If you have an intellectual disability, you are eligible have an Annual Health Assessment or a big health check with your doctor every year.
The Department of Health recommends people use the Comprehensive Health Assessment Program (CHAP) to guide this process. The CHAP helps people with intellectual disability and their GPs work together to ensure health needs are identified and addressed.
Click arrows for more information and links to resources
Use GROW’s 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 for 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 to understand everyone’s role and responsibilities to ensure a smooth and effective assessment.
The Easy English resources below can help individuals, families and support teams understand and complete an Annual Health Assessment, improve access to primary care, advocate for support and understand important preventative health measures.
These resources were developed by the GROW team at Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network (CESPHN), as part of the Primary Care Enhancement Program.
For further information on Project GROW contact intellectualdisability@cesphn.com.au.
The Big Health Check is an Easy English resource that helps explain the importance of Annual Health Assessments.
The resource can be provided to patients to guide them 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 is an Easy English tool that can support your patient and practice, or service in preparing for an appointment.
The tool can be provided to patients ahead of appointments to help them collect information, including reasons for the appointment, the patient’s health goals for the year, reasonable adjustments, and communication preferences
The resource is available in English, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese and Indonesian.
