Healthy Directions

Healthy Directions is a single entry point referral service and one-stop shop for patients with:

• Chronic conditions.
• Type 2 Diabetes diagnosed less than 5 years; or
• Type 2 Diabetes with microalbuminuria; or
• Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT).

Referrals

Upon receipt of one simple referral form from a GP, the Healthy Directions Team will triage the referred patient/s into the appropriate program/s according to their individual health circumstances and requirements.  Each program has specific eligibility criteria.  If a patient does not meet the criteria for any of the Healthy Directions programs, they can be referred (where appropriate) to the following community services:

• Living with Diabetes programs
• Allied health services
• Local walking groups
• Local health and fitness centres
• Community exercise opportunities – calendar of events
• Diabetes support groups – National Diabetes Service Scheme (NDSS), Diabetes WA

In addition, all patients coming through Healthy Directions will receive detailed information and advice about available services, support networks, and advice on healthy living and managing chronic conditions.  It is a Perth Central and East Metro Medicare Local commitment that no patient referred to Healthy Directions will leave the program empty–handed.

In offering one single point of entry, Healthy Directions will significantly simplify the process for GPs and patients alike, making the referral and triaging process faster and more streamlined.  This is one of the first programs of its type in Western Australia.  Perth Central and East Metro Medicare Local is leading the way in developing and implementing this exciting and innovative approach to one of our biggest health challenges.

What are the services Healthy Directions can offer your practice?

• Triage according to eligibility criteria of currently funded programs.
• Patient assessment (if applicable) in your practice dependent on room availability, otherwise at the Perth Central and East Metro Medicare Local service centres.
• GP feedback following triage/assessment and upon completion of the program/s.
• Support for GPMP, TCA and other MBS Item numbers related to chronic conditions.
• Patient referral for follow-up support to appropriate services.
• Individualised motivational phone calls and follow-up support.

Other services we offer your practice:

• Use of extraction tools to identify your eligible patients.
• Help with setting up a register and recall system for your patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT).
• Advice on data cleansing of your register.
• Identify resources to promote the Measure Up campaign and AUSDRISK assessment in your waiting rooms.

The Healthy Directions staff are happy to answer your questions about the programs.  Referral forms and other Healthy Directions resources are available through the Resources page of the PCEMML website.

Metropolitan Healthy Lifestyles

Metropolitan Healthy Lifestyles is an Australian Better Health Initiative targeting people diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes within the last 5 years, Type 2 Diabetics with indications of microalbuminuria, and/or people with Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT).

The Healthy Directions team conducts individual assessments and refers participants into relevant lifestyle programs and/or allied health appointments. Patients are provided with follow-up support for up to 12 months through phone calls to receive motivational support and review appointments. Individual progress reports are submitted to the patient’s referring GP. There is no cost to the patient for this program and participants must be referred by their GP.

Living with a Long-Term Health Condition

Groups currently not running.

Developed by health professionals for people living with one or more ongoing health conditions, such as Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), diabetes, respiratory disorders, cancer, arthritis or osteoporosis, this 6 week workshop helps patients and their families or carers to learn ways to self-manage their condition/s. It teaches patients how to best work in partnership with their GP and other health providers, and generally how to improve the quality of their life.

The Living Well Workshop is based on self-efficacy, problem-solving, action planning and sharing. The program consists of weekly 2.5 hour workshops run by qualified health professionals. Anyone living with an ongoing health condition can self-refer and attend the workshops. Participants will meet other people living with chronic conditions, giving them the chance to share experiences and ideas in a friendly, supportive environment. The workshops are free to all participants and are offered throughout the year at various locations in the north and north-eastern metro area.