperative in managing their chronic and complex health conditions and deterioration to the point of needing hospitalisation.
Northern Peninsula Area Family and Community Services (NPAFACS) CEO Tailisa Yusia said the ITC program had been delivered in the NPA communities and Badu Island since 2017, and with a population of about 87 per cent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the remote area’s residents valued the program.
A 51-year-old woman is one of those people.
The woman, from Badu Island, registered with the ITC program in 2022 and has since been supported to purchase medical aids and hire equipment to help with her recovery, along with accommodation and transport to and from her appointments.
“The ITC program has supported the woman through her journey by advocating for her with other health services and supporting her through supplementary services in transport and accommodation gaps,” Ms Yusia said.
“We have good relationships with our clients and try to meet their needs as best we can, which is very important when working with people with chronic health conditions.
“She has told us she is happy with the delivery of services and support from the ITC program.”
Another NPA First Nations man recently received timely access to care for his chronic condition following an urgent referral from a local general practitioner (GP).
“The man was able to get an appointment to see a specialist in Cairns quickly, his documents were processed, and he was eligible and enrolled in the ITC program in a matter of days,” Ms Yusia said.
“The ITC program helped the man with accommodation and transport from the airport to his accommodation and appointment.”
Ms Yusia said it was heartwarming to see that many people and their families from the Torres region were benefitting greatly from the ITC program.
“Clients and their families are always very thankful for the ITC program and for getting the assistance, comfort, and support they need quickly,” she said.
“ITC is a huge help for our community members when it comes to planning for travel, following up with accommodation providers, contacting the nurse navigators when the person leaves community, family support while away, ensuring care arrangements for children are in place, or having a support person present during meetings regarding the person’s care and health.
“When a person returns from Cairns, the program ensures they have the appropriate medical aids and know how to use them correctly, and that the formal wraparound services and informal family and community supports are in place to help their healing journey.”
The ITC program is delivered by NPAFACS and funded under NQPHN’s Indigenous Australians’ Health Program, which aims to improve the health outcomes for First Nations peoples.