The Intellectual Disability Network works to improve the experience and delivery of healthcare for people with intellectual disability by providing clinical leadership, research and education.
The network is led by a manager and supported by three co-chairs and an executive committee. Network members are involved at different levels, including:
- advisory roles
- subcommittees
- working groups
- broader membership of interested individuals.
Maria Heaton
Co-Chair
Dr Elizabeth Thompson
Co-Chair
Vince Ponzio
Co-Chair
The network draws on the expertise of its members, including consumers and carers, medical, nursing and allied health professionals. It also includes representatives from other government and non-government agencies.
Network structure
Advisory groups
Two advisory groups give expert advice and guidance to the executive group. The membership of the groups is made up of young people with intellectual disability and carers of people with intellectual disability.
Subcommittees
The executive group oversees four subcommittees:
- access and equity
- models of care
- research and evidence
- workforce and capacity.
These subcommittees take into account and consider:
- rural, remote and regional areas
- consumer and carer engagement
- disadvantaged groups such as Indigenous, CALD and refugees
- social, emotional and behavioural aspects of care
- collaboration, integration and partnerships, beyond health and rights
- advocacy and promotion in a broader context.
Aims and responsibilities
- To provide a coordinated statewide approach in clinical leadership to improve healthcare for children, young people and adults with intellectual disability.
- To focus on those with chronic, complex health needs and mental health co-morbidities.
- To develop specific initiatives to implement change such as standardised treatment protocols, models of care and service benchmarks.
- To provide a forum for clinicians, relevant government and non-government groups and consumers to determine the future directions for healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities across their life span.
- To improve education, research and safety and quality service provision, underpinned by evidence, through liaison with ACI partners and other organisations.
