Health Services

Health Checks

1. 4 yr Health Check
2. 45 – 49 yr Health Check
3. 40 – 49 yr Health Check
4. 75 yrs & over Health Check
5. Men's Health Check
6. Women's Health Check
7. Osteoporosis Health Check
8. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Check
9. Refugee/Humanitarian Health Checks (Labrador Park)

 

4 year old Health Check
The health check is conducted by the practice nurse and GP, to ensure that every 4 year old in Australia has a basic health check to see if they are healthy, fit and ready to learn when they start school.

This also looks at early detection of lifestyle risk factors, delayed development and illness and then any early intervention strategies that are identified can be instigated.

There is a basic questionnaire to be completed by you, the parent, when you bring your child in for their 4year vaccines.

The nurse or GP will then follow a systematic check which includes vision, speech, dental health, and hearing. We ask your child to hop, skip, jump and draw a picture to assess their gross and fine motor (movement) skills.

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45 to 49 year Health Check
Do you have any of the follow "risk factors" that may increase your chances of developing a chronic disease?

• High Blood Pressure,
• High Cholesterol,
• Family History of disease such as Diabetes, Cancer or Heart Disease,
• Lack of Physical Activity,
• Poor Diet
• Smoker
• Are you overweight?

If so, you might want to consider seeing your GP about a health check.

The purpose of this health check is to focus on the health needs of people around 45 to 49 years of age who are at risk of developing a chronic disease. The aim of the health check is to assist with the detection and prevention of chronic diseases and enable early intervention strategies to be put in place where appropriate.

 

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40 to 49 year Health Check
This health check is aimed at people aged between 40 and 49 years of age. All we ask you to do is obtain a Risk Assessment Form from your GP practice or on line at www.diabetesaustralia.com.au

The Australian type 2 diabetes risk assessment tool (AUSDRISK) is a short list of questions to help both health professionals and consumers to assess the risk of developing type 2 diabetes over the next five years.

People with a high score result,> 12, are eligible to attend a Diabetes Risk Evaluation with their GP. If you meet the criteria of being at immediate or high risk, this is followed up with blood tests and a discussion about life style changes.

It is possible you may be eligible for a referral to Subsidised Life Style Modification Program.

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75 + year health check for all patients aged 75 and over

This is a Health Check that should generally be undertaken by the patient's usual doctor; that is the GP (or a GP working in the same practice) who has provided the majority of services to you in the past 12 months and/or who is likely to provide the majority of services for the following 12 months.

The assessment looks at the a person's health and physical, psychological and social function and whether preventative health care may be offered to that person, to improve their quality of life and independence in their home and in their community.

Sometimes a little help with home duties, going shopping or gardening is all that is needed; or maybe you need more assistance such as help with showering, medications, or wound care. These are tasks that you can access through community care groups that you might not be aware that are available.
It is through these health checks, that you and your GP can identify any needs or concerns you have regarding maintaining your independence at home.

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Men's Health Check

Men are very busy people and don't often make time to see a doctor unless they are very sick.

The purpose of the health check is to update your medical, family and social history and look at any potential health issues.

It is a good time to have an ECG and/or lung function test, and for doctor to organise some blood tests to check your cholesterol, blood sugar levels, kidney and liver functions.


If you have any questions regarding stress, depression, the prostate glands, testicular checks or any other health issues, now is the time to ask.

Your GP or practice nurse can also assist with advice and information on how to make lifestyle changes to improve your health.

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Women's Health Check

The purpose of the health check is to update your medical, family and social history and look at any potential health issues.

It is a good time to have an ECG and/or lung function test, and for doctor to organise some blood tests to check your cholesterol, blood sugar levels, kidney and liver functions.

 

If you have any questions regarding stress, depression, pap smears, breast checks, menopause, contraception or any other health issues, now is the time to ask.
Your GP or practice nurse can also assist with advice and information on how to make lifestyle changes to improve your health.

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Osteoporosis Health Check

Osteoporosis affects 1 in 2 women and 1 in 3 men over the age of sixty. It is important to be aware of your bone health, as osteoporosis often has no symptoms until a fracture occurs. If you want to find out if you are at risk, speak to your GP or practice nurse.

There are many risk factors that may contribute to your developing osteoporosis;

• Lifestyle; smoking, excessive alcohol intake, diet lacking in calcium and sedentary lifestyle over many years
• Age
• family history;
• Medical history; chronic liver or kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, early menopause in women, or low testosterone levels in men.

Management of osteoporosis, once diagnosed through a bone density test, involves lifestyle changes, medication to stop further bone loss and prevent fractures, and falls prevention measures, as falls can lead to fractures.

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Check
The health check is available each year, to all persons who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, regardless of age.

Indigenous people have a higher incidence of illness and higher mortality rate than other Australians, therefore regular health checks should help to reduce or prevent serious illness by early detection and treatment.

• The purpose of this health check is to ensure all indigenous people receive optimum level of health care
• To encourage early detection and diagnosis of common and treatable diseases
• To reduce the incidence of common and treatable diseases that cause considerable morbidity and early mortality

Access to Queensland Indigenous Health can be arranged for further management of health care if required.

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Refugee/Humanitarian Health Checks (Labrador Park)

Many people from regions such as Africa, the Middle East and South East Asia settle in Australia as refugees. They have endured persecution and conflict. These people have a higher rate of long term physical and psychological problems than other migrants.

The purpose of the health check is to enable to GP to undertake a complete history, examination, investigation, problem list and management plan for new arrivals. Many of these people have not been able to access comprehensive health care for some years.

A comprehensive health check optimises the opportunity for early intervention, helping to ensure that physical and psychological problems do not become enduring barriers to settlement in Australia.
Immunisation status can be reviewed at this time, with patients being offered vaccines, according to the recommendations of the Australian Immunisation Handbook.

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Chronic Disease Management

• GP Management Plans
• Team Care Arrangements
• Access to Allied Health Services
• Dental Care Plans
• Mental Health Treatment Plans

GP Management Plans

This is a comprehensive document that sets out and enables evidence-based management of your chronic health and care needs. A chronic condition is deemed to be one that you have, or will have, for more than 6 months. This plan is done once every two years, with regular reviews (recommended six monthly) of your progress against the plan, and it is direct billed to Medicare. The most common chronic diseases are: diabetes, asthma, emphysema, coronary heart disease, cancer of any type, osteoporosis and arthritis.

The plan involves you meeting with the practice nurse first, for about 30 mins, to discuss your medical condition/s and work with you to set goals and tasks to meet these goals. You will then see the doctor to complete the plan and look at what you have identified as to medical problems and goals.  You will receive a copy of this plan for your records.  The doctor will want to see you in 6 months time to review the goals and tasks and discuss any issues you have about the plan.  

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Team Care Arrangements

This item is for patients with a chronic or terminal medical condition and who might require ongoing care from a team approach, which involves the GP and at least two other health care providers, such as a specialist, physiotherapist, dietitian, chiropractor or podiatrist.

Once your usual GP (or a GP in the same practice) has coordinated the development of Team Care Arrangement by completing the relevant requirements, a rebate can be claimed through Medicare for Allied Health services.  Sometimes the allied health provider will direct bill Medicare for the treatment provided, so you have no out of pocket costs. (talk to the practice staff to  identify if your allied health person has out of pocket costs).

The service must include a personal attendance by the GP with you, but may be assisted by the practice nurse, Aboriginal Health Worker or other health professional in the medical practice or health service.

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Access to Allied Health Services 

The following groups of allied health professionals are eligible to provide services under Medicare for patients with a chronic condition and complex care needs and must be registered with Medicare Australia. Some of these are; Aboriginal Health Workers; Audiologists; Chiropractors; Osteopaths; Podiatrists; Diabetes Educators; Dietitians; Exercise Physiologists; Mental Health Workers; Occupational Therapists; Physiotherapists; Psychologists; Speech Pathologists.

If you wish to seek Medicare rebates for allied health services, you will need to have a Referral form for chronic disease allied health (individual) services under Medicare signed by your GP. If there is any doubt about your eligibility, a staff member can contact Medicare Australia to confirm the number of allied health services already claimed by you during the calendar year.

Medicare benefits are available for up to five (5) allied health services per eligible patient, per calendar year. These five allied health services can be made up of one type of service (eg five physiotherapy services) or a combination of different types of services (eg one dietitian and four podiatry services).

 

This plan is for patients with a chronic or terminal medical condition, where the chronic condition impacts on the dental problems or, the dental problems are impacting on the chronic health condition.

The item for a dental care plan can be provided by any dentists, dental specialists and dental prosthetists, who are registered with Medicare Australia.The plan involves a GP Management plan, (See TAB for GP Management Plan).  You will receive a copy of this plan for your records.  The doctor will want to see you in 6 months time to review the goals and tasks and discuss any issues you have about the plan. Medicare will pay a set amount towards the cost of your dental treatment over two-year period, which is counted from the calendar year of your first eligible dental service.  The items cover a comprehensive range of dental services, and the items can only be used where the primary objective of the treatment is to improve oral health and function.

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Mental Health Treatment Plan 

 

The GP Mental Health Treatment Plans are for patients with a mental disorder who would benefit from a structured approach to the management of their treatment needs. Mental disorder is a term used to describe a range of clinically diagnosable disorders that significantly interfere with an individual’s thinking, behaviour, socialisation and emotions. These disorders can vary from stress and minor depression to conditions such as bipolar and schizophrenia.

The treatment plan involves a discussion between your doctor and you regarding assessment, your needs, goals and actions, referrals and required treatment/services, and review date.   You or your doctor might suggest a referral to any of the following services; a psychiatrist; clinical psychologist, an appropriately trained GP or allied mental health professional for further management of your disorder. 

Medicare benefits are available for up to twelve (12) mental health services per eligible patient, per calendar year, to help with the cost of attending these health professionals.

 

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Skin Cancer Prevention

Queensland has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. One in two Queenslanders will develop skin cancer in their life. The good news is it can be prevented. Most skin cancers can be treated if they are detected early.

It is recommended that you have a professional skin check every 12 months. All of our practices have Doctors who specialise in this area. 

Steps you can take to prevent skin cancer are:

• Slip on clothes with sleeves and a collar
• Slop on broad-spectrum, water resistant 30+ sunscreen 20 minutes before going into the sun
• Slap on a broad brimmed hat
• Seek shade when you are outdoors
• Slide on sunglasses that meet the Australian standard

Contact our Staff to HAVE A PROFESSIONAL CHECK YOUR SKIN.

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Anti Ageing Treatments

Our practices have doctors who have experience in performing the following anti ageing treatments:

• Anti-wrinkle treatments
• Chemical peels
• Dermabrasion

Please call our practice staff to enquire more about these treatments

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Minor Cosmetic Surgery

Talk to Dr Mitchell at our Southport practice about affordable, to enhance your image. Dr Mitchell has many years experience in various forms of Cosmetic Surgery including:

• eyelid Lifts , Prominent Ears
• Removal of moles, spots and scars.

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