Aboriginal Health

"NAIDOC WEEK 2010"
4 July - 11 July
Click HERE for Calendar of Events Poster 2010
www.naidocsa.com

On this page you will find important and up to date information about Aboriginal health, including Medical Director Templates for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, a comprehensive Aboriginal Directory of Services, other site links, plus much more.

Medical Director (ATSI Templates) | Aboriginal Services Directory | Latest News | Other Links | AWGPN Contact

Closing The Gap - New Aboriginal Health Project for AWGPN 2010

- Includings many PIP incentives and Free offers: go to Closing the Gap page

Let’s See It Through National Reconciliation Week 2010 27 May–3 June

Increasing the capacity of mainstream primary care to provide culturally sensitive services for Aboriginal Australians will increase the options available for Aboriginal Australians.
Intended outcomes:
• An increase in the overall health of the Aboriginal population
• Improved access to culturally sensitive primary care services for Aboriginal Australians; and
• Improved management of chronic conditions experienced by Aboriginal Australians
Aims and objectives:
The aim of the Closing the Gap – Improving Aboriginal Access to Mainstream Primary Care Program is to contribute to closing the gap in life expectancy by improving access to culturally sensitive primary care services for Aboriginal Australians.
The objectives of the Program are to:
• Increase access to mainstream primary care services by Aboriginal peoples;
• Improve the capacity of general practice to deliver culturally sensitive primary care services;
• Increase the uptake of Aboriginal specific medical Benefits Schedules (MBS) items including Aboriginal Health Checks and follow up items;
• Support mainstream primary care services to encourage Aboriginal Australians to self identify;
• Increase awareness and understanding of Closing the Gap measures relevant to mainstream primary care; and
• Foster collaboration and support between the mainstream primary care and the Aboriginal health sectors.

For more details regarding Closing the Gap program, please see Closing the Gap page

Medical Director (ATSI) Templates

Health Assessments

ATSI Health Assessments

Children 0-14
Item 708

Item 708 for ATSI Children 0-14 years

Child Health Check

ATSI Child Health Check
by North East Valley Division of General Practice. (92.3 Kb)

Adult 15-54
Health Check

ATSI Adult Health Check 15-54 year old
by Riverina Division of General Practice. (44.8 Kb)

Aboriginal Services Directory

Comprehensive 33 page 'Services Directory' for all Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander services. This directory has been kindly provided by the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation.

Aboriginal Services Directory in SA - 2008 (PDF 181Kb)

Aboriginal Health News

Role of the Aboriginal Liaison Officer -
The Aboriginal Liaison Officer (ALO) position is a vital part of supporting and monitoring the journey of the Indigenous patient through the hospital and health systems. See news article written by Natalie Williams (pictured herewith), Aboriginal Liaison Officer, TQEH (AWGPN News Oct/Nov07)

Role of the Aboriginal Liaison Officer

Reconciliation and Cultural Respect Framework

Aboriginal Home Care

Aboriginal Home Care provides in home and community support to frail elderly Aboriginal people, younger Aboriginal adults with disabilities and carers of people who are older or have a disability.

Home Care provides services throughout the entire metropolitan region. We offer HACC (Home & Community Care Program) services and have Aboriginal specific CACP (Community Aged Care Packages) Program. Priority for services is for people whose health and safety are at risk, people who can't manage daily living tasks without some help, people who are at risk of having to move into residential care and people who are isolated, live alone or don't have family supports

Our services include home help, respite care, personal care, advocacy and counselling, transport, case management, shopping and social support, therapeutic and allied health services. We place a strong emphasis on social and emotional well being with a wide range of programs including healing days, recreational and social groups, community and cultural gatherings, light exercise classes, outings and day trips.

Referrals can be made by any person from any agency, including a GP, family members, or individuals who may require a service. We accept referrals by phone or fax. Referral forms can also be downloaded from our website.

Phone: 8346 9155 Fax: 8346 9766
Website: www.aboriginalelders.com.au

Coding for Aboriginality - It's OK to Ask

Aboriginal people do attend general practices in the Western region but at this point the number of which practices is unclear because staff don't always know if people are of Aboriginal descent.

It is important for practice staff to know that Aboriginal people do not get offended if asked if they are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

- Why is it important to ask? - For the provision of appropriate clinical treatment.

It is important to ask, because on the clinical software, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander identification brings up clinical management prompts which enable the provision of treatments appropriate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people e.g. immunisation and health assessment prompts.

If it is known that they are an Aboriginal person, other health aspects can be checked e.g. family history and other risk factors for diabetes or ischaemic heart disease.

RACGP's Standards For GPs Fact Sheet: The Identification of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People WEBSITE LINK: http://www.racgp.org.au/aboriginalhealthunit