TAZREACH – Improving access to health services across Tasmania

VOS Expression of Interest

Planning, Purchasing and PerformanceDepartment of Health and Human Services

TAZREACH Funding Agreement – Visiting Optometrists Scheme (VOS)VOS supports optometrists and optical dispensers to provide visiting services to rural and remote areas of Tasmania and Aboriginal organisations including:

Providing vision and eye health screenings, diagnosis and management of eye conditions.

Examination, diagnosis, management or referral for treatment of those patients with eye disease which require specialist care.

Assessment and provision of prescription and non prescription eyewear for the protection and improvement of client vision such as glasses, contact lenses, protective industrial eyewear and UV sun protection.

Provide advice and guidance on nutrition and eye care to support and maintain good eye health.

Evaluation of Submission of Optometry Service ProposalFunding for outreach services is increasingly sought after in Tasmania. For this reason, service proposals for optometry services will be evaluated and ranked according to:

1. the degree of need for optometry services in the nominated community2. the extent to which the proposed optometry service increases access for

people in the nominated community3. the professional standards of safety and quality for the proposed optometry

service4. the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of the proposed optometry service

Please refer to the evaluation criteria listed at the end of this package when preparing this service proposal application.TAZREACH DetailsPhone: (03) 6777 2990Email:

tazreach@dhhs.tas.gov.auPostal Address: Reply Paid 83471

Launceston TAS 7250

Service Delivery Standards and further information can be downloaded from:http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/healthprofessionals/tazreach

Submission Process

Please submit this completed service proposal application and supporting documentation to TAZREACH using the contact details above.All TAZREACH service proposals are considered by an Advisory Forum for approval by the Commonwealth Department of Health (DoH). The Advisory Forum is a State

TAZREACH – Improving access to health services across Tasmania

VOS Expression of Interest

Planning, Purchasing and PerformanceDepartment of Health and Human Services

based forum comprised of local stakeholders who provide DoH with recommendations about whether service proposals meet both the priorities of the Fund and the needs of the proposed location. The approval process can take several weeks.A member of TAZREACH will be in touch with you shortly to discuss the progress of this submission.

TAZREACH – Improving access to health services across TasmaniaService Proposal Application Package

Contact DetailsName:Organisation Name (if applicable):Phone No:Email:Fax:Address:ABN:

Proposed Optometry Service DetailsDiscipline/Speciality: OptometryService Provider:Is the service provider a private or public salaried optometrist? If the provider is a public salaried optometrist, will the position be backfilled during outreach visits?Service Providers Base Location:Service Location & Host Site:Frequency of visits per year:Billing Information: I will claim from the Medicare Benefit Schedule All patients will be privately billed (please outline basic consultation fee to be charged: $_________) All patients will be bulk billed Only concession card holders will be bulk billed There will be no billing

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TAZREACH – Improving access to health services across TasmaniaService Proposal Application Package

Proposed Optometry Service StructurePlease describe the proposed itinerary of the service:(Please include details such as travel and accommodation requirements, intended length of outreach visits, number of optometrists delivering the service, anticipated number of clients per visit and other arrangements to deliver the outreach service)

Please provide details of how the administration and optometry clinic co-ordination aspects of the service will be managed; and who will be responsible for performing them.(Activities may include but are not limited to clinical coordination, booking appointments, patient follow ups, managing wait lists and general administration. If support for some/all of the listed activities are required, please specify)

Please describe the clinical governance process for the proposed service:(Please include details on how the service will ensure professional standards for safety and quality)

Please describe how the service will use eye health literacy strategies to ensure client understanding:

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TAZREACH – Improving access to health services across TasmaniaService Proposal Application Package

Community Need EvidencePlease describe how this optometry service fills a gap in eye health service delivery to the targeted region/community:(Please specify any existing services in the area, closest services available, waiting list period to access closest services, client travel requirements to closest services etc)

Please provide data to evidence the current gap in eye health service delivery:(Evidence should include both quantitative and qualitative data. Examples include information from Australian Bureau of Statistics, waiting list figures, research and letters of support etc)

Please list who has been consulted with as part of this optometry service proposal and include a letter or email of support from at least two of the persons listed:(Please consider all relevant persons, organisations, supporting services and community members as part of the consultation process)

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TAZREACH – Improving access to health services across TasmaniaService Proposal Application Package

Proposed Budget

In order to determine the appropriate ‘Set fee per visit’ amount we require some basic information about the associated costs of delivering the proposed outreach optometry service.We cannot client transport, optometry supplies, medications or the purchasing of equipment.Below is a list of costs associated with delivering outreach optometry services. Can you please tick the applicable cost items and quantities for this service proposal. For the full funding guidelines please refer to the service delivery standards on our website: http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/healthprofessionals/tazreach/funding_informationPlease note in accordance with our funding guidelines ATO rates are applied for all travel expenses.Can the optometrist claim against the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) for this service?Travel: Applicable?

QuantityReturn airfares per personAccommodation nightsCar hire (for interstate / public clinicians only)

Parking (at base location)

Taxi (applicable only if not hiring a vehicle)

Total No. of estimated kilometres if using own/hired vehicleBreakfastLunchDinnerIncidentalsAdministration:Administration support (set fee)

Room hire (paid directly to host site)

Workforce Support (No. of estimated hours):Travel time to and from outreach locationUpskillingProfessional supportOther expenses:Equipment leasingOther (please provide detail)

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TAZREACH – Improving access to health services across TasmaniaService Proposal Application Package

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TAZREACH – Improving access to health services across TasmaniaService Proposal Application Package

Evaluation Criteria

1. Demonstrated need for the optometry service the speciality has been identified as an area of need by local clinical staff or other

service providers Prevalence of eye conditions to be treated (statistical data) Location of nearest alternative eye care provider/s Waiting list of nearest alternative eye care provider/s Impact on client of delayed treatment

2. Increased access Remoteness classification of area to be serviced Billing arrangements Location of outreach optometry service host facility Client travel time and cost Type of transport required by clients to attend optometry clinic (car/bus/plane) Upskilling of local clinicians (if provided, this increases locally available clinical

support)3. The professional standards of safety and quality for the proposed service

the clinical governance structure professional oversight and review of individual practice complaints procedure for clients suitability of venue

4. Cost effectiveness consultation or other fees for clients costs avoided for clients, e.g. by not requiring travel to an alternative provider costs avoided for DHHS e.g. Patient Travel Assistance Scheme, alternative

recruitment cost compared to relevantly similar services in a relevantly similar region the service utilises strategies to enhance the capacity of local clinicians

5. The extent to which the service will support the eye health literacy of its clients

that the service proposer demonstrates an understanding of the significance of eye health literacy for clients

that eye health literacy strategies can be implemented at the clinic location that eye health literacy strategies can be personalised for each patient

Collection of Personal Information

Under the Personal Information Protection Act 2004 the Department of Health and Human Services is the custodian of personal information and the collection, use and disclosure of that information is governed by the Act. For more information please visit www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/about_the_department/your_rights/personal_information_protection

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TAZREACH – Improving access to health services across TasmaniaService Proposal Application Package

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