The ACT Government is improving how Canberrans access care and supports in their home to avoid lengthy hospital stays with the new Community Assistance Temporary Supports program.
The program provides people in the ACT with temporary services to discharge safely from hospital or remain in their homes while they recover from an illness, injury or other health issue.
From 1 October 2023, Community Assistance Temporary Supports will replace the existing Community Assistance Support Program (CASP) and the Flexible Family Support (FFS) and Transitional Care programs.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA said the transition to a single program follows deep engagement with stakeholders and will make it easier for Canberrans to access timely support.
“Enabling people to access care and supports in their own home means they can maintain crucial connections to family, carers, friends and the wider community which improves their health outcomes and recovery,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
“We are also ensuring people do not fall through gaps in available services by extending eligibility to include all ages and increasing the length of care provided through the program from 12 weeks to six months for patients and 12 months for carers.
“Our aim is to prevent vulnerable members of the community from remaining in hospital longer than necessary and ensure they can get back to their lives as quickly as possible.”
Services provided through the Community Assistance Temporary Supports program will include non-clinical supports for wellbeing, personal care including assistance with bathing or dressing, and help with other domestic tasks such as cooking and laundry.
The program connects people with existing community supports and longer-term services, such as the NDIS and the Commonwealth Home Support Program.
Six providers were selected through a rigorous tender process to deliver the program’s core services:
· Carers ACT will provide services that support carers and nurture care relationships, as well as a Warm Hospital Discharge service that provides connected support for people who are discharged from hospital to home.
· Northside Community Service will deliver personal care, domestic assistance and food services.
· Life Without Barriers will deliver personal care and domestic assistance.
· ACT Disability and Aged Care Advocacy Service (ADACAS) will provide an individual advocacy service.
· Anglicare NSW South, NSW West & ACT will deliver care coordination services.
· A consortium of Capital Region Community Services and Community Service #1 will deliver care coordination, medical transport and a service that enables participants to transition to more appropriate programs, such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
To ensure service continuity for the most vulnerable Canberrans, the Government has agreed to offer two-month contract extensions to existing CASP providers from 1 October to 1 December.
“We are committed to a smooth transition for current CASP and FFS participants and will be working closely with providers to enable continuity of care and support.”
For any inquiries related to the program changes, participants are encouraged to reach out to their current provider to receive further information about the transition.
