Health and the design of health systems is a major policy concern for Women with Disabilities ACT. Women* with disabilities often experience increased marginalisation in healthcare settings due to the multiplicative effects of institutional sexism and disability discrimination. Facility design, infrastructure planning and the associated models of care can be improved to promote better outcomes for our community.
In the 2015 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, 26% of people with disabilities aged under 65 said they had visited the Emergency Department (ED) during the last year, compared with 10% of the general population. The survey also found that 38% of people with disabilities found it difficult to access the buildings of health services, including hospitals. Women* with disabilities may be more likely to visit the ED for care for a range of reasons, such as poor management of conditions due to costs, increased risk of violence, lack of access and support leading to accidents as well as their underlying health issues. The hospital environment needs to be safe, comfortable and accessible to promote better health outcomes, with consideration for the most marginalised in the community.
The Surgical Procedures, Interventional Radiology and Emergency Centre (SPIRE) is a project that will affect the way health services are delivered for all of Canberra over the next few decades. There is a time-limited opportunity to address the existing accessibility issues and consumer concerns in this project and the subsequent Canberra Hospital Precinct Master Plan. It is crucial that the facilities and services delivered are inclusive, person-centred, accessible and use the principles of universal
design.
You can read our full submission below.