New Service Grants - Allied Health, Vic
Dr Naomi Malone and her team are enjoying their new rooms at 'A Life Simply Lived Psychology' in Swan Hill, which now hosts 20–30 more patients each week.
Furnished by RWAV’s Rural Allied Health New Service Grant, Dr Malone's two new clinical spaces support one-on-one and group therapy, assessments for children and adults, and newly added speech pathology, art therapy and occupational therapy sessions.
The grant supports allied health services and allied health practitioners to access funding up to $20,000, to establish or expand allied health services in rural and regional
Victoria (MMM3-7).
The grant is funded by the Commonwealth Government and administered by RWAV.
25 August 2022
TO
Everyone
No matter where you are
FROM
Rural & Remote Australia
Psychologists Shane DuPreez and U'Nita Harold with Louie (AAT dog)
Over recent years, Rural Workforce Agency Victoria (RWAV) has targeted increased access to allied health services in regional Victoria. Key issues have been identified through multiple engagements, including a sector review, stakeholder group meetings, surveys and multidisciplinary forums.
Along with the employment of a dedicated allied health project officer, this process led to the development of a range of allied health-specific grant programs, including the Rural Allied Health New Service Grant. This grant offers funding of up to $20,000 to practices in priority communities to fund practical activities which will allow for increased patient sessions and opportunities for new staff to join the practice.
Funds awarded for the 2021 round of the grant supported the establishment of three services and the expansion of three others. Osteopathy, physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy, psychology, speech pathology and social work providers have been supported by the Rural Allied Health New Service Grant. Grant funds have contributed to new clinical rooms, new equipment, clinical resources, marketing to promote the new services and technology.
After six months, there are an extra 88–109 patients being serviced each week across the six projects. There is also an increase of 2.8–3.9 full-time employment each week, or 104.5–147.4 extra allied health staff hours per week. An independent evaluation of the grant determined it has led to improved quality and access to allied health services in regional areas in Victoria.
Unexpected benefits from the grant experienced by recipients include multidisciplinary home visits, co-located services, group child and adult therapy, innovative telehealth use and new clinical modalities unavailable elsewhere in the region.
“The grant has such a positive impact for us providing a dedicated service to the community. Many locals have commented on the space and the increased accessibility.” Grantee
This grant allowed us to do this two years earlier than was originally planned. Grantee
Contact RWAV for more information
