Page 956 - Week 03 - Thursday, 30 March 2006
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Mr Hargreaves: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) All new staff are provided with an induction course. Prior to the commencement of the induction course, each new staff member is offered an individual interview to establish their specific training needs.
(2) The total duration of the induction is six weeks. The induction is a mix of classroom and on-the-job learning as well as follow-up specialty sessions.
Types of training offered are disability specific, for example, Orientation to Disability, Providing Personal Care, and Autism. There is also a strong focus on Disability ACT Policy and Procedure for example, Administration of Medication, the role of a Disability Support Officer and Individual Planning.
Disability ACT—staff
(Question No 913)
Mrs Burke asked the Minister for Disability, Housing and Community Services, upon notice, on 15 February 2006:
(1) How are staff employed to work in Disability Group Homes in the ACT kept informed of any existing or pre-existing medical conditions of residents within any of the group homes;
(2) If it is determined that a resident has a highly infectious disease, how are staff informed appropriately about such an incident and provided with the necessary equipment to handle a resident;
(3) Does Disability ACT provide staff working in Disability Group Homes with surgical gloves, face masks, aprons and goggles to carry out any procedures which may expose them to infectious diseases; if not, why not;
(4) Have there been any cases of staff contracting an infectious disease, of any form, from a resident or another staff member since 2001; if so, was a full investigation carried out and reported on by Disability ACT.
Mr Hargreaves: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) An individual’s health and medical issues are documented in the client’s Individual Plan, which is reviewed on a regular basis. These plans include protocols for staff in relation to any specific medical support required. Each individual has a client medication record containing procedures for medication administration and recording. Following any medical treatment, medical personnel complete summary forms to advise staff of an individual’s treatment requirements.
(2) Disability Support Officers are trained to support clients in all elements of personal care with full regard to the Standard Precautions. (Standard Precautions are international, safe work practices applied to the care of all people regardless of their known or presumed infectious status). All Disability ACT protocols reflect these precautions. The department contracts the ACT Community Health Infection Control Officer to monitor its’ guidelines and ensure work place procedures comply with best practice. The expertise of the ACT Health Community Infection Control Officer is used to develop additional
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