Background:

The ABCD project originated in 2002 in the Northern Territory with the ABCDE project continuing this work from 2005-2009. By the end of 2009 over 140 health centres around Australia were using ABCD tools and processes to improve their quality of care.

The projects provided support for the development and use of audit tools and processes and a web-based database and reporting system for Primary Health Care centres around Australia. Following requests from users for continued use of the tools and processes, One21Seventy, the National Centre for Quality Improvement in Indigenous Health was established in November 2009. This organisation, based in Menzies, provided tools and processes, including training, to support primary health care providers to carry out Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) using clinical audits, systems assessment, web-based data analysis and reporting to inform goal setting and action planning. 

The Partnership worked alongside One21Seventy to continue to develop the evidence-base available to One21Seventy and to answer key questions relevant to quality improvement in the sector. The Partnership accessed data collected in routine CQI activities from services that had consented to participate with the Partnership for research.  

Timeline progression of the ABCD Partnership Project:
Our funders, supporters and partners:

The ABCD National Research Partnership Project was supported by funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Lowitja Institute, and by in-kind and financial support from a range of Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations and Government agencies. The Lowitja Institute provided support to employ research officers in two jurisdictions and to support the development of audit tools and processes. beyondblue has provided funding for the development and implementation of the Youth Health tool.

Our partners:

The ABCD NRP worked in partnership with partners from Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation peak bodies, government health departments, academic institutions, and Primary Health Care (PHC) services in five states and territories: the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and New South Wales. Many of the partners participated in the ABCD project and have maintained their engagement in improving the quality of care through the Partnership project.