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Who we are

CheckUP works with partner organisations and health providers to create healthier communities and reduce health inequities through a range of initiatives.

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee

Quality – ISO 9001:2015 certification

What we do

CheckUP works with partner organisations and health providers to create healthier communities and reduce health inequities through a range of initiatives.

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Industry and workforce development

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There are so many ways you can support the work of CheckUP and our vision of better health for the people and communities that need it most.

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Read the latest news and publications from CheckUP.

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Health services

Outreach Programs

Better healthcare, closer to home!

CheckUP is proud to administer Outreach Programs on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Health as the jurisdictional fundholder in Queensland.

With the support of approximately 150 contracted health providers, we lead a strong, effective consortium that is committed to improving access to a wide range of healthcare services for people living in urban, rural, and remote locations and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The Outreach Programs help improve health outcomes through increasing access to allied health, general practitioner (GP), medical specialist and nursing services.

Download our Outreach Programs fact sheet

What is Outreach?

Many communities in rural and remote Queensland don’t have easy access to health services. By increasing communities’ access to health services, we can reduce patients’ need to travel long distances to attend a consultation or receive treatment, meaning they can stay close to their home and family.

CheckUP’s Outreach Programs facilitate these visits by reducing the financial disincentives faced by health professionals who provide Outreach services through the reimbursement of expenses such as travel, meals, accommodation, and other administrative costs.

Become a qualified Outreach Provider! Complete our FREE online course

Our free micro-credential – Going All OUT for Outreach: Onboarding – was created to introduce the key concepts of Outreach service provision while developing the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully deliver health services in rural and remote communities throughout Queensland.

Find out more

Regional approach to the implementation of the Outreach Programs

CheckUP utilises a regional structure and approach to support the most efficient and effective delivery of services under the Outreach programs in Queensland. Working collaboratively with, and receiving consistent feedback from stakeholders, key partners, and providers combined with a number of state and national reviews were the main reasons for the implementation of this regional structure and approach.

Regional Coordinators

To drive the establishment of the regional structure, four Regional Coordinator positions have been funded. Key elements of the Regional Coordinator role are briefly outlined below.

meet the Outreach team

Identify regional health needs and priorities

Work with regional stakeholders to plan appropriate services that align with identified regional needs and health priorities

Work with regional stakeholders to determine appropriate service delivery models and providers

Conduct ongoing review of outreach funded services to ensure effectiveness, efficiency, and appropriateness

Program information

CheckUP managed Outreach Programs encompass the Medical Outreach Indigenous Chronic Disease Program (MOICDP), Rural Health Outreach Fund (RHOF), Healthy Ears – Better Hearing, Better Listening, Visiting Optometry Scheme (VOS) and Eye and Ears Surgical Support (EESS).

You can read about the aims of these programs, and access the respective fact sheets, by scrolling down this page. For detailed program information, and associated program resources, please click on the button below.

More information about our programs

Medical Outreach Indigenous Chronic Disease Program (MOICDP)

The aim of the MOICDP is to increase access to a range of health services, including expanded primary health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the treatment and management of chronic disease.

View fact sheet

Rural Health Outreach Fund (RHOF)

The aim of the RHOF is to improve health outcomes for people living in regional, rural, and remote locations by supporting the delivery of Outreach health services.

View fact sheet

Healthy Ears – Better Hearing, Better Listening

The aim of the Healthy Ears – Better Hearing, Better Listening program is to increase access to a range of health services, including expanded primary health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and youth (0-21 years) for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of ear and hearing health.

View fact sheet

Visiting Optometrists Scheme (VOS)

The aim of the VOS is to deliver Outreach services to people living in regional, rural, and remote locations, who do not have ready access to primary eye care services.

View fact sheet

Eye and Ear Surgical Support (EESS)

The aim of the EESS program is to improve access to eye and ear surgical services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, prioritising those living in rural and remote locations.

View fact sheet

Coordination of Indigenous Eye Health

This program aims to improve access for First Nations people through improved coordination of culturally safe services.

View the fact sheet

Our approach

We are focused on ensuring that everyone has the right to equitable access to health services, regardless of their economic, social, cultural, or geographical circumstances. To understand and advocate for priority health needs and priority locations within Queensland, CheckUP undertakes an annual health service planning process for the Outreach Programs.

In addition to utilising data, CheckUP uses our regional network to consult broadly and ensure the views and expertise of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and organisations are an integral part of the needs assessment process. To help facilitate a regionalised approach to implementation four Regional Coordinator positions are funded.

Information for patients

Discover further information about our Outreach Programs and locate an available Outreach service in your vicinity by utilising the My Community Directory search tool.

Learn more

Useful links

Outreach Programs main web page

Click here

About our Outreach Programs – Health priorities and related resources

Click here

Outreach provider expression of interest form

Click here

Outreach patient information

Click here

Find an Outreach service – My Community Diary

Click here

Feedback on community healthcare needs

Click here

Telehealth

Click here

Read our most recent publications

Click here

Signature stories

Click here

Outreach FAQ

What services will be occurring in 2024-25? Download the Outreach Service Schedule

CheckUP is pleased to advise that the Commonwealth Department of Health has approved the below services to be delivered from July 2024 – June 2025.

2024 – 2025 Public Service List.

This service list has been developed by CheckUP and endorsed by the Outreach Advisory Forum. This service list will continue to be updated throughout the year as new services are contracted and commence delivery.

*DISCLAIMER: These service schedules are only referring to services funded by CheckUP through the Outreach Programs we coordinate. Other outreach providers may also deliver services into these locations in addition to these services that are not funded by CheckUP.

What is CheckUP’s approach to the implementation of the Outreach Programs?

CheckUP has adopted a regional structure and approach to support the most efficient and effective delivery of services under the Outreach programs in Queensland.

Is Telehealth utilised within the Outreach Programs?

Since the Outreach Programs inception, Telehealth has been identified as appropriate technology to support increased access to the Outreach Program’s services. You can read more about Telehealth and find useful resources here.

How do I become an Outreach service provider?

Do you have a passion for working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people living in rural and remote locations? If you are a qualified, registered and practising health professional within Australia and would like to find out more about how you can be involved in delivering Services, simply complete the expression of interest form here.

For more information on the Outreach programs and/or to enquire further about delivering Outreach services please contact the team on 07 3105 8300 or by emailing outreachservices@checkup.org.au.

How can I find Outreach services?

Search the online diary to find out what Outreach health services are being delivered in your local community.

How can I provide feedback on community healthcare needs?

Providers and the wider community are encouraged to provide feedback on healthcare services needed in Queensland. Do you live in a rural or remote community? Is there a healthcare service gap in your area? Let us know more about the services you need by filling in this form.

How can I provide feedback as a patient?

Patient feedback is very important to us to continue to improve Outreach services delivered across Queensland. Please click here to complete the patient feedback survey.

How can I learn more about the impact of the Outreach programs?

Our annual IMPACT magazine highlights the real difference the Outreach programs are making, showcasing great examples of health outcomes being improved, as well as the passion our providers have for their work. Read the most recent edition on our publications page here.

You can also view a range of videos on our Signature stories page.

Contact us or provide feedback

Phone: (07) 3105 8300
Email: outreachservices@checkup.org.au