Page 4340 - Week 13 - Thursday, 17 November 2005
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(1) Does a person with a disability who is receiving community health care have any say in their individual case; if so, how does this process work;
(2) Why isn’t the patient informed of the reasons for the decisions being made for his or her care before the decisions are made and what notice is given that such changes will be occurring;
(3) Why are some quadriplegics being afforded daily bowel care and others denied this service.
Mr Corbell: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) Clients with a disability, and their advocates as appropriate, are involved in the development of their individual care plan. Often a client with a disability has complex care needs and requires multiple service providers. The care plan is developed in consultation with the client and all service providers that are involved in providing care.
Community Health operates within a clinical governance framework and has a duty of care to provide safe and appropriate services. The care plan is goal oriented, focuses on the client’s health needs and is developed on evidence-based practice. If the client has complex care needs a general practitioner and if necessary medical specialists will oversee their care. When agreement is reached, a care plan is documented and signed by the client. For clients with complex needs, a case conference involving all service providers may be organised to facilitate this process.
(2) All clients receiving services in Community Health are informed of, and involved in decision making processes that affect their care. Care plans are reviewed routinely every 3 months, or sooner if required with the client, their advocates (as appropriate) and all service providers involved in the care plan, to ensure that appropriate care is continually being provided maintained and monitored. If changes are required the rationale for these changes are explained and discussed with the client. When agreement is reached, a new care plan is written and signed by the client. For clients with complex needs, a case conference may be organised to facilitate this process.
(3) Quadriplegic clients have complex care needs and as such have a care plan that is appropriate for their individual care needs. ACT Health has a duty of care to provide safe and appropriate care so the frequency of the provision of bowel care is influenced by what care is safe and appropriate for each individual client.
The frequency of the provision of bowel care is part of the care planning process and is undertaken in partnership with the client, community health staff providing the bowel care, the GP and may require expert advice from an individual specialist or specialist service. Again, for clients with complex needs, a case conference may be organised to facilitate this process.
Arts and letters—policy
(Question No 590)
Mr Mulcahy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and Indigenous Affairs, upon notice, on 20 September 2005:
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