About our health services
Community Care Intake Service
The Community Care Intake Service (CCIS) is a telephone-based service. We aim to provide you with support and clinical advice about community health services.
Our team of nurses work with you to understand your clinical and social needs and align you to the most suitable services close to home. The CCIS team work closely with local clinicians including GPs, specialists, Allied Health services, hospitals and service providers to arrange care and support. The service also provides information and support to access other services, such as the Federal Government’s, My Aged Care and external providers to assist with social and financial issues. The service is available to people living in all communities across the Murrumbidgee region.
For enquiries and to make an appointment call 1800 654 324.
This number can be called during office hours or leave a message if after hours.
Operating hours
Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 4.30pm
Community Care Nursing Service
The Community Care Nursing Service provides comprehensive and person-centred care to people living at home or in their local community.
The Community Care Nursing Service works in close partnership with local hospitals, doctors, nurses, other health professionals and community and non-Government organisations.
Care Coordination Service
This service helps with managing long term health conditions, providing information and support to you and your family
For enquiries and to make an appointment call our Community Care Intake Service on 1800 654 324 during office hours.
Our dedicated staff will work with you to keep you healthy in your community and support you to stay safe in your home. We help ensure you receive the right services along your health journey.
You can access the following services via the CCIS:
- community nurses
- child and family nurses
- counselling services
- occupational therapist
- dietitian
- kidney and renal services
- physiotherapist
- speech pathologist
- palliative care nurses
- diabetes educator
- respiratory care
- integrated care
- women’s health
- tuberculosis services.
You can call the service and make a self-referral or your local GP, doctor or any service provider can refer you.
Our care is based on individual needs, the services offered will differ but may include:
- care of your clinical condition
- planning and maintaining your health goals
- clinical nursing support for aged care clients to continue to be independent at home.
- post-operative recovery care
- end of life and palliative care
- support for people with chronic conditions to manage illness and improve lifestyle
- health education, support and advice
- support for carers
- identification of risks such as those which may cause falls and steps to improve your safety
- support accessing other services.
Referral
Anyone may make a referral, this includes your doctor, local hospital, family or you can even make one yourself.
All Community Care Nursing referrals are received through the CCIS on 1800 654 324.
After your referral is received
You will be contacted by a Community Care Intake nurse who will:
- chat with you about the care you need including how you are currently managing at home
- ask for your verbal consent to register you for the services you may need
- arrange a time and place for your first visit and get directions to your home if necessary.
Your first visit
The first visit with a Community Care nurse is a longer visit which includes a complete assessment of your needs. This includes:
- providing you with the MLHD Client’s Rights and Responsibilities brochure
- collecting information about you such as your age, where you live, who lives with you and if you need support to manage day to day activities
- completing a full clinical assessment, including medical history, use of medications, current health issues, and how well you manage at home and in the community
- determining the particular needs of those of a different culture, those with an intellectual disability, dementia or related disorders.
Managing complex long term health conditions can be challenging. The Care Coordination service can help you coordinate the people and services working with you.
We can help you and your family to talk to the right people and help you make decisions about your care and how best to meet your health needs.
The Care coordination service can help with planning and providing support by:
- communicating with you, your family, your doctor and medical specialist and other services involved in your care
- assessing your health and social needs
- creating a care plan with you to meet your health needs
- helping you to understand and manag your health conditions
- supporting you to naviaget the health and social service system to find the right care
- using a health coaching approach to help you manage your health conditions
- responding to changes in your needs
- helping you to move between types of care and services
- linking you with community resources to provide extra support in the home
Contact the Community Care Intake Service on 1800 654 324 to make an appointment with a local Care Coordinator.
A Care Coordinator will work with you and your GP or doctor to help meet your health needs. The Care Coordination Service is available to communities across our health district.
Frequently asked CCIS questions
Will it cost me anything?
Phone calls are charged at normal rates that apply to your phone company. Services are provided at no cost for eligible people with a current Australian Medicare Card.
Who will I speak to?
If you require a clinical service you will speak to one of our friendly nursing staff regarding your referral. If you have a general question you will be able to speak with our administrative team.
What happens if my call is not answered?
You will be able to leave a message on our Touchpoint phone system which tracks and prioritises your call. You can also request a call back. You should hear back from CCIS within 24 hours or the following business day. If you are worried please do not hesitate to call again. If it is an emergency, call 000.
How will I know that CCIS are trying to contact me regarding a referral or returning my call?
When CCIS call you the caller ID may be a 5131 1100 number or private. If able CCIS will leave a message or send you a text message leaving a number for you to return the call.
What kind of questions will CCIS ask?
CCIS will need to confirm your identity. Therefore we will ask for your date of birth, Medicare number and general contact information such as your phone number and address. It is also important for us to know the service you require, your relevant medical history and any other services you are receiving. This helps identify and arrange all services that you need.
Do I have to contact CCIS each time I need an appointment?
You only need to call CCIS again if you have a new condition requiring a different community based service. Once your initial appointment is made, future contact is made through the service clinician who will be helping you. Follow up appointments
with the clinician will be made by them.
How will CCIS communicate with my GP?
If required and with your consent CCIS will contact your GP. Our staff are committed to safeguarding your privacy as bound by law according to the NSW Health Privacy Policy Leaflet for Patients. You will be provided a copy of this policy upon request or during your first contact visit from one of our services.
Service and key contacts
A variety of service and key contacts are available for different health needs.
| Service | Contact information |
|---|---|
Administration Health Services Hub | Phone: 1800 654 324 |
| Nurse Unit Manager | Phone: 1800 654 324 |
| Integrated Care Team | Phone: 1800 654 324 |
| Service | Contact information |
|---|---|
| ACCESSLINE | Phone: 1800 800 944 |
| Aged Care Intake | Phone: (02) 5943 2750 |
| Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission | Phone: 1800 951 822 |
| Healthdirect | 1800 022 222 |
Virtual care appointments
Virtual care (telehealth), uses technology to offer patients and consumers a convenient way to connect with health professionals. Virtual care has many benefits for patients, carers and health professionals. Learn more about virtual care.