Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

Brisbane North PHN have a strong focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

The CQI Toolkit includes information and resources to support general practices to better understand the Indigenous Health Incentive (IHI), Closing the Gap (CTG) Pharmaceutical Benefit scheme and deliver quality 715 Health Checks to support improving patient health and to deliver a culturally safe experience for the patient. 

To support you working through the steps, please view the additional resources listed on the right-hand side of the page.

Step 1. Prepare your practice 

• Create a welcoming practice environment by displaying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and artwork in the reception area. 
• Encourage staff to attend accredited cultural awareness training 
• Register you practice for the Indigenous Health PIP 
• Review the Indigenous Health Services – Health Professional Education resources

 Step 2. Patient demographics- Identify your Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients 

Upskill all staff in understanding and being confident to ask all patients. “Are you of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin?” 

Review the practice process of recording patient ethnicity.

Identify patients eligible for a 715 using the Primary Sense Health Assessment Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients report and check patient eligibility on HPOS via PRODA. 

 Step 3. Offer 715 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Checks and complete the 715 PDSA activity 

Use Primary Sense to identify eligible patients. Recall patients and offer a health assessment service. 

During the health assessment, offer eligible patients the opportunity to participate in:

•  Indigenous Health Incentive
•  Closing the Gap (CTG) PBS Co-payment Program
• My Medicare 

Plan with the patient to follow up identified health needs, priorities and goals working collaboratively. Support participation in health programs, immunisations and preventative screening and lifestyle improvement programs. 

Complete 715 Health Check. Establish engagements and trust with your patients for a positive experience, that builds culturally safe care and ensuring patient centred care is provided.

Put recall in place for 715 Health Check for 9-12 months. 

Record progress of completed 715 Health Checks and other programs offered on the patient activity tracking spreadsheet.

 Step 4. Access clinical guidelines and other resources

• HealthPathways Brisbane North (communityhealthpathways.org) 
• RACGP - Practice resources and guidelines 
• Institute for Urban Indigenous Health - programs 
• MBS item 10987 for an Indigenous person who has received a health assessment
• Guide to Medicare for Indigenous health services

Utilise the NACCHO/RACGP National Guides and clinically appropriate culturally safe programs. 

Get Support

For support and guidance on implementing health assessments in your practice, contact our quality improvement and development engagement officers via the Practice Support email and phone line.