Metro Health Home < Business Units < Programs Branch < Ambulatory and Continuing Care Section <

Draft Health Independence Program Guidelines

The draft - Health independence programs guidelines (Guidelines) have been released for comment.

What are Health Independence Programs?

Health independence programs comprise of:

• post acute care (PAC)
• sub-acute ambulatory care services (SACS)
• hospital admission risk program chronic disease management (HARP CDM)
• hospital admission risk program better care for older people (HARP BCOP).

Health independence programs encompass many of the services that deliver health care that supports the transition from hospital to the home.  These services can also prevent the need for a hospital presentation or stay, with many people accessing these services directly from the community.

Health independence programs share common principles around delivering person-centred care that is based on the right services being delivered at the right time and in the right place.

Why have the guidelines been developed?

Integrated guidelines will enable a better client journey across the care continuum from hospital to home or prevent hospitalisation.

The Guidelines are being developed to assist health independence programs in their delivery, by stipulating the department’s requirements of programs.  More importantly the Guidelines are being developed to provide direction and facilitate the alignment of health independence programs.

These guidelines will ensure consistency across regions, however are intended to be sufficiently generic to allow for individual services to structure programs according to local needs.  Therefore each health independence program will continue to have its particular role but the programs will be underpinned by common processes that facilitate improved health outcomes and community integration.

How do I give feedback?

The department is seeking feedback from health independence programs, health services and key stakeholders on the draft guidelines.

Feedback is to be provided by completing the on-line feedback questionnaire and e-mailing to: hipguideline@dhs.vic.gov.au  or fax: 9096 9204 by Friday 14 March 2008. 

A username and password will be allocated, and one feedback questionnaire will be accepted from each health independence program or key stakeholder from each health service.

Further enquiries about the draft Guidelines can be directed to: Email: hipguideline@dhs.vic.gov.au

Otherwise if you have any questions please contact your program representative