Down Syndrome NSW Joins Down Syndrome Australia in Supporting the Our Health Still Counts Campaign
Down Syndrome NSW (DSNSW) is proud to join Down Syndrome Australia in supporting the important Our Health Still Counts campaign, led by the Council for Intellectual Disability (CID) and Inclusion Australia. This campaign is a powerful call to action for all political parties, candidates, and policymakers to commit to much-needed reforms that address the healthcare needs of people with intellectual disabilities, including those with Down syndrome.
Research and reports from the Disability Royal Commission have highlighted the systemic neglect and significant barriers people with intellectual disabilities, including Down syndrome, face in accessing healthcare, leading to poorer health outcomes and a reduced quality of life.
As an organisation dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of people with Down syndrome, DSNSW strongly supports the campaign’s call for essential reforms. People with Down syndrome face unique health challenges throughout their lives. They require access to regular and comprehensive healthcare, including preventative care and continuity of treatment, in order to live longer, healthier lives and reduce the number of avoidable hospitalisations and preventable deaths.
Our Health Still Counts campaign asks are:
- Implement the Roadmap
- Training for healthcare professionals
- Incentivise quality GP care
Carolyn Quinn, President of DSNSW, said, "We are proud to stand alongside our colleagues at Down Syndrome Australia, CID, and Inclusion Australia in advocating for people with Down syndrome. Everyone deserves equal access to the healthcare they need, regardless of their disability status. The establishment of the National Centre for Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health was an important and promising step forward, and it is now crucial that we build upon this foundation to ensure lasting change."
For more information on how to support the campaign, visit cid.org.au/ourhealthstillcounts
