General News
3 October, 2022
HARP makes a difference
TIMBOON and District Healthcare Service (TDHS) has teamed up with South West Healthcare and Terang and Mortlake Health Service to bring the Hospital Admission Reduction Program (HARP) to local areas.
TIMBOON and District Healthcare Service (TDHS) has teamed up with South West Healthcare and Terang and Mortlake Health Service to bring the Hospital Admission Reduction Program (HARP) to local areas.
HARP is an important service supporting streamlined care services and a holistic approach.
TDHS has also joined forces with MPower Warrnambool to provide a range of one-off or short-term supports for carers.
HARP was introduced to the district in June 2022, after funding was made available via the Victorian Government’s Better at Home initiative.
Warrnambool’s Colin O’Neill, who is employed by South West Healthcare as the HARP care co-ordinator, provides the service to TDHS two days per week.
His role includes the identification of clients at risk of multiple hospital presentations and working with them to develop strategies to manage their condition.
Mr O’Neill convenes regularly with the multi-disciplinary team who meet to discuss client needs and the various members provide input on the services that are available.
He has previously worked as a nurse including roles in critical care and nurse educator positions.
It was through the COVID remote patient monitoring Mr O’Neill moved into a community health role at SWH.
His role includes client education and aligning client services.
Albert Jarvis, along with daughter Lisa and her partner Leigh, credit Mr O’Neill and the HARP program for the improvement in Mr Jarvis’s condition.
Ms Jarvis, together with Mr Richardson, care for Mr Jarvis who will turn 85 in December.
Mr Jarvis had been hospitalised for influenza at South West Healthcare Warrnambool.
He was later transferred to TDHS for afew weeks.Mr O’Neill became involved duringthis time.
Mr Jarvis has been living with Ms Jarvis at her Peterborough home for the past three years after his wife died, with the pair ashis carers.
The couple cannot speak highly enough of Mr O’Neill and his ability to streamline their interactions with various health services.
“He is approachable and easy to work with,” Ms Jarvis said.
“Dad has taken a bit of a turn in life. He has improved immensely with Colin’s assistance.” Albert, a smoker for 40 years, has recently given the cigarettes away thanks to his stays in hospital and respite.
“He couldn’t smoke in hospital, now he doesn’t need to use his puffer and is sick less often,” Ms Jarvis said.
“Colin also arranged the occupational therapist to come and assess dad, so now he is more mobile on his walker.”
While the HARP service is only new, Wendy Doolan has already met with Mr O’Neill a number of times.
“He should be a doctor,” she said.
Mrs Doolan said she appreciated the way Mr O’Neill explains things to her.
She was suffering from shortness of breath and saw Dr Shashi at the Timboon Clinic, who referred her onto Warrnambool.
In Warrnambool they diagnosed arrhythmia and have now prescribed medication to regulate her heartbeat.
Mrs Doolan now sees a heart specialist in Warrnambool and appreciates how Mr O’Neill is connecting her with other services.
Staying as healthy as she can is important for Mrs Doolan, who enjoys speedway and attended the three days of the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic in January, and looks forward to attending again this summer.
Studies show patients who are treated at home have better health outcomes because they sleep better, stay socially connected and are more active.
Home treatment also reduces pressure on the hospital system, which has been a concern over the past couple of years during COVID.
No referral is required to access HARP. Colin O’Neill can be contacted via TDHS on 5558 6000.
