Ask a health navigator
Have you just been given a diagnosis and you're not sure where to start?
Are you taking steps to improve your health and wellbeing, and need help finding services?
Are you having trouble working out the aged care system?
Finding health and wellbeing services can be hard. We can help!
Our Health Navigators are here to help to listen to your needs, provide you with information*, and connect you with services that can help you on your health and wellbeing journey. And the best news it's completely free^ for every Tasmanian, member or not.
*All information provided through health navigation is for information purposes only and is not suitable for the advice of a qualified health professional.
^If you use the services of a provider we have suggested, there may be fees involved.
Here are some questions we received recently from some participants:
What is the difference between a social worker and a psychologist?
Social Workers help people tackle problems by helping to clarify issues, explore options and develop strategies. They do not tend to diagnose or offer assessments, but they can support people with mild to moderate symptoms of mental illness. Psychologists have special training in diagnosis and assessment, and they tend to support people with more severe mental health problems. Some psychologists can offer ADHD assessments, and it is important to note that whilst psychologists may be able to diagnose ADHD, they cannot prescribe medication.
Is there a way to claim appointments with a mental health professional through Medicare?
If you are interested in claiming an appointment with a mental health professional through Medicare, you might be able to obtain a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) from your GP. A MHTP allows someone to claim a Medicare rebate for up to 10 individual and 10 group sessions with a mental health professional each year. It is important to note that if you have Private Health Insurance (and the appropriate level of cover), you cannot claim a rebate from Medicare and your private health insurance towards the same appointment, they must be used individually. The allied health professionals that can provide services under a MHTP are clinical psychologists, registered psychologists, occupational therapists and social workers. Our Health Navigators can chat with you in more detail about the differences between social workers and psychologists. While we don’t offer clinical advice, we can explain how Mental Health Treatment Plans work and help you understand the practical steps involved in getting connected to the right support.
I want to see a dietitian who specialises in coeliac disease - can you help me find someone?
We know it can feel better to talk to a clinician who really understands your needs. That’s where our Health Navigators come in — we’re here to help you narrow down the options. We talk to clinics all over Tasmania and learn what different clinicians are experts at. If we don’t know the answer right away, we’ll look into it and get back to you. We can also show you how to start looking yourself. For example, did you know many clinic websites tell you what each team member specialises in? We’re happy to guide you through it.
I’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and I’m feeling lost - I need some support and I want to learn more about managing my diabetes.
We understand that a new diagnosis can be overwhelming and it can be hard to know where to start with finding help. Our Health Navigators can take the hard work out of finding out what support services and resources are out there. We can have a chat about where you can turn for help and how to learn more about diabetes, so you feel confident and in control of your health journey.
So if you have a question, or just need a hand getting started on your journey, reach out to one of us today. You can book an appointment with the team or fill in the form below. Please allow two business days for a response.
Ask a Health Navigator
St Lukes collects personal information on this form for the purpose of contacting you regarding your enquiry. If you do not provide this information we may be unable to assist you with your enquiry. To find out how St Lukes collects, holds, uses and discloses personal information, our Privacy Policy is available here. By clicking submit you consent to the collection of your personal information on this form and to our Privacy Policy.