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New project aims to improve access to health services for Territorians with a disability

Northern Territory Primary Health Network (NT PHN) is leading a project to better understand the difficulties experienced by people with a disability, and their carers, when accessing primary health care services.

NT PHN Chief Executive Officer, Gill Yearsley said “We are lucky to have been able to access grant funding through the NDIA Mainstream Capacity Building Program which allows us to work with stakeholders across the Territory to better understand the barriers that people with a disability face in accessing primary health care services .”

The Primary Health Care Accessibility and Inclusion Project is being informed by a working group made up of representatives from across the primary health care sector including allied health professionals, disability and community service providers and consumers with lived experience of disability.

The working group will look at ways to improve areas such as clinical management, education and referral pathways, links between primary health care and specialist services and improving the health literacy of people with a disability, their families and carers.

CEO, Gill Yearsley said, “Most recently, our project lead, has presented to the Northern Territory Disability Advisory Committee and spoken with GPs and other stakeholders in Alice Springs. This is all about raising awareness of the challenges faced by people with a disability in accessing primary health care and seeking broad input so we can make tangible improvements.

Everyone who goes through the health care system should be able to understand their treatment options and potential impacts, and to be treated equitably and with respect. Sadly, not everyone has that experience, so this project is focused on improving the journey through primary health care.”

More information is available on our website.

Image attached: Working Group members – Ali Lloyd (NT PHN), Susan Burns (National Disability Service),
Trudy Lee (NT PHN Project Coordinator), Cherie Vance (Autism NT), Ali Grottendorst (MJD Foundation),
Sara Braines‐Mead (Integrated disability Action), Praveen Hampole (Territory Care and Support Services).

***ENDS***

Contact:
Cassandra Buckley, Marketing & Communications Manager,
Ph: 8982 1041
M: 0448 800 438,
E: cassandra.buckley@ntphn.org.au

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