The inaugural meeting of Monash Health’s Disability Consumer Advisory Group (DCAG) took place last month.
The DCAG has been established to ensure the voices of consumers, carers and the community informs Monash Health’s Disability Action Plan, and supports its vision of eliminating barriers that prevent people from accessing and participating in our services. The DCAG is made up of members who can represent the views of people with a disability, either through lived experience, or as a parent or carer of someone with a disability.
At the meeting was Clive Kempson, who also sits on the Community Quality and Safety Committee. Clive’s experience with the Community Quality and Safety Committee has already provided some talking points that can be considered by the DCAG in relation to hospital accessibility by those with mobility issues.
“Previous consultations have revealed that disability parking needs improving,” says Clive.
Also at the meeting was Kathryn Mawson – along with service dog, Pepper – whose two children require frequent hospital visits, which are further challenged by their additional needs related to their neurodiversity, such as needing quiet spaces. As a member of the DCAG, Kathryn is enthusiastic about advocating for adjustments to ensure our care is centred on the needs of individual patients.
Barbara Watson, also at the meeting, is no stranger to Monash Health. As an existing Consumer Advisor, Barbara joins the DCAG with her lived experience of post-polio syndrome, a disability that can be invisible to some. Barbara hopes to “give patients a voice” through the DCAG platform.
The work of the DCAG will inform the work of the Equity and Inclusion Committee and will work alongside the committee’s Disability Sub-committee, contributing to the achievement of our Strategic Plan’s goals of providing safe, high-quality and timely care, providing experiences that exceed expectations and orienting care towards our community to optimise access, independence and wellbeing.
The DCAG will meet four times a year and will be instrumental in informing the development of the Disability Action Plan for 2023-2027.
Approved by Karen Lowe