Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon saw firsthand the benefits to veterans of a specialised health program helping them manage chronic illness, in the Coordinated Veterans’ Care Program (CVC) at Intergral Health in Armidale last Thursday along with Independent Member for New England Tony Windsor.
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, said the CVC Program, introduced in May 2011, is a targeted initiative to help chronically ill veterans and war widows receive the treatment they need and reduce the likelihood of stressful and unplanned hospitalisations.
“It is pleasing to see the number of veterans benefiting from CVC, to help them remain independent and in control of their chronic illnesses.
“A strength of the CVC Program is the team approach by the patient, their general practitioner and their nurse coordinator,” Mr Snowdon said.
Dr Vicki Howell, outlined how the program is being delivered to veterans in the Armidale area.
“Together with the care coordinator a plan is worked out for each patient, recognising their individual health needs. The care coordinator, often a practice nurse, helps patients to better understand their illnesses so they can more actively manage their health needs.
“The care coordinator is also in regular contact with the patient’s specialists and local pharmacists, ensuring they’re all up-to-date with any changes in their patients’ health conditions or treatment regimes. This is all reported back to the GP who can monitor patient progress,” Dr Howell said.
The CVC Program provides community-based health care for eligible Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card holders who have heart or lung conditions and/or diabetes, complex care needs and are at risk of hospitalisation.
War widow Rae Bridgeman from Armidale would be unable to manage her health care needs without the support from the CVC Program.
“I have been a patient of Dr Howell’s for some years and with the help of Pip the Practice Nurse I was put on the CVC Program,” said Rae.
“They are marvelous; I come in at least once a month for regular treatment for chronic arthritis.
“I am very lucky to be involved in the program, I have just been down to Newcastle for treatment and Pip organised everything for me, from my accommodation to transport, it was all arranged, which made it much easier for me to manage.”
Armidale will be one of the six sites for the In-Home Telemonitoring for Veterans’ Trial next year.
This initiative, which uses the National Broadband Network, enables CVC patients to have their health monitored by a GP or practice nurse without leaving their home.
For more information about CVC and the In-Home Telemonitoring for Veterans’ Trial, visit www.dva.gov.au
