Vulnerable Canberrans with complex and chronic health conditions – housebound ACT residents, vulnerable young people, refugees, and gender diverse Canberrans – will have better access to primary care, thanks to a $4.3 million investment from the ACT Government.

Over the next four years, more than $3.4 million will continue successful programs delivered by Directions Health Services (for individuals impacted by drug and alcohol use and their families), Anglicare’s Junction Youth Health Service (for 12- to 25-year-olds), and Companion House (for survivors of torture and trauma).

These programs have demonstrated community success and increased access to care for those who need it, health minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said.

“Canberrans who have complex and underlying health concerns are not always able to engage with primary health care. This can result in poor health and social outcomes, as well as unnecessary escalation to acute and emergency services.

“Barriers to access include financial circumstances, living situations and cultural needs, and past experiences with health services. The ACT Government has been working to address these barriers by funding targeted services and working closely with our community partners.

“The ACT Government will continue to work with community partners and health services to improve the integration of our healthcare system and provide more support for Canberrans to access the care they need.”

To support these programs, the Government is investing more than $900,000 in grants to four local primary care organisations:

•           Meridian will receive $280,000 to establish a financially sustainable, culturally safe, gender-affirming primary health care clinic.

“It is well evidenced that LGBTIQA+ people experience significantly poorer mental and physical health than the general population,” CEO Phillipa Moss said.

“This health disparity is largely related to chronic stressors from stigmatisation and the pathologisation of sexuality and gender, leading to discrimination, exclusion, harassment, and physical violence. There is limited care coordination resources to support LGBTIQA+ people with complex needs.

“As a result, people fall through the gaps, and often do not access the health care they need in a timely manner. Meridian hopes to fill the gap in the service system, particularly gender-affirming GPs, care coordination, and allied health practitioners, so that LGBTIQA+ people can access safe and affirming primary health care.”

•           Next Practice will receive $250,000 to provide integrated primary care for up to 250 housebound ACT residents with complex and chronic health care needs.

•           Anglicare Junction will receive $210,000 to establish a mobile health clinic for young people 12 to 25 years old who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness.

“Anglicare’s Junction Youth Health Service team are extremely grateful for ACT Health grants, which will allow us to launch a youth health van later this year,” said Sarah Murdoch, ACT manager of youth and family services.

“The van will be clinic room on wheels, reducing barriers faced by young people who are struggling to access much-needed health care.

“The van will increase the Junction’s capacity to reach more young people, a number of whom are facing homelessness and physical and mental health complexities.

“We are excited to see the difference that such an innovative delivery model will make in the health and lives of young people in the ACT.”

•           Companion House will receive $170,300 to recruit community pools of ACT general practices willing to take referrals of refugees for long-term care, or on-arrival health assessments and short-term care.

Capital Health Network supported the grant program with a $100,000 contribution in recognition of its critical role in supporting access to primary care in the ACT.