The Urban Specialist Outreach Assistance Program (USOAP) aims to supplement current service delivery gaps in urban locations, specifically Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) - remoteness Areas (RA) 1 and 2.

As part of the Indigenous Chronic Disease Package, the Increasing Specialist Follow-up Care program seeks to improve access to medical specialist care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australian with a chronic disease. 

The development of key health priority areas and services, under this measure is informed by the ongoing consultation with Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC), the Community Controlled Health services, Queensland Health as well as divisions of general practice and other key stakeholders.

Chronic diseases which are targeted under USOAP are chronic disease that has been, or is likely to be, present for at least six months, including but not limited to asthma, cancer, cardiovascular illness, diabetes mellitus, musculoskeletal conditions and stroke.

GPQ is the only fund holder in Queensland for this measure.

• Aims and Objectives
  
• Services
• What can USOAP fund?
• Service Proposals
  
• Regsiter your interest
  
• Current providers
• For more information
  

Aims and Objectives

USOAP  aims to contribute to better health outcomes for Indigenous people by increasing access to medical specialist services.

The objectives of the program are to:

• provide assistance to establish new and expand existing medical specialist outreach services that focus primarily on management and treatment of chronic disease, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in urban areas; and
• provide and increase access to specialist medical care in primary care settings that are culturally sensitive to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Services 

Current service schedule

Please click here for the current service schedule (updated May 2012)

Eligibility

Medical specialist outreach services delivered to Indigenous people in major cities and inner regional areas as identified by the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC- Remoteness Areas (RA) 1-2) that are eligible to be supported under USOAP .

Further information visit Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC).

Target communiites

Initial priority is given to services in areas identified by the Department of Health and Ageing, in consultation with Indigenous Health Partnership Forums, as priority locations for implementation of the Indigenous Chronic Disease Package measures.

Planning and Services

In consultation with key stakeholders who provide representation on the GPQ Closing the Gap Steering Committee, services for 2010-2011 will be identified.

Services are reviewed on a continual basis to ensure they are meeting the health needs of the community and to ensure the program is being delivered in accordance with the approved annual plan.

Other services

Other Workforce & Service Delivery Closing the Gap services.

What can USOAP fund?

Expenses which USOAP funds for include:

• Travel  - flights, mileage, hire car
• Accommodation
• Meals and Incidentals – in line with the ATO rates
• Facility costs – fee for hiring a service venue
• Administration support – administration for the support of the outreach service e.g. organising appointments, processing correspondence, following up with patients
• Professional support - professional support means the informal support provided by the visiting health professionals to local medical and health professionals through telephone/ email support once the health professional has returned to their principal practice.
• Absence from practice allowance - absence from practice allowance is payable to non-salaried private outreach service providers to compensate for "loss of business opportunity" due to the time spent travelling to and from a location where they are delivering an outreach service and/or upskilling.
• Upskilling - incidental or informal educational and upskilling activities, of either a theoretical or clinical nature, to local medical practitioners, health professionals and community members such as carers which are aimed at:
  
  • developing or enhancing specific skills;
  • sharing of knowledge; and/ or
  • enhancing on-going patient care.

Service Proposals

To propose an identified service need please complete the following form and return to Jane de Vuyst at jdevuyst@gpqld.com.au by Wednesday 28 March 2012.

Please click here for the form.