Central Adelaide Local Health Network Disability Action and Inclusion Plan 2020 - 2024

Acknowledgement of Country

Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) acknowledges and respects
Aboriginal people as the State’s first people and recognises their traditional
relationship with Country.

We acknowledge that the spiritual, social, cultural and economic
practices of Aboriginal people come from their traditional lands and waters,
and that the cultural and heritage beliefs, languages and laws are still of
importance today.

Contact details

The CALHN Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) 2020 – 2024 is available on our corporate website https://centraladelaide.health.sa.gov.au/ and can be made available in other accessible formats and languages upon request.
You can contact us by emailing Health.IC_Correspondence@sa.gov.au

A message from our Chief Executive Officer

It is with great pleasure that I present the Central Adelaide Local Health Network’s Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) for 2020 – 2024.

Our Plan is part of the broader South Australian Government’s agenda to improve the lives of people living with disability and moves us closer to a fully inclusive society for all.

Our Plan outlines our commitments to identify and meet the needs of people with disability, builds on our previous work undertaken, and describes what we will do to ensure that people living with disability have the same opportunities as others to access and be included in health services.

To achieve these five key themes have been developed and consulted on, they are:

  1. Inclusive communities for all
  2. Leadership and collaboration
  3. Accessible communities
  4. Learning and employment
  5. Partnering in health care

Our Plan articulates strategies and actions to achieve this to guide and foster a genuinely inclusive environment for all of our consumers, their carers, families and our staff.

We will hold ourselves accountable for ensuring that people living with disability who use our services are engaged in developing our policies, procedures and services, and have equal access to our services and programs.

There are great benefits that come with genuine inclusivity. We recognise that full inclusion of people with disability in both our health services and the community will require a shift in culture and attitudes.

Key to the development of this Plan was consultation with people living with disability, their carers and families and CALHN staff to identify opportunities to create a more inclusive health service experience. The principles, strategies and actions for disability inclusion in this Plan are intended to enhance the whole health system and improve our commitment to person centred care.

We will monitor our progress against this Plan and continue to identify ways of ensuring our commitment to create a supportive and inclusive environment for all. I encourage you to read the Plan and actively work together towards progressing better access and inclusion in our workplaces and services.

Lesley Dwyer
Chief Executive Officer
Central Adelaide Local Health Network

About the Local Health Network

The Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) provides care for more than 495,000 people living in the central Adelaide metropolitan region and a significant number of others from rural, remote, interstate and overseas locations who access the Network’s highly specialised, Statewide services. 

The Network brings together the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) as a major quaternary facility, TQEH as a general hospital, Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre (HRC) and St Margaret’s  Hospital (SMRH), and Glenside Hospital for acute and community mental health rehabilitation, and a number of intermediate health services focusing on providing safe care in the community, supporting hospital avoidance and hospital substitution.

CALHN also governs a number of Statewide services including SA Dental Service (SADS), SA Prison Health Service (SAPHS), SA Cancer Service (SACS), DonateLife SA (DLSA), and Statewide Clinical Support Services incorporating BreastScreen SA (BSSA), SA Pathology, SA Medical Imaging (SAMI) and SA Pharmacy.

Staff profile

CALHN has more than 11,750 skilled staff who provide high quality patient care, education, research and health promotion services.

As of August 2020, 0.84% of the total CALHN workforce had a declared disability.

Note: This number will differ from the number used to derive the % of employees who have declared a disability because the reported number will include employees irrespective of having had worked in the last reporting period, irrespective of appointment types and declared absences.

We are committed to workforce diversity and reducing the barriers that prevent full participation at work for people with disability through ensuring an accessible workplace and technologies.

Our Vision

Our vision is to shape the future of health with world-class care and world-class research and to be one of the top 5 performing health services in Australia and one of the top 50 health services in the world within five years. Upholding the rights of people living with disability to access quality health care will help CALHN to provide a more include service for people living with disability. 

Our Plan describes the strategies and actions that we will put in place to ensure that people living with disability have the same opportunities as others to be included in quality services, events, information, buildings and facilities, consultation, complaints processes and employment, and includes input from CALHN consumers who live with disability as well as their carers.

We are committed to building on the work we have already undertaken and will actively work together to foster a genuinely inclusive environment for all of our patients, their families and our staff.

Strategic Context

The Disability Inclusion Act 2018 (SA) supports the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) acknowledging that people living with disability have the same human rights as other members of the community.

Our DAIP sets out the actions we will take over the next four years to achieve a more inclusive Local Health Network. Our actions align to the key themes and priorities in the State Disability Inclusion Plan.

Disability Defined

The Disability Inclusion Act 2018 (SA) defines disability in relation to a person as including long-term physical, psychosocial, intellectual, cognitive, neurological or sensory impairment, or a combination of any of these impairments, which in interaction with various barriers may hinder the person’s full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.

Implementing the DIAP

The Disability Inclusion Bill 2018 is explicit in describing community and service responsibilities in addition to content of a DAIP.

The Bill is “An Act to promote the full inclusion in the community of people living with disability; to assist people living with disability to achieve their full potential as equal citizens; to promote improved  access to mainstream supports and services by people living with disability”. It further notes its intent “to provide for responsibilities of the state during and following the transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme“. (SA Disability and Inclusion Bill 2018, Pg1)

Core to implementing and leading the CALHN DAIP will be how consumers and staff who live with disability are included and partnered with. Once consumers endorse the Plan, each service and division within CALHN will be responsible for implementing and evaluating their actions.

CALHN’s DAIP explicitly details the role of leadership and staff. Leadership is important to increase understanding of the intent of the plan, actions to be undertaken and service planning to ensure high quality responsive services. 

National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (HSQHHS)

The eight National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (NSQHSS) are a nationally regulated framework of standards developed by the Australian Council of Healthcare Standards (ACHS). ACHS drives the implementation of safety and quality systems, and improves the quality of health care in Australia.

The eight NSQHS that inform and guide the work of CALHN’s services are:

  • Standard 1: Clinical governance
  • Standard 2: Partnering with consumers in their care
  • Standard 3: Preventing and controlling healthcare – associated Infections
  • Standard 4: Medication safety
  • Standard 5: Comprehensive care
  • Standard 6: Communicating for safety
  • Standard 7: Blood management
  • Standard 8: Recognising and responding to acute deterioration

CALHN Actions

Ensuring that the rights of all people, including those who live with disability, is the responsibility of the whole community and requires a statewide response.

People who live with one or more disabilities should be able to access and participate in all aspects of our society, including using mainstream services and programs. Most people take the ability to go about daily life for granted.

Social inclusion is also fundamental to one’s quality of life and critical to achieving positive life outcomes across all domains.

CALHN is committed to the implementation of this DAIP and is dedicated to supporting people who live with disabilities. It does this by promoting the Network as disability-friendly, improving physical access to buildings and facilities for people with disability, and improving disability awareness and understanding among staff, consumers and volunteers.

Monitoring review and reporting process

The CALHN Executive Quality Governance Committee will monitor progress of CALHN DAIP 2020 - 2024. An annual report will be provided to the Chief Executive, Department of Human Services.


The Plan

Theme one: Inclusive communities for all

Social inclusion is a priority for people living with disability as it affects all aspects of their lives. It is our aim that the contributions and rights of people living with disability are valued and understood by all South Australians and that their rights are promoted, upheld and protected. We also want to ensure that people living with disability are supported to advocate for their own rights.

CALHN will support social inclusion and promote and uphold the rights of people with disability through the following actions:

Priority 1: Involvement in the community

No 1.1

Actions

  • Internal and external events organised by CALHN meet the needs of people with disability 

Responsible lead

  • CALHN event organisers

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Internal and external events are held in accessible venues and meet the access requirements of attendees.
  • Events plans and checklists for staff to use when planning events include information regarding access for people living with a disability in a variety of formats.

Priority 2: Improving community understanding and awareness

No 2.1

Actions

  • CALHN staff and volunteers are aware of the rights and needs of people living with disability and the relevant policies and requirements of the Disability Services Act.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Workforce Management and Reform

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Disability awareness training is included in the orientation package for all new CALHN staff from 1 March 2021.
  • 100% completion rate for mandatory Disability Awareness and Inclusion online training within the first three months of employment.

Priority 3: Promoting the rights of people living with disability

No 3.1

Actions

  • CALHN staff respond to consumer complaint and feedback through a variety of formats.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Nursing and Patient Experience

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Staff are educated on, actively promote and use the complaint and feedback systems.

No 3.2

Actions

  • Consumer complaint and feedback systems used by staff and consumers regarding consumer experience of care are simple flexible and accessible.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Nursing and Patient Experience

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • The system for consumer feedback is understood and accessible.

No 3.3

Actions

  • Ensure HR policies are referenced to include disability training and orientation packages that are delivered at induction and available on CALHN Learning Central

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Workforce Management and Reform

Timeframe

  • October 2021

Measurable target

  • CALHN will maintain and promote its policies, codes of conduct and strategies that prohibit discrimination, harassment and victimisation of staff, consumers, carers and visitors who live with disability.
  • [NSQHS Standard 1] 
  • 100% completion rate for mandatory Disability Awareness and Inclusion online training.

No 3.4

Actions

  • Promote the use of the SA Health NDIS Serious Reportable Incident Policy Guideline to all CALHN staff.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Clinical Governance

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Systems are in place for staff to report NDIS incidents.
  • An internal process for CALHN which supports and
    enables identification of incidents/discrimination against people who live with
    disability by CALHN staff is in place and actively used.

Theme Two: Leadership and collaboration

People living with disability want to have a greater role in leading and contributing to government and community decision-making. It is our aim that the perspectives of people living with disability are actively sought and that they are supported to participate meaningfully in government and community consultation and engagement activities.

CALHN will support people with disability to have a greater role in influencing government and community decision making and participating in consultation through the following actions:

Priority 4: Participation in decision-making

No 4.1

Actions

  • Ensure staff and managers are aware of the process and provide assistance with applying for and the ability to participate in individualised funding for disability care and resources.

Responsible lead

  • CALHN Allied Health Leads , Clinical Program Leads  and Service Directors

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • 100% of people who live with disability have the knowledge and information required to participate in an individualised funding plan.

No 4.2

Actions

  • Consumers and carers are engaged in the development and review of the DAIP by seeking their advice, incorporating their feedback and endorsement of the plan.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Allied Health and Strategic Integration and Partnerships.

Timeframe

  • October 2020

Measurable target

  • The CALHN DAIP is endorsed by consumers and carers.
  • [NSQHS Standard 2]
  • The CALHN DAIP is monitored against NSQHS, actions, and report findings to the Executive Sponsor on a quarterly basis.

No 4.3

Actions

  • Strengthen CALHN’s consultation processes to increase active engagement and meaningful participation of people who live with a wide range of disabilities in decision making through best practice community engagement and participation processes.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Allied Health and Strategic Integration and Partnerships.

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Engagement opportunities are promoted to consumers such as Lived Experience and Consumer representative roles, volunteer roles and service planning/focus groups.
  • CALHN works in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
  • Participants are aware of opportunities.

No 4.4

Actions

  • CALHN Partnering with Carers processes and procedures are aligned with The SA Health Partnering with Carers Strategic Action Plan 2017-2020

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Allied Health and Strategic Integration and Partnerships.

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Policies and procedures recognise and support carers.
  • [NSQHS Standard 2]

No 4.5

Actions

  • Encourage CALHN staff who live with a disability to have a greater role in decision making

Responsible lead

  • CALHN executive , program leads and service managers

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Engagement opportunities are promoted to CALHN staff who live with a disability

No 4.6

Actions

  • Provide information on Advance Care Directives (ACD) to consumers who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Responsible lead

  • CALHN Clinical Program Leads  and Service Directors
  • Director Aboriginal Health and Research Translation

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Communication needs are considered and ACD information is provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their carers.
  • [NSQHS Standard 2]

Priority 5: Leadership and raising profile

No 5.1

Actions

  • CALHN maintains and enhances positive relationships with disability service providers, NGOs, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and CALD community organisations facilitating streamlining of services and reduction of barriers.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Allied Health and Strategic Integration and Partnerships
  • CALHN Clinical Program Leads  and Service Directors
  • Director Aboriginal Health and Research and Translation

Timeframe

  • October 2021

Measurable target

  • Relationships strengthened with disability service providers, NGOs, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and CALD community organisations

  • Care plans demonstrate clinician engagement in processes and systems that support services to patients with disability.

  • [NSQHS Standard 1 & 2]

No 5.2

Actions

  • Develop and implement a submissions and consultation framework mechanism across CALHN.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Allied Health and Strategic Integration and Partnerships.

Timeframe

  • October 2021

Measurable target

  • CALHN NDIS and Disability Governance Committee establish a mechanism for consultation and submissions. 

No 5.3

Actions

  • Promote options for teleconferencing and web forums with consumers and disability and complex patient staff.

Responsible lead

  • CALHN Clinical Program Leads and Service Directors

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Factsheets/pathways developed for staff and consumers to understand the options. 

Priority 6: Engagement and consultation

No 6.1

Actions

The CALHN NDIS and Disability Governance Committee establishes engagement and consultation mechanisms  with all disability groups for  participation  in   decision making of development, implementation and review processes.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Allied Health and Strategic Integration and Partnerships.

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • A DAIP action plan is developed and actions monitored by the CALHN NDIS and Disability and NDIS Governance Committee.
  • An annual report is provided to the CE DHS by 31st of October each year.
  • A process is established for CALHN service leads to report on progress of the DAIP actions to the NDIS & Disability Governance Committee on a quarterly basis to inform the annual report to CE DHS.

Theme Three: Accessible communities

The accessibility of the built environment, quality services and information are key to ensuring people living with disability are included and have the opportunity to equally participate in all aspects of community life. It is our aim to increase accessibility to public and community infrastructure, transport, services, information, sport and recreation and the greater community.

CALHN will help increase access to its buildings and services through the following actions:

Priority 7: Universal Design across South Australia

No 7.1

Actions

  • Work with building owners/lease managers and consult with appropriate stakeholders to ensure CALHN leased sites (offices and public buildings) meet relevant Standards.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Capital Projects and Planning
  • Director Operational Services

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • 100% new or redevelopment works provide access to people who live with disabilities.

No 7.2

Actions

  • Consumer and Carer consultation is sought regarding accessibility and functionality in the planning and ongoing use CALHN sites.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Capital Projects and Planning
  • Director Operational Services

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Consumers and Carers are engaged in planning and contribute to service building and design.

No 7.3

Actions

  • Develop a capital works plan to address accessibility within CALHN facilities.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Capital Projects and Planning

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • All buildings and facilities including examination/  consult rooms and toileting areas are physically accessible to people who live with disabilities.

No 7.4

Actions

  • Review disabled parking requirements at all CALHN facilities and increase the number of available spaces close to the front of services to accommodate demand.
  • Monitor disability parking for sufficient space around disabled car parks and that ramps are convenient

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Capital Projects and Planning
  • Director Operational Services

Timeframe

  • March 2021

Measurable target

  • Disabled parking access will be reviewed as services are redesigned and moved and will not be limited to what is prescribed by standards / code.

No 7.5

Actions

  • Review evacuation procedures, emergency plans and associated training material to ensure the requirements of people who live with disability are adequately addressed.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Capital Projects and Planning
  • Director Operational Services

Timeframe

  • March 2021

Measurable target

  • Evacuation procedures and emergency plans include provision for people who live with a wide range of disabilities.

No 7.6

Actions

  • Information about physical access for people with disability is available from the CALHN website.

Responsible lead

  • Director Operational Services

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • A way-finding strategy to ensure clearly signed, safe and accessible paths of travel throughout all CALHN facilities and grounds is developed.
  • Clear and inclusive language and other formats are used.

No 7.7

Actions

  • Ensure appropriate seating, rest areas and toileting facilities for consumers and carers throughout CALHN facilities.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Capital Projects and Planning
  • Director Operational Services

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Visitors/patients with reduced mobility or endurance have access to rest stations throughout CALHN facilities.
  • [NSQHS Standard 2]

No 7.8

Actions

  • Engage with consumers to identify and review gaps and make recommendations where additional equipment is required throughout our facilities to meet needs of people who live with disability.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Capital Projects and Planning
  • Director Operational Services

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Consumers are consulted, gaps are identified in equipment procurement requirements included in action plan.

Priority 8: Accessible and available information

No 8.1

Actions

  • Review patient pre- admission assessment to ensure patients have the opportunity to indicate special requirements.

Responsible lead

  • CALHN Clinical Program Leads  and Service Directors

Timeframe

  • October 2021

Measurable target

  • 100% Admission forms changed to include special requirements 

No 8.2

Actions

  • Provide access to services and information for people who are housebound, or  rural and remote via Web or telephone services.

Responsible lead

  • CALHN Clinical Program Leads  and Service Directors

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • 50% increase in use of web or telephone based services 

No 8.3

Actions

  • Ensure staff have access to and training on the use of voice recognition software when needed.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Workforce  Management and Reform

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Improve access to services with the use of assistive technologies, equipment and facilities.
  • [NSQHS Standard 2]

No 8.4

Actions

  • Ensure all publications, information and marketing material use inclusive language, correct symbols and suitable colours

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Corporate Affairs

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Information is developed for the CALHN website and intranet on  access to facilities and prominently featured  on the CALHN home page.

  • [NSQHS Standard 2]

  • Consumers and carers, review consumer information sheets and marketing material in a variety of formats, for accessibility and representation of people who live with a range of disabilities. 

No 8.5

Actions

  • The corporate website, intranet and online services meet and maintain Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 AA compliance.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Corporate Affairs

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Website/intranet projects include Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 AA compliance as a mandatory requirement.

No 8.6

Actions

  • Information about physical access and wayfinding for people with disability is available on the CALHN website.

Responsible lead

  • Director Operational Services

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • A way-finding strategy is in place to ensure clearly signed, safe and accessible paths of travel throughout all CALHN facilities and grounds. Clear and inclusive language and other formats are used.

Priority 9: Access to services

No 9.1

Actions

  • Ensure all online training, publications, the CALHN Web page and education resources comply with content accessibility and relevant guidelines for disability.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Corporate Affairs

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • All publications, information and marketing material use inclusive language, correct symbols and access information and where possible assistive technologies are utilised.

  • Information about how to request information in alternative formats is included in core business/templates and website. 

No 9.2

Actions

  • Participation in services by people who live with a disability is increased through transport and care support.

Responsible lead

  • CALHN Clinical Program Leads  and Service Directors

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Consumers, carers, family members and CALHN staff report increased access and participation.

No 9.3

Actions

  • Promote the availability of AUSLAN interpreters.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Corporate Affairs

Timeframe

  • Medium Term

Measurable target

  • Staff are educated and resources readily available on how to book an AUSLAN interpreter for patients and/or their carers. 

Theme Four: Learning and employment

Workforce participation is fundamental to social inclusion. It provides economic independence and choice, social connections and friendships, value, identity and belonging. It is our aim that people living with disability have access to inclusive places of study and that education and training provides pathways to meaningful and inclusive employment and volunteering opportunities.

CALHN will undertake the following actions to foster learning and employment opportunities for people with disability:

Priority 10: Skill development through volunteering and support in navigating the pathway between learning and earning.

No 10.1

Actions

  • Promote volunteer and consumer representative opportunities to consumers and/or carers who live with disability.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Workforce  Management and Reform

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Pathways to volunteering and consumer representative roles are promoted

Priority 11: Improved access to employment opportunities and better support within workplaces

11.1

Actions

  • HR policies associated with disability, access and/or inclusion are reviewed.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Workforce, Management and Reform

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • 100% HR policies and procedures support accessibility and inclusion

11.2

Actions

  • Implement the DCSI Disability Employment Strategy across CALHN.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Workforce, Management and Reform

Timeframe

  • April 2021

Measurable target

  • The CALHN Disability Employment strategy is implemented within 6 months.
  • 100% recruiting managers are aware of and understand the strategy.

11.3

Actions

  • Ensure staff and managers are aware of flexible employment options available to them.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Workforce, Management and Reform

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Directors and managers approve flexible work options within current policies and guidelines.
  • The CALHN intranet page includes information for staff on flexible employment options.

11.4

Actions

  • In line with relevant Industrial Agreements supports are increased for people to re-enter the workforce and work that suits a person’s skills, experience and disability.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Workforce, Management and Reform

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Flexible employment provisions available to support SA Health employees who are carers or who live with disability are supported within CALHN.

11.5

Actions

  • Complete required modifications to workplaces to accommodate staff who live with disabilities prior and subsequent to staff members commencing work

Responsible lead

  • Director Operational Services

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Workplace modifications are completed within 4 weeks of request.

11.6

Actions

  • Produce and distribute a fact sheet to assist staff in understanding the needs of people living with disability when conducting employment interviews, training and functions.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Workforce, Management and Reform

Timeframe

  • March 2021

Measurable target

  • Fact sheet developed.

11.7

Actions

  • Develop and implement a targeted campaign to identify opportunities and facilitate the recruitment of staff with disabilities.

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Workforce, Management and Reform

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • 10% increased applications for positions from people who live with a disability.

11.8

Actions

  • Develop and establish support system for:  
    1. Staff with pre-existing disabilities
    2. Staff with newly acquired disabilities 

Responsible lead

  • Executive Director Workforce, Management and Reform

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Create a support system for workers with disabilities.

  • Education is available to supervisors, managers and Human resources staff to provide support to staff when matters are raised.

Theme Five: Partnering in health care

Involving consumers, carers and families in decisions about their care is fundamental to patient engagement and improved health outcomes. The NSQHSS provide a framework for this work and Standard 2.6 notes: CALHN has processes in place for clinicians to partner with patients and/or their substitute decision maker to plan, communicate, set goals and make decisions about their current and future care.

Priority 12: Care coordination

12.1

Actions

  • Consumers and their carers are actively involved in developing a comprehensive care  plan  to meet health needs and engage in decision making about care considerations and treatment

Responsible lead

  • CALHN Clinical Program Leads  and Service Directors

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • The views of patients who live with disability are included in the decisions associated with their care.
  • Consumers and carers understand how they can be involved in the comprehensive care plan

  • [NSQHS Standard 2]

12.2

Actions

  • Staff work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including rural and remote communities to develop polices to meet their health care needs.

Responsible lead

  • CALHN Clinical Program Leads  and Service Directors
  • Director Aboriginal Health and Research Translation.

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are partners in planning systems of care.

12.3

Actions

  • Develop a system for staff to identify and communicate the unique care needs of consumers who live with disability including people who live in rural and remote communities on admission.

Responsible lead

  • CALHN Clinical Program Leads  and Service Directors

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Intake process modified  to include the unique care needs of consumers who live with disability on admission.

12.4

Actions

  • Ensure carer expertise and knowledge about patients is actively sought when patients with disabilities present or are admitted.

Responsible lead

  • CALHN Clinical Program Leads  and Service Directors

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Carers are involved in communication and decision making processes.

12.5

Actions

  • Consent  regarding  care and decision-making processes are understood and accessible to people living with disability, their carer, substitute decision maker and/or guardian.

Responsible lead

  • CALHN Clinical Program Leads  and Service Directors

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Decision making around care includes the consumer, their carer, substitute decision maker and/or guardian.

Priority 13: Discharge planning and outpatient appointments

13.1

Actions

  • Consumers and staff work together to ensure there is access to special requirements, smooth scheduling  and access to appointments particularly for multiple appointments.

Responsible lead

  • CALHN Clinical Program Leads  and Service Directors

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Consumers with complex needs and frequent multiple appointments are supported with scheduling.
  • Including people living in rural and remote communities.

13.2

Actions

  • Ensure care delivery, care decisions and discharge planning is inclusive of consumer and their carer.

Responsible lead

  • CALHN Clinical Program Leads  and Service Directors

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • 100% case note audits demonstrate carers are involved in decision-making processes where appropriate.

13.3

Actions

  • Ensure processes are in place to support patients, carers and families to make shared decisions about end-of-life care in line with SA Health policy .

Responsible lead

  • CALHN Clinical Program Leads and Service Directors

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • 100% case note audits demonstrate shared decision-making is recorded in medical records.

Priority 14: Information provision

14.1

Actions

  • Ensure information needed for ongoing care is provided on admission and discharge.

Responsible lead

  • CALHN Clinical Program Leads and Service Directors

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Resources are available for carers and consumers upon admission and discharge.
  • Fact sheets to access services on discharge to inform consumers are developed.

14.2

Actions

  • Handover of information to community disability care providers before or on hospital discharge, to ensure continuity of care

Responsible lead

  • CALHN Clinical Program Leads  and Service Directors

Timeframe

  • Ongoing

Measurable target

  • Medical records audit demonstrates information sharing process for continuity of care. 

Consultation and acknowledgements

  • The CALHN DAIP 2020 – 2024 incorporates feedback and recommendations from CALHN staff, the South Australian community, people living with disability and carers, our stakeholders and partners.

  • Our DAIP is available on our corporate website https://centraladelaide.health.sa.gov.au/  and promoted via social media.

  • We would like to thank the many people who have contributed to the development of this plan including the consumers and carers who generously gave their time.

Glossary and definitions

COMMONWEALTH: The government of the Commonwealth of Australia – commonly referred to as the Australian Government or the Federal Government.

DAIP: Disability Action and Inclusion Plan prepared by State authorities for their own agency, department or council area.

DHS: The South Australian Department of Human Services.

INCLUSION /INCLUSIVE:  Enabling the involvement of people living with disability in everyday activities, the same as people living without disability. This includes other groups including older persons Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people, people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, LGBTIQA.

NDIA: National Disability Insurance Agency

NDIS: National Disability Insurance Scheme is an insurance support scheme of the Australian Government that funds costs associated with disability. The scheme was legislated in 2013 and went into full operation in 2020. The scheme is administered by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

NSQHSS: National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards are a nationally regulated framework of standards developed by the Australian Council of Healthcare Standards (ACHS) that drive the implementation of safety and quality systems and improve the quality of health care in Australia.

STATE AUTHORITY: As defined in the Disability Inclusion Act 2018: and administrative unit (within the meaning of the Public Sector Act 2009 (SA), or local council established under Local Government Act 1999 (SA).

THE STATE PLAN: Inclusive SA: State Disability Inclusion Plan 2019 - 2023

UNCRPD: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – the convention is a human rights treaty that aims to change attitudes and approaches to people living with disability

UNIVERSAL DESIGN: Universal design involves creating facilities, built environments, products and services that can be used by people of all abilities, to the greatest extent possible, without adaptations.