Open tender: deliver a holistic alcohol and other drug service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Wednesday, 7 April 2021

SEMPHN is pleased to invite eligible organisations to tender to deliver alcohol and other drug and wellbeing services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the lifespan.

Why is this service needed? 

From a review conducted of the South Eastern Melbourne catchment, key findings indicate that Aboriginal young people demonstrate higher rates of risky alcohol and drug use compared to non-Aboriginal young people (DHHS and PwC). 

Tobacco, alcohol and other drugs have been identified as key risk factors contributing to the health gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians (AIHW, 2016). 

About the service

Prospective service providers will be invited to present a service model that meets the needs of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

The treatment model should contribute to the following key objectives:

• To ensure access to targeted and culturally appropriate drug and alcohol treatment services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people which link to broader Indigenous health services.
• Promote linkages with broader culturally appropriate health and support services, including mental health services, to better ensure integrated/coordinated treatment and referral pathways to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with comorbid mental health disorders.
• Support region-specific, cross-sectoral, and integrated approaches to drug and alcohol treatment services based on the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people locally, and focused on improving care coordination at the local level.
• Promote quality improvement approaches and support primary health professionals and specialists through education and training on culturally appropriate care in the delivery of drug and alcohol treatment services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Models of care may include a combination of the following in-scope treatment types:

• early intervention targeting less problematic drug use, including brief interventions
• counselling
• withdrawal management with pathways to post-acute withdrawal support and relapse prevention
• day stay rehabilitation and other intensive non-residential programs
• post-rehabilitation support and relapse prevention
• case management, care planning and coordination.

The successful service provider is expected to ensure an appropriate mix of qualified staff are engaged to competently deliver culturally-appropriate care and provide holistic alcohol and other drug, mental and physical health services, with consideration to both formal qualifications and professional experience.

Eligibility

To review the tender specifications provided through SEMPHN's eProcure. 

Applying for this tender 

• All questions must be submitted via SEMPHN's eProcure. 
• All tenders must be submitted via SEMPHN's eProcure.

Key dates

• 7 April: Tender opens
• 15 April: Closing date for questions in eProcure
• 22 April (3pm): Closing date for responses
• No later than 14 May: Outcome advised
• 21 May: Contract commencement
• 21 June: Service delivery commencement

Associated tags

• alcohol and other drugs
• aod
• commissioning