The Department of Health has announced greater support for General Practitioners (GPs) and other health professionals in four regions across the country, with a focus on more effective care for people with intellectual disability.
The Department’s Primary Care Enhancement Program is to apply in Central and Eastern Sydney; Western Victoria; Central Queensland, Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast; and Tasmania.
According to the Department, the regions were selected to spearhead the enhancement program over four years, with a view to a national rollout.
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said the program would give people with intellectual disability better access to appropriate, quality health services that met their needs.
“It will support health professionals in caring for people with intellectual disability; facilitate access to appropriate, quality health services for people with intellectual disability, and promote take-up and quality of annual Medicare health assessments for people with intellectual disability,” Mr Hunt said.
“In addition, the program will help to ensure people with intellectual disability have equitable access to quality health prevention and health promotion programs, and ensure all of their programs are inclusive for people with intellectual disability.”
He said the Council for Intellectual Disability would be a key partner with the Department as the Primary Care Enhancement Program was developed and rolled out.
“National resources for the program will be developed over the next two years, including a training module for primary health network staff; resources for GPs and other primary care professionals; National Disability Insurance Scheme linkage tools, and health promotion materials for people with intellectual disability and their families,” the Minister said.
