Healthier Lives in Western Sydney - Presentations
In June 2010, NSW CID and Western Sydney Intellectual Disability Support Group hosted a forum called "Healthier Lives in Western Sydney" at Blacktown Library.
Over 170 people came together to discuss how we can improve the health of people with intellectual disability who live in Western Sydney.
To see some photos click here.
Thank you to the guest speakers who shared their time and expertise with us.
The following presentations have been made available:
Michael Bartels
Opening Presentation (Easy to Understand)
Jim Simpson, NSW CID Senior Advocate
Time to Be Healthy (Easy to Understand)
Dr Bob davis, Centre for Developmental Disability Health
Me and My Doctor (Easy to Understand)
Yvette Proud and Michael Bartels, NSW CID
Healthier Lives (Easy to Understand)
Kim Walker and Aine Healy, NSW CID
Speaking Up at the Doctors (Easy to Understand)
Dr Bob davis, Centre for Developmental Disability Health
Tips from a Doctor
Dr Chris Atkin, Disability Enterprises
Health Care for People with Complex Needs
Agnes Ross and Jennifer Brennan, ADHC
Specialist Health Care Nurses in ADHC
Maria Heaton, NSW CID and Clinical Nurse
Tips from a Parent
Health Campaign 2010
State Government Advocacy
The NSW Council for Intellectual Disability (NSW CID) has been advocating and researching on the health needs of people with intellectual disability for many years. Recent Australian research has shown that people with intellectual disability have poor health outcomes.
For some years, the response from NSW Health was largely focused on policy change and training programs for the mainstream health system. These strategies produced very limited gains.
The priority now should be on development of specialist resources in the health care of people with intellectual disability. Specialist resources are needed because of the specialised knowledge and skills often needed to diagnose and treat health conditions in people with intellectual disability. These specialist resources would be a resource to the mainstream health system, similar to the wide range of other specialist resources in the health system.
NSW Health agrees that specialised intellectual disability health services are needed. We have been working with the Government to try to achieve these services.
Federal Government Advocacy
At an Australian Government level we lobbied for a new Medicare item specifically targeting people with intellectual disability. This was approved in February 2007 and has been warmly welcomed by NSW CID. The item allows for an annual health check for doctors to spend the time that is necessary with a person with intellectual disability to ensure that they can provide a thorough check of their physical and mental health. For more information on the annual health check, see our fact sheet Annual health assessments.
Now, we are advocating for the Australian Government to work with the States and Territories to develop a comprehensive response to the health needs of people with intellectual disability.
For more information see below NSW CID’s background paper on health and our position statement that has been endorsed by many eminent Australians and organisations around NSW and across Australia.
 Health Position Statement
Health Background Paper
Health Fact Sheets
NSW CID has a range of fact sheets on how to stay healthy and get good health care.
The Standard Health Fact Sheets are for advocates, disability workers and other professionals.
The Easy Fact Sheets are for people with intellectual disability.
Click here to go to the Health Fact Sheets.
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