Why the first care plan is the most important
Nurses and Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs) working in primary health care assist GPs to manage their patient’s chronic conditions every day. The patient will usually
Closing the Gap: The Power of Primary Care
National Close the Gap Day (March 20th, 2025) is an opportunity for individuals, teams, and workplaces to take action in support of achieving health equality for First Nations Peoples. While progress has been made, the reality remains that health and social disparities continue to significantly impact First Nations communities. Achieving health equality requires action and collaboration at every level – including primary care.
The Closing the Gap Initiative
Closing the Gap is more than a commitment—it’s a national effort to address the inequalities faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The National Agreement outlines 19 measurable targets across 17 key areas, such as life expectancy, early childhood education, housing, and social and emotional wellbeing. Each year, progress is tracked to ensure these gaps are closing so communities can thrive.
However, The Australian Government Productivity Commission Closing the Gap Annual Data Compilation Report (2024) reveals that only five socioeconomic targets are on track, while five are improving but still not on track, and several are worsening. In other words, the gap is far from closed — progress is slow, and urgent action is still needed (Productivity Commission, Closing the Gap – Dashboard).
The Role of Primary Care in Closing the Gap
There is no single solution to Closing the Gap, but meaningful progress requires well-funded programs and reforms that address the structural barriers to health equality. One key strategy is embedding culturally safe practices into routine care to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients receive holistic, respectful, and accessible services. At CDM Plus, we provide clinics with training, resources, and strategies to strengthen Chronic Disease Management in alignment with Closing the Gap initiatives.
One of the most well-recognised tools for supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health in primary care is the MBS Item 715 Health Assessment, commonly known as the 715 Health Check. This comprehensive health check helps identify risk factors early and supports a team-based care approach involving reception, transport, nurses, Aboriginal Health Practitioners, and GPs. The MBS billing requirements for the 715 health check include assessing risk factors that disproportionately affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. For example, chronic kidney disease is significantly more prevalent among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. A 25-year-old presenting for a 715 Health Check would receive appropriate kidney disease screening, increasing the likelihood of early detection and intervention. This proactive care can significantly improve long-term health outcomes and quality of life.
Investing in Prevention for Long-Term Benefits
Strengthening primary care services is not just about improving individual health—it also leads to broader economic benefits. Research from The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework states:
Investing $1 in primary care in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities was found to save $3.95–$11.75 in hospital costs, in addition to benefits for individual patients. High levels of primary care utilisation were associated with decreases in avoidable hospitalisations, deaths and years of life lost (AIHW, NIAA, Tier 3 – Health System Performance).
Despite these benefits, Medicare expenditure per person for Indigenous Australians remains only 1.2 times higher than for non-Indigenous Australians—a figure that does not reflect the additional burden of disease and healthcare needs. This highlights the ongoing underinvestment in primary care services that could make a real difference (AIHW, NIAA, Tier 3 – Health System Performance).
How Your Clinic Can Take Action
As primary care providers, we are in a unique position to foster change at the patient level. Consider these three ways your clinic can make a meaningful impact:
By taking these steps, clinics can help drive progress toward Closing the Gap and improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
References and Supporting Resources
https://www.closingthegap.gov.au/national-agreement/targets
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/social-determinants-and-indigenous-health
https://www.indigenoushpf.gov.au/measures/3-21-health-expenditure
https://www.pc.gov.au/closing-the-gap-data/dashboard
Nurses and Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs) working in primary health care assist GPs to manage their patient’s chronic conditions every day. The patient will usually
Jane Calligeros, CEO CDM Plus Don’t you wish that everyone in your practice was on the same page when it comes to Chronic Disease Management?
CDM Plus attended the NACCHO Members Conference “Investing in What Works” in Brisbane November 2018. NACCHO is the national peak body representing 145 Aboriginal Community
This activity has been endorsed by APNA according to approved quality standards criteria. Completion of this educational activity entitles eligible participants to claim 6 CPD hours per workshop day.
10% DISCOUNT for FIRST TIME customers on purchases (excludes shipping fee).
You’ll officially be in loop for NEW arrivals,
EXCLUSIVE sales and MORE.
