Primary Health Networks (PHNs) were established with the key objectives of increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of medical services for patients, particularly those at risk of poor health outcomes, and improving coordination of care to ensure patients receive the right care in the right place at the right time.

The South Eastern Melbourne PHN catchment encompasses an area comprising 1.6 million people and stretches from St Kilda to Sorrento and as far east as Bunyip, including the major population hubs of Monash, Dandenong, Moorabbin, Caulfield, Cranbourne, Frankston and Pakenham.

From 1 July, 2016 PHNs adopted a commissioning approach to procuring medical and health care services which is based on an assessment of the health and wellbeing needs of the community. This work determines the priority areas and guides the scope of the commissioning process.

The South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN) invites providers with capacity, capability and suitable experience to submit a proposal to deliver an innovative Dementia Rehabilitation program.

What is dementia rehabilitation?

The World Health Organisation defines rehabilitation as “a set of interventions designed to optimise functioning and reduce disability in individuals with health conditions (not just after an acute event) in interaction with their environment.”

Rehabilitation helps people to maximise their independence, relationships and quality of life. It gives people opportunities to retain or regain skills and activities they may have lost or be at risk of losing. Rehabilitation includes supporting people to develop alternate strategies and supporting care partners.

The Dementia Rehabilitation program

This Dementia Rehabilitation program aims to improve access to allied health-led rehabilitation activities for older people living with dementia in Mornington Peninsula and Casey, to support their independence and wellbeing. This program will provide, physical activity, social support, and education led by health professionals and personalised to each participant in the program (consumer). The program will help to maintain function and quality of life with the aim of supporting people to live in the community for longer.

Eligible older people (65 and over) living in the community with a diagnosis of dementia from the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Mornington Peninsula and Casey, will be referred by General Practices (GPs) and other health professionals to the successful provider to deliver clinical and non-clinical rehabilitation services. Activities will include, but not be limited to, home visits, assessments, allied health interventions with occupational therapy, speech therapy, physiotherapy along with physical, emotional, and psychological support to the person with dementia.

The successful Provider/s will be required to work with GPs in Mornington Peninsula Shire and the City of Casey to promote existing programs and pathways for rehabilitation activities for dementia and can connect people to on-going activities across the catchment.

The program will increase awareness of dementia support services and available treatments. Allied Health led programs help to maintain a person’s quality of life, independence, self-care and mobility. They also help reduce the risk of complications due to other conditions or injuries. People with dementia and their care partners need to be informed about rehabilitation interventions and have the information, resources and confidence to ask for such interventions if desired.