Program Area

Health

Health education is a key strategy of the Foundation aimed at helping prevent disease and improve the heath status of Australians, particularly those that are disadvantaged.

In addition to prevention, the Foundation also supports research into health issues and projects that improve service delivery. The Foundation is keen to support innovative and forward thinking strategies that advance our understanding of health conditions and best practice treatment.

Collaborative research between universities, research institutes, community health organisations or condition-specific associations is encouraged. Projects which work across the interface of acute and community care to improve patients' quality of life are also of interest.

The focus on prevention is also reflected in the Foundation's support for indigenous health programs. The Foundation will consider programs which have a lasting impact through engaging Indigenous communities in managing their own health issues and/or adding relevant skills to local communities.

The Foundation also consistently supports programs that offer innovative solutions to people living with health problems, and those organisations or programs with a high level of volunteer support.

It is important to read each section prior to downloading the form.

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HEALTH FUNDING OBJECTIVES

to support organisations undertaking research into and treatment of major diseases
to support innovative programs designed to improve the delivery of services to people handicapped by health conditions
to support educational programs for the prevention of diseases

EXCLUSIONS

The Foundation will not normally support requests for funds for:

salaries of health personnel, research assistants, small items of equipment or programs which are substantially funded by Government or major public health organizations
equipment and services which should properly be provided for in the usual operation of the hospital or health facility

CLOSING DATE

The next funding round Closing Date for Health is Monday 2 February 2009

Applications must be received by 5.00 pm on the Closing Date.

Case Study

Haemophilia Foundation Australia Inc., VIC

$30,000 in March 2007
For the Hepatitis C Project

Pictured: image of Hepatitis Virus C virus particle (virion). © Russell Kightley

A priority for the Haemophilia Foundation Australia (HFA) is to understand the needs of the bleeding disorders community affected by hepatitis C and to develop and carry out a strategy to address those needs.

HFA’s discussions so far with the community, health professionals and community workers have highlighted some issues that are very important to people with bleeding disorders affected by hepatitis C. These include:

Treatment issues, the side effects, uncertainty of success
Lack of knowledge about the current level of liver disease
Physical and emotional effects
The impact on family relationships and quality of life

Discrimination and prejudice
Access to treatment
Restrictions on school, career and employment
The impact on income and financial hardship
The potential need for a carer.

Those people who are affected by bleeding orders and hepatitis C and live in rural, regional and remote areas may be further disadvantaged by their limited access to information, education and support for the psychosocial and financial needs associated with their health condition.

The grant of $10,000 from The Ian Potter Foundation will enable workshops and in-service training to be provided in hospitals and community centres throughout Victoria with the intention of educating midwives and health professionals, who in turn will educate parents and carers of babies with regard to safe sleeping practices. Public awareness and educational resource materials for parents, health professionals and the wider community will be developed and distributed.

Rural Health Education Foundation, ACT
$30,000 in 2007
To collaborate with the Rural Health Education Foundation in improving child abuse and neglect outcomes in rural Australia
Building on the success of the previous project supported by the Foundation in 2005 for the production of two documentary style programs, this project seeks to further assist rural health professionals and other individuals and organisations which have the prevention of child and neglect as a priority to reduce the incidence of these in Australia.

Eastern Palliative Care Assoc. Inc., VIC
$60,000 in December 2003
For the Client Information Management System – PalCare

To install an IT platform from which to develop Eastern Palliative Care's (EPC) future care systems. The requirements for the system were developed in April 2003 by a working group of management, medical staff and patient carers. The new system was to enhance patient care by improving accuracy, currency and efficiency of patient information. This system has led to a paperless office with all information regarding clients being held electronically.

PalCare is a secure fully managed client information management system and service that integrates medical and community care information into a single view of the client, enabling care providers to optimise the quality of care for their client at the time and point of care. Whether the care provider is at the home of the client, treating the client at the inpatient facilities or on-call, real time information regarding the client can be remotely accessed using Fujitsu electronic tablets via 3G wireless access and can be updated conveniently and efficiently. This keeps medical staff current with any changes to medication or other forms of care a client is receiving.

Royal Children's Hospital Foundation, QLD
$50,000 in 2007
Mobile Tele-ENT Unit for the Pilot Project "Establishment and evaluation of an online health screening service for indigenous children in a remote Queensland community"

Indigenous Health Workers in selected Central Queensland Communities will be responsible for a routine health screening service which will be provided at an established clinic located at Woorabinda Hospital and via a specially equipped screening vehicle (based in Cherbourg). Funding from the Foundation assisted with the purchase of the mobile screening unit.

Vision Australia, VIC
$5,000 in 2007
Orientation and Mobility ProjectSupport was provided to improve the current orientation and mobility training service to people who are blind or significantly vision impaired within the Newcastle/Hunter areas. Clients will be provided with a white cane and two comprehensive training days in safe mobility techniques with ongoing support.