Gippsland Indigenous Dual Diagnosis Program Culturally safe and appropriate services designed for and by the Gippsland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Gippsland Primary Health Network
Gippsland Primary Health Network (Gippsland
For example, two providers collaborated to
PHN) identified the need for an Indigenous Dual
deliver a mirrored service with a clinician and
Diagnosis Program to be directly commissioned
peer support worker.
within the Aboriginal Community Controlled
Following the initial codesign process, continued
Organisations (ACCOs), ensuring Aboriginal and
collaboration saw the program guidelines
Torres Strait Islander peoples have access to
developed by all providers, resulting in self-
culturally appropriate services. The program
determination for each community.
aims to contribute to an innovative, effective
The Indigenous Dual Diagnosis Program steering
and quality mental health and Alcohol and Other
committee was formed and developed to include
Drugs (AOD) service for the Gippsland community.
not only those providing the service but all
A one-on-one engagement approach with
five ACCOs. The steering group sought to address
each ACCO was undertaken to collaboratively
needs, challenges and barriers of delivering
develop the program. Three of the five ACCOs in
the program.
Gippsland applied through a competitive limited
As part of the development of targets for the
procurement process and were commissioned
program, a collaborative approach and process
to deliver the service. The development of
was undertaken to ensure KPIs were culturally
the Indigenous Dual Diagnosis Program evolved
appropriate, meaningful, and outcomes focussed.
with different needs identified in each Local
One of the identified barriers was the issue of
Government Area (LGA). This resulted in
clients being unable to attend appointments due to
workforce models being customised.
sorry business and family support issues. Processes
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The Health Advocate • FEBRUARY 2022
