Chronic Health Management

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people seeking general advice for chronic health issues there are two services available.

Chronic Care Program - Canberra Health Services

The Chronic Care Program (CCP) targets frequent users of the acute sector with Heart Failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and other conditions by arrangement. Clinical care coordinators provide individually tailored services including self-management strategies, Advance Care Planning, education, facilitation and coordination of community and other support services.

Clinical Services:

  • Care Coordination Service
  • Advance Care Planning Service

For more information visit Chronic Care Program - CHS or call 02 5124 2273.

Chronic Health Care - Winnunga Nimmityjah AHCS

Winnunga Nimmityjah has a Chronic Disease Coordinator and a Chronic Disease Nurse who can provide you and your family with support for chronic conditions such as diabetes or those at risk of developing diabetes.

For more information visit Chronic Health Care - Winnunga Nimmityjah or call 02 6284 6222.

For specific health conditions click on each heading below to show relevant contacts and information.

Kidney Disease/Renal Failure

ACT Renal Services – Canberra Health Services

People who access these services are usually referred to them through their GP. These services are offered for free if you have a Medicare Card. Please contact ACT Renal Services on between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

For more information visit ACT Renal Services -CHS or call 02 5124 2046.

Chronic Health Care – Winnunga Nimmityjah AHCS

Winnunga Nimmityjah has a Chronic Disease Coordinator and a Chronic Disease Nurse who can provide you and your family with support for renal illness.

Winnunga Nimmityjah has a particular focus on assisting people with diabetes, or at risk of developing diabetes. Come into Winnunga Nimmityjah to see how we can support you.

For more information visit Chronic Health Care - Winnunga Nimmityjah or call 02 6284 6222.

Respiratory or Breathing Diseases

Adults and Children’s Asthma Education Service – Canberra Health Services

Canberra Health Services provide a range of services to the ACT community. Asthma is a condition of the lungs that makes it difficult to breathe. It’s a common health problem that affects up to 1 in 10 children.

The Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine offers a free adult asthma education service on how to manage your condition.

For more information visit the Adults and Children’s Asthma Education Service - CHS or call 02 5124 2066.

Chronic Care Program – Canberra Health Services

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a term used for diseases where airflow is limited, including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and some types of bronchiectasis. COPD is not fully reversible even with treatment and tends to affect middle-aged and older To manage your COPD, you can access the Chronic Care Program and they will provide care coordination through a clinical care coordinator who may be qualified as either a nurse or an allied health professional.

You will be provided chronic care management under the supervision of a respiratory specialist with a documented medical management plan for your Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary. For all other respiratory or breathing conditions contact your local Doctor or GP services for more advice and treatment options.

For more information visit Chronic Care Program - CHS or call 02 5124 2273.

Heart Health and Disease

Chronic Care Program – Canberra Health Services

To manage your heart failure, you can access the Chronic Care Program and they will provide care coordination through a clinical care coordinator who may be qualified as either a nurse or an allied health professional.  

You will be provided chronic care management under the supervision of a cardiologist specialist with a documented medical management plan for your heart failure.

For all other heart health and disease conditions contact your local doctor or GP services for more advice and treatment options.

For more information visit Chronic Care Program - CHS or call 02 5124 2273.

Chronic Health Care – Winnunga Nimmityjah AHCS

Winnunga Nimmityjah has a Chronic Disease Coordinator and a Chronic Disease Nurse who can provide you and your family with support for heart illnesses.

You can access a doctor or GP and other health services by walking into the clinic at any time during opening hours. In addition, they are a bulk billing service – all services at Winnunga Nimmityjah are free of charge for Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander clients.

For more information visit Chronic Health Care - Winnunga Nimmityjah or call 02 6284 6222.

Diabetes

Diabetes Clinic – Winnunga Nimmityjah AHCS

Winnunga Nimmityjah runs a Diabetes Clinic on the second Wednesday of the month from 10am to 1pm. The clinic provides information on managing your diabetes via healthy cooking and eating, regular exercise, and health checks.

Winnunga Nimmityjah also provides access to a podiatrist, diabetes educator and dietitian (nutrition worker), and can link you with other services at Winnunga Nimmityjah.

For more information visit Diabetes Clinic – Winnunga Nimmityjah or call 02 6284 6222.

Diabetes Services – Canberra Health Services

The Diabetes Unit provides various services to help treat and educate people with diabetes in the ACT and surrounding NSW regions. Diabetes services available to those with pre-diabetes, children, adolescents and adults, as well as women during pregnancy.

For more information visit Diabetes Services – CHS or call 02 5124 3794.

Diabetes Nutrition Service – ACT Health

The ACT Health Diabetes Nutrition Service provides group and individual appointments for people with diabetes, gestational diabetes, impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance.

Dietitians work in a multidisciplinary team alongside diabetes educators, podiatrists, social workers and endocrinologists. We are located at:

For more information visit Diabetes Nutrition Service.

Cancer

Canberra Health Services

Canberra Health Services provides various cancer services to help in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of cancer-related illnesses.

These include:

  • Cervical Screening
  • Breast Screening
  • Cancer Counselling

Cervical Screening

On 1 December 2017, the pap test in Australia was replaced with a new cervical screening test. Your first cervical screening test is due 2 years after your last pap test. After that, you will only need to have the test every 5 years if your results are normal.

If you are aged between 25 and 74, have a cervix and have been sexually active, you need a cervical screening test every 5 years. This includes those who have received the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

The test can be carried out by your GP, or a nurse or doctor at a community women’s health centre, family planning and sexual health clinic or Aboriginal Medical Service.

We understand the test can be an invasive experience, so if you feel more comfortable seeing a woman healthcare provider, ask about this when booking your appointment.

The following services also give cervical screening tests:

Sexual Health & Family Planning ACT (SHFPACT)
Level 1, 28 University Avenue
Canberra City
Phone: 02 6247 3077

Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service
63 Boolimba Crescent
Narrabundah
Phone: 02 6284 6222

Breast Screening

Research shows that regular screening of women over the age of 50 reduces the number of deaths from breast cancer.

BreastScreen ACT is part of the national breast cancer screening program, which aims to reduce the amount of deaths from breast cancer through early detection. Detecting cancers when they are small can improve the chances of successful treatment and recovery and can result in better treatment options.

If you are a woman over the age of 40 and live in the ACT, you can get free screening and follow up services through the program.

BreastScreen ACT has three screening clinics in the ACT. For more information visit:

To book an appointment, phone 13 20 50 or send an email to breastscreen@act.gov.au.

Cancer Counselling

Living with cancer can be a stressful time and you may experience a range of emotional, social and psychological changes. Adjusting to these changes can be challenging for you, your family and friends.

Canberra Health Services cancer counselling service aims to support you and help you adjust to some of the common challenges you may face during your cancer journey.

They have a team of experienced social workers and psychologists who provide various individual or group-based services. They also provide information and referrals to other community services as required.

Their services are available to anyone over the age of 16 who lives or works in the ACT has been diagnosed with cancer. They also open up these services to the family members and caregivers of those suffering or have passed away from cancer or a cancer-related illness.

To access their services and make a booking, please see the Community Health Centres and the Canberra Region Cancer Centre which offers full services and support for you, your family and carers.

Cancer Council of Australia

The Cancer Council offers a range of services to support anyone affected by cancer. Find out information about cancer and what type of service and supports are available to you and your family. For more information visit Cancer Council of Australia please call 13 11 20.

Ear, Nose and Throat

Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) – Canberra Health Services

The Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) clinic is a specialty service at the Canberra Hospital. The ENT clinic provides expert clinical care in the diagnosis, treatment and management of adult head and neck conditions.

Their surgeons are specialists in all ENT related conditions, including endoscopic sinus and nasal surgery, laser surgery of the larynx and all head and neck cancer related surgery.

You can access the ENT clinic through a referral from your GP or specialist, the Canberra Hospital Emergency Department or the ENT team following an admission.

For more information visit Ear, Nose and Throat - CHS or call 02 5124 2415.

Hearing Health – Winnunga Nimmityjah AHCS

The Hearing Health program provides hearing tests for clients at Winnunga Nimmityjah and for primary school aged children in ACT public Schools.

In addition, they are a bulk billing service – all services at Winnunga Nimmityjah are free of charge for Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander clients.

For more information visit Hearing Health – Winnunga Nimmityjah or call 02 6284 6222.

Overweight and obesity

Weight and Nutritional Management – Winnunga Nimmityjah AHCS

The Healthy Weight Program is tailored for the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Islander community. It focuses on achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

In addition, they are a bulk billing service – all services at Winnunga Nimmityjah are free of charge for Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander clients.

For more information visit Health weight program – Winnunga Nimmityjah or call 02 6284 6222.

Nutrition – Canberra Health Services

Canberra Health Services provide a variety of nutrition services to the community, including:

Services are available at the following locations:

For more information visit Nutrition - CHS or call 02 5124 9977.

Dental and Oral health

Dental – Canberra Health Services

Adult Dental

Various dental treatments are provided for ACT residents over the age of 18, including general restorative, denture and emergency dental services. Adult dental services are only available to the primary holder of a current ACT Centrelink issued Pension Concession or Healthcare card.

For more information visit Dental – CHS or call 02 6205 1653.

Dentures

A range of denture services are provided, including denture repairs, denture relines and adjustments. They also make both partial and complete new dentures. Denture repairs are handled in the same way as emergency sessions.

For more information visit Dental – CHS or 02 5124 9977.

Emergency Dental

Emergency dental services are provided from Monday to Friday for all people who have access to the Community Health’s dental services and require urgent dental treatment. They can assess you over the phone and offer you an appointment based on the urgency of your needs.

For more information visit Dental – CHS or call 02 5124 9977.

Limited after-hours services are also available at the Phillip Dental Clinic on Saturday mornings including weekend and public holiday emergency care.

For more information visit Dental – CHS or 02 6205 1653.

Dental Services – Winnunga Nimmityjah AHCS

Winnunga Nimmityjah employs two dentists and two dental assistants and provides treatment and preventative dental and oral hygiene care.

Treatments you can access include fillings, dentures and extractions. Winnunga Nimmityjah provides a transport service for people who are unable to arrange their own transport to and from health service appointments.

For more information visit Dental Services - Winnunga Nimmityjah or call 02 6284 6222.

Page last updated on: 15 May 2020