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Health Checks & Care Plans

What is a Health Check?

Health checks are routine medical assessments designed to identify potential health issues before symptoms appear. They provide an opportunity to detect diseases early, monitor risk factors, and support a healthier lifestyle through tailored advice. These checks can vary based on age, gender, family history, and personal health goals.


Who Should Get Health Checks?

Everyone can benefit from regular health checks, but they are especially important for:

  • Adults over 40: To screen for chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart conditions.
  • People with a family history: Of conditions like cancer, heart disease, or diabetes.
  • Patients with lifestyle risks: Such as smoking, alcohol use, poor diet, low physical activity, or high stress.
  • Women and men at specific life stages: For example, menopause, pregnancy planning, or prostate health.
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: Who may be eligible for more frequent and comprehensive checks under Medicare.


Importance of Health Checks

Regular health checks and care plans are essential for several reasons:

  • Early Detection: Regular health checks can help identify potential health problems early, when they are more easily treatable. For example, a mammogram can detect breast cancer early, and a colonoscopy can detect colon cancer in its early stages.
  • Prevention: Regular health checks can help prevent specific health problems from developing. For example, a cholesterol screening can help identify high cholesterol levels, which can be treated to prevent the development of heart disease.
  • Monitoring: Regular health checks can help monitor the progression of a chronic condition and assess the effectiveness of treatment. For example, a spirometry test can help monitor the progression of COPD and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.
  • Personalised Care: Regular health checks and care plans help ensure individuals receive personalised care tailored to their needs. For example, a care plan for a person with diabetes may include regular blood sugar monitoring, dietary recommendations, and exercise recommendations.
  • Cost-effective: By detecting and preventing health problems early, regular health checks and care plans can help reduce the overall cost of healthcare.


Consult with our doctors to determine the appropriate schedule and types of health checks and care plans tailored to your needs.


What is a Care Plan?

A Care Plan is a written document developed by your doctor to help manage chronic or complex medical conditions. It outlines your current health status, sets health goals, and lists the services, treatments, and healthcare providers involved in your ongoing care. A Care Plan ensures that you receive coordinated, continuous, and personalised healthcare, especially when you need support from multiple practitioners.


Care Plans are most commonly used in general practice settings to manage long-term conditions and can be regularly updated based on your progress or any changes in your health.


Health Check Services We Provide

We offer the following regular Health Checks:

  • Audiology Screening
  • Spirometry
  • Heart Checks (Echocardiogram Testing, Stress Test, etc.)
  • Blood Pressure Check
  • Diabetes Screening
  • Colon Cancer Screening
  • Eye Examination
  • Cholesterol Screening
  • Breast Examination
  • Physical Examination
  • Women's Checks (Pap Smear, Pelvic Examination, etc.)
  • Health Assessments
  • Weight Management Clinics
  • Chronic Disease Case Management
  • Immunisations
  • Iron Infusions


Audiology Screening

Audiology Screening is suitable for people of all ages, but is especially beneficial for individuals with hearing loss symptoms or those at a higher risk for hearing loss, such as older adults or individuals exposed to loud noises. Benefits include early detection of hearing loss, allowing for prompt and appropriate steps to address it.


An audiology screening typically includes tests designed to evaluate a person's hearing. The tests may include pure-tone testing, which measures a person's ability to hear different sound frequencies, and speech audiometry, which assesses a person's ability to hear and understand speech. Other tests may include tympanometry, which measures the movement of the eardrum in response to changes in air pressure, and acoustic reflex testing, which measures the contraction of the middle ear muscles in response to sound.


An audiologist will analyse the screening results and, if appropriate, diagnose hearing loss. If a hearing loss is identified, an audiologist may recommend further testing or treatment.


Spirometry

Spirometry is suitable for people with respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and interstitial lung disease or for people with a history of smoking or exposure to lung irritants. Benefits include early detection of lung problems, monitoring the progression of lung disease, and assessing the effectiveness of treatment.


The procedure typically involves blowing into a machine called a spirometer. The machine measures the amount of air a person can inhale and exhale, as well as the speed at which the air is exhaled. The test can be done in a doctor's office or clinic and usually takes only a few minutes.


During the test, the person is instructed to take a deep breath and blow into the machine as hard and fast as possible. The machine measures the amount of air inhaled and exhaled, as well as the speed of the exhaled air. The results of the test are recorded on a graph called a spirogram, which shows the amount of air exhaled over time. The healthcare professional then analyses the results; further tests or treatment may be recommended for any abnormality.


Heart Checks

A heart check typically includes a physical examination, blood tests, and imaging tests to assess the health of your heart and blood vessels. It may include tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or a stress test to evaluate conditions like heart disease or arrhythmia.


Echocardiogram (ECG) Testing

An echocardiogram (ECG) is a non-invasive test that utilises ultrasound technology to create a moving image of the heart. The images produced by an echocardiogram can reveal the size and shape of the heart, assess the function of the heart's chambers and valves, and evaluate the heart's pumping efficiency.


An ECG is suitable for people with heart conditions or symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or a family history of heart disease. Its benefits include the ability to view the heart's structure and function in real time, detect heart problems early, and monitor the progression of a heart condition.


The procedure typically involves applying ultrasound gel to the chest and then using a handheld device called a transducer to send and receive sound waves, which create a moving image of the heart on a screen. The test is typically done in a hospital or clinic and takes 30-60 minutes.


A healthcare professional, such as a cardiologist, analyses the test results, and if an abnormality is found, further tests or treatment may be recommended.


Blood Pressure Check

This simple test measures the force of blood against the walls of your arteries. High blood pressure, or hypertension, can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.


Diabetes Screening

This test checks for diabetes, a condition in which the body cannot properly use and store glucose (a type of sugar). Diabetes screening typically involves a blood test to measure blood sugar levels.


Colon Cancer Screening

This screening test detects colon cancer or precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. Standard screening tests include a colonoscopy, a stool test, or a CT colonography.


Eye Examination

This examination is done to check the health of your eyes and vision. An eye exam may include tests to check your vision and health and detect eye diseases or conditions.


Cholesterol Screening

This test measures the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. High levels of certain types of cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease.


Breast Examination

Women are recommended to do self-examination and have a clinical examination by a healthcare professional to check for lumps or changes in the breast tissue that could be signs of breast cancer.


Physical Examination

A healthcare professional conducts this examination to assess your overall health and identify any potential health issues. A physical exam typically includes a general body assessment and specific tests or procedures, depending on the patient's age and sex.


Women's Checks

These checks are specific to women's health; they may include a breast examination, pap smear, pelvic examination, and other tests to check for conditions such as osteoporosis, vaginal infections, and cervical cancer.


Pap Smear and Pelvic Examination

A Pap smear, also known as a Pap test, is a screening test used to detect abnormal cells in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus, that opens into the vagina. The test detects cervical cancer and precancerous changes in the cervix, which can lead to cervical cancer if left untreated.


During a Pap smear, a small sample of cells is collected from the cervix using a soft brush or a small spatula. The sample is then examined under a microscope to check for abnormal cells. The test is usually performed during a pelvic examination, a routine check-up that includes a physical inspection of the reproductive organs.


The test is usually recommended for sexually active women, starting at age 21 or within three years of becoming sexually active. It's usually recommended to have the test done every three or five years if combined with HPV testing. Women over the age of 30 who have had three consecutive normal Pap smear results may be able to have the test performed less frequently.


The Pap smear is an important screening test for cervical cancer, as it can detect precancerous changes in the cervix before they become cancerous. If abnormal cells are found, further testing or treatment may be necessary.


Health Assessments

These assessments evaluate a person's overall health and well-being. They may include a physical examination, laboratory tests, and a review of your medical history.


Obesity Management Services

These services are designed to help people manage their weight and improve their overall health. They may include counselling, education, and support for weight loss and weight management.


Chronic Care Programs

This is a coordinated approach to managing a person's chronic health condition(s) to improve patient health outcomes, quality of life, and reduce healthcare costs.


Immunisations

Immunisations are recommended for people of all ages, including infants, children, teenagers, adults, and older adults. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a schedule of immunisations based on age, lifestyle, occupation, and other factors. Examples of standard immunisations include the flu shot, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, hepatitis B vaccine, and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Immunisations can prevent serious illnesses and deaths and help control the spread of disease in communities.


The procedure typically involves receiving a vaccine shot, which may be given in a series of doses over a certain period. Some vaccines may require a booster shot to maintain immunity.


Iron Infusions

Iron infusions are a medical treatment used to replenish iron levels in the body for individuals deficient in iron. Iron is an essential nutrient to make haemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that helps carry oxygen throughout the body.

Iron deficiency is a common condition, especially in women of reproductive age and individuals who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. Symptoms can include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and difficulty concentrating. Severe iron deficiency can lead to anaemia, in which insufficient red blood cells carry oxygen to the body's tissues.


Iron infusions are an important treatment option for individuals who cannot replenish their iron stores through diet or oral supplements. They can help improve energy levels, reduce fatigue, and improve the overall quality of life for individuals with iron deficiency or anaemia. It is important to recognise the signs and symptoms of iron deficiency and get the appropriate treatment options, such as iron infusions, to improve outcomes.


Book your Health Check Today

Book with us to schedule regular health checks and to discuss what types of health checks and care plans are appropriate for you. Our doctors can guide you to the right resources and help you schedule appointments.


You can also check with your insurance provider to see what health checks and care plans they cover. They might have a list of recommended health checks that they suggest or even require you to take.