The Integrated Team Care (ITC) program – formerly known as Closing the Gap (CTG) program – supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with complex chronic care needs.
The ITC program aims to:
- Improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic health conditions.
- Improve access to culturally appropriate mainstream primary care services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
You can download the ITC program brochure here.
Benefits of the ITC program
Managing long term illness can be difficult and stressful. The ITC program supports clients with chronic health conditions, who need additional care from a range of health and specialist services.
What is a chronic health condition?
A chronic health condition is a disease or sickness you have lived with for a long time. Chronic conditions (or diseases) include diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, lung (breathing) diseases, mental health conditions and cancer.
Services we provide
- Care coordination support: Support for you and your doctor in line with your care plan.
- Education: We provide educational tools to help you better understand and self-manage your condition.
- Practical assistance: In line with your care plan, we offer support for you to attend appointments with health specialists and support services.
- Financial support (supplementary services): We can support you to manage your chronic condition by purchasing certain equipment and medical aids that will assist in managing your chronic health condition. These items must be identified in your care plan and fall within the national ITC program guidelines.
Who is eligible for our ITC program?
To be eligible for care coordination under our ITC program, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must be enrolled for chronic disease management with an Aboriginal medical service or general or private practice, have a GP Management Plan (GPMP) and be referred to the program by their GP.
Referral to the ITC program
To join the ITC program, you will need to:
- Identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person;
- Have a chronic health condition; and
- Have a care plan (GPMP or Team Care Plan) for your chronic health condition completed by your doctor and have an ITC program referral form completed by your doctor.
Your doctor will send these documents to Boab Health Services. We will contact you once we have received this information
What is a GPMP or TCP?
General Practitioner Management Plans (GPMP) or Team Care Plans (TCP) are written by your doctor and take approximately 45 minutes to complete. They are a plan for you and your doctor to best manage your condition. They include referrals to specialist services and other health professionals and include any medical equipment or aids to support the management of your chronic health condition.
ITC Country to City Program
The ITC Country to City Program supports ITC clients travelling from the Kimberley to Perth for health care.
Support is provided in collaboration with Moorditj Koort Aboriginal Corporation and includes supports such as connecting with family, transport to and from medical appointments and a number of other services. For more information click on the Country to City brochure below.
Funding
The ITC program is fully funded by: