Australians with an intellectual disability are to receive greater support under a new Primary Care Enhancement Program (PCEP).
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said $6.5 million is to be provided over four years via the Primary Health Networks (PHN) Program for the development of the PCEP.
“The Program will increase the skills and ability of GPs and other health professionals to provide effective health care for people with intellectual disability,” Mr Hunt said.
He said the PCEP would be developed through four lead Primary Health Networks, with a view to a national rollout across all PHNs.
Mr Hunt said the Program would include essential support for PHNs to build their capacity to support health professionals in caring for people with intellectual disability; provide practical material for GPs and other primary health care professionals to enhance their capability in this area; develop and disseminate health promotion information for people with intellectual disability and their families.
He said the Program was established following a roundtable discussion in August last year, which addressed inequities in health system access and quality for people living with an intellectual disability.
“The roundtable committed to building a national roadmap with short, medium and long-term priorities,” Mr Hunt said.
“As well as identifying practical ways to improve health care for this group, the national roadmap will increase recognition that people living with intellectual disability have the right to the same quality and access to health services as every other Australian.”
He said the roadmap would also better integrate primary care with specialist and hospital care and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
