State Government advocacyThe 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 have 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 CID is working with NSW Health and DADHC to achieve better outcomes. Federal Government advocacyAt an Australian Government level we have 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 will allow 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 health. The Medicare item is now being utilised by people with intellectual disability. We have recently sent out a flyer providing information to consumers as to how to get the most out of the item.
For more information see NSW CID’s position paper on Health below. |
