People with intellectual disability are missing out on their yearly health check, also known as an Annual Health Assessment. It’s Doctor Time! is a campaign that aims to change this.
It’s Doctor Time! has been developed in response to new data that shows only 7% of people with intellectual disability in Australia are visiting a GP for their Medicare-supported Annual Health Assessment.*
Yearly health checks are proven to lead to better health outcomes for people with intellectual disability.
The campaign has been created by Inclusion Australia in consultation with people with intellectual disability, their families and support people, GPs, allied health professionals and disability service providers.
People with intellectual disability told Inclusion Australia they weren’t often aware of these appointments because:
- language like ‘Annual Health Assessment’ is confusing
- they often like straightforward, bright, fun and positive communications
- remembering to go to the GP is hard
- going to the GP can be scary
- they would like reminder letters from their GP to come in the mail.
Why is this campaign important?
- Only 7% of people with intellectual disability in Australia are visiting a GP for their Medicare-supported yearly health check.*
Compared with the general population, people with intellectual disability experience:
- More than twice the rate of avoidable deaths
- Twice the rate of emergency department and hospital admissions
- Higher rates of unrecognised or poorly treated physical and mental health conditions
- Lower rates of preventative healthcare.
What happens at a yearly health check?
The GP might:
- Listen to the person’s heart and lungs
- Check their blood pressure, eyes and ears
- Ask questions about diet, exercise and medicines, and more.
How you can help
If you support someone with intellectual disability, help them arrange their yearly health check.
Learn more: inclusionaustralia.org.au/health-checks
For general practices
To support General Practices, Healthy North Coast has compiled a Primary Care Impact page to help guide practices in engaging with Quality Improvement in support of this program.