National Close the Gap Day is on Thursday 18 March, the aim of the day is to bring people together to share information and take meaningful action in support of achieving health equality for First Nations Peoples. This is a timely reminder to audit your patients and recall those identified to be of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent to come in for their 715 Health Check.
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 10986.
On our Health Professional Resources webpage, you can find our Identification Poster for you to place in your practice. Furthermore, we also have the MBS Health care pathways and Steps to MBS claiming pathways for your Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. To get copies sent to you, fill out the Health Professional Resources Request form on our website.
Mainstream primary care has an important role in ensuring better service provision, including improved health assessment uptake. Western Sydney has one of the biggest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations in Australia and our dedicated Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer, Rita McKenzie, works closely with key local organisations and providers, to identify and prioritise the specific needs and services required to strengthen the health and wellbeing of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Training for health professionals has helped to increase cultural respect and understanding across primary health services in our region. Health Care professionals in Western Sydney can join Rita at the next training on Tuesday 23 March at 6pm. GPs can earn six RACGP CPD points if they attend the full event. Register at wentwest.com.au/events/events-calendar/
Other helpful resources include:
- 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
- Child Health Check Proforma
- Adult Health Check Proforma
- Older Persons Health Check Proforma.