If you have an intellectual disability you can have an Annual Health Assessment or a big health check with your doctor every year.
The Department of Health recommends people with ID and their GPs use the Comprehensive Health Assessment Program or CHAP.
The Easy English resources below can assist with the process of completing an Annual Health Assessment.
They were created by the GROW team at Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network, as part of the Primary Care Enhancement Program.
For further information contact our GROW team
Top 5 Tips for a good Annual Health Assessment.
Click arrows for more information and links to resources
Use GROWs Intellectual Disability Annual Health Assessment Checklist and start the assessment process at least four weeks prior to the appointment. To help include the individual in the process use the Big Health Check resource in Easy English.
The best support person will be someone who can support the individual to communicate, relay current health issues, and note any important changes to the GP.
Clarity on everyone’s role and responsibilities can help the process run smoothly and increase the overall efficacy of the AHA.
Gathering all relevant information is vital to a thorough AHA. This includes paperwork and anecdotal evidence from relevant people. Using GROWs Intellectual Disability Annual Health Assessment Checklist will help guide the information gathering process.
Work with the general practice and understand everyone’s role and responsibilities to ensure a smooth and effective assessment.
Below is a list of accessible resources created to help individuals with ID to improve access primary care, advocate for support and understand important preventative health measures.
This is an Easy English resource that helps explain the importance of Annual Health Assessments.
It talks through how to book, prepare for and attend an Annual Health Assessment.
The resource is available in English, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese and Indonesian.
My Big Health Check English
My Big Health Check Korean
My Big Health Check Indonesian
My Big Health Check Vietnamese
My Big Health Check Chinese
A one page profile can be used to convey communication styles and reasonable adjustments.
Once completed, the profile can be sent to a health service, in advance of an appointment, to remind the service of the individuals support needs.
The resource is available in English, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese and Indonesian.
My One Page Profile English
My One Page Profile Korean
My One Page Profile Indonesian
My One Page Profile Chinese
My One Page Profile Vietnamese
For further information on Project GROW contact intellectualdisability@cesphn.com.au
