RFP: Service navigation services to support CALD, refugee, homeless

Eligible services are invited to respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP) to establish service navigation supports across South Western Sydney to improve the health outcomes of people from diverse cultural backgrounds, refugees and/or people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The successful tenderer will deliver critical health navigation services throughout the region.

This opportunity is a result of community consultation which took place earlier this year, followed by co-design sessions to help develop the service navigation guidelines which form part of this tender request.

Procurement overview

South Western Sydney PHN is inviting proposals to commission a service which offers service navigation support to address the health needs of the following identified vulnerable population groups within our region. 

1. People who are homeless. This includes those sleeping rough, couch surfing or living in temporary housing.
2. People who speak a language other than English at home. This includes those from diverse cultural and/or religious backgrounds. These people may be born overseas and may be a refugee.

The primary objective is to commission a service which links community members to appropriate primary healthcare services to enhance access to primary care.

Consortia applications are welcome.

A service navigator will:

• Serve as a single point of contact for individuals from CALD, refugee and/or homelessness backgrounds.
• Connect patients with community health services
• Connect patients with a regular general practitioner for ongoing care
• Set patients up with a Medicare card where eligible
• Utilise supplementary fees to cover primary care costs
• Work with each individual to provide personalised support tailored to their specific health needs
• Promote access to preventative healthcare measures such as cancer screening

The commissioned organisation/s will ensure the delivery of holistic services which address the gaps and barriers faced. The service navigator will organise appropriate and streamlined care.

For people from CALD and refugee backgrounds, the service navigator will understand each patient’s context and diverse background, and provide a culturally appropriate, trauma-informed and person-centred service.

For people who are homeless, sleeping rough, couch surfing or living in temporary housing, the service navigator will understand the healthcare barriers each patient faces and provide appropriate, trauma-informed and person-centred support.

As part of this project, SWSPHN will provide supplementary funding to be used for: 

• General practices visits
• Health checks
• Pathology
• Preventative health activities such as vaccinations, cancer screening and STI/BBV testing
• Wound care
• Medical form support
• Allied health (Speech therapy and podiatry)

Foreign students can access navigation services but will not be eligible for supplementary cost coverage.

Mental health psychology and/or psychiatry visits may be covered under supplementary services, however assessments such as an autism diagnosis will not be covered.

Program principles 

The service navigator team will:

• Be embedded within an existing service location in South Western Sydney to provide accessible and patient-centred support. 
• Develop individualised care plans based on comprehensive initial assessments to ensure tailored and effective service delivery
• Ensure seamless referrals to culturally competent health and social services through a “no wrong door” approach
• Establish appropriate governance to maintain quality standards, cultural competence and fulfill reporting requirements
• Participate in evaluation activities to assess the effectiveness of the service and identify areas for improvement

Download notice [PDF]

Proposal timeline

Submissions accepted via Tenderlink

This Request for Proposal is available on SWSPHN’s Tender Portal – Tenderlink: www.tenderlink.com/swsphn

Interested parties are encouraged to register for SWSPHN’s Tender Portal to ensure they:

• Will receive email notifications when new procurement opportunities are published in relevant categories
• Can access the online forum to address any questions about the program and procurement process
• Can download and view procurement documentation electronically and
• Will be able to submit applications through the e-tender box facility

Information session

Attend the information session for potential respondents to receive an overview of the tender process and requirements, and an opportunity to ask questions relating to the tender documentation.

When: Wednesday, 10 July 2024, 2pm
Where: Zoom

Enquiries

Enquiries regarding this notification can be directed to Amy Prince, Director of Planning and Performance care of Melissa McIntyre, melissa.mcintyre@swsphn.com.au