Healthcare Access Draft Strategy Accepted

By MILNE, Amy

A STRATEGY to improve access to healthcare providers for people with intellectual disabilities has been signed off by the Otago- Southland Disability Advisory Committee.

The draft strategy, written by Otago District Health Board planning and funding project officer Chris Ford, was tabled at the committee’s meeting in Dunedin yesterday.

The committee recommended the Otago board approves the strategy and management consult with the Southland board with the view of adopting the proposal.

The report said the draft strategy was the result of more than a year’s work and arose from a recommendation in 2004 that district health boards examine health access issues for people with intellectual disabilities.

The report said the strategy’s goals were to provide people with intellectual disabilities equal access to health services.

Treatment will be given through a collaboration between relevant professionals “utilising a continuum of care approach” , the report said.

Health workers should have access to appropriate training and timely support and advice from relevant sector agencies and advocacy networks.

“This includes support for training in evidence based and best practice for working with people with intellectual disabilities.” Health information for people with intellectual disabilities and their families-whanau will be easily accessible, the report said.

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