Skin Checks

The main purpose for this health assessment is for the medical practitioner to focus on the health needs of those patients around 45yrs of age & who are at risk of developing a chronic disease.

The aim of the health check is to assist with the detection & prevention of chronic disease & enable early intervention strategies to be put in place where appropriate.

Chronic Disease: a disease or condition that has been present for at least 6mths, including but not limited to asthma, cancer, cardiovascular illness, diabetes mellitus, mental health conditions, arthritis & musculoskeletal conditions.

Some risk factors that might affect whether a patient is at risk of developing a chronic disease are: smoking, physical inactivity, poor nutrition or alcohol misuse, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, excess weight or family history of a chronic disease.

Patients are only eligible for a 45-49yr health check once in a lifetime.

A health assessment should be undertaken by the medical practitioner that has provided the majority of services to the patient over the last 12mths and/ or will provide the majority of services to the patient over the coming 12mths.

A Health Assessment will include an assessment of a patient’s health & physical, psychological & social function & whether preventative health care & education should be offered to the patient, to improve the patient’s health & psychological & social function.

This service is available to patients 75yrs & older every 12mths.

The purpose of this Health Check is to ensure that Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander children receive the optimum level of health care by encouraging prevention, early detection, diagnosis & intervention for common & treatable conditions that cause problems later in life.

There are two types of this form of health check: under 15yrs & over 15yrs & is able to be performed once very 12mths, unless it is warranted at 9mths. It is recommended to commence these health checks at the age of 4-6mths for newborns.

Mental Health consults are designed for patients with a mental disorder & who would benefit from a structured approach to the management of their needs. Mental disorder is a term used to describe a range of clinically diagnosable disorders that significantly interfere with an individuals cognitive, emotional or social abilities.
The Drs task for patients with mental disorders, including patients with chronic or non-chronic disorders, include:

Assess and plan for the patient,

Provide referral for appropriate treatment & services,

Review and provide ongoing treatment.

A Mental Health Care Plan allows patients access to 10 visits per calendar year to Allied Health Mental Health Professionals, usually a psychologist. Patient’s are required to return to the Dr after their first 6 visits for a review of their condition.

At RBBMC we always try to refer patients to Allied Health that will Bulk Bill our patients, however sometimes this is not possible & patients will have a small out of pocket expense at the psychologist.