The RFDS in TAS
Primary Health Care
The RFDS Tasmania provide free Primary Health Care services and deliver them directly to community members to meet their needs. Tasmania's Integrated Primary Care Consortium (IPCC) is managed by RFDS Tas in partnership with five local government areas. Many of our programs are supported by Primary Health Tasmania (Tasmania PHN) under the Australian Government’s Primary Health Networks Program.
RFDS Tasmania Primary Health Care services, funded by Primary Health Tasmania, work in partnership with general practitioners, allied health professionals and local service providers with the aim of supporting people in rural areas with mental illness, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dementia and chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
Our two Health Hub buses, that were re-furbished with support from the State Government and Rotary Tasmania, have been busy in the past few years assisting the State Government with the COVID-19 Vaccine rollout. These mobile clinics were able to bring the vaccine to the doorstep of rural communities who may not have otherwise been able to receive their doses and to date, have vaccinated over 2500 people.
Services are designed to address chronic health conditions in rural and remote areas, including:
MENTAL ILLNESS, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD), CHRONIC MUSCULOSKELETAL CONDITIONS, DEMENTIA
Services
Physical Health
Physical health workers work with community members to provide exercise therapy programs for people living with chronic conditions. They deliver education programs and health promotion activities and identify service gaps.
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Mental Health
RFDS mental health workers promote mental health and aim to reduce the risk or severity of mental health disorders. They provide one-on-one sessions and services, such as education, consultation and community outreach for those who are in need of mental support.
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Oral Health
Through funding support by the Commonwealth Government, RFDS Tasmania provides an oral health outreach program that assists by providing education and dental treatments for children and eligible adults in rural and remote areas.
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Prime Mover
The RFDS Tasmania Prime Mover Program supports people with heart and lung conditions to better self-manage their health and well-being. The program is funded by the government and is offered in 5 Tasmanian local government areas.
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Mobile Health Hub
Two former public transport buses have been transformed into mobile health hubs, thanks to the State Government and Rotary Tasmania. The buses enhance the ability of our Primary Health Care team to service the rural and remote communities that benefit from our free programs.
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Healthy Eating
The RFDS Tasmania Healthy Eating Program commenced in 2019 and aims to motivate people to adopt a healthy lifestyle. The program is funded by the Australian Government through Primary Health Tasmania (Tasmania PHN), and is offered as a free online module.
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Primary Health Care Services Study
A report and associated study commissioned by RFDS Tasmania, Provision of Primary Health Care Services Strategic Study found that there are considerable differences in health outcomes between those living in remote Tasmania and those residing in areas where services are present and easily accessible. The report and associated study brought together a wide range of evidence-based information about the health status of the Tasmanian population and described the potential opportunities for the RFDS to contribute in primary health care. Tasmania is now building on past good work and looking to expand primary health care programs to assist in bridging this gap.
Do you have a question, or want to speak to someone about RFDS Tasmania's Primary Health services and programs?
For patient referrals please email: referrals@rfdstas.org.au
For general Primary Health enquiries email: ph@rfdstas.org.au
