To improve health services for people with intellectual disability
“Time for Action! Health Reform in WA” highlights the urgent and pressing need to improve health services for people with intellectual disability (PwID) and other developmental disabilities, like Autism.
We urge the WA Health Department take action to provide better health services for PwID. To spread our message as widely as possible, we launched a campaign this month highlighting the issues and solutions that need WA Government action.
Our campaign began with a video message from our CEO, Mary Butterworth, outlining the challenges faced by PwID in WA health services, followed by a list of “5 things we need the WA Health Department to do” (see the 5 things listed, below)
[watch the video on Vimeo here: https://vimeo.com/1053240473]
Our campaign includes upcoming videos where people with disabilities and their families share their experiences with WA health services. It’s heart breaking.
The campaign will run throughout February and beyond on all our digital platforms, including social media, newsletters/emails, and here on our DDWA website.
Main Message:
Did you know PwID die 27 years earlier than others and have a much higher level of mental illness?
PwID face significant healthcare challenges that cannot be ignored any longer.
With the upcoming election on 8 March, we need all political parties to commit to real change.
We need the WA Department of Health to do FIVE (5) things:
- Introduce mandatory training on intellectual disabilities for all health staff.
- Set up Specialist Disability Health Hubs in each health region to improve the health and mental health of PwID.
- Ensure the State health plan includes PwID as a priority group.
- Introduce a “flag” to identify intellectual disability in a person’s WA health record.
- Contribute to a WA Easy Read website that provides key public information about health and other government services.
Be part of this reform! Demand that all political parties make a firm commitment to action. PwID deserve better healthcare.
Contact your local member of parliament – write to them, or visit them in person – and demand better health services for people with intellectual disabilities.
To find your local member, go to: https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/WebCMS/webcms.nsf/content/contact-a-member
Shane Love, leader of The Nationals WA, has committed to “4” and “5” above.
We are asking: “What are your policies, WA Labor, Liberals WA, The Greens WA, others, and independents?”
We’ll share responses from members of parliament and government departments when they are received. We hope to have much to report on in the coming months.
Keep an eye on our social media posts.
WATCH VIDEO HERE: PwID health issues and 5 things we need the WA Health Department to do
