Health Care Homes
Health Care Homes are general practices or Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) that provide better coordinated and more flexible care for Australians with chronic and complex health conditions.
Chronic disease is on the rise in Australia. One in two Australians now have a chronic disease — such as diabetes, arthritis or heart and lung conditions — and one in four have at least two chronic health diseases1. Health Care Homes help people better manage their conditions by giving them coordinated, integrated care, that is tailored to their needs, and provided at their usual GP clinic or ACCHS.
A patient who is eligible and likely to benefit from this type of care can sign up to become a Health Care Home patient. Together with the patient, a care team at the Health Care Home then develops a shared care plan. The shared care plan:
- includes comprehensive information about a patient’s care, medications and all the health professionals who care for them
- identifies local health care providers best able to meet each patient’s needs, and helps coordinate care with these providers
- include strategies to help each person manage their conditions and improve their quality of life.
The stage one trial of Health Care Homes will run until November 2019.
1AIHW data release on chronic disease (September 2016). 23 per cent of Australians have two or more of the eight selected chronic diseases in 2014-2015.
My care team— you have a committed care team, led by your usual doctor.
My shared care plan— with the support of your care team, you will develop a shared care plan. This plan helps you have a greater say in your care; and makes it easier for all the people who look after you, both inside and outside the Health Care Home, to coordinate your care.
Better access and flexibility— with a care team behind you, you have better access to care. Health Care Homes can also be more responsive and flexible. If you want to talk to someone in your care team, you won’t always need an appointment with your GP. You might call or message the practice team. Or they might call you to see how you’re going.
Better coordinated care— your care team will do more to coordinate all your care from your usual doctor, specialists and other health professionals.
You can become a Health Care Homes patient, if you:
- have a Medicare card
- would benefit from the Health Care Homes model of care
- and are assessed as eligible by a participating Health Care Home
Video: Health Care Homes animation
Video: Building on the services we provide: Filmed at Hills Family Practice
Video: Working as a Team: Filmed at Healthway Medical Practice
Video: Enrolling patients: Filmed at Hills Family
Video: Patient Centred Medical Home and health care neighbourhoods animation
ABN 80 099 255 106