Community Vaccinations Program
In 2015, the Inala Health Improvement Fund launched a small community vaccination program that provided free access to the Influenza vaccine for people who needed in it, but did not fall into the government subsided programs. The fund subsided the cost of the Influenza vaccine at the request of the patient's GP. To date over 170 families, through requests by their local GPs, have benefited from the subsidies.
Affordable Medications Scheme
The Affordable Medications Scheme is designed to provide access to medications for patients who otherwise could not afford to purchase it. The goal is provide patients access to their medications to improve their compliance and long term treatment outcomes. The scheme has received $40,000 donation in FY2014/15 and $180,000 for FY2015/16. The scheme aims to provide access to affordable medications for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable in the community, especially the disabled, elderly and individuals and families on health care cards and concession cards. The scheme provides a subsidy to patients that are recommended by their GP. Once the medications have dispensed and collected, the Fund pays to cost directly to the dispensing pharmacy.
Aged Care Advocate - Vietnamese community
The new Aged Care reforms and services available through the Federal Government, especially Consumer Directed Care packages, deliver great benefits to the elderly in the community. Recent healthcare access statistics have highlighted that the Vietnamese community is statistically under presented in accessing such services. That is the number of Vietnamese people accessing aged care services is 66% less that the average for the general Australia community. As a result, funding for and Aged Care advocate to improve access to the Aged Care services to the Vietnamese elderly community is in progress. The Aged Care Advocate will provide information and case management for the elderly and their families to navigate the initial stages from referral to once they are have successfully gained access to a Package or services from an Approved Provider.
Aged Care Subsidy - Vietnamese community
Aged Care Subsidy program is aimed as a short term assistance for the elderly who have successfully gained access to a Package. A Basic Fee of $136.78 per person per fortnight is payable to the Approved Provider or 17.5% of the person's pension. In the initial stages, client requiring care can start receiving services and have them covered by the fund whilst they obtain approval for financial hardship application. The subsidy is also designed to allow clients to signup for a Package and see the benefits they receive for their Basic Fee. Many elderly people, often automatically refuse to accept a Package because of the Basic Fee charge.