Appendix J Table 11 Summary of Australian veteran health services 1990-1999 Services/programs Availability Eligibility Utilisation Barriers/challenges Resources/funding Australian health services 1990-1999 Veterans and Veterans Families A number of DVA: In 1994 the median age of Counselling Service (VVCS) initiatives for All eligible Australian veterans receiving a disability centre counselling younger veterans veterans, pension was 72 years with 79% outreach counselling were announced peacekeepers and aged 65 years or over. An counselling in the 1994-95 their family members, increase in the use of services was veterans line budget; and attributed to the ageing/increased formal case management (1996) implementation of ADF personnel frailty of the veteran population. these initiatives referred under an Quality of Life package (1993) continued through agreement on a fee for Of the people entitled to health 1995-96. services basis. care through DVA in 1996, Vocational and social rehab for veterans 108,415 (31.8%) lived in rural and (unknown) Allied health Medicare: remote areas. Rural programs services Veterans may choose initially started with approximately Improving Social Networks Program extended to to seek services 20 centres, this increased over the (1996-97) include through the Medicare years to almost 70 centres chiropractic and or private health nationwide. Transition Support Services (unknown) osteopathic systems. services Demand for VVCS services Repatriation Comprehensive Care (1995) reached a new high over 1997-98, Scheme (1996) local medical officers centres were contacted by 2800 – take greater responsibility for Acute hospital new or re-presenting clients. management of chronically ill or complex treatment conditions provided 1997-98: VVCS staff provided exclusively under more than 30,000 sessions in Country Outreach Program (1995-96) the Repatriation metro areas. In rural and remote - Government Health Policy for the Private Patient areas, over 27,000 sessions were Veteran Community in Rural and Remote Scheme (1995) provided. Group program activity Areas (1996) was significantly increased during The last the year under the Younger Repatriation Veterans’ Program; with over 500 Hospital was courses conducted for 4800 transferred in participants. Veterans’ Line 1997. responded to 5600 calls seeking after-hours crisis counselling or information. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Appendix J Table 11 Summary of Australian veteran health services 1990-1999 Services/programs Availability Eligibility Utilisation Barriers/challenges Resources/funding Australian health services 1990-1999 Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) centre counselling outreach counselling counselling veterans line formal case management (1996) Quality of Life package (1993) Vocational and social rehab for veterans (unknown) Improving Social Networks Program (1996-97) Transition Support Services (unknown) Repatriation Comprehensive Care Scheme (1996) – local medical officers take greater responsibility for management of chronically ill or complex conditions Country Outreach Program (1995-96) - Government Health Policy for the Veteran Community in Rural and Remote Areas (1996) A number of initiatives for younger veterans were announced in the 1994-95 budget; implementation of these initiatives continued through 1995-96. Allied health services extended to include chiropractic and osteopathic services (1995) Acute hospital treatment provided exclusively under the Repatriation Private Patient Scheme (1995) The last Repatriation Hospital was transferred in 1997. DVA: All eligible Australian veterans, peacekeepers and their family members, and ADF personnel referred under an agreement on a fee for services basis. Medicare: Veterans may choose to seek services through the Medicare or private health systems. In 1994 the median age of veterans receiving a disability pension was 72 years with 79% aged 65 years or over. An increase in the use of services was attributed to the ageing/increased frailty of the veteran population. Of the people entitled to health care through DVA in 1996, 108,415 (31.8%) lived in rural and remote areas. Rural programs initially started with approximately 20 centres, this increased over the years to almost 70 centres nationwide. Demand for VVCS services reached a new high over 1997-98, centres were contacted by 2800 new or re-presenting clients. 1997-98: VVCS staff provided more than 30,000 sessions in metro areas. In rural and remote areas, over 27,000 sessions were provided. Group program activity was significantly increased during the year under the Younger Veterans’ Program; with over 500 courses conducted for 4800 participants. Veterans’ Line responded to 5600 calls seeking after-hours crisis counselling or information. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
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