PHN Gympie Office

Do you identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander?

You may be eligible for health services under the Closing the Gap Program.

Download a Closing the Gap flyer to learn more about the program.

Download an SCML flyer to learn more about what we do to Close the Gap.

What is Closing the Gap?

Closing the Gap is a program funded by the Department of Health to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have access to affordable and culturally appropriate health services.

For the Sunshine Coast and Gympie regions, the Closing the Gap program is supported by Central Queensland, Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast PHN.

We support doctors and other health providers such as physiotherapists, diabetes educators and mental health professionals to understand the cultural and health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

We also run programs that help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to access services and equipment to help them manage their chronic diseases such as cancer, kidney disease, diabetesand mental illness.

We work closely with North Coast Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health (NCACCH or North Coast) and the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service to make sure people can access health care that is respectful and culturally appropriate.

What is an Aboriginal Health Check and why should I get one?

All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are entitled to an annual free health check. Your doctor, nurse or Aboriginal health worker will talk to you about your health, weight, smoking, diet and activities. Your health worker can then tell you if you are at risk of diseases like diabetes or heart disease and help you start a program that can keep you healthy.

I'm having trouble paying for my prescriptions - can you help?

If you have a chronic disease, or if you are at risk of getting a chronic disease, your health provider may be able to help you access the PBS Co-Payment Measure Scheme which can reduce the cost of your medications.

I don't think my doctor knows that I am Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander. Do I have to tell them?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may have had poor experiences with health professionals in the past which makes them reluctant to disclose their Indigenous background to their doctor. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are at higher risk of a range of health conditions, so it's important that your doctor knows your background in order to provide you with the best possible health care.

Many of the specific health services listed here are only available to people who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

The Closing the Gap team at SCML can help you find a doctor who is respectful of your culture, and support you to access the health care you need.

SCML encourages all practices in the region to give patients the opportunity to identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, but this doesn't always happen. It's perfectly appropriate for you to ask reception staff if the practice is registered for Closing the Gap, and mention that you would like to identify on your records that you are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

The Sunshine Coast Medicare Local Closing the Gap team are;

• Juanita O’Rourke

Contact our office on 5456 8100 for further inquiries.