Austin Health

The Austin Health Independence Program (HIP) was previously known as HARP / SACS / PAC

About Us

Austin HIP provides short term support for people who are at risk of hospitalisation, who need assistance to transition from hospital to home, support to manage a known or emerging chronic disease or who are at risk of presentation/admission to hospital which otherwise might be avoided.

Clients must have most of their care delivered by Austin Health or live in the general vicinity of the health service. Services are time limited, and clients are encouraged and assisted to access community services as soon as possible.

HIP is an integrated service comprising a number of ambulatory care services previously known as:

• Post-acute care services that support transition from hospital to home (PAC)
• Sub-acute ambulatory care services including centre-based and home-based rehabilitation, and specialist clinics (SACS)
• Hospital admission risk program (HARP)

HIP provides a client-centred approach and services are coordinated. Centre-based and home/community-based services are provided according to client need. Our clients benefit from early diagnosis, advice and support. We work with our clients to optimise their ability to return to and function in their community.

HIP Streams of Care

Complex Care Management:

Our skilled and experienced care management team supports people with chronic disease, those who are aged/frail and/or have complex needs. They may frequently use hospital services or are at risk of an admission to hospital.

We also support people who are discharged from a public hospital who need short term support to ensure a safe discharge and recuperate in their community.

Specialist Clinics and Services:

Our clinics provide specialist assessment, diagnosis,management and education for people with specific conditions:

• Continence
• Complex Pain Service
• Cognitive Dementia and Memory Service (CDAMS) - diagnostic only
• Falls and Balance
• High Risk Foot Clinic (refer through usual outpatients clinics process)
• Wound  (refer through usual outpatients clinics process)

Community Rehabilitation:

Our skilled rehabilitation teams provide a range of services that best meet our client's needs and we aim to help people to maximise their independence. Services are delivered in a range of settings, including a person's home or in one of our centres.

• ABI/neurological
• Aged/multidisciplinary rehabilitation
• Amputee
• Functional Restoration (chronic fatigue)
• Falls and Balance
• General
• Orthopaedic

How to Refer:

All HIP referrals are triaged through central intake.

Referral inquiries - phone 03 9496 2211 (option 1)

Fax referrals to HIP Central Intake - 03 9496 4337

Austin HIP is also associated with Your Community Health (previously Darebin Community Health Service).