Health Care

The SHOAMP Health Care Scheme provides treatment and counselling for eligible personnel who were involved in F-111 deseal/reseal and fuel tank maintenance work. The SHOAMP Health Care Scheme also provides counselling for family members of Group 1 participants, and other personnel employed at RAAF Base Amberley at the time of the F-111 deseal/reseal programs.

Image courtesy of the RAAF

The Better Health Program provides health screening and health information for F‑111 deseal/reseal and fuel tank maintenance workers.

You may also need to know:

Respite Care is designed to provide relief for a carer who has the responsibility for a person requiring ongoing care, attention or support; it may be used in times of unavailability of the carer, for any reason.

Respite Care at a glance
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View as PDF (51KB)

Counselling Services. Mr Matthew McGuinness has been appointed as the F-111 Project Officer coordinating F-111 specific counselling services through the VVCS. Matthew has worked with VVCS for a number of years as a clinical counsellor and in leadership roles. He is coordinating the design and delivery of all counselling services for former F-111 fuel tank maintenance workers and their families. Roll out of F-111 specific programs continues, with residential Lifestyle courses planned throughout 2012.

All VVCS counselling services are currently available to eligible F-111 fuel tank maintenance workers and family members. These services include: counselling for individuals, couples and families to address a range of service-related issues; group programs, including management of anxiety, depression, anger and sleep; residential lifestyle programs, and a range of psycho-educational workshops. For further information on VVCS services, please contact your nearest VVCS centre on 1800 011 046.

You can also check out the VVCS at www.dva.gov.au/health/vvcs.

SHOAMP Health Care Scheme

The SHOAMP Health Care Scheme provides for the cost of health care and counselling, including access to programs run by the VVCS - Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service for personnel who worked in the F-111 fuel tank maintenance and directly related activities.

There are some recent (May 2010) changes to the eligibility requirements for the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme. The scheme, which had closed in 2005, is now open for new registrations and treatment of specific conditions. (This includes the scheme being re-opened to those who may have lodged compensation claims for their condition after the 20 September 2005 cut-off date, and who may be eligible for reimbursement of health care treatment costs incurred in the interim.)

Am I eligible for the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme?
How do I register for the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme?
Can I get help filling out my SHOAMP Health Care Scheme registration form?
Conditions covered by the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme
What services are available under the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme?
How do I access services through the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme
Information for health care treatment providers (PDF 71 Kb) (RTF 79 Kb)

Better Health Program

The Better Health Program provides F-111 deseal/reseal and fuel tank maintenance workers with access to:

Cancer Screening – provides early detection for colorectal cancer and melanoma; and
Health Information and Disease Prevention – promotes a healthy lifestyle by providing information on health conditions, including erectile dysfunction, depression and anxiety.

Leaflet for doctors and other health care providers - treating F-111 clients

The SHOAMP Health Care Scheme provides treatment and counselling services for workers who were involved in the fuel tank maintenance of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-111 aircraft. The information leaflet, below, provides an overview and background information on the F-111 deseal/reseal fuel tank maintenance programs and DVA's SHOAMP Health Care Scheme.

See Information for health care treatment providers (PDF 71 Kb) (RTF 79 Kb)

Counselling Services

The VVCS - Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (on 1800 011 046) is a specialised, free, confidential, Australia-wide service for veterans and their families. Services include:

individual, couple and family counselling
after-hours crisis telephone counselling via Veterans Line
case management
group programs for common mental health issues – anxiety; depression; sleep disorders; anger
psycho-educational programs for couples (includes a residential lifestyle management program)
'Stepping Out', a 2-day ‘transition’ program for ADF members and their partners preparing to leave the military
'Changing the Mix'– a self-paced alcohol reduction correspondence program – to register call 1800 1808 68
Information - education and self-help resources.
VVCS can help you work through issues such as stress; relationship and family problems; other lifestyle issues; emotional or psychological issues associated with your military service.

VVCS staff are professionally qualified with skills and experience in working with life problems, particularly those concerned with your service, or your family member’s service. VVCS also provides a wide range of programs and treatment for war and service-related mental health conditions. At present the VVCS does not provide F-111 specific programs but such services are being developed and will be available in March 2011. Meanwhile all of the above services are available. To access VVCS please call 1800 011 046.