Resource kit eases travel strain for rural patients

Rural Victorians now have access to information that will make their trip to a health service easier and more coordinated.

The resource kit has been developed over the past two years following consultation with consumers, their families and health services across Victoria, from small rural areas to large regional and metropolitan services.

The kit encompasses the whole healthcare journey and includes a series of checklists for consumers, plus additional resources for health services.

The consumer checklists include important questions for rural consumers to ask their health care provider at different stages during their journey, including before they leave home, while at the hospital, and on the way home.

The checklists will assist rural patients explain their needs to health care providers and acknowledges that asking questions can be hard when a patient is worried about their health or that of a family member.

An example highlighted within the kit is that of Bendigo’s Health’s Transition Care Program, which commenced in March 2008.

This Bendigo program provides short-term support and active management for older people at the interface between acute or sub-acute and residential aged care sectors. It means that older people requiring low level rehabilitation services are able to receive this closer to home, allowing them to stay near their local support networks.

Further information

To find out more or to download one of the checklists for consumers or the resources for health services, visit the Consumer, carer and community participation and information website.