HIV Community Grants 2006-07

In Australia, the availability and success of antiretroviral treatments has meant that death from acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is increasingly uncommon. However, AIDS patients, in living longer, have increasingly more complex health problems.

The Victorian HIV/AIDS Service at The Alfred now provides care to patients with multiple medical complications of human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) and complex social and behavioural issues. This has presented significant challenges. The Alfred has responded (in part) by upskilling staff both within and outside the service, improving communication and access to a larger range of health professionals, and developing closer linkages between acute inpatient services and community-based providers.

Despite an improvement in health and a decrease in morbidity and mortality, the need for care and support has not diminished. This is due to the treatment side effects and the psychosocial effects of living with a debilitating illness and with associated issues of poverty, social isolation and mental health.

The reasons for hospitalisation have changed and there is an increasing reliance on hospital outpatient, general practitioner and community services. This shift in care highlights the need for models of service provision to facilitate efficient access and timely transition across a range of healthcare services based on better integration and co-ordination of services.

Community organisations have reported significant increases in demand for their services and a need for more resources to increase their capacity to care for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and to provide additional support to staff and volunteers.

In 2006-07 HIV community care grants were available for one-off, non-recurrent support for community-based initiatives to improve the care of PLWHA. Project funding was available to organisations to undertake projects within the broad categories of education and training, systems re-design, workforce development, consumer information, chronic disease management and community based care for PLWHA.

pplications with a mental health, drug and alcohol, CALD or indigenous health focus were particularly welcome. In particular, agencies were encouraged to develop and submit proposals for funding under the HIV Community Grant funding round that aim to:

• Improve the delivery of services to PLWHA in the community through the application and evaluation of new or existing practices to improve outcomes for health service clients (PLWHA)
• Decrease inappropriate variations in care
• Address the education and training needs of people working with PLWHA, particularly in the areas of mental health, drug and alcohol, accommodation services and cultural and linguistic diversity (CALD).

Organisations that were allocated  HIV Community Grants in 2006-07 are in the table below. Projects commenced in October 2006 and most are of 12 months duration. Organisations are required to submit an interim report at the half way point of the project to detail the progress of results. A final report is due at the completion of the project.

HIV Community Grants 2006-07

^ Top