New health scheme starts in April

Press, 23 March 1985, Page 7

New health scheme starts in April

A new, small-scale community health scheme aimed at encouraging groups to improve their own health will get under way next month.

The Community Health Initiatives Funding Scheme (C.H.1.F.5.) will help groups to increase their self-reliance, using self-help and community development approaches to health.

The scheme, administered by the Health Department, will provide technical and financial support for community groups. The department’s director of health promotion, Dr John Holden, said the types of community groups who would come under the scheme were those who de-

fined their own health needs or problems and the solutions.

The fund would start with $lOO,OOO this year, $200,000 next year, and would reach a maximum of $300,000 in 1987, when it would be reviewed. The scheme would not fund research, or provide support to ’ established organisations for existing programmes. “Technical support available to groups may include advice, information, occasional services, and expertise,” he said. Financial support would range from $5O to $20,000 a year. The scheme was aimed at small, short-term projects, he said. District health offices

would assist groups making applications for the scheme. “Where a group applies for less than $lOOO, the application will be looked at and a decision made quickly. Where the sum is over $lOOO, a decision will be made by a committee which sits twice a year.”

Dr Holden said that the department would like to. move towards health professionals sharing their skills and resources with community groups so that they could become more selfreliant. The scheme would encourage such a partnership. The scheme application forms would be available from any district health office from April 1, he said.