Closing the Gap
Our Closing the Gap - Integrated Team Care program provides short-term support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with complex chronic disease who are unable to effectively manage their condition.
Chronic disease could include; diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory or kidney disease and eye health conditions associated with diabetes.
Our program adopts a team approach. Both Outreach Workers and Care Coordinators will work with you to support you to access medical care and other culturally appropriate health and community services.
Working together, our team can help you to develop self-management skills to better manage your chronic condition and live a longer, healthier life.
What do we offer?
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Help to better understand your chronic condition
Care Coordinators will work with you to help you to understand your chronic condition and what it means for you.
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Team approach
Both Outreach Workers and Care Coordinators will work with you to support you to access medical care and other culturally appropriate health and community services.
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Support to attend your medical appointments
Including short-term assistance with transport to Medical/Specialist and Allied Health appointments and support during your appointment.
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Links to community connections
Connect to ongoing community supports who can provide assistance to improve your physical health and wellbeing.
Accessing this service
Am I eligible?
To be eligible for the program, you must:
- Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander;
- Be enrolled for chronic disease management in a GP Practice, Aboriginal Medical Service or ACCHO and;
- Be unable to effectively manage your condition requiring one-on-one assistance through care coordination.
Who are the Closing the Gap program staff?
The Closing the Gap Integrated Team Care program is provided by a team of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Outreach Workers and Care Coordinators and Indigenous Health Project Officers.
Care Coordinators will work to help you understand your chronic health condition and how to manage it by following your GP management plan.
Outreach Workers will help you to make better use of available health care services by providing practical assistance to access services and attend appointments.
Our team work to deliver the program to clients in metropolitan Adelaide, Gawler-Barossa, Yorke Peninsula & Mid North South Australia.
How do I access the service?
To get started, make an appointment with your regular GP and ask them to send through your GP Management Plan and make a referral to the Closing the Gap Integrated Team Care program.
If you do not have a regular GP, contact us on (08) 8209 0700 or email info@sonder.net.au and we’ll discuss how to access the service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where you can access this service
Information for GPs
To refer a patient to this program, complete a Closing the Gap Referral Form and a GP Management Plan and fax or email to us.
Referral formAm I at risk of developing a Chronic Disease?
As an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, you may be at higher risk of developing a chronic disease.
Better management of chronic disease is a key factor in meeting the target of closing the gap in life expectancy between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.
How can the program help me?
We can provide you with support that you may need to:
- Better understand your chronic condition and what it means for you;
- Access medication and follow GP treatment plans;
- Go to your medical appointments; including short-term assistance with transport and support during your appointment;
- Access recommended allied health equipment;
- Connect to ongoing community supports who can provide assistance to improve your physical health and wellbeing.
Information for general practices
Get support at your general practice
Looking to deliver better Aboriginal services at your general practice? Get in touch with our Indigenous Health Project Officer and find out how we can help.
Contact usVolunteer with us
Our Aboriginal Health Reference Group provides a voice to Aboriginal Health consumers, their relatives, significant others and carers. Members have the opportunity to provide input and feedback to improve the health outcomes of the Aboriginal community
Find out moreThis service is supported by funding from the Adelaide and Country SA Primary Health Network through the Australian Government’s PHN Program.