As we talked about in our November newsletter last year, the Aboriginal community, and the number of people we support through our Closing the Gap team, are increasing dramatically each year. From 2020 – 2024, we had an increase of 81% of active clients on our register.
With the increasing Aboriginal population in Penrith, as well as the increasing cost of living, the biggest challenge for the team is meeting the financial requirements of the program. The funding provided to pay for specialist appointments, medical aids, transport, allied health appointments, assisted breathing equipment and more, is no longer sufficient to service our clients to the best level, meaning our team need to triage our clients and their needs, to determine the best use of the funds we have.
Funding is essential to make sure we can take the best care of our clients however we are limited with the current funding and ever-growing client list.
Let’s look at how our team has managed to help clients within the Closing the Gap Program recently and why this program is so important for our community.
Belinda Shipley, NCNS Aboriginal Health Outreach Worker explained, “We have had a beautiful family move into their new house! After being diagnosed with cancer, my client Teresa found it extremely hard to go up and down her stairs, in her townhouse and this was causing her great stress and anxiety.
I have helped Teresa collect all her medical documentation so that we could put in an application for a transfer with the Department of Housing. Teresa’s children are so much happier, and Teresa is now able to sleep in her own bed. With a larger modified bathroom, she is now able to shower with ease and they now feel like they really have a place they can call home.
Another Elderly client of mine has recently received her mobility scooter from Independent Living Specialists Penrith.
This client had great difficulty navigating the My Age Cared systems, so I have assisted her to complete her My Aged Care application and she is now on a level 4 package with Annecto, an Aged care and disability support services provider. Through this, she has now been able to purchase not only the mobility scooter, but also a medical alert watch, that will contact her family and 000 if she falls and requires help.
She also has been able to purchase a recliner lounge that assists her to stand up, a mobile phone to communicate with specialists, walking and shower aids and an ipad for keeping up with all of her medical appointments. This client is now more independent and is now better able to connect with her community which is amazing for us to see.”
Michael Field, NCNS Aboriginal Health Outreach & Promotion Worker, delivered a brand-new walker last Thursday to a Closing the Gap Integrated Team Care (ITC) client, the first walker that this client has ever had. This client is severely vision impaired, a diabetic and a partial amputee.
Michael shared, “I removed the plastic wrapping and adjusted the handlebars to suit my client’s liking. They threw their walking stick aside and proudly did laps of the lounge room and kitchen. They were so happy to receive their new walker and could not stop thanking me. Their eyes lit up and their whole being was elated! I felt humbled to be able to provide this service to my client. It was a great reminder to me of why I come to work each day!”
These moments are so rewarding for our workers who work with clients dealing with chronic diseases every day. Our team take pride in the work they do and are passionate about being there to support their clients through their difficult health journeys.
Would you like to know more about this program?
Contact our Closing the Gap team on:
02 4706 0299 or ctg@nepeancommunity.org.au
Click here to see our Closing the Gap Brochure.