Integrated case management program (ICMP)

Across the WA health system there are a range of different case management support teams, all which work toward the common goal of supporting people to improve their health and well-being. The Integrated case management program (ICMP) are a team of experienced, friendly, and caring case workers, that provide individualised support services for people living with HIV (PLWH) who have complex psychosocial needs or challenges in their lives.

Through a collaborative process, ICMP works with clients to improve their physical health, addressing barriers to health or social services, and provide advocacy and support for a range of issues. The ICMP recognises that adhering to treatment, then achieving and sustaining an undetectable viral load, both protects the health of PLWH and means that HIV cannot be sexually transmitted to others. This works toward meeting the UNAIDS and the Western Australian Department of Health goal to achieve 95 per cent of people living with HIV on treatment, being virally suppressed, and reporting improvements in their quality of life.

The ICMP works to ensure no one is left behind in accessing treatment, by developing tailored plans of support based on client-specific goals, guided by the following ways of working.

1. Being respectful: we respect a person’s rights and actively advocate for a client’s preferences which will support their health and well-being, with a focus on the treatment and management of their health.
2. Leading with kindness: we treat people with kindness and understanding with the goal of enhancing well-being, preventing harm, and improving client outcomes.
3. Preventing harm: we work to avoid harm to clients, prioritising safe and effective options, considering potential risks and benefits in collaboration with the client.
4. Being reliable: we work in an honest and transparent way, so we can establish trust and communicate options in relation to making decisions.
5. Ensuring equity: we treat all clients fairly and without discrimination, working to promote equal access to resources and services through advocacy, and addressing any issues of stigma or discrimination.

As everyone has different needs, ICMP seeks to understand what a client’s current circumstances are, then what their health care and other needs might be. Some examples of the types of support we offer include:

• assistance with attending medical appointments and accessing treatment
• providing help with understanding the best possible treatment options
• support in contacting and communicating with other organisations, such as for housing, Centrelink, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and referrals for other support services
• accessing counselling, mental health, drug and alcohol support
• self-management and goal setting.

The ICMP can provide services to people that are referred to us, or to people that contact us for support. If a person is referred to us, it is often because they need some help in managing and treating their HIV. In such cases we work with the same goal of improving a client’s health and wellbeing.