All grants will be for a three-year timeframe and the programs must run for the full three years and participate in an evaluation process.
The grants can be used flexibly to respond to the local context, to meet the aims of the program.
Aims
- Increase access to pharmacotherapy prescribing (‘access’ includes increased prescribing hours, bulk-billed prescribing, culturally and diversity safe environments)
- Strengthen access to provision of pharmacotherapy through building on Community Health Services pharmacotherapy programs with the establishing of mutually supportive relationships with local GP prescribers and community pharmacies
- Build resilience in local pharmacotherapy provision though creation of strong networks and partnerships, including for example Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), Primary Health Networks (PHNs).
Grant tiers
Community Health Services are invited to submit an application for one of the three tiers of grants. The tiers are designed to allow applicants to build from their starting position.
- If the service has no current pharmacotherapy provision, they should apply for tier 1.
- If the service has a current prescribing service, but it operates in isolation from private GPs and community pharmacies, and would benefit from improving this network, the service should apply for tier 2.
- If the service has a prescribing service which has relationships with GPs and community pharmacies and is ready to build towards a comprehensive local network model, then tier 3 should be applied for.
Proposals
Grant proposals can be submitted as attachments and will be assessed against the criteria below.
Please keep the proposal as succinct as possible. It is encouraged that proposals be between 2000 – 5000 words and no more.
Proposals should be for a three-year project and include a high-level budget breakdown for each year of the project.
Proposals can include (but are not limited to) the topics listed below.
- Overview of proposed project
- Current status of pharmacotherapy in service
- Rationale for proposed project
- Pharmacotherapy issues locally that this grant responds to (including high-volume GP prescribers)
- Current patient numbers and projected increase in new patients with grant
- Organisational expertise and experience in pharmacotherapy provision
- Partnerships which will support proposal
- Overview of additional primary health care available for pharmacotherapy patients via Community Health Service or partner organisations
- Budget breakdown for each of the three years
| Tier | Goals | Description | Funding range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Grow | Increase patient access to pharmacotherapy | Establish or expand CHS-based prescribing service | Up to $85k p/a |
| 2. Strengthen | Increase and strengthen patient access to pharmacotherapy | Establish or expand CHS-based prescribing service, plus establish / strengthen network of local GPs and community pharmacies | Up to $180k p/a |
| 3. Innovate | Create resilience in local pharmacotherapy system | Establish or expand CHS-based prescribing service, plus establish / strengthen network of local GPs, community pharmacies, access via ACCHOS, PHN partnership etc. | Up to $250k p/a |
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Grant applications open
15 October 2024
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Grant applications close
18 November 2024
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Outcome advised by
20 December 2024
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Program commencement
30 January 2025
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Program conclusion
31 December 2027
Guidelines
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Alignment with Program Aims
- The proposal clearly demonstrates how it will increase access to pharmacotherapy prescribing through strategies such as increased prescribing hours, bulk-billing, and culturally safe environments. (Criteria applies to all tiers)
- The proposal outlines how it will strengthen access to pharmacotherapy provision by building mutually supportive relationships with local GPs and community pharmacies. (Criteria only applies to tier 2 and 3 applications)
- The proposal includes a plan to build resilience in local pharmacotherapy provision through the creation of strong networks and partnerships, including with ACCHOs and PHNs. (Criteria only applies to tier 3 applications)
Demonstrated Need and Impact
- The proposal provides a clear rationale for the project based on local pharmacotherapy issues, including the needs of high-volume GP prescribers.
- The proposal includes current patient numbers and projected increases in new patients that will result from the grant funding.
- The proposal outlines how the project will address the identified needs and have a measurable impact on increasing access to pharmacotherapy services in the local area.
Organisational Capacity and Partnerships
- The proposal demonstrates the applicant's relevant expertise and experience in pharmacotherapy provision.
- The proposal outlines how the applicant will leverage existing primary health care services available through the Community Health Service or partner organisations to support pharmacotherapy patients and ensure opportunities for integrated health care support.
- The proposal includes confirmed support from key partners that will be involved in the project, such as local GPs, community pharmacies, ACCHOs, and PHNs. (Criteria only applies to tier 2 and 3 applications)
Project Planning and Evaluation
- The proposal includes a high-level project plan with clear objectives, activities, and timelines for the three-year grant period.
- The proposal includes a high-level budget breakdown for each year of the project, demonstrating value for money and financial viability.
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Applications from state-funded Community Health Services in Victoria will be accepted. Other services who are interested in this program should partner with a Community Health Service who should lead the application.
Services that are eligible to apply can be found at Community health directory.
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Clearly identify which tier grant is being applied for.
Responses should be organised by the assessment criteria. No application should exceed 5000 words.
Only one application per Community Health Service.
Email submission to AOD Enquiries (Health) aod.enquiries@health.vic.gov.au
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Submissions will be assessed by a panel who will score each response on a 5-point scale. The panel chair will make a recommendation for who receives grants to the financial delegate.
Reviewed 15 October 2024