Rectangle 579 copy 2

Menu

Home / Strengthening Medicare /  Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Program

Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Program

The MDT Program aims to enhance accessibility to multi-disciplinary team care for people with Pulmonary, Cardiac and Diabetes chronic health conditions in Darwin and Alice Springs.

About

The MDT Program provides support to cover the gap fee for Allied Health clinical services and funds Support Services for individuals who would otherwise be unable to afford these services. This program encourages a multi-disciplinary team approach in primary care for Pulmonary, Cardiac and Diabetes clients.  

Key Program Aims:

  • Enhance access to multidisciplinary team care by improving affordability of Allied Health Services, reducing the cost barrier for individuals in need of coordinated care.
  • Encourage integration and collaboration of multi-disciplinary teams in primary care..
  • Enhance and empower patients to better manage their chronic health conditions and reduce hospitalisation rates in the Northern Territory.   
  • Improve client health and wellbeing outcomes in Darwin and Alice Springs.

Need assistance?

Please contact us to ask any questions around the MDT program by emailing: mdtprogram@ntphn.org.au.

Key documents:

MDT program services

  • System Navigators provide a central referral management point, along with the allocation and coordination of services in collaboration with eligible accredited general practices, allied health providers and MDT support services. The system navigator is also responsible for providing feedback on the progress and outcomes to the GP.
  • MDT Allied Health Providers deliver services to clients, report care plan and outcomes to referring GP, and collaborate with system navigators as required. Eligible providers will be registered with and funded by NT PHN to deliver services in scope of the program.
  • MDT Support Services deliver non-traditional care services (e.g. group low intensity exercise sessions) to program participants as indicated/referred by system navigators via their GP.

General Practitioners (GPs) will complete the MDT Referral Form to refer eligible clients as part of a GP Management Plan (GPMP) and/or Team Care Arrangement (TCA) to the MDT Program.  This referral will be sent to the System Navigator who will work with the GP to coordinate access to services that will improve the client’s health and wellbeing. This may include additional access to allied health services or support services.

To be eligible for the program, the client must:  

  1. Hold a current Health Care Card, Low Income Health Care Card, Pension Card, or meet other specified financial hardship criteria* 
  2. Have a GP Management Plan or Team Care Arrangement 
  3. Live in Darwin or Alice Springs regions and be eligible for Medicare-funded services. 
  4. Have diabetes, pulmonary disease and/or coronary disease. 
  5. Have been hospitalised for their condition in the past 24 months. 

*Financial hardship criteria:  

  1. Someone has recently lost employment but does not yet have the required documentation.  
  2. Someone is experiencing family violence and is unable to access bank accounts.  
  3. Someone is experiencing homelessness or living in crisis accommodation. 
  4. Someone has experienced an environmental disaster, such as a flood or drought.

MDT Program Allied Health Service providers are responsible for delivering clinical services to clients living with diabetes, cardiac disease and/or pulmonary disease in the Darwin and Alice Springs regions. Providers will communicate care progress and outcomes to referrers and collaborate with System Navigators as needed.

Allied Health Service Clinical Types in Scope for the MDT Program

  • Podiatry
  • Physiotherapy
  • Dietetics
  • Diabetes Education
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Psychology
Profession Scope and intended health care goals*
Cardiac disease Pulmonary disease Diabetes
Podiatry Management of arterial and venous insufficiency secondary to cardiac disease Not applicable Management and prevention of diabetes complications of the feet
Physiotherapy Pain management, increased mobility, strength and independence Therapy for management of exacerbations, including breathing techniques for self-management and quality of life Pain management, increased mobility, strength and independence
Dietetics Dietary approaches for good heart health Maintaining appropriate energy and protein intake for preventing frailty and improving and quality of life Dietary approaches for maintaining BGLs and HbA1C within healthy ranges
Diabetes education Not applicable Not applicable Enhanced self-management such as lifestyle changes, medication management, self-monitoring BGLs
Exercise physiology Individualised exercise prescription for cardiac rehab, maintenance of musculoskeletal health, cardiovascular health and other health goals Individualised exercise prescription for improved lung function, aerobic endurance and prevent muscle loss Individualised exercise prescription for maintenance of musculoskeletal health, cardiovascular health and other health goals
Occupational therapy Facilitate functional participation in daily activities and enhance quality of life through tailored interventions addressing personal, environmental and task-related barriers
Psychology Provide assessment and tailored interventions to support treatment adherence, lifestyle change, and management of chronic health conditions

*This is not a comprehensive list of intended health goals; other health goals may be defined by referrer in the context of other health conditions of program participants. 

Funding for Allied Health Providers to Deliver Services

The MDT Program model funds the MDT allied health service providers to deliver the treatments/services to make them more accessible/free for eligible clients.

MDT Services Providers are funded to
service clients (non-ATSI)		 Providers are funded to service Aboriginal
or Torres Strait Islander Clients (ATSI)
Allied health services The gap fee of up to $90 (ex GST)
for up to 5 total MBS services.		 The gap fee of up to $90 (ex GST)
for up to 10 total MBS services.
Allied health services $150 (ex GST) for up to 5 additional
Full Fee services.		 $150 (ex GST) for up to 5 additional
Full Fee services.

How to register: Please complete the (MDT Provider Application Form TBC)

Only registered MDT Allied Health Providers are authorised to deliver services under the MDT Program. Providers must have completed the formal NT PHN onboarding and assessment process and be approved by NT PHN to participate in the program.

If you would like to nominate as an Allied Health Provider for the MDT program, please complete the MDT Provider Application Form.

In some cases, eligible clients may nominate a preferred provider who is not currently part of the MDT provider pool. In such instances:

  • The System Navigator must refer the nominated provider to NT PHN.
  • NT PHN will manage and coordinate the onboarding process directly.

Sign up to our newsletters

Stay up to date with the latest NT PHN primary healthcare news, job vacancies and events.

Subscribe →
Programs
Health Careers
Priorities
Tenders
Health Professionals Hub

Northern Territory PHN acknowledges the First Nations people of the Country on which we work and live, and we recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and skies. We pay our deepest respects to Elders present, emerging and across time.

While the Australian Government Department of Health has contributed to the funding of this material, the information contained in it does not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Government and is not advice that is provided, or information that is endorsed, by the Australian Government. The Australian Government is not responsible in negligence or otherwise for any injury, loss or damage however arising from the use of or reliance on the information provided herein.