Aboriginal Health

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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

AWGPN Contact

Name: Warren Milera

Position: Closing The Gap Project Coordinator

Email: warren.milera@awgpn.org.au

Phone: 08 8244 3822

Fax:
08 8243 0260

Mobile: 0458 454 433

Closing The Gap Program

> See Closing the Gap page

ATSI People Eligible For Nicotine Patches & Thiamin Tablets

ATSI people are eligible for up to 2 courses per year of nicotine patches (Nicorette) 15mg/16 hour on a PBS Authority script (each course max 12 weeks.) No other NRT (or different strength patches) are PBS subsidised, but other brands are under the Repatriation scheme.Betamin (Thiamin) is also available on the PBS for ATSI on a PBS Authority script. Authority required (STREAMLINED) 2384
- Prophylaxis of thiamine deficiency in an Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander person: 100 mg tablets, 100, rpt x 2

PBS Listing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
http://pbs.gov.au/html/healthpro/news/article?id=NEWS-2008-12-01-nicotine_atsi.xml
Nicotine transdermal patches will be available for the treatment of nicotine dependence in an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person.

The Australian Government is committed to improving the capacity of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to better meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee is assisting this goal by evaluating and recommending the listing of medications specifically to help with the health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

For details on prescribing nicotine patches to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, please see the listing within the Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits:
9198D Nicotine, transdermal patch releasing approximately 15 mg per 16 hours (Nicorette Patch)

To see all PBS listings specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, please refer to the fact sheet: PBS Listings For Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander People

Information supplied by: Christopher S E Wurm
Senior Consultant, Drug and Alcohol Resource Unit, Level 6, McEwin Building
Royal Adelaide Hospital, North Terrace, Adelaide 5000
Part time: Tel. +61 8 8222 5473, Fax +61 8 8232 6973

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