Geelong intellectual disability healthcare to be improved after cash boost from federal government
The region’s peak health body is due to receive $1.43 million during the next four years to improve care for people with intellectual disabilities.
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The region’s peak health body is due to receive $1.43m during the next four years to improve care for people with intellectual disabilities.
Western Victoria chief executive Rowena Clift said 5000 people with intellectual disabilities were accessing the NDIS in the area between Geelong, the South Australian border and north to Horsham.
“However, it is estimated that a total of 11,000 people in our region have intellectual disabilities,” Ms Clift said.
“We have worked closely with local support service Geelong Parent Network in developing this proposal and will continue to consult them, other local services and with people with intellectual disabilities, and their families, to better understand what is needed.”
Ms Clift said the money would be used to roll out a program to improve training for health professionals.
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Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said the money for those with an intellectual disability would be used to improve care, promote annual Medicare health assessments, bring healthcare into line with other sections of the population and ensure healthcare programs they access are inclusive.
An additional $4.32m will be given to three other primary health networks, in Sydney, Queensland and Tasmania, for similar work.
Originally published as Geelong intellectual disability healthcare to be improved after cash boost from federal government