About This Program
- Information about employing an Aboriginal Health Worker (under PIP)
- Information to practices on entitlements of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients.
- Promoting to practices the importance of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identification.
- Collaboration in the establishment of Aboriginal Family Clinic at Noarlunga and Clovelly Park
Identifying and caring for Indigenous patients in your General Practice
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples suffer much poorer health status than non-Indigenous Australians. Certain Medicare items and the National Indigenous Pneumococcal & Influenza Immunisation (NIPII) Program have been implemented to try to improve the appalling health status amongst our Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander population.
Establishing Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin cannot be done on looks alone! It is vital that practice staff are proactive in identifying people of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin. Please ask your patients this question-
'Are you of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin?'
[For persons of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin, mark both 'yes' boxes.]
º No
º Yes, Aboriginal
º Yes, Torres Strait Islander
It is not racist to ask this question and correct identification increases access to the Medicare health checks and immunisations that Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples are entitled to. Please include this question on New Patient registration forms and gather this data when opportunity presents itself e.g. Flu clinics, data cleaning.
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Indigenous Health Checks / Assessments
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) Health Assessments
For further information please click here.
Item 704: health assessment of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patient 55 years or older done by the medical practitioner at consulting clinic.
Item 706: health assessment of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patient 55 years or older done by the medical practitioner at patient's home and NOT done at consulting clinic, hospital or residential aged care facility.
Item 708: annual child health assessment of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child 0-14 years inclusive.
Item 710: two yearly health assessment for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patient aged between 15-54 years inclusive.
The person having the assessment must identify or be identified as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin and give permission for the assessment.
Item 708 Template (available as Medical Director template here)
Item 710 Form (available as a Medical Director template here)
The assessment includes:
- taking the patient's medical history
- examining the patient
- making or arranging any required investigations
- assessing the patient's health
- undertaking any necessary interventions or referrals
- documenting a straightforward strategy for good health.
NOTE: The patient's doctor must see the patient as part of the health check but in some circumstances parts of the check are able to be carried out by an ATSI health worker, nurse or other health professional under the supervision of the patient's doctor.
Immunisation: Indigenous patients can access the National Indigenous Pneumococcal & Influenza Immunisation (NIPII) Program. The National Hotline is 1800 671 811.
If you would like support in any aspects of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identification or information about the MBS item numbers for Indigenous peoples, please contact Sonja Martens at gpns.
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Aboriginal Family Clinic
Medical and Nursing Service
ph 8179 5943 - Mondays at Clovelly Park.
Thursdays and Fridays at Noarlunga Health Village.
FMC Aboriginal Health Unit (Karpa Ngarrattendi)
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm
Referrals: For Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples only
Contact Manager - Laney MacKean
Ph (08) 8204 5012 ; Fax (08) 8204 5486
Email
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Transcript of speech of apology by PM Rudd - May 2008
Closing the Gap.
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