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An Annual Health Assessment (AHA) is a yearly check-up designed to look at your overall health and help prevent problems before they start. If you have an intellectual disability, you can have an AHA with your doctor every year. An AHA is sometimes called a big health check.
For an AHA, the Department of Health recommends people use the Comprehensive Health Assessment Program (CHAP). The CHAP helps people with intellectual disability and their GPs work together to make sure the health check covers everything important.
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Be prepared by using GROW’s Intellectual Disability Annual Health Assessment Checklist and start early. The checklist explains the Annual Health Assessment process over four weeks and includes the steps for using the Comprehensive Health Assessment Program (CHAP). To support the person with intellectual disability to be part of the AHA process, use the Big Health Check resource in Easy English.
To support the GP to understand the person, use GROW’s One Page Profile. This resource provides key details before the appointment, such as health goals and any adjustments needed. The support person for the AHA should know the individual well, meaning they can help the person communicate, understand their health history and any recent changes.
Work with the general practice and support understanding of everyone’s role and responsibilities. Clear communication and collaboration help the process run smoothly and increase the overall success of the AHA.
Gathering all the right information is important for a good AHA. This includes paperwork and details from the person and/or those who know them well. GROWs Intellectual Disability Annual Health Assessment Checklist can help guide this process.
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.
