Where can I find help?

There are people who can help

If you are worried about your health or the health of someone in your family, or if things are changing, talk to someone from your local health care team such as your GP or an Aboriginal Health Worker.

IF YOU NEED HELP NOW

• Dial 000 for immediate emergency services help
• Ring your GP, Aboriginal Health Service, or hospital
• After Hours GP Helpline
• Ring Lifeline on 13 11 14

There are also many resources that can help you find information or health services.

Links to services and organisations 

• The National Health Service Directory has a listing of health services such as GPs, pharmacists and hospitals. You can also search for Aboriginal Health Services.
• Palliative Care Australia has developed the National Palliative Care Service Directory to help improve access to quality palliative care. You can use this to find a specialist palliative care service near you. Other types of services are also included in the database.
• CareSearch has a list of organisations that provide palliative care services and supports for each state and territory.
• CareSearch has a list of health organisations relevant to palliative care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• CareSearch has information on Managing Finances
• MyAgedCare provides Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• The National Rural Health Alliance has a fact sheet about Patient Assisted Travel Schemes (127kb pdf) across Australia that help families with the cost of travel.
• If you have concerns about how you or your family are being treated, you might like to read Do you have a concern? (440kb pdf) from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
• There are also groups who can help you with getting access to care, such as Advocacy Services. For example, the Aged Rights Advocacy Service in South Australia offers a specific Aboriginal Advocacy Program.

"The social workers were a great help. I mean, I didn’t even know what a social worker was and you soon find out all these things"