Having and using the right medicines at the right time is a vital aspect of healthcare.
Beyond medicines supply, it’s vital to support patients so they understand how to safety and effectively use their medicines.
SA Health’s Closing the Gap Medicines Access Program helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with the cost of medicines when discharged from hospital or attending an outpatient clinic at SA public hospitals.
As an additional step, the Beyond the Gap Program is part of a larger investment in Aboriginal health.
Beyond the Gap aims to improve health and wellbeing through supporting Continuity in Medicines Management (CMM) for all Aboriginal people.
“For Beyond the Gap, SA Pharmacy is partnering with Aboriginal Health at Department for Health and Wellbeing,” says Cheyne Sullivan, SA Pharmacy Manager, Aboriginal Health and Beyond the Gap Project Lead at Statewide Clinical Support Services.
“One of our aims through this program is to make sure people are getting the right medicines at the right time, that they understand what they’re taking and why, and that they’re informed on how to use medicines safely.”
The preliminary stages of Beyond the Gap commenced in 2022, with current activities focused on co-design. Program testing, implementation and evaluation will continue over 2025, 2026 and 2027.
Effective communication is key
A key aspect of Beyond the Gap is ensuring patients are active participants in their care and understand medicines information they are given.
“Gaps in communication regarding medicines can happen as people move from one care setting to another, such as leaving hospital care and going back into community,” Cheyne says.
“That’s why we’re focused on improving continuity in medicines information across the health system as a key aspect of Beyond the Gap.”
“Part of this involves sharing information with patients in ways that are culturally responsive, including working with family members and translating into Aboriginal languages if needed.”
CMM is important not just for Aboriginal patients, but also more broadly for any patient moving through health services.
“That’s why we have the saying ‘if you can get it right for Mob, you can probably get it right for everyone’,” Cheyne says.
Help ensure Continuity in Medicines Management (CMM)
Are you interested in improving and supporting CMM for Aboriginal people?
Attend the CMM Protocol Co-design with Clinicians and Stakeholders workshop on Friday 2 May 2025, to be held at SAHMRI on North Terrace, Adelaide. Reserve your free spot here.
This story is part of our series for National Close the Gap Day 2025.
National Close the Gap Day 2025 aims to help drive better health outcomes and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, through agency, leadership and reform.
