237
15.2.4. Annual Health Assessments of Older People
Another indication of the level of health care services available in the community is the number of older
people having an annual health assessment.
As evident in
Table 15.3
, in 2009/10, 3,552 people over 75 in Western Adelaide had undertaken their
annual health assessment, at a rate of 16,880 per 100,000. When compared with the Adelaide Statistical
Division, proportionally fewer older people had undertaken this assessment. This is of particular concern
considering that the region is home to above average proportions of older people.
Within the region, Port Adelaide Enfield had the highest rate of older people undergoing the annual health
assessment, at approximately 18,500 per 100,000 (which is still below the rate across the ASD). The
rates of undergoing an annual health assessment are particularly low in both Charles Sturt and West
Torrens (16,054 and 16,245 per 100,000 respectively).
Table 15.3: Annual Health Assessments of Older People
1
Number
Rate per 100,000
Port Adelaide Enfield
1,700
18,521.1
Charles Sturt
1,716
16,054.1
West Torrens
952
16,245.2
Western Adelaide
3,552
16,879.7
Adelaide Statistical Division
17,625
19,388.0
Data Source: Public Health Information Development Unit using data from the Department of Health and Ageing, 2009/10.
1
Western Adelaide, in the Social Health Atlas, is defined as per the State Government boundaries.
15.2.5. Audit of Health and Community Support Services
A range of health and community support services are available in the Study Area. These are provided
by a range of different providers, serving different population catchments with different service focuses.
An audit of the health and community support services has been undertaken to better understand the
range, focus and geographical catchment of services available in the Study Area. This audit is critical to
better understand the statistical data about rates of service provision in the region, especially as it relates
to existing service gaps. This review is not exhaustive, but rather has sought to understand the range,
focus and geographical catchment of service provision in the region, to better understand provision and
gaps in light of projected population growth and climate change.
In summary, key
primary health care services
in the region is centred around an established and
expanding health precinct within
Woodville
. The centre-piece of this is the Queen Elizabeth Hospital,
which is the main public hospital for the entire Study Area. In addition, the new Royal Adelaide Hospital
being constructed immediately adjacent the Western Region will provide a very high level services to
residents of the western suburbs.
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital provides a nucleus around which a range of other support services have
been established. This includes a GP Plus Health Care clinic which provides support services such as
child and youth health, nursing, injury treatment, aboriginal health, dental, community mental health
