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Disability Access and Inclusion

WA Country Health Service

Implementation Workplan for the WA Country Health Service Kimberley Region

1 July 2015 – 30 June 2020

Have your say on our Disability Access and Inclusion Plan

Many of our health service consumers have a disability, care for someone with a disability, or are restricted in managing some part of their daily lives.

The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is developing a Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) for 2015 – 2020 to make sure that our health services support increased independence, opportunities and inclusion for people with disabilities.

We would like to hear from you

We invite all interested community members and organisations to provide feedback on our proposed strategies or suggest ideas for how we can improve disability access to our services, information and facilities. Your Kimberley contact is Chris Hart.

You can provide your feedback by:

Completing an online survey form located at www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au/daip

Emailing your feedback to [email protected]

Telephoning Chris on (08) 9192 9773 to verbally give your feedback

In person by contacting Chris to arrange a suitable appointment, or

Mailing your written feedback to: Chris Hart A/Allied Health Manager, WACHS Kimberley PO Box 62

Broome WA 6725

Please submit your comments by 15 May 2015.

This document is available in alternate formats on request.

http://www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au/daip

mailto:[email protected]

WACHS Disability Access and Inclusion Plan

Across all seven WA Country Health Service (WACHS) regions, people with disabilities are recognised as valued members of the community who make significant contributions to social, economic and cultural life. WACHS is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities, their families and carers are able to fully access the range of health services, facilities and information available in the public health system. The intention of WACHS is to provide people with disabilities with the same opportunities, rights and responsibilities enjoyed by other people in the community.

To demonstrate this commitment, WACHS has prepared a Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) applicable to all facilities and services of the WACHS. All agents and contractors providing services to the public on behalf of WACHS are also required to work in a manner consistent with the WACHS DAIP. The WACHS DAIP 2015 – 2020 can be found at www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au/daip.

WACHS DAIP Implementation Plan

At the conclusion of the Public Consultation period, WACHS will prepare a single WACHS DAIP Implementation Plan to identify how the broad strategies within the WACHS DAIP will be implemented. The Implementation Plan will identify strategies and actions across the whole-of-WACHS and allocate responsibility for implementation of actions to regions or area office or both.

Kimberley Region Implementation Workplan

This Implementation Workplan itemises what the WACHS Kimberley Region has undertaken and will continue to undertake from 1 July 2015 - 30 June 2020 to improve access to services, information and facilities throughout the Kimberley Region for people with disabilities. This Implementation Workplan is presented using a table to outline the:

broad strategy that the individual tasks of local DAIP Committees are supporting;

individual tasks being undertaken by local DAIP Committees;

timeline for completion of the individual tasks; and the

officer, position or Departmental Section with responsibility for completing the individual tasks.

WACHS DAIP

WACHS DAIP Implementation

Plan

Regional DAIP Implementation

Workplan

http://www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au/daip

Outcome One: People with disabilities have the same opportunities as other people to access the services of, and any events organised by WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Kimberley Region.

Strategy Tasks Task Timeline

Responsibility

Support local WACHS Disability Access Committees which meet regularly in each regional network to assist in the facilitation and the implementation of DAIP activities to ensure health services meet the needs of people with disabilities

Maintain regional network and meet bi-monthly in the first year of this workplan’s implementation and 6 monthly thereafter or as otherwise required.

Local sites will introduce as permanent agenda item for all future department meetings (not just executive meetings), Disability Access and Inclusion Planning, so as to effectively contribute to the ongoing implementation of the WACHS Kimberley DAIP Workplan.

Local sites to report to the DAIP Committee and Regional Executive through the minutes of their meetings, all Disability Access and Inclusion Planning activities carried out at a local level.

Consult staff members from within their various health care units and other key stakeholders at a local level to ensure a broad cross section of the organisations client base is provided the opportunity to participate in the Disability Access and Inclusion Planning process (e.g. Local Disability Groups, local people with disabilities, DSC Local Area Coordinator and Shire DAIP groups).

Develop a plan to conduct audits of the services provided by the District Health Services and link to self-assessments conducted under the equip process (see also ref to audit of buildings and infrastructure under outcome 2.1).

Audit results and identified recommendations to be tabled at Regional DAIP Committee meetings.

Promote the Department of Health (DOH) Access and Inclusion policy to support equitable access to services by people with disabilities throughout WACHS

Ensure all clinical and support staff in the regional network are made aware of the DOH DAIP policy by including as part of the orientation program.

Distribute a regular WACHS Kimberley global email outlining regional DAIP updates and achievements.

Ensure that people with disabilities are provided with an opportunity to comment on access to services utilizing avenues such as District Health Advisory Councils.

Incorporate the objectives of the DAIP into the WACHS strategic and operational planning, budgeting processes and other relevant plans and strategies.

Regional DAIP implementation plan to form part of regional operational plans.

Ensure that any events are organized so they are accessible to people with disabilities

Make the Disability Services Commission’s Accessible Events checklist available on the WACHS Kimberley intranet.

Ensure all community events are planned using the Accessible Events checklist available on the DAIP intranet.

Any community events will consider access for people with disabilities and advice sought if required from DAIP committee representatives or the DAIP Coordinator.

Promote accessibility to events for people with disabilities through regular WACHS Kimberley global email and notation on Intranet pages.

Liaise with OSH representatives/committees to ensure compliance of relevant standards/legislations and guidelines.

Ensure that staff are aware of the relevant requirements of the Disability Services Act

Staff to be made aware of the Disability Services Act through means such as orientation, performance development, regular global emails, DOH / WACHS circulars & Bulletins and DOH / WACHS Policy/s for people with disabilities accessing health services.

Implement regular article into the Regional Rap Newsletter which incorporates a new committee member profile each month and latest DAIP updates.

Ensure that agents and contractors of the WACHS provide services that are consistent with the seven outcomes in the WACHS DAIP

Contribute to developing appropriate wording to insert an appropriate clause into the Service Agreement

Develop a WACHS Kimberley checklist to ensure non-government providers contracted by WACHS Kimberley and its District Health Services provide health services which meet Disability Services Act requirements.

Through service reviews audit how contracted service providers are meeting the requirements of the Disability Services Act.

Patients with disabilities have access to information regarding their rights and responsibilities

Continue to clearly display at all WACHS Kimberley health sites information on patient rights and responsibilities with notation that such information can be made available in alternative formats.

Ensure the Patient First Program considers the needs of people with disabilities.

WACHS Kimberley and Districts will consider the needs of people with disabilities in the implementation of the Patient First program.

Outcome Two: People with disabilities have the same opportunities as other people to access the buildings and other

facilities of WACHS Kimberley Region.


Responsibility

Ensure all buildings and facilities including signage in WACHS facilities are physically accessible to people with disabilities

Review the health facilities audit process & toolkit. Develop audit timetable and progressively conduct

audits of all WACHS Kimberley and Districts facilities and buildings, commencing with older health facilities.

Utilise the services of Disability Access Consultants or local WACHS Kimberley Occupational Therapists and allied health students to conduct audits.

Audit results and identified recommendations (including issues that have arisen during the audits and how they will be addressed) to be tabled at Regional DAIP Committee meetings.

DAIP committee members to be involved in audit process; DAIP Coordinator to compile feedback on process and toolkit for presenting at WACHS DAIP Coordinators network.

Any complaints related to access to be tabled at DAIP Committee meeting to support audit results.

Audit WACHS Kimberley and Districts buildings that have heritage listing.

Investigate means of improving access to heritage listed buildings (if any) while maintaining their integrity.

Continue to have WACHS Kimberley Disability Access & Inclusion Implementation Workplan as standing agenda item on Regional Executive Management Team meetings to periodically address issues identified in audits as they arise.

Progressively address issues that arise from the access audits through existing minor works and capital works approvals processes.

Prioritise and make submission to Regional Executive to commence work on rectifying identified barriers if additional funding required.

Liaise with OSH representatives/committees to ensure compliance of relevant standards/legislations and guidelines

Ensure all future premises leased or owned by WACHS but which are operated by other agencies (e.g. Silver Chain or Aboriginal Medical Services) are accessible

Central Office to coordinate developing a policy on leasing WACHS Kimberley premises to ensure they are accessible to people with disabilities (e.g. to AMS’) and DAIP Coordinator link in via DAIP Coordinators network.

All redevelopment and maintenance work to be checked to ensure suitability for people with disabilities

Initiate a process to ensure the Regional DAIP Committee and Regional Assets and Facilities Manager review all plans for new buildings/hospital and all maintenance and redevelopments to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities.

DAIP Coordinator to be included in planning meetings for all future facility/building works.

Ensure building audits done on all new buildings or works within a timely manner.

Increase membership to Functional Planning Groups to include a professional representative from Disability Services Commission

Ensure all premises and other infrastructure related to WACHS patient transport facilities is accessible.

Ensure that people with disabilities are provided with an opportunity to comment on access to transport services utilising avenues such as local manager or District Health Advisory Councils.

Ensure key staff maintain and awareness of the development of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)

Key staff to be made aware of the Disability Services Act through means such as orientation, performance development, regular global emails, DOH / WACHS circulars & Bulletins and DOH / WACHS Policy/s for people with disabilities accessing health services

Ensure adequate ACROD parking to meet the demand of people with disabilities in terms of quantity, location and dimensions (extra wide car bays)

Use ACROD parking as part of the audit of buildings and facilities both at Regional and District facilities.

Outcome Three: People with disabilities receive information from WACHS Kimberley Region in a format that will enable

them to access the information as readily as other people are able to access it.

Strategy

Tasks Task Timeline

Responsibility

Improve staff awareness of accessible information needs and how to obtain information in other formats.

Ensure that WACHS Kimberley staff are aware of the DOH Access to Information policy through WACHS global circulars.

Improve community awareness that WACHS information can be made available in alternative formats upon request

Ensure all information supplied and issued includes the wording: "this information is available in alternative formats upon a request from a person with a disability" and such text is actively promoted on all publication display units.

Facilitate the use of interpreters to improve the availability of WACHS meetings to people who have difficult speaking, hearing, seeing and/or reading.

Educate staff that when meeting with patients or people who have hearing impairment or language barrier, contact can be made with the WA Deaf Association or Translating Interpreting Service for access to an appropriate interpreter.

Audit district sites compliance with hearing loops and order and install where hearing loops not available

Explore options/availability for making teleconferencing more accessible for different languages and text.

Educate ward staff on the use of WACHS dial in service and TV language service; and make earphones available on wards for patients on request.

Promote and adhere to the WACHS Kimberley Interpreting Service Procedure

Ensure the WACHS website meets contemporary good practice.

Liaise with WACHS Communications to review the WACHS Kimberley and Districts websites to ensure they comply with the W3C Web Content Accessibility in the WA Government’s Access Guidelines for Information, Services and Facilities.

Provide documentation regarding services, facilities and customer feedback in an appropriate format and using clear and concise language

Educate WACHS Kimberley staff of the minimum requirements for documentation and ensure all publication to be appropriately signed off by WACHS Communications

Work towards ensuring uniformity and standard of information supplied and issued through progressively introducing a central WACHS Kimberley repository of all WACHS policies, brochures, pamphlets and booklets which are appropriately numbered, dated and authorised in adherence to DOH Op. 2100/06 “WA Health Access to Information Policy & Guidelines".

Seek advice from key disability peak bodies e.g. the WA Deaf Society, Association for the Blind, ACROD on the presentation and distribution of information as necessary.

Patient Evaluation of Health Services to be made publicly available throughout all services and premises.

Outcome Four: People with disabilities receive the same level and quality of service from the staff of WACHS Kimberley Region as other people receive from the staff of the Health Service.


Responsibility

Improve staff awareness of disability and access issues and improve skills to provide an efficient service to people with disabilities

Plan the establishment of training on disability awareness for all WACHS Kimberley staff.

DAIP Coordinator to provide disability training to DAIP committee initially then review training package and roll out to all staff via managers.

Actively communicate the “Carers Recognition Act 2004” through distribution of pamphlets and information to all Districts throughout the Kimberley Region.

DAIP regional workplan to be placed on intranet under ABC.

DAIP to be included in terms of reference for all meetings (discharge planning, clinical governance, management team meetings etc.) with explanation of what DAIP is.

Invite consumers to attend regional DAIP committee meetings.

Distribute a regular WACHS Kimberley global email outlining regional DAIP updates and achievements, including access issues and audit results.

Implement regular article into Regional Rap Newsletter which incorporates a new committee member profile each month and latest DAIP updates.

Improve the awareness of new staff about disability and access issues.

Ensure WACHS Kimberley orientation and induction programs include information regarding disability and access issues.

Add DAIP to WACHS Kimberley generic orientation checklist, including DAIP committee details.

Liaise with Central Office to explore ability to include DAIP information and resources in new employee packs sent out by HCN.

Improve staff awareness of the cultural influences and diversity of people with disabilities different cultural points of view when understanding disability

All staff to have access to disability awareness training package via the learning and development intranet page.

All staff to complete Aboriginal Cultural Awareness training package as part of induction and orientation process.

Further generate and sustain staff awareness of disability and access issues

DAIP training package to be made available on WACHS Kimberley L&D intranet page.

Implement monthly article into Regional Rap Newsletter which incorporates a new committee member profile each month and latest DAIP updates.

Provide regular information on access and inclusion through WACHS Kimberley global emails.

DAIP intranet page to be updated and include facilities audit timetable, audit results, meeting minutes, and other key resources.

DAIP Committee to organise and facilitate DAIP Awareness Day (3rd December to coincide with International Day of People with Disability) throughout the region.

Review policies and guidelines in relation to service and companion animals in health services.

Central Office to coordinate policy review and DAIP Coordinator link in via DAIP Coordinators network.

Outcome Five: People with disabilities have the same opportunities as other people to make complaints to WACHS Kimberley Region.

Strategy Tasks Task

Timeline Responsibility

Ensure that current complaint/grievance mechanisms and policies are accessible and appropriate for people with disabilities

Central Office to coordinate review of current WACHS ‘compliments and complaints’ policy and District grievance mechanisms & procedures and consult with people with disabilities for advice. DAIP Coordinator to link in via DAIP Coordinators network.

Actively promote the patient centred “Patient First” program at all levels which are designed to increase the patient’s health literacy and give them the ability to self-manage their own health issues.

Customer/Staff Suggestion Boxes and customer/staff suggestion forms introduced at all District sites, to continue to be promoted.

Ensure staff awareness of the complaint/grievance process.

Actively promote to staff through global emails, at staff meetings and through orientation, information and guidelines on facilitating the receipt of complaints from people with a disability.

Ensure that the grievance mechanism processes and outcome satisfaction survey forms are available in formats to meet the needs of people with disabilities

Provide WACHS Kimberley compliments and complaints policy and Regional and District grievance mechanisms and procedures in alternative formats upon request and ensure the needs of clients who are unable to make written complaints can be accommodated.

Outcome Six: People with disabilities have the same opportunities as other people to participate in any public consultation by WACHS Kimberley Region.

Strategy Tasks Task Timeline Responsibility

Improve community awareness about the consultation processes in place

Inform community of consultation processes including promoting the existence, role and activity of the Regional Disability Access and Inclusion Committee through advertising in local papers, notice boards, local radio, flyers and the website. Central Office to coordinate generic advertisement for community consultation and liaise with DAIP Coordinator.

Link in with local councils and disability services to develop a list of all external agency meetings (including who, what, why, where and website) to capture a wide audience available for community consultations.

Consider promoting DAIP achievements to the community through local papers, notice boards, local radio, flyers and the website.

Ensure people with disabilities are encouraged and supported to participate in District Health Advisory Councils.

Ensure local people with disabilities are invited to comment and advise on audits undertaken (as per outcome 2) through local District DAIP Committees.

Improve access for people with disabilities to the established consultative processes of WACHS to ensure that people with disabilities are provided with an opportunity to comment on access to WACHS services.

Ensure people with disabilities are encouraged and supported to participate in District Health Advisory Councils.

Ensure local people with disabilities are invited to comment and advise on access issues through District DAIP Committees.

Commit to ongoing monitoring of the DAIP to ensure implementation and satisfactory outcomes

District Health Advisory Councils to be provided with a copy of the WACHS Kimberley DAIP Implementation Workplan.

DAIP Committee meeting minutes to be available on the DAIP intranet page after each meeting.

DAIP Coordinator to provide summary for monthly WACHS Kimberley Executive on the progress of the WACHS DAIP Implementation Workplan.

Outcome Seven: People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to obtain and maintain employment with WACHS Kimberley Region.


Responsibility

Review the Pre-Employment Health Assessment Policy to ensure reasonable adjustment for health conditions in the workplace.

Central Office to coordinator policy review and DAIP Coordinator link in via DAIP Coordinators network.

Conduct regular education/information sessions for managers to improve awareness and achievement of objectives outlined in the WA Health Equity and Diversity Plan 2010-2015.

DAIP Coordinator to liaise with Central Office via WACHS DAIP Coordinators network.

Incorporate the Public Sector Commission Disability Employment Strategy into the WA Health Recruitment, Selection and Appointment Policy.

Central Office to coordinator policy review, regional HR and DAIP Coordinator link in via DAIP Coordinators network.

Identify and eliminate barriers to employing people with pre-existing disability and retaining employment for employees with newly developed disability.

Identify, develop and implement employment and job retention opportunities for existing and future staff with pre-existing or newly developed disability across all health sites throughout WACHS Kimberley, including promoting multi skilling of staff to allow for working across different roles.

Managers review work practices within their various departments to determine capacity to accommodate staff with varying disability.

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