Call to end neglect and abuse of people living with disability in the SA Healthcare
17 February 2022
JFA Purple Orange is calling on the South Australian Government to take immediate action to protect the health and wellbeing of people living with disability and end the ongoing neglect and abuse prevalent in our healthcare system.
On 14 February 2022, the findings of an investigation into the failings of a state-run government facility to adequately provide basic care to a man living with an intellectual disability was publicly released. It revealed “failings in hygiene, wound care and weight monitoring and how this led to a situation that should have been avoided”.
With the 2022 state election looming, JFA Purple Orange is calling on all political parties to make a commitment to improving the lives of people living with disability and end the ongoing abuse, neglect and mistreatment, by:
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Funding meaningful measures to address the widespread barriers to safe access and inclusion across all South Australia’s hospitals and health services.
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Co-designing and implementing a professional development training program to be rolled out across all hospitals, local health networks, and community and mental health services that includes a focus on eliminating violence, discrimination and marginalisation of people living with disability.
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Mandating the accessibility standards in the National Construction Code 2022 in South Australia for all new residential builds in line with the commitments of other states and territories.
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Producing a long-term fully funded housing plan for South Australia to address the current housing crisis including through investing significantly in new accessible affordable social housing to address the current shortfall.
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Increase state funding to make independent advocacy services available to support all people living with disability in South Australia.
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Robbi Williams
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