13 August 2021

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians has today welcomed the Government’s release of the National Roadmap for Improving the Health of People with Intellectual Disability.

RACP President-elect and Paediatrician, Dr Jacqueline Small says this is a positive move in the right direction for improving health outcomes for people living with intellectual disability. There is overwhelming evidence that people with intellectual disability have poor mental and physical health compared to others in the community and have significantly higher rates of preventable mortality and morbidity.

“The RACP is committed to addressing the inequity in healthcare experiences and outcomes for people with disabilities. This includes involving patients, and their families and carers, in the design of our education products and resources.

“We welcome the recognition from the Federal Government that providing better models of care for people living with intellectual disabilities involves increasing the number of funded accredited training positions for physicians and psychiatrists.

“We look forward to working with the Federal Government as a leading medical college in supporting physicians to further develop knowledge and skills to provide person centred care for people living with intellectual disability.

“It was also made abundantly clear from the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability that the current systems in place need significant improvement to provide people living with disabilities the healthcare and support they need.

“This roadmap is a positive step in the process of making our healthcare and social system meet these rights and needs.” Dr Small said.

The RACP was involved in the consultation process to develop the roadmap, and looks forward to working with the Government on supporting the roadmap’s delivery.