SSWAHS Disability Action Plan - Sydney South West Area Health ...

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SSWAHS DISABILITY ACTION PLAN 2008-20113. Our SSWAHS Disability Action Plan3.1 Our CommitmentThe SSWAHS commitment to meeting the needs of people with disabilities is reflected by thefollowing statement:People with disabilities will be treated with respect, and have the same quality ofservice and health outcomes as other members of the community. We will workin partnership with people with disabilities and other agencies to meet thiscommitment.3.2 Our PrinciplesSSWAHS has adopted and built on the NSW Government Principles of an Inclusive Society(contained within the NSW Government Disability Policy Framework). The principles are:• People with disabilities are full and valued members of the community (inclusion)• People with disabilities will have access to services provided to the general community(access and equity)• In the provision of services to people with disabilities the focus will be on the whole of lifeneeds of individuals in their own communities (holistic)• Better outcomes for people with disabilities will result from cooperation among serviceproviders, with the active participation of people with disabilities (partnerships andparticipation)• Our services will support, and be sensitive to, the diversity of people with disabilities,including those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities (cultural diversity)• The unique needs of people with disabilities from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderbackground will be recognised (cultural diversity)• The unique requirements of children and young people with special needs, and their carers,will be recognised (special needs)• The legal rights of people with disabilities will be recognised and protected (NSWGovernment) and people with disabilities will have the right to self determination (rights).3.3 Developing Our SSWAHS Disability Action PlanOur Plan was developed under the advice and direction of a steering committee comprisingpeople with disabilities, representative organisations, carers, service providers, health servicestaff, and senior SSWAHS management (refer to the Terms of Reference and CommitteeMembership in Appendices D and E). It builds on the disability plans of the former Area HealthServices in Sydney South West, consideration of best practice in other health services andgovernment departments, advice from previous and current advisory and steering committees,earlier consultations with consumers, carers and service organisations, and achievements ofour hospitals and community health services.It also builds on legislation, and planning and policy direction set by the NSW Government andNSW Health. This includes changes to the NSW Mental Health Act 2007, and therecommendations of the 2006 NSW Health review into the effectiveness of implementation ofthe NSW Health Policy People with Disabilities: responding to their needs duringhospitalisation. This review recommended a stronger emphasis on quality health care forpeople with disabilities, the need for a respectful, flexible and adaptable service, and policyrevision.While the Plan’s focus is people with disabilities, the strategies will also benefit the broadercommunity and staff. For example, improving physical access in buildings will help older peopleand parents with prams, providing information in alternative formats will aid people with literacyPage 10
SSWAHS DISABILITY ACTION PLAN 2008-2011difficulties, improved signage will assist all visitors, and improvements to care will makeservices safer for patients, staff and the community.The SSWAHS Disability Action Plan 2008-2011 recognises that SSWAHS is developingdetailed clinical service plans. Some of these plans, such as the SSWAHS Mental HealthService Plan, the SSWAHS Aged Care and Rehabilitation Clinical Services Plan 2007-2012,and the SSWAHS Carers Action Plan 2007-2012, have a strong focus on people withdisabilities and carers. Rather than duplicating these plans, the SSWAHS Disability ActionPlan will complement them by focusing on issues that impact across the health service in allclinical, environmental and cultural settings.3.4 Further ConsultationThere was targeted consultation in developing and reviewing the draft plan. Advice wasprovided through the SSWAHS Community Participation structures, including the SSWAHSConsumer/Community Council and Networks. There were also targeted consultation withconsumers, carers (who may have disabilities as a result of their caring role), older people andservice providers. The Aboriginal Health Impact Statement (AHIS) completed for this Planreflected the consultation processes undertaken with the Aboriginal community.In June 2008, the draft action plan was distributed to SSWAHS facilities and services and morethan 250 agencies. This included community and government organisations, peak disabilityagencies, local Divisions of General Practice, and Aboriginal and multicultural agencies.Comprehensive feedback was provided by consumers, carers, local agencies, and SSWAHSmanagers and staff at consultation forums in Campbelltown, Burwood and Liverpool, andtargeted meetings with community agencies and consumers. Over thirty services and agenciesalso provided feedback in writing. The suggestions and recommendations included detailedcomment about needs, broad strategies and actions.The combined knowledge and experience of those who contributed to this process addedconsiderably to the depth of our understanding of the issues facing people with disabilities. Thesuggestions provided through the consultation process were discussed with the SteeringCommittee and relevant managers. The final SSWAHS Disability Action Plan reflects theseconsultations. The feedback from the consultation process will be also used to inform andinfluence implementation and monitoring.3.5 Priorities for ActionThis Plan focuses on seven priority areas, reflecting NSW Government Disability Frameworkpriorities and NSW Health policy on health care for people with disabilities:1. Improving Physical Access2. Developing Accessible Information About Services3. Improving Health Care to People with Disabilities4. Promoting Positive Community Attitudes5. Enhancing Staff Training in Disability Awareness6. Increasing Employment of People with Disabilities7. Improving Complaints and Feedback ProceduresPage 11
Page 2 and 3: AcknowledgementOur thanks are exten
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