The role of mainstream General Practice in Aboriginal Health
Mainstream primary care has an important role in ensuring better service provision, including improved health assessment uptake. The CESPHN Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing program aims to improve the capacity of mainstream primary care services to deliver culturally sensitive services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. CESPHN also work with Community Controlled Health Services, including Aboriginal Medical Services to support improved Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing.
Aboriginal people experience significantly poorer health than that of non-Aboriginal people and are at higher risk of developing certain chronic disease. Identification ensures health care needs can be appropriately met. Practice staff and GPs can support Aboriginal patients to self-identify, which is the essential first step in providing specific health services. A patient is considered to be of Aboriginal descent if they identify as being so. Appearance is not a reliable way of determining cultural identity. Routine identification can be assisted through:
- staff cultural awareness training
- improved understanding of the need for and the benefits of health assessments
- culturally appropriate resources in the waiting room
- staff being confident when asking patients the question (of ethnic origin) and explaining its importance. An appropriate way to ask is:
"Are you of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent?"
Alternatively, staff may feel more comfortable using a less direct line of questioning, which can then open the conversation for future enquiry. For example:
"Do you identify with a particular cultural background?"
Health assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People – MBS Item 715
Medical practitioners providing a health assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should use MBS Item 715. This MBS health assessment item has no designated time or complexity requirements. The length of the health assessment will be at the medical practitioner's discretion. MBS Item 715 should be used for health assessments for the following age groups:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who are less than 15 years old
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults who are aged 15 years and over but under the age of 55 years
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander older people who are aged 55 years and over
- Healthy Kids Check provided by a practice nurse or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner – MBS Item 1098
The MBS health assessment for a Healthy Kids Check provided by a practice nurse or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner on behalf of a medical practitioner is provided under MBS Item 10986.
NACCHO guide to a Preventative health assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
MBS Item 715 (Health Assessment) Factsheet - Health Assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People (MBS ITEM 715)
Health Assessment Proformas:
The Government has introduced assistance to eliminate or lower the cost of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines for Aboriginal patients living with, or at risk of, chronic disease. The PBS Co-payment measure is a response to identifying that cost is a significant barrier to accessing medicines for Aboriginal people. Additional information on the Measure is available at the Department of Human Services' Closing the Gap website.
Forms for the PIP Indigenous Health Incentive and PBS Co-Payment Measure:
- Indigenous Health Incentive PIP practice application form
- Indigenous Health Incentive PIP practice application form
- Indigenous Health Incentive PIP practice register authority form
- Indigenous Health Incentive PIP & PBS Co-payment Measure patient registration and consent form
- Indigenous Health Incentive PIP and/or PBS Co-payment Measure multiple registration and consent form
- Indigenous Health Incentive PIP and/or PBS Co-payment Measure patient withdrawal form
The Practice Incentive (PIP) Indigenous Health Incentive is aimed at supporting general practice, as well as Aboriginal health services to provide a comprehensive range of health services to Aboriginal people with chronic health problems. Financial incentives are arranged into 3 components that are based upon the level of care provided. Practices participating in the incentive will also have increased access to supporting health services for their patients. More information on the PIP Indigenous Health Incentive can be accessed at:
Practices registered for the Indigenous Health Practice Incentive Program
Please select the first letter of a suburb that is nearest to you: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Background
From 2016-17, the Improving Indigenous Access to Mainstream Primary Care (IIAMPC) activities and the Care Coordination and Supplementary Services (CCSS) have been combined to form the Integrated Team Care (ITC) Activity.
ITC Activity is one of the measures under the Closing the Gap scheme aimed at improving chronic disease management for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. ITC includes Care Coordination, Supplementary Services and Outreach Work.
Care Coordination
Care Coordination is provided by a qualified healthcare worker to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a chronic condition such as respiratory disease, renal disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes or cancer.
Care Coordinators are qualified health workers (for example, nurses, Allied Health professionals or Aboriginal Health Workers) who support eligible patients to access the services they need to treat their chronic disease according to the General Practitioner (GP) care plan.
The work of a Care Coordinator can include providing clinical care, arranging the services in patients’ care plans and assisting patients to participate in regular reviews by their primary care providers. Care Coordinators work closely with Aboriginal Outreach Workers in many of these activities.
Care coordinators who will work collaboratively with GPs in accordance with the client’s care plan. The care coordinators may assist clients in a number of ways:
- assist people in understanding their chronic health condition and help them to develop self-management skills
- assist with understanding of medicines
- assist with lifestyle changes and referrals to programs to assist
- facilitate connections to other community support services
- organise appointments and/or transport with appropriate services; and
- advise on the importance of following care plans, for example assisting patients to participate in regular reviews with their GP or recommended follow up appointments with allied health or specialists.
Supplementary Services
ITC has a flexible pool of funds that can be used to assist clients receiving care coordination. The funds can be used to improve access to medical specialist and Allied Health services that are in accordance with the client's GP care plan.
Care Coordinators have access to a Supplementary Services Funding Pool when they need to expedite a patient’s access to an urgent and essential Allied Health or specialist service, or necessary transport to access the service, where this is not publicly available in a clinically acceptable timeframe.
The Supplementary Services Funding Pool can also be used to assist patients to access some GP approved medical aids.
Outreach Work
Outreach Workers are a component of the ITC Program to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to access health services and help to ensure that services are culturally competent. They have strong links to the community they work in.
The Aboriginal Outreach Worker provides non-clinical services including the following:
- Information and resources about locally available health services
- Referrals to culturally appropriate health care providers and services
- Information and assistance with travel options to and from health appointments
- Support when attending health appointments, including; GPs, specialists, allied health providers and diagnostic tests
- Assistance with effective communication between yourself and the health care provider
- Information about local community services and activities
ITC Activity is provided by South Eastern Sydney LHD, Sydney LHD and Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. All services provided through ITC are funded through CESPHN, and there are no direct costs to patients.
For more information about ITC
South Eastern Sydney LHD
Phone: 9540 8181
Email: seslhd-seahc@health.nsw.gov.au
Sydney LHD
Phone: 1300 722 276
Email: SLHD-ACTCallCentre@health.nsw.gov.au
Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network
Phone: 9382 1055
Available to any Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patient who has received a health check, and the need for Allied Health Services was identified. Maximum 5 services per year.
Includes:
- Aboriginal Health Worker
- Diabetes Education
- Audiology
- Podiatry
- Exercise Physiology
- Chiropractic
- Dietetics
- Osteopathy
- Mental Health Worker
- Psychology
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech Pathology
- Physiotherapy
Referral to Allied Health for Follow Up Services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Factsheet
Follow-up Allied Health Services for People of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Descent (MBS Items 81300-81360) Fact Sheet
Referral to Allied Health Template
Indigenous follow up referral form
There are several resources available to assist organisations such as General Practices to assess whether their service is culturally safe. Below are resources to assist with developing a culturally safe service interested GPs and Practices.
- Cultural Awareness Self-Assessment Toolkit - ACT Council of Social Service Inc
- Working with Aboriginal people and communities: Health and community services audit - Making Two Worlds Work
CESPHN also facilitates regular Cultural Awareness Training CPD events for General Practitioners, Practice Nurses, Practice Staff and Allied Health Providers. Please view our events page for a list of upcoming training sessions. These events are free of charge for financial members. For more information on how to become a member see our membership page here
Aboriginal Employment Strategy
Address: 1-9 Glebe Point Rd Glebe.
Phone: 8571 0999
Services: A not-for-profit organisation that specialises in placing and mentoring Aboriginal people into employment
Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council
Phone: 9212 4777
Address: Level 3, 66 Wentworth Avenue SURRY HILLS NSW 2010
Area Served: NSW
Services: Advisory service on Aboriginal health and medical services, community information.
Aboriginal Medical Service
Address: 36 Turner Street REDFERN NSW 2016
Phone: 9319 5823
Email: amsredfern@amsredfern.org.au
Hours: Monday to Thursday: 9amto 6pm & Friday: 10am to 5pm
Services: Counselling, diabetes, HACC services, HIV/AIDS, sexual assault, health education, aged care services and Aboriginal health services.
Target Group: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, Addicts, Carers, People with Disability, Housebound, Older People
Aboriginal Mental Health Services
Contact: Aboriginal Mental Health Worker, Camperdown Community Mental Health Services
Address: Level 5, King George V Building, Missenden Rd Camperdown
Phone: 9515 5000
Area Served: Suburbs of Redfern, Waterloo, Alexandria, Darlington, Chippendale, Erskineville, Newtown (part), Camperdown, Annandale, Glebe, Forest Lodge, Ultimo, Pyrmont, Rozelle, Lilyfield, Leichhardt, Balmain and Birchgrove
Aged Care & Rehabilitation
Contact: Referral & Information Centre (Northern Cluster – SSWAHS)
Phone: 1800 556 533 or 9767 5200
Services: For health service and other information on assistance and services for elderly people in the Ashfield, Burwood, Camperdown, Concord, Canterbury, Canada Bay, Marrickville, Strathfield, Leichhardt and parts of Sydney LGA
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet is a web resource that informs practice and policy in Indigenous health by making research and other knowledge readily accessible. The HealthInfoNet is not a provider of health services, nor does it provide crisis support. If you require urgent help, please contact:
- Lifeline Australia 131 114
- Kids Help Line 1800 551 800
- Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
- Care Coordinators: Vanessa Collins, Rhondda Glasson Phone: 8752 4911
Centrelink
Contact: Indigenous Services Unit
Phone: 9243 3429
Indigenous Call Centre: 13 6380
Address: 140 Redfern Street REDFERN NSW 2016
Services: Advocacy, support for Centrelink Indigenous clients in the East and Western areas of Sydney to access to: education, employment and training. Community, engagement and building partnerships.
Community Health Centre - Redfern
Phone: 9515 3150
Contact: Aboriginal Health Worker, Community Nursing
Address: Redfern Community Health Centre, 1 Albert St, Redfern
Services: Generalist community nursing providing assessment, referral and direct care services to people in their own homes.
First Peoples Disability Network Australia (FPDN)
Phone: 8399 0882
Address: 402/161 Redfern St, Redfern
Services: Brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in an attempt to address the high degree of unmet need for Aboriginal people with a disability.
Area Serviced: NSW
Home and Community Care (HACC) Program – Inner West
HACCaims to provide basic maintenance and support services for frail older people, younger people with disabilities and the carers of both of these groups, so they can be independent and live at home for as long as possible.
Housing NSW
General Inquiries 24 hr on 1300 468 746
Target Group: Low income earners, pensioners and people with disabilities from18 years who are unable to secure and retain accommodation in the private market
Address: Level 7, 52 Railway Parade, Burwood
Phone: 8372 4700
Address: Ground Floor, 219- 241 Cleveland Street, Redfern
Phone: 9268 3444
Housing Pathways NSW
Temporary Accommodation Line: 1800 155 152
Aboriginal Housing Information Service: 1800 727 555
Hospital Services - Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Contact: Aboriginal Liaison Officer (Male and Female)
Phone: 9515 9278 (male) & 9515 9277 (female)
Address: Level 6 KGV Building Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road CAMPERDOWN NSW 2050
Services: Advocacy, Counselling, support for Aboriginal patients, liaison with registered nurses, social workers and discharge planners
Royal Prince Alfred Sexual Health Clinic
Contact: Aboriginal Health Worker
Phone: 9515 3131
Address: Page Building, Level 5, Missenden Road, CAMPERDOWN NSW 2050
Services: Sexual health clinics including screening and vaccinations for sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS services, counselling, Aboriginal health centres and women’s health centres Target Group: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
Indigenous Men's Sexual Health
Phone: 9515 5297
Address: Ground floor Building 12, Missenden Road, CAMPERDOWN NSW2050
Services: Promotion of Indigenous men’s sexual health, health education, Community information services, aboriginal health centres.
Area Served: Sydney Inner West HACC
Target Groups: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders males
Inner West Aboriginal Community Corporation (IWACC)
Phone: 9572 7066
Address: 182 Livingstone Rd, MARRICKVILLE
Services: Domestic assistance, transport and personal care, information on Home and Community Care Services and In home respite service provides carers with a few hours of respite each week
Target Group: Aboriginal people who are frail aged (over 45 years) or have a disability.
Salvation Army Community Service Centres
Address: 30 Anglo Road, Campsie
Phone: 9787 2333
The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)
Office: 221 London Circuit Canberra City ACT 2601
Postal: PO Box 5120 Braddon ACT 2612
Phone: 6246 9300
Fax: 6248 0744
Wyanga Aboriginal Aged Care Program
Contact: Client Services Officer
Phone: 9319 7175
Address: 33 Cope Street REDFERN NSW2012
Target Group: Aboriginal people over 45 years and carers.
Services: Aged care services, home care and health services
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessments - barriers to improving uptake
Kehoe, H., Lovett, R. W. 2008