The Andrews Labor Government is investing in a pioneering project using telehealth to make it easier to access drug and alcohol recovery services for people living in the Southern Otways region.
Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy, today announced the first 15 projects receiving funding from the new $10 million Better Care Victoria Innovation Fund.
Better Care Victoria, launched in March this year and led by an independent board chaired by former AMA President Dr Douglas Travis, will drive innovation across the health system to improve patient care and treatment.
The $10 million Better Care Victoria fund will support projects that improve the efficiency and productivity of our health system, improve patient outcomes and reduce waiting times.
As part of the first round of funding, Otway Health and Lorne Community Hospital will receive $241,220 to establish a joint partnership with Windana Drug and Alcohol Recovery to deliver remote telehealth recovery services to the Southern Otways region.
Using telehealth, people will be able to engage in recovery at local healthcare sites, whilst being supported by their families and communities within their own homes and save on travel and accommodation costs.
Better Care Victoria was a key recommendation from the Travis Review, the most comprehensive audit ever undertaken into the capacity of Victoria’s hospitals.
The Victorian Budget 2016/17 delivered an extra $2.45 billion for health, so hospitals can admit more patients, reduce waiting times, upgrade buildings and infrastructure and keep Victorians healthy.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“We know we need to do things differently to drive improvement. Our Better Care Victoria fund will support new ideas across the health system so more patients here in the Southern Otways and beyond will benefit.”
“Victoria is home to some of the best and brightest clinical minds. We are drawing on this expertise to find new, more effective ways to treat more patients, sooner.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley
“This project in the Southern Otways region is a great example of how we are reducing the harm associated with drug and alcohol use.”
“Since coming to office, we have increased our funding for a range of harm reduction initiatives by more than 10 per cent.”
Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“Our investment in Otway Health and Lorne Community Hospital will mean more people will be able to access drug and recovery services - when they need it - without having to endure long travel and wait times.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020