Who are HIPs and HCs?
Health Improvement Practitioners (HIPs) and Health Coaches (HCs) are an integral part of the clinical team at many of our medical centres. These team members work alongside your doctor and nurses and their services are free for enrolled patients. They help your general practice team deliver various mental well-being supports and tools.
Support is available without long waits, often on the same day.
HIPs and HCs will tailor their care for you, but this may include:
- Improving your mood or mental health
- Changing habits to reduce the harm of drinking or drug use
- Learning tools to help you sleep better and address other physical health issues that are impacting your mental well-being
- Talk about things that are bothering you – relationships, grief, loneliness, or family violence
- Making lifestyle changes to manage long-term health conditions, disabilities, or chronic pain
- Increase connection to the positive supports in your life, helping you to feel less alone
- Get connected to services in the community
Services
Health Improvement Practitioners (HIPs) and Health Coaches (HCs) support is available free of charge to anyone, of any age, enrolled at a participating general practice. There are no referral criteria, and you can get help with any issue that is negatively impacting your health and wellbeing.
Sessions are brief (15-30 minutes) and focus on what is important to you, today. At your first session, you will get some strategies and a plan to start making some positive changes. Like seeing a GP, there are no limits to how often you can see the HIP or HC. They will work with you to make progress toward your goals - this may only take one session, but you can always come back and see them again if new issues come up. HIPs and HCs are situated in the clinic and work closely with the GP team. This integrated approach enhances overall well-being and improves health outcomes in our communities.
