Communicating Access To Integrated Health Care

Level 2 / 11-19 Bank Place T 61 3 9642 4899 [email protected]
Melbourne Victoria 3000 F 61 3 9642 4922 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au


Media Release


27 July 2009



Communicating Access to Integrated Health Care

Speech Pathology Australia welcomes the recommendations of the National Health and Hospitals
Reform Commission to reshape the ailing health system and establish comprehensive primary
health care centres and services.

"We applaud the Government's integrated strategy for helping people at all stages of the lifespan
to access the appropriate specialised services in a timely and affordable manner," said Dr Cori
Williams, President of Speech Pathology Australia.

Speech pathologists champion the importance of early intervention and support the
Commission's focus on `nurturing a healthy start to life'. Speech pathologists have an important
role to play in the early identification and prevention of language, learning and literacy disorders.
Comprehensive prevention strategies will ameliorate the long term health outcomes for an
individual, as well as reduce high costs to the community.

"It is imperative that primary health care centres include the full range of allied health
professionals, including speech pathologists. Direct access to multidisciplinary health care would
strongly improve health outcomes throughout the community and reduce unnecessary hospital
visits," said Dr Williams.

"There can be a common misperception that chronic disease only includes specific medically
based conditions (ie diabetes, heart disease), but this ignores the thousands of Australians with
developmental and acquired disabilities, such as complex speech and language disorders, which
can impact their long term social, education and health outcomes.

"The key to positive health outcomes for individuals is for them to have direct and equitable
access to the full range of health professionals, including speech pathologists, so that
identification and intervention for chronic disease and complex developmental and acquired
disorders can occur in a holistic manner.

"Additional funding at the hospital level needs to actively assist a patient to transition home. For
example where swallowing problems occur post-stroke, a speech pathologist will ensure the
individual can swallow and eat safely without choking, so that they can be discharged home.
However continuing speech pathology follow-up for these patients in the community is essential.

"We welcome the new federally funded coordination of out-patient care, maternal and child health
care and community health centres. This will ensure greater coordination of care, and a more
seamless transition from hospital to home," said Dr Williams.

Speech pathologists may be the first point of contact with the health system for clients with
communication and swallowing disorders, and thus play a crucial role in the provision of services
that keep people healthy and out of hospital.


Speech Pathology Australia is the peak body for more than 4,500 members who specialise in working with
people of all ages who have communication or swallowing difficulties.
For further information visit www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Interviews:
Dr Cori Williams, President, is available for interview to discuss the impact of the National Health and
Hospital's Reform Commission Report on those with speech and language disorders.

Media contact: Caroline Huze, Marketing & Communications, Speech Pathology Australia (03) 9642 4899 or
[email protected]



The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited
ABN 17 008 393 440