Chief Minister Katy Gallagher MLA will tomorrow launch the HeartLink program at 11am at Wattle Street Medical Practice, 83 Wattle Street, O’Connor.
Cardiovascular disease is the biggest killer of Canberrans. Across Australia it affects one in six Australians, and affects two out of three families.
“This local project will help Canberrans at high risk of developing heart disease or stroke to reduce their risk through on-the-ground support to implement healthy lifestyle changes. This is an innovative model of care creating linkages between general practice and the community sector,” said Chief Minister Katy Gallagher MLA.
“My practice is one of six ACT general practices participating in the project. If my patient is identified as high risk, I can provide initial support in the practice and then refer them to up to 6 free sessions with a community based lifestyle advisor so they can receive assistance to improve their lifestyle and reduce their cardiovascular risk,” said Dr Rashmi Sharma, ACT Medicare Local Chair and Isabella Plains Medical Centre Practice Principal.
Patients discuss, develop and negotiate a personalised health improvement plan with a advisor based on agreed lifestyle improvement priorities. The advisor will also help patients connect with community based services and programs they need to make long term change
“At the end of the 12 months, a patient will be reassessed by their GP to determine if their cardiovascular risk has been reduced,” said Dr Sharma.
“Heartlink also provides an important opportunity to conduct high quality local research to add to our knowledge about what works in helping people reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke and stay healthy,” said Professor Rachel Davey, Director of the Centre for Research and Action in Public Health at University of Canberra.
The three-year pilot project is a collaboration between ACT Medicare Local, the Heart Foundation and the University of Canberra.
“The project is an excellent example of collaboration across key sectors, bringing together a range of important skills to address a complex health problem,” said Heart Foundation Project Coordinator Nerida Bellis.
Six general practices are participating in the project, namely Belconnen Medical Centre, Conder Surgery, Florey Medical Centre, Isabella Plains Medical Centre, Wattle Street Medical Practice and West Belconnen Health Cooperative.
WHAT: Launch of HeartLink - Better outcomes for Canberrans at high risk of cardiovascular disease
DATE: Tuesday, 7 February 2012
TIME: 11am
WHERE: Wattle Street Medical Practice, 83 Wattle Street, O’Connor